Sawtooths & Tetons, Summer 2019

In Summer 2019 I had the opportunity to join a friend on a trip to the Sawtooths in Idaho and the Tetons in Wyoming. Part road trip (a triangle starting in SLC), part camping trip (Idaho), and part 'lux life (Ketchum & Jackson), it was an incredible trip and to this day remains one of my all-time favorites. Some highlights:

Stanley, Idaho

The basecamp for the Sawtooths, Stanley is a Wild West throwback with 2 intersecting dirt roads forming the town center flanked by saloons and boarding houses right out the 1800's. Filled with hikers, climbers, and rafters, it is friendly and fun party vibe. Pro tip: the sun stays out very, very late this far west in the timezone. Restaurants will close before the sun goes down, make sure you eat before you watch the sunset over those mountains.

Sawtooth Lake

Sawtooth Lake is a 9.5 mile roundtrip with 1800' elevation gain. You climb through pine forest into rock garden ravines and finally crest at the alpine lake surrounded by glaciers. This is the best hike I have ever done. You gotta get up there before the glaciers melt. Like, right now.

Craters of the Moon National Monument

We only stopped to pee, and knowing what I know now we should have gone in. Q: "Well then, why is it on this list?" you ask. A: Because it is remote and well off the beaten path, it is a unique and important part of geologic history, and I might not ever get back there again. I don't want anyone else to make that mistake. You're welcome.

The Deck, Jackson Hole

At the top of the Bridger Gondola lies a beer garden with a sweeping views across the Jackson Valley to the Gros Ventre mountains. Turn your head and you are looking up the famous Corbett's Couloir and the top of the Jackson Hole tram. Bonus: the gondola is free in the evening. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife when you are on the lift, be prepared for bears if you hike around up top, and watch out for thunderstorms. On our visit, we got trapped for an unplanned but lovely dinner inside when lightning caused the lift to shutdown for a couple hours.

Jackson Hole Pathways

I was pleasantly surprised to learn Jackson Hole has an extensive bike path system. I rode the 25 mile roundtrip from Teton Village to Jackson and back, but the path continues past Jackson all the way to Jenny Lake Lodge. The ride was mostly rolling hills with no crazy climbs. Good for anybody but the biggest newbies, and you can always put those folks on e-bikes.

Jackson Lake Lodge

Jackson Lake Lodge is the flagship lodge of Teton Nation Park, overlooking Jackson Lake the Tetons beyond. We were there for dinner (which I thought was pretty good given the tourist nature of the place) but lodging is available as well. On the night we visited, two adolescent grizzlies that had been abandoned by their mother were attempting to hunt a herd of sheep in a meadow about 3/4-mile away (and failing miserably). The entire restaurant left their tables and swarmed the patio with binoculars and zoom lenses trying to catch a glimpse of the action. Hope those bears figured out their shit before winter hit.

Photos: Oneplus 6T