After leaving Yellowstone yesterday, we explored Jackson, WY on our way to our accommodations on a working dude ranch outside of Grand Teton National Park. Today, we set our alarm for 6:00am which was partially to get a spot in a small parking lot by our trailhead but also because that was the time we were told that they were wrangling the horses. Last night, after we checked in, we were able to see them wrangle them and put them out in a pasture for the night. This was quite fascinating, obviously neither of us have a lot of experience with horses, wrangling or dude ranches. So when we had a chance to see it again and this time from our own porch, how could we not say "yeehaw!"?
Unfortunately, we didn't get to see them bring the horses back to their daytime accommodations, they must be behind schedule. This did get us up and out earlier than originally planned, so it was not all bad. We had an ambitious day ahead of us and getting an earlier start just meant more time in the coolness of the morning. The National Park is only minutes from our ranch, a welcome change from our accommodations outside of Yellowstone. We arrived at our trailhead (grabbing one of the few convenient parking spots) and were on our way. Our 18 miles out and back trail led us around Jenny Lake, through Cascade Canyon and out to Lake Solitude. This was the longest hike either of us attempted. Though it was not particularly strenuous, the higher altitude gave us cause for water and air breaks. The weather was close to ideal, mostly cool and cloudy. We made it up and back in 9 hours. Though we were glad we did the hike, I felt completely spent after the hike and couldn't help but fall asleep before the clock chimed 7pm.
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