The Tour Begins

     (This is the first post we entered in our blog when we started it back in July.  I moved it to the top so that people just viewing the blog for the first time would have some information on our Tour.  From here, you can use the links on the left side of the page to go to the bottom and read the posts chronologically or to go to a particular post.  Or, you can just scroll down from here and read the posts in the opposite order they were entered. Click on "July" to open up the menu from that month.)

     Our Jeep Summer Tour 2011 began in early June.  We are beginning to publish this blog in mid-July. We drove the roads in and around the Targhee National Forest along the southern and western boundaries of Yellowstone National Park near Ashton, Idaho.

     We made the Tour in our 1953 Willys M38A1 military Jeep.  The Jeep is all stock. We've added seat belts and a roll bar for safety.  These early Jeeps were superior to most of the vehicles of their time in their ability to travel where others couldn't go.  Their one weakness was their tendency to tip over if driven too quickly around a corner.  The roll bar and seat belts offer us some extra protection.  We have also added a sun top and extra storage boxes to carry some of the gear we'll need on our Tour.

     All of our Touring was done on day trips.  When not Touring, we stayed in our travel trailer, which was set up at the Ashton R.V. Park.  

     We began our Tour in early June on the Cave Falls Road east of Ashton, Idaho. The beginning of the road is marked by a sign reminding us that throughout our Tour we'll be travelling in grizzly bear country.  The Targhee N.F. has a large population of grizzlies.  In addition to bears, packs of wolves inhabit all the areas of our Tour.

     As we'll find out, travelling in an open Jeep in grizzly bear country can add a whole new level of adventure to the trip!

     The legal stuff:  this blog is protected under United States copyright law.

The Jeep Summer Tour 2011 is Done

The Falls River just outside the YNP boundary

     The Jeep Summer Tour 2011 is done.  The A1 took us to some great places, without a single breakdown!.

    We started the blog hoping that we could share our travels with others.  As of this morning, the blog has been up just over three weeks and has been viewed over 750 times.   It's been seen by people from United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Hungary, Netherlands, Australia, Germany, Mexico, Argentina and the Czech Republic.

One of the old places, with the Tetons in the distance

Along Robinson Creek

  

     There are scenic and exciting places all around the country.  We’ve enjoyed giving others a look at some of the places near where we live.

     We’re going to leave the blog up so that we can go back during the long winter that’s coming, enjoy the memories from the past summer and think about the places we want to see next year!

     And speaking of next year, we're planning to have both of our old Jeeps, the A1 and our 1963 CJ5, along on the Tour.  This summer we focused on the area around the Targhee National Forest.  There are still places there we want to go to next year, but we're also going to travel to some places a little farther away.

     A special thanks to the men and women of all the armed services, Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines and Navy, who have served and who are serving.  What you do is important and appreciated.

Up close: The Tetons

     The A1 didn’t make this trip, but 2 daughters, 1 son-in-law and 3 grandchildren did.  We took the 40 minute drive to the Grand Targhee Ski Resort just across the border in Wyoming and rode the chairlift to the top of the ski hill for a very close look at the Tetons.

     The size of things up there is immense.  We’re standing at about 9800 ft above sea level.  The top of the Grand Teton is 13,775 ft.  A short distance to our left the canyon wall drops almost straight down. The deepest part of the canyon is about 2,000 ft below us.

     This picture was taken on August 6 and there's still some snow up there.

     Here’s a Grand Teton spotter’s tip.  See how the left side, the North side, drops off more steeply, while the right side, the South side, is more rounded?  Once you recognize that, you’ll always be able to tell if the picture of the Grand you’re looking at was taken from the west, as this picture was, or the east. 

     It seems that many people who visit this area are focused on seeing Yellowstone and just give Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) a quick look.  That’s a mistake.  Plan to spend some time there on your visit. There's plenty to see.

     Here’s a link to the GTNP website:  http://www.nps.gov/grte/index.htm

     Here's the Grand Targhee Resort website:  http://www.grandtarghee.com/

Cascade Creek and Terraced Falls: Next time!

     "High winds, heavy rain, frequent lightning".

