Grandpa Jack and Grandpa Bev & The Cabin.
My love for the mountains started in the Tetons where my grandparents have lived for the past 26 years.
They will forever be the ones who instilled in me a love for the mountains, the smell of fresh cut wood, and searching for grizzlies. My grandma grew up going to the Tetons and she and my grandpa have been living there since 1994. That has left me with countless summers exploring the Tetons and a few Christmas’ where we strapped on cross-country skies, pulled a sled behind us and chopped down a Christmas tree in the forest (don’t worry, it wasn’t in the national park).
It has been a place where my cousins and I spent summers playing in the treehouse out front that gramps built. A place where we live in our sweatshirts and run around outside all day, trying not to care about our dry skin or chapped lips. A place that feels like home and smells like grandma’s bread. It’s Grandpa in his cowboy hat with a toothpick in his mouth saying he shot two pesky chiselers before breakfast or Grandma in her bathrobe shooing a bear in the front yard away with a broom. It’s picking huckleberries with Grandma until our fingers turn purple and helping her make huckleberry jam while watching hummingbirds out the kitchen window. These are my Grandparents who just celebrated their 70th anniversary on October 1st 2020. Married 1950.
Considering the fact that if it weren’t for Covid, we would still be in South Asia, it was a huge blessing that Robby and I were able to visit family in WY and even go on a family backpacking trip.
Cascade Paintbrush Canyon Loop Family Backpacking Trip
Total Milage: 20
Elevation Gain: 4,138 feet
What a sweet time with family it was— despite the pain we were all in by the end of the 2 day, 1 night trip.
My brother-in-law was the pack mule since he had to carry one of the gigantic bear bins and all the trash we gave him.
My twin was the wellness instructor, helping us stretch out the kinks in our muscles.
Cousin Jonny was the musician, serenading us with his harmonica skills, not to mention his important water filter contribution.
My hubs was the navigator since he has a way with GPS systems and technology.
My Uncle was the guide since he’s done the route countless times.
I took on the role of the photographer, having everyone stop along the trail to group together and capture the memories.
We started out at Jenny Lake and headed toward cascade canyon.
It was also a super sweet time for my twin sis and I to be hiking together again. The last time we went hiking together was 4 years ago.
The serene mule deer blended in to their forest surroundings.
After hiking 10 miles, we settled in at a campsite in North Cascade Canyon. It was the last site and we had a perfect view of the back side of the Grand Teton.
short sunset hike to Lake Solitude at the top
The moon “rising” over the Tetons and reflecting onto the lake was one of the most majestic sights I have witnessed.
Good Morning, Grand!
Heading up over the divide toward Paintbrush Canyon
Paintbrush Divide. 10,700 feet
Made it back to Jenny Lake at about 5 pm the next day after another 10 miles of hiking to make a full loop.
What are some of your favorite places to go hiking?