Roughing It Gently - Our Travel Adventures in our 2015 Discovery 40E: September 3, 2019 - Trip to Moose - Wilson Road (Jackson Hole area); Foliage Colors Start to Change

We found a coupon for 4 12-packs of Cokes for $9.00 at the Alpine Market (that we had visited a few days ago), so we opted to go to Alpine to avail ourselves of it as our supply was running low. However, as long as we were going to take a ride up there, we figured we would keep on going and visit the Moose-Wilson Road near Jackson,as the latest post of the 'Best of the Tetons' blog by Mike Jackson (no relation to the town) was about the changing of the foliage colors and the sighting of moose on the Moose-Wilson Rd. We have been wanting to see a moose 'LIVE' for the past three years and despite every effort expended to that end, we always seem to come up empty. So, we figured... If Mike just saw (and photographed) a few moose there, let's go look for them. We are also keeping watch on the changing of the foliage colors as the aspens especially paint this bright yellow brush strokes on the forest canvas when they fully change.

So, though we had been there just about a week ago, we opted to go again, as the trip to Jackson is always beautiful, as is the Jackson area and the Tetons. Perhaps we'll make it a weekly outing to log the changes in colors as they change.

We started on the Moose-Wilson Road which is one entrance to the Grand Teton National Park. That entrance however is prohibited to RVs and trailers because the roadway is rough, has tight turns and is very narrow. Driving on we understood why the prohibitions as often even finding another vehicle coming at us required careful maneuvering so as to not touch each other in passing or rub our mirrors on posts and tree trunks on the side of the roadway. The speed limit is 25 mph for safety and signs also prohibit anyone stopping on the road. Unfortunately, had we found a moose in view of the road, we would not have been able to stop to photograph it, as there were usually several cars behind us (in a rush to get to wherever they were going). That is something that never ceases to amaze us... tourists on a scenic roadway going so fast that they cannot appreciate the beauty all around them.

There are many signs warning of "Moose - Next x miles", but for all of our exploration of the Moose-Wilson Road, which is an 8-mile scenic drive between Teton Village and Moose, WY, not a single moose was observed. Actually the only wildlife we saw was two (2) chipmunks and 1 duck. It's scenic alright, but tedious to drive and there is a 1.5 mile section of unpaved roadway, which is one of the bumpiest roads you will ever want to be on. It is easy to understand why RV and trailers are prohibited on it. They even have 3 yearly abatements to control the dust of that unpaved area. We don't understand why they don't just pave it instead.

One needs to take the Moose - Wilson Rd if one is going to either the Lawrence S. Rockefeller Preserve Center, or the Granite Canyon Trailhead, or the Phelps Lake Trailhead, or the Death Canyon Trailhead. It can be used to go between Jackson at Teton Village and the town of Moose, WY. On the north end of the road is the south entrance of the Grand Teton National Park (GTNP). Though technically it is not IN the GTNP, one needs to get a pass at the Pass Check Station (see photo for Pass Prices).The 'scenic' is in the trees, (beautiful aspens and pine trees, tall grasses and a vivid variety of wild flowers. Unfortunately the promised wildlife of moose, bears, beavers, deer and foxes never seem to be around when the tourists are....

Guess what? IT'S NOT NICE TO FOOL.... TOURISTS

There is also a Moose Habitat Overlook, from which the tourists can see the wildlife (at a safe distance), but the only wildlife there was a lonely black DUCK. (See photo). NO
MOOSE!

Then we went to the other side of the park, to Gros Ventre, where Mormon Row (and the most photographed barn in America' is, with a backdrop of the dramatic Teton mountain range. Unfortunately, NO MOOSE THERE EITHER. However we did see some Pronghorn Antelope in a field.

