Going to Jackson Hole WY (Grand Tetons) in a week (7/10)

I am going to Jackson Hole WY for about a week (next week). I have never been to Wyoming before and was just wondering if anyone had some suggestions as some must-see places to photograph and do this time of year.

I will be taking everything in my sig (minus the 100L macro), my tripod, plus a 10-22mm (borrowed from a friend).

We will be spending most of our time in the Grand Tetons and spend a day up in Yellowstone.

So far I have found these two links at POTN but they are geared towards Yellowstone:

Going to Yellowstone this July
Yellowstone "Hot Spots"

Thanks!

EDIT: Here are pictures and blog entries from my trip covering everywhere we went in the 6 days!

http://www.beartoothhi​ghway.com/

ox bow bend was a good place for me, also swabackers landing.

A couple of good suggestions already - especially Beartooth Highway and Oxbow. If you want to get a nice shot of the early morning sun hitting the Tetons, go to about mile #14 on the road towards Dubois, just east of Moran Junction - you'll need to be there about 6:30 - 7:00 a.m.

Beartooth Highway is out the north-east entrance of YNP - well worth the trip, you could come down Chief Joseph Highway, to Cody, then back in the east entrance of YNP. I'm surprised that you are only allocating one day for YNP - you could spend an entire week there.

You may want to take the Tram ride to the top of Rendezvous Peak - catch that at Teton Village.

There is a Bison herd that hangs around just south of Moran Junction - sometimes they are right next to the highway.

I live in Alpine, about 35 miles south-west of Jackson. Unfortunately, I'll have to be in my other office (Riverton), most of the week of the 12th, so wouldn't be able to give you any personal tours of the area.

Prepare yourself for a lot of very early mornings and a lot of driving, depending on where you're staying. There are two roads at the park, an inner and outer. Most of the photographic opportunities are along the outer road (some on, some a bit off): Oxbow Bend, Mormon Row barns, Snake River Overlook, Schwabacher Landing, Cunningham Cabin, Willow Flats, and a few more that I can't think of at this point. There are some opportunities within the park proper (Signal Mountain for one, and quite a few trails that wind around several of the lakes...Jenny and String are two), but most of the well-known locations are along the outer road as you come up from Jackson, and they all get flooded with photographers. My advice would be to definitely get some of the cliche' shots, then look around for the not-so-obvious. For example, on the way to Schwabacher Landing for some obligatory sunrise shots, I noticed a trail that's used by fishermen about 200 yards before the Schwabacher parking area. After getting some sunrise shots at Schwabacher Landing and tiring of the crowd, I worked my way up the trail and found a great spot for shots of the Tetons with a lot of visible river rock and spent another two hours there...alone. Several good spots along that trail as well. Its a great area, but keep your eyes open for the not-so-common opportunities as well. And if you're heading back to your lodging after dark, keep a good eye out for the elk...

PS You will need to get to most of the spots very early (Oxbow, Schwabacher, Mormon Row)...we're talking about 1 to 1-1/2 hours prior to sunrise or sunset to claim a good vantage point and set up for your shots. And if you don't have any, I'd consider getting some GND filters, along with a good polarizer.

GJim wrote in post #10478364
I live in Alpine, about 35 miles south-west of Jackson. Unfortunately, I'll have to be in my other office (Riverton).

I'm sorry!

GJim wrote in post #10478364
A couple of good suggestions already - especially Beartooth Highway and Oxbow. If you want to get a nice shot of the early morning sun hitting the Tetons, go to about mile #14 on the road towards Dubois, just east of Moran Junction - you'll need to be there about 6:30 - 7:00 a.m.

Beartooth Highway is out the north-east entrance of YNP - well worth the trip, you could come down Chief Joseph Highway, to Cody, then back in the east entrance of YNP. I'm surprised that you are only allocating one day for YNP - you could spend an entire week there.

You may want to take the Tram ride to the top of Rendezvous Peak - catch that at Teton Village.

There is a Bison herd that hangs around just south of Moran Junction - sometimes they are right next to the highway.

