Snake River Paddle Trip With Friends + Surprise Elk Bugling

Snake River, Grand Teton National Park (62 degrees, blue skies and sudden storm)

Our friends Bob and Patsy helped us plan a great paddle trip down the Snake River.  They have paddled this river several times and suggested launching from the Jackson Lake Dam and exiting at Pacific Creek  This river can be quite a challenge and dangerous in some areas.

The day started at Jenny Lake Lodge for a delicious breakfast. When we arrived it was a beautiful blue sky day and we could not believe it when we noticed it was raining through the restaurant window. Weather in the Tetons can change very quickly and often without much notice.

After checking out our chosen launch site at Jackson Lake Dam and reviewing the weather radar we decided to wait another hour before starting.  The Jackson Lake Lodge and it's warm fireplace seemed like a perfect place to hang out for awhile. An "all clear" was finally called by Bob and we returned to the launch site.

Everyone got busy getting all the gear together and inflating the kayaks.  Several wardrobe changes took place too because suddenly it became a very warm day.

Patsy and Jann

Our friends Barry and Jann were visiting and it was so great to have them come along.  Al and Karen came too from Moran.  We have been looking forward to paddling this river all season.

Beautiful view of the dam and Mt. Moran

We launched easily and the view of Mt. Moran was once again spectacular.  The current quickly moved us down the river with very little effort.  The water was super clear and there were smiles all around. Paddling doesn't get any easier than this stretch of river. You can just put your feet up and relax because the river does all the work.  How sweet it is!!!

Patsy leading the way

Beautiful views all along the shore

Barry and Jann

John with Mt. Moran in the background

What a spectacular paddle trip

Bob and Al and Karen

Suddenly clouds started to build behind us and we became very concerned about thunder being heard along the mountain range.  OK, its time to pick up our speed and get to our take out quickly.

It didn't take long before we reached it and then the weather started to improve again.  Sheesh!

Pacific Creek take out

We'd love to return again and go further down the river but only if we have someone experienced to follow. This stretch was very easy but from here on down the river it gets more challenging.  

Later in the evening we met at Geraldine Lucas's cabin in the park and hoped to hear the elk bugle. Love is in the air for the elk and during this time the male elk can be heard bugling. It's a an eerie signal to other male and female elk which defines their territory and mate.  

Geraldine Lucas was a very brave and often cranky woman who lived alone in one of these cabins for over 25 years without electricity or running water.  She was the second woman to ascend the Grand. and it was quite an accomplishment since she was not a very athletic person and described as "plump". She had one thing very much in her favor - determination.  

Her property is now a part of the Grand Teton National Park.  She was very opposed to Rockefeller's plan to buy up the homesteads in this area. Thank goodness her son thought otherwise.  It's a tranquil and beautiful place with some fantastic views of the Teton range.

We waited for a long time but were not successful in hearing the elks bugle.  A big storm started to build and soon it was pouring. Watching the storm come across the mountain range was a pretty cool sight.  Geraldine's wide porch protected us very well.

Bob, John, and Karen looking for elk

After the storm we went back to our cars.  As we were exiting the park a large herd of elk was seen along side the road in the dark.  We pulled over, stopped the car, and waited. Suddenly two elk bugled into the night air.  Wow!  It's an eerie sound.  What a perfect day!