We recently had an experience involving the Jackson Hole Fire Emergency Interagency Dispatch Center (based in Jackson), when we noticed a plume of grey and black smoke over the mountains west of our location in Star Valley Ranch. We looked up who to report wildfires to and were referred to online to the National Weather Service. Yeah, that exactly where the Internet sent us. They explained they don't handle that but gave us the number to the Teton - Jackson Hole Interagency Fire Dispatch Center, but warned us that they may be a little busy as they were currently fighting a wildfire directly across the street from their location. Just in case it was a new wildfire, as the fire danger was extremely high due to the high winds in the area, Bill called them to report the smoke (which we had not noticed before this). They answered promptly and professionally took his report, and his phone number and thanked him for the report. We really dd not expect anything more, thinking that they would check it out and act on it, if it needed action or disqualify it if it didn't. However, about an hour later we heard a helicopter flying somewhere around us and shortly thereafter Bill received a call from a member of the Jackson Hole Interagency Fire Dispatch Center stating that he was in his car on Hwy 89 (near where we are located) and asking if the location of smoke that we saw was the same as the one that he was observing (describing the mountain spires) and confirmed that that smoke was from the Tin Cup Fire which is a lightning-started wildfire that actually started July 30, 2019, about 37 miles NE of Soda Springs and which is being allowed to burn on its own due to it being on public lands (Teton-Targhee National Forest) and the fire stimulating regrowth of the thick floor the following season, but assured us that they are watching it and will act on it if conditions change and it shoud threaten to move into private lands. Wow! Talk about service. We're impressed.

Well, we hope you enjoy our photos, as we always enjoy taking them...

The Alpine Market, our first stop to get our sodas for Happy Hour mixers (a top priority).

The grass is starting to turn bright.

Even with still green all around, the Snake River is still beautifful to watch.

Due to several nights of freezing (<32 degrees) temperatures, some leaves have started to turn yellows and oranges, but because the low temperatures don't last, it's a slow process.

Roxy comfy in her hammock in the back seat, waiting for when she can get out to go explore the area and see the famous 1,000 lb. 'mouse' with antlers we keep telling her about but which never shows up.

A beaver dam was spotted but the beaver was either inside or out foraging for food.

This is definitely moose (or 'mouse' as Roxy understands it) country. Every such habitat we look hoping to see one feeding in the brush or walking in the water with its head sticking out, but no such luck.

Along the forest...

here and there...

traces of foliage changes show brighter and yellower shades popping out.

Here someone is planning to enjoy one of the more popular recreation activities along the Snake, whether it be whitewater rafting, fishing or just floating along to enjoy the scenery.

4-OK CORRAL on an old wagon, just outside of Jackson.

Entering the city limits of Jackson/Jackson Hole. The town is actually just Jackson, but it is referred to as it was in the old days... Jackson Hole. The 'Hole' is a referrence of an area used for trapping, so it would have been more like 'Jackson's Hole'. Today it is often referred to as Jackson Hole, for days gone by.

The turn off to Wilson,to the Moose-Wilson Road.

Last week we passed this modern Wells Fargo and commented how nice it is, appropriate for a major bank in Jackson. Today we pass it and its roof shingles are totally removed. The winter freezings must take a harsher toll than we imagined or perhaps due to the wildfires that have occurred so close to town they are changing the shingles to something more fire-resistant. Who knows, but one can always count on Wells Fargo to maintain its buildings, like they maintain their customers (and our) accounts.

Well at least we saw some wildlife... Canadian Geese in a field.

Some land owner put this figure of a moose on his fence (above) and on his lawn (below), next to a sign warning that this is a turtle crossing area. They must do this to try to fool the tourists into thinking that there is wildlife around. This may be the closest thing that we get to see of a moose. And as for the Turtle Crossing sign, we're too smart to think that turtles can actually read english to know where to cross.So that must be fake too. IT"S NOT NCE TO FOOL... TOURISTS!

This sign was at the entrance of the Moose-Wilson Road, where there is a GTNP Pass Station. Contrary to the wildlife signs, we know these are real, because they are destined to be observed by the tourists and they know that tourists can read english...well, at least most of them as at least the bus driver of the oriental tours can speak english.

GTNP Entrance Fees and Passes. We both have the Lifetime Interagency Senior passes which we got when they were only $10 each and they are good for FREE entry in National Parks and National Forests, National Monuments, etc FOR LIFE. So glad!!

Poor Park Ranger has to hang out her window to collect entry fees and pass out maps and so on. We'd bet this older lady is going to have a sore back every day. Hope they have a good health plan for them. They really should furnish them stations like bank have where the drawer comes out closer to the customer's car, rather than the teller/ranger having to reach out the window. Imagine if it was pouring rain or snowing. The poor thing could die of pneumonia.

Some trees (aspens) are starting to turn yellow slowly.

A portion of the Moose-Wilson Road is unpaved and one of the roughest roads you'll not want to be on. Thankfully it is only for one and a half (1.5) miles, but it is clear why they prohibit traffic to motorhomes (RVs) and trailers...