I live in Alpine, about 35 miles south-west of Jackson. Unfortunately, I'll have to be in my other office (Riverton), most of the week of the 12th, so wouldn't be able to give you any personal tours of the area.

argyle wrote in post #10479445
Prepare yourself for a lot of very early mornings and a lot of driving, depending on where you're staying. There are two roads at the park, an inner and outer. Most of the photographic opportunities are along the outer road (some on, some a bit off): Oxbow Bend, Mormon Row barns, Snake River Overlook, Schwabacher Landing, Cunningham Cabin, Willow Flats, and a few more that I can't think of at this point. There are some opportunities within the park proper (Signal Mountain for one, and quite a few trails that wind around several of the lakes...Jenny and String are two), but most of the well-known locations are along the outer road as you come up from Jackson, and they all get flooded with photographers. My advice would be to definitely get some of the cliche' shots, then look around for the not-so-obvious. For example, on the way to Schwabacher Landing for some obligatory sunrise shots, I noticed a trail that's used by fishermen about 200 yards before the Schwabacher parking area. After getting some sunrise shots at Schwabacher Landing and tiring of the crowd, I worked my way up the trail and found a great spot for shots of the Tetons with a lot of visible river rock and spent another two hours there...alone. Several good spots along that trail as well. Its a great area, but keep your eyes open for the not-so-common opportunities as well. And if you're heading back to your lodging after dark, keep a good eye out for the elk...

PS You will need to get to most of the spots very early (Oxbow, Schwabacher, Mormon Row)...we're talking about 1 to 1-1/2 hours prior to sunrise or sunset to claim a good vantage point and set up for your shots. And if you don't have any, I'd consider getting some GND filters, along with a good polarizer.

EdWood wrote in post #10477735
http://www.beartoothhi​ghway.com/

1000arms wrote in post #10477944
http://www.nps.gov …lanyourvisit/wi​ldview.htm and http://www.nps.gov/grt​e/planyourvisit/drives​.htm are good places to start. There is much that can be seen from the roads and pullouts. The park is small compared to Yellowstone.

SteveJa wrote in post #10478340
ox bow bend was a good place for me, also swabackers landing.

I will check those out, thanks for the tips!

GJim wrote in post #10478364
A couple of good suggestions already - especially Beartooth Highway and Oxbow. If you want to get a nice shot of the early morning sun hitting the Tetons, go to about mile #14 on the road towards Dubois, just east of Moran Junction - you'll need to be there about 6:30 - 7:00 a.m.

Beartooth Highway is out the north-east entrance of YNP - well worth the trip, you could come down Chief Joseph Highway, to Cody, then back in the east entrance of YNP. I'm surprised that you are only allocating one day for YNP - you could spend an entire week there.

You may want to take the Tram ride to the top of Rendezvous Peak - catch that at Teton Village.

There is a Bison herd that hangs around just south of Moran Junction - sometimes they are right next to the highway.

I live in Alpine, about 35 miles south-west of Jackson. Unfortunately, I'll have to be in my other office (Riverton), most of the week of the 12th, so wouldn't be able to give you any personal tours of the area.

I guess we'll play it by ear, but we figured that we might as well fully cover the tetons before doing Yellowstone on a separate trip, because you're absolutely right, you could spend an entire week there easily! We got 6 full days. Actually If we can cover the Tetons in 4, I guess that leaves 2 for Yellowstone .

argyle wrote in post #10479445
Prepare yourself for a lot of very early mornings and a lot of driving, depending on where you're staying. There are two roads at the park, an inner and outer. Most of the photographic opportunities are along the outer road (some on, some a bit off): Oxbow Bend, Mormon Row barns, Snake River Overlook, Schwabacher Landing, Cunningham Cabin, Willow Flats, and a few more that I can't think of at this point. There are some opportunities within the park proper (Signal Mountain for one, and quite a few trails that wind around several of the lakes...Jenny and String are two), but most of the well-known locations are along the outer road as you come up from Jackson, and they all get flooded with photographers. My advice would be to definitely get some of the cliche' shots, then look around for the not-so-obvious. For example, on the way to Schwabacher Landing for some obligatory sunrise shots, I noticed a trail that's used by fishermen about 200 yards before the Schwabacher parking area. After getting some sunrise shots at Schwabacher Landing and tiring of the crowd, I worked my way up the trail and found a great spot for shots of the Tetons with a lot of visible river rock and spent another two hours there...alone. Several good spots along that trail as well. Its a great area, but keep your eyes open for the not-so-common opportunities as well. And if you're heading back to your lodging after dark, keep a good eye out for the elk...

