Picking a trail: I didn't care about topping a peak, I wanted around 10 miles, in the mountains, along a stream for a good portion. The answer: Cascade Canyon Trail at Teton National Park. A boat shuttle across Jenny Lake, half a mile to Hidden Falls, half a mile to Inspiration Point, 3.5 miles to the top of the canyon, and if we're feeling good, 2.5 miles to Lake Solitude.
How it happened: Well, everyone was all gung ho at first. Marmee bought everyone top-of-the-line equipment. We had a first aid kit to rival any ER crash cart. Charlie got a new shirt, pants from REI, a fancy hat, and some sweet shades. We were going to be explorers, for sure. Then a few people decided bears were scary. Then a few people decided it was hot. The kids weren't going to make it, etc., etc., etc. Well, after a little hikers' pow-wow, we decided we'd start the hike, go as far as possible and turn around when the kids start losing it. No problem. The train leaves at 6 sharp. . . or 7. . . or 7:30.
The day of the hike: 5 AM. My alarm goes off - 3 hours of sleep - ouch. Marmee's got the buffet set out on the table. PB&J, a case of Snickers bars, snack crackers, trail mix, hard candy - all in bear-proof ziploc baggies. We have a hearty breakfast of biscuits and gravy and we're off. A beautiful drive with several annoying stops to find the requisite bear spray. Finally, at 11 AM (peak tourist time, apparently), we arrive at the Jenny Lake trailhead. The boat across was a fantastic time. Crystal clear water (spotted some trout by the dock), panoramic mountains and an incredibly enthusiastic Charlie:
We got to the other side and began our trek upward. The first stop - what we thought was hidden falls - required a snack. So we stopped and snacked. Chuck had his bottle, and we were off after a few pictures. After more trekking, we came upon the real hidden falls (How could this possibly have only been half a mile?????) What an amazing site, though! Out of the woods comes this roaring, mammoth falls. . . time for a group picture!
(Charlie's on my back. . . honest, he's there)
See. . .
Anyway, we continued our trek, and three miles later (not really) we reached what we thought might be inspiration point. Guess what! Wrong. After another mile (not really - just 0.5 since Hidden Falls) we reached the real Inspiration Point - the proof:
Charlie and I saw a bald eagle with a chipmunk in its mouth. Charlie loved crawling around the dusty rocks, eating pine needles and a splendid few jars of baby food. After a lovely lunch spent with a few rotten children (not our group), a few good children (our group), a rotten Marmee (our group) and a rotten marmot (not our group), we continued up the trail to what I knew would be the crowning moment of this hike, the entry to Cascade Canyon. But first, a little logistics: we began at 11:00, the last shuttle boat is at 6, we want to be on the 5:00 shuttle at the very latest. It is now 1:30. We need to turn around at 2:00. Thirty minutes of hiking left. Let's book it to the canyon mouth.
One of my favorite things in all of nature is the sound of running water as one approaches it from afar. It makes me giddy. I can't think of words to describe the sights as we approached the stream in the top of some of the most beautiful mountains on this continent. And. . . to Pam's disgust, I got some of the best drinking water found anywhere. Charlie got to feel the cool, mountain stream, and cousin Justin had an opportunity to scrape his knee on a rock. As the boys were having a last-day-of-June snowball fight, we got word of a moose ahead. We had to make it there.
But first, the entry to the canyon. . . a more beautiful sight, I have not recently seen. I giggled with delight.
Then, the moose.
We hustled back down the canyon, past Inspiration Point, past Hidden Falls where we got bottle-necked behind some foreign tourists, and down to the boat dock for the return voyage. Charlie, again, loved the boat ride! Back at the ranger station, we saw a cow moose get encircled by tourists - we ran away, packed up the cars and headed out.
In our car, Charlie and I took a nap. In the other car, the boys took a nap. Only the promise of ice cream could wake us up. Oh, such good ice cream. Charlie had his first!
We finally got back to Stonefly lodge, hungry and tired, but with some great memories and experiences in tow. And we made a 5 mile mountain hike with Charlie! Can't wait for the next adventure!
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