Hike to Camp to Fish - Mt Moran:Trapper Lake

This year we decided to take these old bodies into the backcountry for a few overnighters -- camping in the woods. We replaced our old tent, old stove and a bunch of other old stuff (it would be nice to replace the old lungs and old muscles too!). The new stuff is a lot lighter making the hike a bit more pleasant.

This was our first overnighter and we decided to do something easy -- a 4.5 mile "stroll". We call is a stroll since the trail is mostly flat, gaining only about 150' the entire way. The trail goes past String Lake, then Leigh Lake and ends up at Bearpaw and Trapper Lakes -- all in the Grand Teton National Park.  The goal was to mostly test out the new equipment and work out any bugs.

It was raining lightly when we were in the parking lot, but looking around it seemed that the bad weather was south and we were going north. We could have cancelled, but at this point we decided we could test the gear for rain too. Throughout the stroll, we wore rain gear, but mostly to stay warm, it was about 58F. Gear on, then gear off, as the weather changed from chance of rain to some sun.

The rain was mostly light or not there, nothing like a downpour or consistent steady rain. But upon returning to Jackson the next day, we realized that we really did "just miss" real rain. The rain gage on the porch read about .2" of rain .. a lot for this time of year.

Maybe a few too many pictures, but heck, it was fun to be out again.

Very nice views from the hike.

Starting out prepared for rain

 The hike is mostly a stroll

String Lake reflection in shallow water

Kevin reflecting on Mt Moran ..  a climb he did almost 40 years ago

Rain gear off

Rain gear back on 15 mins later 

 Mt Moran and Leigh Lake

Trapper Lake - surrounded by meadows and wildflowers

Purple and yellow -- that's Monkshood -- take a good look, it looks like a monk's hood.

At the campsite. It was nice, yet due to newly instituted backcountry fees, it was the most expensive campsite so far this year!

View from the campsite... creeping fog

 The resident campsite deer --

Alicia's new stove and pot -- she is very excited about them

Morning Latte -- yes, she is trying to perfect campsite coffee.

The next morning -- in the sun and blue skies

Heading back

A close-up of Monkshood

Leigh Lake again -- this time in nicer weather

The merganser family