Coal Creek to Taylor Mountain Ridge

We hiked the Coal Creek trail which is in WY but still quite close to ID.  It is one of the 10 most popular trails in the area since it meanders through wildflower fields, crosses the spring feed Coal Creek, arrives at a very large open meadow and offers access to the Taylor Mountain Ridge at just over 10,000ft.  It is 3.4 miles to the point that we wanted to go and gains over 3000' of elevation. For us, a bit of a challenge given that we normally breath at sea level.

For this trip, we met up with Bev and Whitey, long time friends who live just outside of Jackson WY in Kelly. We will be taking up residence at their place when they head off on an Arctic canoe trip.

This was quite a nice place to be and to take photos, as a result, there are quite a few.

The day in pictures:

Whitey heading up through wild flower field and Coal Creek. Due to wet weather the flowers were generally early to bloom and the amount of flowers in bloom was consider higher than normal.

Bev and Alicia doing the same

Bev, Whitey and Alicia in the wildflowers

Them again

Gaining elevation --- Okay enough of them

Some of the flowers seems --- Buttercups, these show us just after the last snow melt. If we were 2 weeks early these would not be out, but under a small snow field.

Green Gentian

Alicia arriving at the end of Coal Creek Meadow

Then a slog uphill to the Taylor Mountain ridge (Taylor in the background)

Happy campers since the views were spectacular -- well worth the effort.

Looking West over the Teton County basin, the Big Hole range in the distance and the town of Victor

Alicia at the top of the hike

A very unexpected and different view. That's the Grand Teton in the back, right side, providing a south facing view. We were "gobsmacked" at the different perspective of the Grand and the 3 Tetons. Here, the Grand stands out alone. Quite unusual.

Well deserved rest in the trees

Whitey and Alicia on the return, we got to the top of the right peak -- 10,024'

On the way out

More from the backside

A not so interesting drive on a dirt road, of about 40 minutes, was unexciting, until we broke out of the national forest. Then views opened up.

Lupine

Cozy home with a view

Does this old road lead to the top??

Backyard Birds

Sitting in the backyard porch in Driggs, with a camera at hand.

Magpie -- very common

Meadowlark -- mostly new to me.

the "backside of the tetons"

One view from Idaho is of the West faces of the Tetons -- the "backside".  They stand out, no matter where you are.  The drive from Driggs to a lot of fishing areas passes along side the Tetons as one travels north and south. As a result I drive it a lot, and have been on the road a lot over the past few years.

I generally take my camera with me just in case there is some notable scenes. This day proved to be one of them.

Here are some views from that drive.

This is on the way.

Not in Kansas anymore.

Field of Mustard

This is coming back

Yellowstone Birds

While fishing/touring in the Park, we came across a bird that we had not seen before and a couple that we had seen previously

American Avocet -- new to us

Trumpeter Swans

What is this? training for in-line skating or nordic skiing?

They travel in pairs.

Potato Country

This is the part of Idaho in which they grow seed potatoes, alfalfa, and other plants. It is flat, rolling, with very large fields. Lots of grain storage, mowed fields, farm equipment, and open views.

Here are a few shots of the local area:

A hell of a view of the backside --- from a pull off at mile 9 on ID Rt 32. It is quite often that the pull out has cars in it with folks taking pix. The overall panorama is stunning and could only be captured by 4-5 linked images. The total view of the Grant Teton range stretches about 40miles N to S, and you can see it all. This is likely about a 10 miles segment

Farm "fixer upper" in an impending storm.

Red Barn, Green Field, Dark Clouds 

Big space with a storm in the north

Housesit at Driggs ID and a BIG dog walk

We accepted a housesit in Driggs ID because it is a great place to have a base to fish from... as there are a ton of opportunities within 15-60Mins.

We are charged with 2 golden retrievers (Taku and Cache) and 3 cats (Tazzie, Zoey, and Mooch). All animals have already proven to be very well trained and easy to deal with. The first task of all housesits is to develop a bond with the animals, especially the dogs. So how to do that, BIG DOG WALK.

This time out on the Sheep Bridge Trail outside of Alta WY, just outside of Alta.

Great hike among field of flowers and along the Teton Creek, --- which due to the recent rains, it running VERY high.

This area around Driggs, and the broader basin, offer up great views of the "backside" of the Tetons.

A little side stream to start of the 4 mile hike.

Bridge Crossing with Dogs in Tow

Teton "Creek" with TONS of water

Real Geraniums

In the meadows

More Geraniums in the field

Dogs having fun

Arrowleaf Balsamroot

Dogs in the water

White Columbine -- sorry overexposed

ALBR

Dunno these tiny white flowers

On the return

Dunno this vine with blue 4 petal flowers

Another group of White Columbine

Cache the young guy heading home at a fast pace.

Taku, the old guy, sauntering home