Tetons and Hotsprings

Earlier this week we posted some photos of the Grand Canyon of North Carolina... (i.e. the beautiful Linville Gorge Wilderness Area). Today our focus is slightly further West.

The Grand Teton Range is one of the world's youngest and most stunning formations. The Tetons rise so suddenly from the valley floor that they look more like a rising tidal wave than a millennia old mountain range. Driving the two-lane road north from Jackson Hole Airport to the Southern entrance of Yellowstone provides some majestic views... especially when they're contrasted with the serenity of a snowshoe hike to Huckleberry Hotsprings in Yellowstone. Enjoy.

1. Jackson Hole, Wyoming has the country's only airport contained completely inside of a National Park. Needless to say, taking off and landing is positively breathtaking.

2. This photo was taken just south of Jackson Hole on a drive to the Snake River. Any time of year, in any kind of weather, it's hard to take an ugly photo in Jackson Hole.

3. View of the Teton Range while driving North toward Yellowstone National park.

4. Beautiful pond you pass while snowshoeing to Huckleberry Hotsprings in Yellowstone.

5. Ducks, serenity and snow.

6. Snow melting on the edge of the hotsprings. It's amazing to see deciduous plant life thriving in the bitter cold environment.

7. The grotto, shot from above. The rock dam makes a nice knee-deep pool for relaxing.

8. Air temperature: 19 degrees. Water temperature 110 degrees. Getting in feels great, getting out is another story. We strongly recommend having a dry towel handy.