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DPChallenge Forums >> Out and About >> Visiting the Grand Tetons
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 09/07/2007 01:05:38 PM · #1
I am going to be visting the Tetons with our local camera club the week of the 15th and was wondering if anyone out there is familur with the area and could give some suggestions on places and times to shoot in the Tetons and Yellowstone. We will be staying at a place called Togwotee lodge. So if there is anything intersting close to it i would love the hear it.

any all info will be apprecated

Message edited by author 2007-09-07 13:06:50.
 09/07/2007 02:26:30 PM · #2
Hey David,

I just took a trip through Glacier Nat'l Park, Yellowstone, and the Tetons last month. Beautiful, beautiful landscapes.

If you have the option, I would really recommend spending more time in Yellowstone over the Tetons, just because it has more diverse scenery.

Having said that, you need to be in the Tetons for sunrise b/c the mountain range sits along the west side of the park, and so they are illuminated most dramatically in the morning. I only drove through the park in the evening, but from all the pictures ive seen, it seems like morning is the time to be there.

You should drive around the 'loop' that sits in the middle of the park. Many of the most panoramic views of the tetons and the park can be found along the snake river.

Also I would say take the road up Signal Mountain at the northern end of the loop near Jackson Lake Junction for some amazing, sprawling views of the mountains and the park. This may be a good candidate for photographing the tetons in the morning, but I can't say for sure because I was there in the evening where the mountains sort of became silhouetted by the sun.

Another great spot is Jenny Lake, there is a road that leads there off of the western part of the loop. This is more of a close up view of the Tetons, its pretty nice.

Throughout the park there are turnoffs from the road that offer scenic views, they can get repetitive but many are nice.

Regarding Yellowstone, there is easily 3 days worth of sites to see. Clean up your telephoto lenses, there is wildlife all along the roads, its quite fantastic.

I hate crowds and tourists, so i'd say my favorite spot is Blacktail Plateau which is located between the Mammoth Hot springs and Tower-Roosevelt in the northern section of the park. There is a one way road dirt road that runs through some amazing scenery, I'd say its a must see for a photography group that wants to get some original shots. I drove through mid-day, but was lucky to have some great dramatic light due to some looming storm clouds. This is probably a great place to be for sunset, but I wouldn't know.

here is a shot i took on Blacktail Plateau:

Other sites to see would be the Grand Prismatic Spring located between Madison and Old Faithful, some crazy visuals...

I took this on the walk to Artists Paintpots between Madison and Norris

I took this in the evening on the road between Mammoth and Norris, this is such a spectacular road ...

I dont have any pictures but Firehole canyon Drive near Madison was really really cool, and you can go swimming in the naturally hot spring heated water there! Also a great fly-fishing spot if you're into that...

Also, basically everything between Madison and Old Faithful is worth seeing. I found Old Faithful to be rather anti-climactic, but the Old Faithful Lodge is a phenomenal architectural feat and also a cool thing to take pictures of inside. Bring a tripod and take a long-exposure so the crowds get blurred out with the motion :D

If you're limited on time, I wouldn't spend much time in the East or South sections of the park, as they are not as photogenic as the west. The exception would be spots along the yellowstone river (also good for fishing) and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and related sites which are must-sees.

Sorry for the length of this post I just had a lot to say! Really, you can't go wrong driving through either parks and stopping wherever you want. They are both so loaded with natural beauty that you'd have to actively try to take bad pictures.

Good luck and have fun, im jealous of you.
09/07/2007 02:35:30 PM · #3
The Tetons should be perfect with aspens turning. So, do spend some time in that areas. The lakes areas are nice to shoot or head a bit east and shoot the Tetons from a bit off. Yes, Yellowstone has great scenery, but the park is best for wildlife, hot pools, and geysers. No spectacular mountains like the Tetons. Dress warm, snow could happen anytime and probably will. Have fun. Van
 09/07/2007 07:01:27 PM · #4
Thanks for the info guys. I am sure we can't see it all we will only have 4 or maybe 5 days.
Adam those are some awesome shots hope i can get some like them
 09/07/2007 07:18:30 PM · #5
I am sure you have most of this information already, but here is where you are staying, almost in the shadow of the Tetons.

Towogdee Lodge

Personally I like Teton National Park better than Yellowstone. The scenics and landscapes are much more breathtaking. If you are going with a camera club, I am betting at least one person has some experience in the area and will know the best morning/evening sights.