PS You will need to get to most of the spots very early (Oxbow, Schwabacher, Mormon Row)...we're talking about 1 to 1-1/2 hours prior to sunrise or sunset to claim a good vantage point and set up for your shots. And if you don't have any, I'd consider getting some GND filters, along with a good polarizer.

That sounds like a great spot. I really want a shot like that, close to the water, with visible rocks and mountains in the background.

Thank you both for the awesome advice! Looks like it will be a bunch of early mornings! I do have a Hoya Pro-1D CPL and also some cheapo GND/ND filters. The filters have this redish tinge, but I will try and make do, does warm up some of the sunrises/sunsets (almost too much).

Mormon Row offers a lot of great shots. Highly recommended.

This thread is great; thanks guys for the "local info" in some of these tidbits!
Thanks for starting this Dr4gon

dr4gon wrote in post #10479841
I will check those out, thanks for the tips!

I guess we'll play it by ear, but we figured that we might as well fully cover the tetons before doing Yellowstone on a separate trip, because you're absolutely right, you could spend an entire week there easily! We got 6 full days. Actually If we can cover the Tetons in 4, I guess that leaves 2 for Yellowstone .

That sounds like a great spot. I really want a shot like that, close to the water, with visible rocks and mountains in the background.

Thank you both for the awesome advice! Looks like it will be a bunch of early mornings! I do have a Hoya Pro-1D CPL and also some cheapo GND/ND filters. The filters have this redish tinge, but I will try and make do, does warm up some of the sunrises/sunsets (almost too much).

Not a problem...here are two from that area, taken on different mornings:

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Tdragone wrote in post #10480851
This thread is great; thanks guys for the "local info" in some of these tidbits!
Thanks for starting this Dr4gon

Glad I could help, I'm excited!

argyle wrote in post #10481029
Not a problem...here are two from that area, taken on different mornings:

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Those are awesome!

Thanks again! If anyone has any more suggestions, please feel free to add .

You might like to try the back road between Teton Village and Moose. Never know what you might find there. It's really a great place for fall colors, but that's a few months away yet.

Here are a couple of images from Fish Creek, just east of Wilson - not too far south of Teton Village.

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We spent 3 days there the end of May......I HIGHLY recommend the drive along Moose Wilson road (through the forest). We saw Great Horned owls, moose, elk, Osprey, eagles and Sand Hill cranes all within a 5 mile stretch.

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Grand Teton is incredible.

Some good info here:

http://www.parkcamper.​com …d-Teton-National-Park.htm

Personally If I had six days I also would do four in Teton and two in Yellowstone unless I was mostly fishing.

Everywhere you look in the park will be great. I don't know if you are camping but Jenny Lake and Colter Bay are tops. Both also have fantastic scenery.

Maureen Souza wrote in post #10482072
We spent 3 days there the end of May......I HIGHLY recommend the drive along Moose Wilson road (through the forest). We saw Great Horned owls, moose, elk, Osprey, eagles and Sand Hill cranes all within a 5 mile stretch.

Mike55 wrote in post #10484747
Grand Teton is incredible.

Some good info here:

http://www.parkcamper.​com …d-Teton-National-Park.htm

Personally If I had six days I also would do four in Teton and two in Yellowstone unless I was mostly fishing.

Everywhere you look in the park will be great. I don't know if you are camping but Jenny Lake and Colter Bay are tops. Both also have fantastic scenery.

GJim wrote in post #10481950
You might like to try the back road between Teton Village and Moose. Never know what you might find there. It's really a great place for fall colors, but that's a few months away yet.

Here are a couple of images from Fish Creek, just east of Wilson - not too far south of Teton Village.

Awesome thank you! I hope 280mm (70-200 + 1.4x) will be manageable lol.