Colter Bay, Wyoming // 22-26 September
We were fortunate to nab a spot at Colter Bay Campground for our 4 nights at Grand Teton National Park. We had a gorgeous spot just across from a little beach spot on Jackson Lake. Campers would head down to the lakeside each afternoon to catch the sun dip below the Grand Tetons. The lakes in the area were formed by glaciers so the beaches and lakebeds are smooth rocks and pebbles of various sizes.
On our first day we explored the Colter Bay Village area, Visitor Center, and did a Ranger-guided hike. We had beautiful sunny days even though it was late in the season. It was the last week of Ranger tours and the village supermarket was closing the following week.
Jackson Lake was huge and the water was so clear and inviting. Unfortunately the days were around 10-15deg (it got down to 0 overnight) so too chilly to consider a swim. I did see someone brave it though!
There were heaps of squirrels near our campsite, super active probably doing final top-ups of their stores for winter. There was a little trio who were always chasing each other.
There was also a mamma bear and two cubs on the peninsula behind the Visitor Center though we didn’t see them. The Rangers were careful to warn everyone. Their routine was to head out foraging early morning and come back for the night so we didn’t spot them.
The Ranger hike taught us about the different trees and vegetation in the area and those used for traditional medicines and teas. The area is known for huckleberries but unfortunately the summer had been too cold this year so the bushes remained bare.