     That was the weather forecast for the Cascade Creek area on the morning we planned to make this trip the other day.  So, we cancelled.  Very disappointing!  Then, to make it worse, the bad weather never happened and it turned out to be a beautiful day!

     The Cascade Creek and Terraced Falls area is truly one of the hidden gems of YNP.  Remote, rarely visited, and spectacular. There are probably some who don't like me telling you about this area because of a concern that it will be "over visited".  But, it's a part of YNP and, if you're able to make the hike, worth the effort to see.

     Just remember if you go, this is not a stroll down your local greenbelt.  It's wilderness. You'll be a long way from anywhere.  No snack shacks or cell phone service. You could be the only ones on the trail, or you might be surrounded by 50 Boy Scouts from an area camp.  Either way, be in good shape, have the right gear and know how to travel safely in grizzly bear country.

     Cascade Creek tumbles down through it's little canyon over rocks and through pools until it joins the Falls River.  Continue on down the Falls River to Terraced Falls.  Stand on the stone pillars that surround the falls and look down between your toes at the torrent below.

     Can't go a year without visiting the place.  We're going back this fall.

     In “Yellowstone Waterfalls and Their Discovery”, the authors wrote, “Because the (Cascade Creek) trail parallels what is surely, inch for inch, one of the most scenic streams in the park, we believe it is an ideal place for the novice Yellowstone hiker”.  Terraced Falls is “highly recommended for anyone who wants an introductory taste of the Yellowstone backcountry”. 

     The picture above shows Cascade Creek where it enters the canyon at the beginning of the hike.

Terraced Falls.  This is a picture I pulled off the internet.  The trail leads to the top of the rocks on the right side of this picture.  Getting to the spot where this picture was taken from requires fording the river above the falls, hiking through the timber and climbing down the canyon rocks.  I'm grateful to the photog who took this picture.  It's a great shot of the Falls. 

Side trips: other places we saw on the Tour

     We tried three times to get down into Sheep Falls on the Falls River.  First we were stopped by snow on the road, next we were stopped by mud and the third time we were stopped by a steep rocky drop that I thought might be too much for the old Jeep.   Without another rescue vehicle along and no winch to help us climb back out we decided not to take the risk.   We're going back next year with at least two Jeeps.  Any volunteers?

     The long muddy hole that stopped us from getting down into Sheep Falls on the second try.

Here's a pic of Sheep Falls on the Falls River I found on the internet.

     Robinson Creek.  We crossed here a number of times during the Tour to get to or from the places we visited.  In the winter, this bridge gets us to some outstanding snowmobiling areas.

     We helped unload some cows onto summer pasture along Conant Creek.

     The Tetons as seen over the railing at the corral.

      Our Little Wrangler giving instructions to the cows.

     We saw many old buildings from the early days of settlement in this area.  The hard working people who developed this area must have been some hearty folks!

     An old building in the town of Drummond.

     We fed two young horses being kept in a separate corral from the rest of the herd. 

     Horseshoe Lake along the western boundary of YNP.  We didn't get to spend as much time here as we would have liked.  Definitely going back next year.

Johnny Sack Cabin at Big Springs in Island Park.  Stopped here on our way to lunch at the Old Faithful Inn.

Warm River Butte: former fire lookout site

     The lookout tower is no longer there, but the view from the top of Warm River Butte is still awesome.  The entire Teton Mountain range, the high plateaus of Yellowstone National Park and much of the Targhee National Forest are visible from up there.  Warm River Butte is along the Fish Creek Road.

     The Tetons in the distance still have snow on them while the flowers bloom on Warm River Butte.

     Moose Butte in the foreground and the plateaus of YNP along the horizon.

     The Targhee National Forest below Warm River Butte.

     All that remains of the lookout tower are some cement footings and jagged steel.  These towers are a significant part of the history of our national forests.  It's unfortunate that more of them haven't been preserved.

     Going back down the narrow, winding and sometimes steep road on Warm River Butte.  Travel in low clearance vehicles isn't recommended.  You might make it, but you might lose a part or two along the way.

