So we are off. Masked up and flying for the first time in over a year, we go with the kids and grandkids on a hiking trip to the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone, a trip that got cancelled in 2020 and rescheduled in 2021.

The effects of Covid are three-fold. First, the parks are very crowded. Even though no international tourists are here, the domestics who can’t leave the U.S., more than make up for them. So traffic, both foot and vehicle, is terrific. Go early or go late to avoid the biggest crowds. Second, many restaurants are closed, or are carry out only and third, masks are required inside any park building. Another difference this year is the haze due to wildfires further west in Oregon, northern California, and northern Montana.

We arrive in Jackson Hole late afternoon and after getting our rental cars – and renting bear spray – we caravan to Albertsons Grocery Store for some basic supplies. Next stop is a nearby Wendy’s restaurant for dinner and since the inside closed at 4 pm due to increased tourist traffic, we eat sitting in our cars. There are twelve of us and three cars. Then it’s off to Jackson Lake Lodge via Route 191 for the night. We manage to arrive just at dark then pile into our cabins for the night and realize we are at 6,800 feet and this altitude change keeps us – tired as we are – awake for awhile.

We have been here before so the next morning we want to check out some places we haven’t seen, and drive to Colter Bay. Nothing much to see there but we do, however, get our park passports stamped.

Then we drive the narrow, twisty, road to the top of Signal Mountain, 7,700 feet, to check out the view of Jackson Hole and the Snake River from there. Again, our view is affected by haze. This mountain is ten miles from any Teton Peak, stands alone, and was formed at the same time as the peaks at Yellowstone.

We meet two guys who had just bicycled this morning from Jackson Hole – about 65 miles one way – and rode up the winding road to the top. It’s not Alpe d’Huez but still daunting. They were vacationing from Dallas and had really, really nice S-Works Specialized bikes. After looking around a bit more we head for Jenny Lake.

Along the way we stop to take a photo of the Cathedral Group which includes eight of the ten tallest peaks of the Tetons. They range from 12,000 to nearly 14,000 feet.

This photo was taken in 2010 when we were previously in the Tetons and there was no haze from smoke.

At Jenny Lake the parking lot is full and cars are parked along the road for 1/2 a mile in either direction. We go into the parking lot and because it’s nearly noon, manage to get a parking place without too much waiting.

From Jenny Lake there are a number of trails that can be hiked. The best option is probably to take the privately owned little ferry across the lake which cuts off a mile or two. We did not do that today because of the lengthy line waiting on the boat.

So we took the Jenny Lake Trail with nice views of the lake and headed for Hidden Falls.

We didn’t make it there. We got diverted by Moose Ponds Loop because word spread along the trail that there were moose to be seen.

Ross climbed down a steep area. which was not part of the trail, to get close to this mother moose who was eating away at tree branches and aquatic plants. Her calf had been visible earlier but was now hidden away.

Another view of Moose Ponds then we head back, overcome by altitude, dehydration, and lack of sleep.

When we were here in 2010, we took the ferry across the lake and then climbed to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point which is considered the most popular hike from the lake.

This was about a four-mile round trip from the ferry landing. The trail gets more rugged on the way to Inspiration Point with switchbacks and rocky terrain.

From the top, we had a nice view looking back at the lake.

On our way back to the car today we saw people cooling off their feet in the cold lake.

Then we head back to Jackson Lake Lodge for dinner which is takeout from the Pioneer Grill. We pick up our food in the main lobby which is large and has this view of the Tetons.

The lobby is a busy place.

We eat outside with a terrific view.

Then finish off with a group photo. For a national park lodge we were very impressed with Jackson Lake. Our cabin room was spacious, with a remodeled bathroom, comfortable beds and overall, very functional for hikers.