With 4 ½ days to see Yellowstone, last night we decided that today we’d do the loop drive through Idaho to Teton Pass over to Jackson, Wyoming, then up through Grand Teton National Park back to Yellowstone’s south entrance and back to the house.

Less than 10 miles from the house, we pulled over at a historical marker for Pierre-Jean De Smet. We remembered that one of the boats on Lake McDonald was named De Smet, now we got the context. He was a Belgian Jesuit missionary born in 1801, who came to the United States in 1821, intending to work among Native Americans.

We took another break around Ashton, Idaho, as it appeared to be the largest place we’d pass through until we reached Jackson, Wyoming.

The drive through Teton Pass (elevation 8432 feet) was interesting and we were glad to see that the road repairs following last year’s landslide appeared to be almost complete. The weekend before, the pass had been shutdown to further expedite the repairs. I can’t imagine what it was like for people depending on this route following the complete shutdown for three weeks in June 2024 until a temporary road was built, then over a year of repairs for the permanent road.

We arrived safely in Jackson, found a parking garage, and walked to the main historical area of town.

We wandered around the town, peeking into a few stores, then found our lunch spot at Liberty Burger. It was next door to Thomas Mangelsen’s gallery, so of course, I had to go gawk in there. I’ve been a fan of his nature and wildlife photography since seeing his 1988 “Catch of the Day” – an Alaskan brown bear standing at Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park with a salmon jumping into his mouth. He is also well-known for his images of Yellowstone’s most famous resident grizzly bear, 399, often with her cubs. Sadly, 399 was hit by a car and killed last October at the age of 28.

Grand Teton National Park

Time to keep a move on for our drive through Grand Teton National Park back to Yellowstone. If you stay on Hwy 191/26/89 from Jackson there is no entrance fee required until you reach the Moran Entrance station 18 miles away. If you take the Teton Park Road (towards Jenny Lake) off of Hwy 191, then you pay at the Moose Entrance station. There is also the Granite Canyon Entrance station on the Moose-Wilson Road leaving Teton Village. We opted to stay on Hwy 191 and take in the scenic views from there. But, someday, I’d like to go back and do the Teton Park Road to Jenny Lake and Jackson Lake.

Hwy 191 South Entrance Pullout

This is where the official typical national park sign is that everyone takes a picture with – but everyone was taking a picture there, so we didn’t get one with the sign, but it’s pretty obvious where we are with those iconic peaks behind us!

Glacier Overlook

From here, you can still glimpse what remains of 3 glaciers – Teton Glacier to the right of Grand Teton, Teepe Glacier to the left, and Middle Teton Glacier.

Snake River Overlook

Before Thomas Mangelsen, there was Ansel Adams. While Adams was probably best known for his images taken in Yosemite National Park, one of my all-time favorites is his “The Tetons and the Snake River” from 1942. I tried to recreate it on my prior visit to the Tetons back in 1991 with my Minolta X-700. I dug out my album and I got close, although in color (which is now badly faded). However, with all the tree growth in the area in the past 30+ years since I was there, I’d say it is next to impossible to recreate it now at least not from the official overlook. The landscape has definitely changed from 83 years ago. But, it is still a beautiful landscape.

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Cunningham Cabin Site

From the NPS website:

The Cunningham Cabin stands as one of the valley’s few remaining structures from the homesteading era when settlers filed nearly 400 claims in Jackson Hole. In the 1880s, John and Margaret Cunningham staked a claim for the Bar Flying U Ranch. Cunningham built his cabin in 1888 in the Appalachian style, commonly called “double-pen” or “dog-trot.” John lived in the cabin until 1895 when he finished his main residence, and it later became a smithy and barn.

Oxbow Bend Lookout

Another great view of Mt Moran from the Oxbow Bend Lookout.

Yellowstone National Park

45 miles from entering Grand Teton National Park, we exited and re-entered Yellowstone.

South Entrance – Snake River Ranger Station

We thought we might be able to stop at Midway Basin and see Grand Prismatic Spring on our way back, but it appeared to be even more crowded than yesterday! So, we passed on by. Firehole Lake Drive was still closed, too.

Madison River Valley

On our drive back to West Yellowstone through Madison River Valley, we finally spotted several elk.

Tonight was leftover BBQ and more cards, of course!