As I mentioned in my email, do try to get to Brooks Lake. It is about half way between where you are staying and Dubois. Dubois itself is a charming old west town and worthy of many photo ops as well.

PS. I lived in Dubois as a child, and many of my extended family still live there. I visit as often as possible. My grandparents used to own Brooks Lake Lodge, but it has changed alot since that time.

Brooks Lake and Lodge
 09/07/2007 07:51:36 PM · #6
Don't forget the Mangy Moose Spaghetti Emporium in Teton Village and you can catch a tram to the top. I used to ride it half way up where the climbers get to the practice rocks. Well, it has been a couple of years, but I'm sure it would be worth it. As I remember there's a snow field at the top, too.
 09/07/2007 11:36:27 PM · #7
Originally posted by BAMartin:
I am sure you have most of this information already, but here is where you are staying, almost in the shadow of the Tetons.

Towogdee Lodge

Personally I like Teton National Park better than Yellowstone. The scenics and landscapes are much more breathtaking. If you are going with a camera club, I am betting at least one person has some experience in the area and will know the best morning/evening sights.

As I mentioned in my email, do try to get to Brooks Lake. It is about half way between where you are staying and Dubois. Dubois itself is a charming old west town and worthy of many photo ops as well.

PS. I lived in Dubois as a child, and many of my extended family still live there. I visit as often as possible. My grandparents used to own Brooks Lake Lodge, but it has changed alot since that time.

Brooks Lake and Lodge

Thanks for the info. Actually we have a couple in the camera club who host photo workshops in the Tetons and Yellow stone and they were going with us. But one of them had an unexpected surgery last week so they wont be able to go with us. We have 10 going now and none have been to the Tetons so we will be learning as we go. That is why i am looking for info this late
 09/08/2007 01:52:55 AM · #8
From another thread:

Well, in the Jackson area alone, you are in for a treat. In town is a really neat area, but the great shots are just north of the town. Exit Jackson headed toward Yellowstone, I believe its HWY 189. Once you pass the fish hatchery on your right, you'll top a hill and Jackson Hole will open up in front of you. From there all the way to the Canadian border are great landscape shots...seriously. There are some very classic views of the Tetons from easy pullouts all along the highway from there. Like these:
The latter is actually where Ansel shot one of his famous shots, hence the photo name.

For classic shots, I recommend turning right at Gros Ventre Junction onto Gros Ventre Road. About 5 miles down that road, there is a little park service sign on your left that points you to Mormon Row. There are a series of buildings up toward Antelope Flats road that are the classic antique Teton captures. Like these:

Along this road, there is a small heard of Bison that call the area home. Sometimes they are on the hillside to the left, sometimes beside the old buildings, sometimes over on Antelope Flats road, but I always find them. I have many, many more posted over on Flickr. From there, turn around and follow Mormon Row back over to Gros Ventre Road. Turn left, follow the road into Kelly, follow it around the sharp left turn, then turn right to stay on Gros Ventre road about a mile past Kelly. About 5 or 6 miles later, you'll be over at slide lake. That one is named for the large white area you'll be seeing on your right, trying to figure out what it is. A bit before the lake, there are some old cabins on the left that usually have bison roaming about. Here is a cool winter shot I grabbed there back in March:

All along the road around and past the lake, elk, bison, coyotes and big horn sheep usually hang around. This is probably the best, single area to find wildlife without getting up into Yellowstone.

I would also recommend taking the Moose-Wilson road from the south side of town, just off of HWY 22 to find the resident moose that are usually hanging around. That road, headed north, drops you right back into the Tetons,and there are some terrific shots of the local landscape there off the beaten path. I know that you mentioned having an afternoon in the area, but if you haven't already spent some time in Yellowstone, I sure wouldn't miss it while I was there if I were you.

I hope these help. As more comes to mind, I'll post those as well. I am at work right now, and I am sure that there is something I should be doing. Let me know if this helps.

Eric

ETA: Don't leave out Oxbow Bend. There are some very nice sunset opportunities there, as well as Cunningham Cabin.

Message edited by author 2007-09-08 01:55:22.
 09/08/2007 01:53:44 AM · #9
Also, check out Cahill's book titled "Lost in My Own backyard."
 09/08/2007 07:32:52 AM · #10
Since you have only a few days I would concentrate on the Teton National Park - this is the closest to where you are staying. Both the Teton National Park and Yellowstone are worth weeks of visit.

This is the website for the Teton National Park: Scenic drives

And favorite food:

Jedidiah_s_Original_House_of_Sourdough

Bubba's Barbeque
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