Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Cross-country Skiing in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

          The calendar says "March" but if you're interested in one last winter fling there's no better place for it than Jackson Hole and Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.

Winter scene near Taggart Lake Trailhead.

         Enter the park at Moose Junction and drive to the Taggart Lake Trailhead.  From there you may choose to cross-country ski the road to Jenny Lake, or snowshoe the trail to Taggart Lake.  If you choose to ski, the main road through the park is closed to vehicle traffic and is groomed for both classic and skate cross-country skiing.  Another ski trail cuts through the forest along the base of the towering Tetons.

Is there a better cross-country ski venue in the entire country?

Trail through the forest.

We choose this meadow for our lunch stop.  A downed log provided the
perfect perch—and view—for our al fresco dining experience.

          After a day in the park treat yourself to gourmet dining at Wild Sage Restaurant in the Rusty Parrot Lodge in downtown Jackson Hole.  Try either the Beef Tenderloin or Crackling Salmon entrees, then finish your meal with a spirited mug of "Wyoming Coffee".

Winter evening on the square in downtown Jackson Hole.

Interested in counting down the days of winter in Grand Teton National Park?  Visit this website for more details:  http://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/winter.htm

4 comments:

Vickie Bates said...

Hi Rita,

I've only had the pleasure of "visiting" the Grand Tetons through photographs - and yours were stunning. The cross-country skiing looks amazing there.

My stepdad spent time trail-riding and fly fishing in this area (and there was snow on those beautiful peaks even during the warm months!), but I've never had the chance to see Jackson Hole lit up so fabulously.

What a great trip! Will you and Tim go back during fly-fishing season?

One Day in America said...

Hi Vickie,

Your stepdad was lucky to have been able to trail ride and fly fish is such glorious surroundings. Tim would love the chance to get back to the Teton/Yellowstone area to do a little fly-fishing—don't know if it will happen this year though.

Thanks so much for your comments and compliments. Always appreciated!

1HappyHiker said...

Hi Rita!

Wow! When you and Tim cross-country ski, you do it in style! I am truly envious! You posed the question: "Is there a better cross-country ski venue in the entire country?" . . . It's difficult to imagine that there is!

Cross-country skiing is such an awesome winter sport which I enjoy immensely. Perhaps someday I'll have the pleasure of XC-skiing at the Grand Tetons. Your posting makes me want to drop everything and travel across the country to do it NOW! :-)

John

One Day in America said...

Hi John,

Do you have your tickets yet? Because the scenery in the Tetons is indeed something to drop everything for!

You're right, it's hard to imagine a better venue for this wonderful winter activity, especially given the great weather we had during our trip to Jackson Hole.

Thanks for your comments!