 Near Warm River Butte last winter.

    It's still called the Targhee National Forest, or, just the Targhee, by locals. But it's official name became the Caribou-Targhee National Forest a number of years ago after management of the two Forests was merged.  Here's a link to the Forest's home page:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c5/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gjAwhwtDDw9_AI8zPwhQoY6IeDdGCqCPOBqwDLG-AAjgb6fh75uan6BdnZaY6OiooA1tkqlQ!!/dl3/d3/L2dJQSEvUUt3QS9ZQnZ3LzZfMjAwMDAwMDBBODBPSEhWTjBNMDAwMDAwMDA!/?ss=110415&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&cid=FSE_003853&navid=091000000000000&pnavid=null&position=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&ttype=main&pname=Caribou-Targhee%20National%20Forest-%20Home/

Lunch at the Old Faithful Inn

    We took time out from our Jeep travels to take a day trip to Old Faithful and have lunch with my mother at the Old Faithful Inn while she was visiting from Pennsylvania.

     The drive up to the Inn.

     The dining room at the Inn.  We just barely beat the crowd.  Shortly after this picture was taken every table was full.  The buffet, which we enjoyed, included Bison chili and pan fried trout.

     Looking up from the center of the lobby.  This is a small section of the log structure of the Inn. You really have to stand there and see it in person to get the full sense of this building.  Don't miss it on your YNP trip.

     Here's a link to the Yellowstone National Park site which contains information on the history and construction of the Old Faithful Inn, and other information on the area around Old Faithful.

http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/holdfaith.htm

Cascade Corner: Cave Falls and the Bechler Ranger Station

     If I were told that I could only visit one section of Yellowstone National Park for the rest of my life, this would be it. No question.  No hesitation.  End of discussion.

        We think of YNP as two separate places.  There's the "Front Country", the places that most visitors see. Places like Old Faithful, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and Yellowstone Lake.  Then there's the "Back Country".  Those more remote places that fewer visitors get to enjoy.

     The Cascade Corner is one of those remote places. Named for all of the waterfalls on the Bechler and Falls Rivers, it is located in the southwest corner of the Park.  There are no paved roads to lead you there.  To get to the Cave Falls and Bechler River section you'll drive the 15 mile dirt road called the Cave Falls Road east of Ashton or take the 30 mile hike from Old Faithful.  To get to the Falls River section you'll drive the dirt road called the Reclamation Road, also known as the Flagg Ranch or Grassy Lake Road, east of Ashton, or, again, hike in from other areas of the Park.  I'll give you info on the area accessed  from the Reclamation Road in a future post.

     If you see a YNP entrance sign next to a dirt road, you can be pretty sure you're entering the back country.

     This way to the Bechler Ranger Station, that way to Cave Falls.

     Cave Falls.  Not the best picture we've ever taken, but its the one we have from the Summer Tour.  Google "Cave Falls" to see better pics.  Cave Falls is a product of the water of the Bechler and Falls Rivers, which join a short distance upriver from here.

     Its called Cave Falls because of the large cave next to the falls, to the left in this pic.  In the past visitors could hike up the edge of the river and stand inside the cave to admire the falls.  Unfortunately, the cave roof collapsed a few years ago and the cave is now unsafe to be in and is closed off.

     Hiking down to the Cave Falls Overlook.

     Looking down the Falls River from the Cave Falls Overlook.

     Enlarge the picture and read the story of the Bechler Ranger Station.  We recently learned that my wife's grandfather was a soldier stationed in YNP during the time this building was built.  We're attempting to locate his service records to see if he played a role in the construction of the Station.

   A trail sign near the Bechler Ranger Station.  There are a number of day hikes available from the Station.  Don't forget your mosquito repellent and your bear spray.  You'll need both.

     The Idaho PBS station did a terrific special on the Cascade Corner.  You can order it from their website.  Here's a link to the online version of the show.  Definitely worth taking the time to watch.  Two of the folks in the video are friends of ours.  Bechler Ranger Dave Ross and horse packing guide Brad Rhodes.  Remember to click the full screen button in the lower right hand corner for the best viewing.

http://video.idahoptv.org/video/1476047808

     Bechler, our dog.

