Grand Teton May 24 and 30
Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2020 11:33 am
Made 2 more trips into the Tetons on Sunday, May 24 and Saturday, May 30. We wanted to go on Saturday, the 23rd, but with the snow we were concerned about making it over Teton Pass. Wish we could have gone as 399 was out with her cubs. Spoke briefly with a ranger and she said it was a "nightmare". But 399 did not show the day we were there. We still had a great time, however. Saw a black bear eating grass very close to the road and then a mother feeding at Colter Bay with her triplets up a tree. We could not get very good pictures of the cubs as we were giving space for the sow and then the rangers moved us back further. Saw them come down the tree then disappear.
black bear with 3 coys by William Reinke, on Flickr
cubs up tree by William Reinke, on Flickr
We hiked the trail to Swan Lake and actually saw swans along with a beaver lodge, but no beavers. Went home out Moose Wilson Rd and did see a great-grey owl. Karen got a good view then I got to see it fly.
We went back on Saturday and were not expecting to see much as it was a warm day and we didn't get there until around 1:00. Headed to Pilgrim Creek and no 399, but we were surprised to see what proved to be Bear 610, one of 399's older daughters, with 2 yearlings in the field. 610 is special to us as she was the first grizzly bear our boys and Karen had ever seen on their first (Karen's second) trip to the park in 2009. She along with her sister had just been kicked out and were visible near the roads for the three days we were in the Tetons before heading up to Yellowstone. My boys were hooked!
610 and cubs by William Reinke, on Flickr
Hiked a short trail out to Leigh Lake and a bit beyond until the snow became too much of a hassle. That is a beautiful trail and not very long or difficult to get out to the lake and see the best views.
Went back to where we had seen 610 earlier. She was not around but there were two other grizzlies in the same area. According to a local who was there, these were Blondie's two-year olds who had just been kicked out. One apparently had a run in with a porcupine and had a few quills near its eye. Seemed to be ok though.
DSC_0128 by William Reinke, on Flickr
Same lady told me that 399 had been "hazed" away from the road and was out around Hermitage Point with the trail now closed. Don't know how accurate that was but I hope the rangers don't do this every time she shows up near the road. Also mentioned that Blondie has a coy and has been seen in the same area.
Headed for home at that point. Another great day in the park!
![Image](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49970286608_6ec2bc82c3_k.jpg)
![Image](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49970801281_d002963561_k.jpg)
We hiked the trail to Swan Lake and actually saw swans along with a beaver lodge, but no beavers. Went home out Moose Wilson Rd and did see a great-grey owl. Karen got a good view then I got to see it fly.
We went back on Saturday and were not expecting to see much as it was a warm day and we didn't get there until around 1:00. Headed to Pilgrim Creek and no 399, but we were surprised to see what proved to be Bear 610, one of 399's older daughters, with 2 yearlings in the field. 610 is special to us as she was the first grizzly bear our boys and Karen had ever seen on their first (Karen's second) trip to the park in 2009. She along with her sister had just been kicked out and were visible near the roads for the three days we were in the Tetons before heading up to Yellowstone. My boys were hooked!
![Image](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49970876051_ee071e8d42_k.jpg)
Hiked a short trail out to Leigh Lake and a bit beyond until the snow became too much of a hassle. That is a beautiful trail and not very long or difficult to get out to the lake and see the best views.
Went back to where we had seen 610 earlier. She was not around but there were two other grizzlies in the same area. According to a local who was there, these were Blondie's two-year olds who had just been kicked out. One apparently had a run in with a porcupine and had a few quills near its eye. Seemed to be ok though.
![Image](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49970809741_a7a3fde633_k.jpg)
Same lady told me that 399 had been "hazed" away from the road and was out around Hermitage Point with the trail now closed. Don't know how accurate that was but I hope the rangers don't do this every time she shows up near the road. Also mentioned that Blondie has a coy and has been seen in the same area.
Headed for home at that point. Another great day in the park!