And also due to how narrow it is. Here there is a one-lane bridge, which does not look too safe to support the excessive weight of some motorhomes and fifth-wheels. So why would anyone choose to go on this road? Because the promotion is that one can see every manner of wildlife at any spot along this road, including Moose, Beaver, Elk, Deer, etc. We only saw 2 chippers (chipmunks) and a black duck, Like we said... "It's not nice to fool... TOURISTS"

Still. it is a lovely drive through an 8-mile forest showing early signs of the changing foliage, and the expectation (though unfulfilled) of finding an interesting wild critter around the next turn in the road.

There's one of the chippers along the edge of the roadway.

As we were driving this road, in a clearing Bill said "Hey look... A Laughing Man!" We suppose we shouldn't say "Man" or some Democrat will raise a stink because that is 'sexist', but whether Man or Woman, Bi or Straight, Transgender, or No-Gender... it still looks like a laughing or shouting figure. Can you see it? If not, look below. The trees and bare landscape draw out the eyes, nose, lips, open mouth, chin and shoulders.

This is truly Moose habitat, but not a moose in sight. If there are any they are probably laying down in the heavy brush... laughing at us. Oh, and look, there is the laughing 'figure' in the background.

Along the roadway there is Moose Habitat & Wildlife Observation Area, up on a bluff looking down on the wildlife habitat, from which tourists can (supposedly) watch the wildlife from a safe distance to both. There must have been 20 cars in the parking area along with a Park Ranger vehicle. Everyone was pointing toward a given area so we were at first exciited to think that there was going to be a moose that we could photograph and show Roxy her "1,000 lb mouse". However when we parked there was nothing there but a lone black duck, which we guess is what everyone was pointing it. What a disappointment! Like we keep saying... "IT'S NOT NICE TO FOOL.... TOURISTS!!"

The water in rivers and ponds around here is perfectly clear. This water is about 12"-24" deep and the bottom is evidently visible. The Snake river is the same way.

Here is the lone Black Duck in the habitat.

Roxy disappointed because she wanted to see that 1,000 lb mouse that we keep talking to her about, and Bill comforting her, telling her "Maybe on our next visit, sweetie."

Some bushes seem to turn yellow first,

but the aspens are the really spectacular showpieces.

At the end of the Moose-Wilson Road, the road opens up from 'forest' to

'open meadow' with some willows and marshlands where moose like to hang out.

Again with the wildlife warning signs, this one for bison, where bison cannot be found.

In the distance, on the left... the most photographed barn in America...

the T. A. Moulton barn in Mormon Row. The most impressive photographs of it are the ones taken from the other side... with the majestic Tetons behind it.

One never gets tired of viewing the Tetons, and in photos it really

doesn't do them justice. It has to be experienced first hand.

Here is the Gros Ventre campground. As we drove through it it really is a very nice campground. There is a section of electric hookups, but no water or sewer, and the rest is all dry camping although there is water available and a dump station. Bear-Safe food storage boxes are provided. Surprisingly tent camping is allowed, despite the presence of bears.

Restrooms (no showers).

On our way out of the campground we spotted these Pronghorn Antelopes in a field.

A view of Teton Village, from the other side of the valley.

On the way back to Jackson, a view of the National Museum of Wildlife Art. The blackened area in the top of the hill, dangerously close to the museum (which was evacuated) is the remnant of the wildfire that fortunately was contained right there.

In Jackson, at the Rustic Inn.

Businesses and restaurants in Jackson

We stopped at this Albertson's... (always a good excuse to go to Jackson)

to stock up on some things that we cannot get at the local supermarkets.

Another view of the Wells Fargo with the roof being replaced.

A sub station of the Jackson Hole Fire EMS, which is a full service emergency response organization which manages the fire protection and emergency medical services of the Jackson Hole area and assists neighboring areas in case of wildfires and other needs. Jackson Hole has seven (7) Firehouses: #1 Jackson, #2 Wilson, #3 Hoback, #4 Moran, #5 Alta, #6 Moose-Wilson Road, and #7 Adams Canyon (newest). Each firehouse counts with a Battalion Chief, Captains, Career Fire personnel and volunteers. They are all called out and managed by the Jackson Hole Interagency Dispatch Center.