Grand Tetons in May

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I am heading out to Grand Teton NP in mid-May and am monstly interested in landscapes. Never been there before. Any suggestions on sites or views. All suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

-- Randy Redford (redford01@attbi.com), January 07, 2002

Answers

Start with www.grand.teton.national-park.com

I would recommend getting a park map and other pertinent information well in advance of your trip. Truly a spectacular area that I visited again last summer after my last visit 15 years ago. You did not mention this in your questions, but you are a stones throw from Yellowstone Park that also has great photographic opportunities. If you do your homework and optimiiize what time you have, you may be able to get them both in. Keep your eyes open for the wildlife both from a photographic and self preservation perspective. In Grand Teton I was setting up my camera near Jenny Lake and came up from unded my dark cloth to see a huge moose and her calf about 30-40 feet from me. In Yellowstone I watched 200 buffalo cross the Yellowstone River and literally pass right in front of my car.

I will probably get back to my home state of Montana this spring and on the way take in the Tetons and Yellowstone as well. Have fun.

-- Michael Kadillak (m.kadillak@attbi.net), January 07, 2002.


Randy, You will have a great time, I have been there twice. The first time is mid-May (attending a GAPW photo workshop), and the last summer camping with my family. May is a good time for wildlife. You may have some rain (or snow) but the wildlife is still in the valleys and the newborns are visible. Depending on the duration of your stay photo sites are plentiful. Two of the greatest spots are the Snake River Overlook (morning is better) and Oxbow Bend (evening is better but morning is good as well). Oxbow Bend is probably the best place for moose sightings (a landscape shot of Mt. Moran from Oxbend Bend with a moose in the foreground is not a bad shot to have). Another famous place is just east of the park entrance near some old dilapidated cabins. If you have more time you can cross Jenny Lake (boat ride or hike around) and hike to Hidden Falls and higher to Inspiration Point and above for beautiful alpine scenery. Depending of the weather prior to your trip you may also see some early wildflowers. And yes, Yellowstone is not far. But it's a huge park to cover photographically. If you have just 1 extra day limit yourself to the geyser area. With 2 extra days try Mammoth Springs in the northern part of the park, it's really beautiful. Look for the book: Photographer's Guide to Yellowstone & the Tetons by Joseph K. Lange. It will show you the best spots and where the old barns are located.

-- Georges Pelpel (gpelpel@attbi.com), January 08, 2002.

I visited Yellowstone (just a few miles north of the Tetons) the 3rd week in May about a decade ago. There was still snow on the ground and the lake was iced over at the beginning of the week. By the end of the week, most of the snow was gone and half the ice had melted.

In other words, have some warm clothes on hand.

Every day started clear, clouded over by 10:00 AM, had a heavy rain shower and stopped raining by noon. Like clockwork.

Any how, I've never had a more enjoyable vacation. The park was practically empty!

Everything there is worth shooting.

-- Charlie Strack (charlie_strack@sti.com), January 09, 2002.


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