The Jackass Loop

     Yup, that's what it's called.  I can't tell you with certainty why it's called that. But one story we've heard is that a herder in the area years ago named Jackass Meadows after his jackass. Jackass Loop goes through Jackass Meadows.

     If you look around the west you'll find many places with the name jackass in it.  Mr. Jackass really got around!

     And, like many of the other places with that colorful name, the name does not do it justice.

     A ride on the Jackass Loop gives you as good of a tour through this amazing country as you'll get. It begins and ends on the Reclamation Road east of Ashton.  It circles the area known as Squirrel Meadows. It crosses a number of creeks and drainages including Squirrel Creek, Dry Creek, Jackass Creek, Jackass Meadows and South Boone Creek.  It starts in Idaho and ends in Wyoming.  It travels along the border of the Jedediah Smith Wilderness Area and provides access for those who wish to hike or ride horseback there.  And it makes a nice side trip on the way to or from the Cascade Creek trailhead along the southern boundary of YNP, Grassy Lake and Flagg Ranch on the Reclamation Road.

     And, like many of the places you'll visit around here, the mosquitoes can be thick.  So, leave the so-called-skin-product-as-mosquito-repellent home.  DEET is the word.  Apply liberally.  For those allergic to DEET, there's another ingredient, Picaridin, used in some products. It is almost as effective as DEET.

     We've made several trips on the Jackass Loop already this summer and are looking forward to more before the season ends.  Then, from about Thanksgiving until Easter, we'll ride it on snowmobiles.

     Dry Creek at the west end of the Loop.

     Another pic of Dry Creek farther up the meadow.

     A short side trip off of the Jackass Loop, down over Conant Creek, will take you to the Coyote Meadows Road, another access point to the wilderness area.

     Ernst Lake is a great place for a lunch stop.  Just remember:  DEET!

     (Close your eyes, picture jagged snowcapped peaks here)

     The Tetons are up close and spectacular along the Jackass Loop.  Unfortunately, we had the camera set incorrectly and all the pictures we took were washed out.  So, you'll just have to go see for yourself.

     How bad can the mosquitoes be?  Well, I'll tell you.  On one of our trips we had my dear 81 year old mother along (in the Explorer).  We stopped at this hitching post in a hunting camp along the border of the Jedediah Smith Wilderness Area and posed her in front of it for a picture.  Before I could take the picture, the mosquitoes lifted her up and carried her away.  Fortunately, the wind was down slope.  She landed safely in Squirrel Meadows.

     South Boone Creek trailhead.

     South Boone Creek fast and full from snowmelt off the Tetons.

     Remember this guy?  Jackass Loop.  The area around Squirrel Meadows has a significant population of grizzlies.  So, if you go there, learn how to travel safely in bear country before you go.

Up close: our 1953 Willys M38A1

     My dad was in the Big Red One in World War II.  He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds he received in battle while fighting in the Ardennes Region just three weeks before the start of the Battle of the Bulge.

     When you travel around in a 58 year old Jeep, there's always the possiblity of a break down.  We carry basic tools and spare parts, plus all the supplies we'll need to stay out for a few days if we can't get it fixed.

     Surplus store canvas bags give us additional storage.  Small white label on upper left of instrument panel says "Cornering speed 15", the one on the right says "Max speed 45".  Note the very basic anti-theft device. Putting the gear shift lever in reverse puts it next to the heavy steel ring attached to dash, then just lock the pad lock around the lever.  Small round ring hanging off bottom of dash goes over short lever when in low range, keeps it from popping out of gear when going over bumps, etc.

     The white sticker over the round black button says "Bear Horn".  We blow it as we move through the timber to let them know we're in the area.

     Do you know the story behind this WWII drawing?  Google it.

     The new chainsaw and gun rack, with cup holders!

     Want to know more about the M38A1?  Here's a link:  http://www.m38a1.com/

     Want to join a forum on the Willys M Military Jeeps?  Great people and great info here:
http://willysmjeeps.com/v2/