Inspiration Point - Grand Teton National Park - July 12, 2014

Where: Grand Teton National Park - Inspiration Point at Jenny Lake

Difficulty: Easy/Moderate

Length: 1 mile hike to Inspiration Point plus a fun Boatride

Elevation: 7,200 Ft

WildLife: Chipmunks, Bear, Pika

Hiking Companion: My Beau Jesse

The drive into the park south from Yellowstone National Park was beautiful surrounded on each side by tall looming trees. I don't see trees this tall and skinny where I live.

As we entered further into the park and closer to Jenny Lake we got our first views of the Tetons. These mountains certainly stand out as distinctly unique on their own and I could see why the landscape was divided into the separate national parks of Yellowstone and Grand Teton.

We had just one day to spend in Grand Teton National Park. We chose to visit Jenny Lake and Inspiration Point for our main place to check out here. This time of year, in July, there is still some snow on some areas of the trail so we didn't venture too much farther past Inspiration Point. The trail does go around in a loop along Cascade Canyon and Paintbrush Canyon which converge and meet at Lake Solitude for a nice camping spot on a backpacking trip. But this section is only accessible in late summer.

Inspiration Point is a well known focal point of the park with many visitors as we could vouch for with the packed parking lot. There is a visitor center here where you can get a stamp in your Passport to Your National Parks Book. After checking in here we headed out towards the Jenny Lake shuttle. The shuttle runs every 10-15 minutes and is $15 round trip. It'll shave almost 2 miles off your hike if you want to save time or energy.

Here is the boat entrance

Riding over on the boat!

Taking the boat over for a hike was exciting as I've never used a boat for the start of a hike before.

It was a short ride and soon enough we were at the starting point of the 1 mile hike to the top.

The 1 mile hike up was a bit steeper than anticipated. The trail had lots of families and tourists on it so for a 1 mile hike it is do-able for most people despite the climb in elevation. About halfway up a light rain started to fall and thinned out some of the crowds who hid under trees for cover. Thankfully we were prepared and bought our rain jackets with us. We hiked on and the rain cleared up in just a few minutes. In the mountains it is expected to have afternoon showers quite often. We soon came to our first view, but not quite at our goal yet.

We still have some more climbing to do.

Random hikers in front of us

Until we reached Inspiration Point....!

It is a beautiful view and everyone stops and takes their photo behind the sign. Is the view as inspiring as it's name promises?

The one thing that stood out to me the most about Inspiration Point were the many chipmunks darting around in between the seated people munching on their lunch and snacks. They are cute thieves and as you know cuteness sometimes lets you get away with more. So I didn't mind so much that they tried to steal our food. There was one cute moment when two of the chipmunks joined together for a kiss. The moment passed too quickly to grab a photo of it though.

I know cheeze-its are hard to resist.

Hey there!

As mentioned the trail goes on after Inspiration Point. We hiked just a bit farther. There were great views all around. It was on this section that we spotted a pika.

This photo taken by Jesse

We headed back down the trail and to the shuttle back.

The shuttle awaiting us.

Just a few minutes after we arrived at the dock a black bear came sauntering up the trail we just left. I am thankful we had that few minutes between a confrontation and were now safe on the dock. The bear did not seem too phased by all the people though and walked right by those who were still on the trail.

The bear is there blended into the background

  

On the drive back we stopped at this famous viewing area that was photographed by Ansel Adams.

The Snake River

My favorite thing about the west is still the plentiful wildflowers in bloom in the summertime.

Music:

You are a Tourist - Death Cab for Cutie

My Vimeo

Links:

Map of trails

Jenny Lake Boat Info

Emma Rose Elliston Memorial Park - October 12, 2014

Where: Emma Rose Elliston Memorial Park - Southampton, NY
Difficulty: Easy
Mileage: A Short Walk
Scenery/Wildlife: Views of Big Fresh Pond, tick?


This was a short walk along the Paumanok Path within the Emma Rose Elliston Memorial Park. The park entrance is on the left along Millstone Brook Road in Southampton.

Entrance Sign

Memorial

Trail Sign

Leading straight up from the parking lot, it is just a short walk to Big Fresh Pond. It is a beautiful view and a great place to have a picnic with family or friends.

The first view of Big Fresh Pond

To the left and right is where the Paumanok Path crosses in front of the pond. I walked a bit both ways.

To the right the trail crosses to an opening where you'll get another nice view of the pond.

I didn't walk too long on this side as the trail narrowed a bit and I am still a bit wary of ticks after the experience in Manorville. Though with the cooler weather bug season has died down.

Is this a tick? ...Hm not entirely sure.

Going towards the left of the Pond I followed the white blazes until I hit the Millstone Brook road. The Paumanok path crosses with a few other nature trails on this side.

Crossing paths with an elderly gentleman at this viewpoint he greets me with a comment of the beauty of this scenery.

Turnaround Point at the Road...the trail continues...

Map of the Hike

The park was a nice and peaceful retreat for a short walk and a rest near a view of water. A good contemplative lunch spot.

Sagg Swamp Preserve - October 12, 2014

Where: Sagg Swamp Preserve, Sagaponack, NY Southampton
Mileage: 1 Mile
Difficulty: Easy Peasy
Terrain: Flat, Boardwalks

In looking for some hikes to do out east, I found this site recommending a few promising ones.
If you put the preserve in your GPS, it won't take you to the right place, so it is best to use the directions given by the preserve website.

There is no parking lot. There is only a small space on the side of the road to park.

 The trail starts out as a narrow straight walk through the woods, but it is surrounded by the sounds of suburbia and whirring cars not far off in the distance. The trail itself is nestled within the confines of a neighborhood not far south of Montauk Hwy.

Soon you will come to the intersection where the loop starts for the swamp. The loop starts at the below bench.

Here I turned left and the majority of the loop is on a well kept railed boardwalk that encompasses some of the beauty and peacefulness one looks for in nature.

Below some red berries were found; though their identification are unknown to me.

Fall is in the beginning stages of progress. Leaves were scattered amongst themselves on the boardwalk.

A view of the swamp.

A map of the route.

Given that this was listed as one of the prettier parks to visit, I was a little underwhelmed with the hike overall. It did lend some beauty, but it is more of a park where if you live in the area it is a nice place to take a quick walk to refresh. The sounds of chirping birds were numerous though, so it might pique a birder's interest to check this location out.