From Wilson

Day 18: I’m about 15 minutes before the alarm and headed to the car before 5 pacific time. As I get off the elevator there is a large group of friends who look like they are just starting their night. Vegas is wild.

Got a 9.5 hour drive to my cousin’s house in Pinedale, Wyoming. It’s on Mountain time, so my 5am start is really 6am.

It’s already light out, which makes the drive much easier. The first couple hours went by quickly, and I decided to stop at Wal-Mart near St. George Utah to resupply on some food.

The drive through Utah was broken up by talking to a few friends/family members, plus stopping to get some bear spray that I hope to never use.

I get to Pinedale a little after 5, and visited with Kelley and Mark before a delightful dinner. Following dinner we drove up to see the mountain range. Mark is an expert in the local area, and can name each of the mountains with greater accuracy than the informational sign. It is absolutely beautiful. Afterwards we headed back to their place and got to bed early. Definitely related. Also, I get to sleep in a real bed tonight!

Day 19: Slept gloriously. Don’t think I even moved.

The day started with a fantastic breakfast of eggs, yogurt, and a scone.

Then Kelley and I continued to catch each other up on various family members, while Mark got the horses out of the corral. They’re taking me horseback riding to show me their property.

Once the horses were ready we saddled up and rode around the property. It’s an absolutely beautiful place, and I feel so lucky to have received a glimpse into their world.

Following the ride we went into town for lunch and after we decided the night before that I needed a better pair of hiking shoes, Kelley insisted on buying me a pair.

After returning from town we said our good byes and I drove up to the condo a group of friends had rented near Grand Tetons. I’m the first one there, but not by much, and soon my friends Adam, and Jonathan, as well as Jonathan’s brothers: Michael, and Landon are there.

W briefly discussed plans for the next day, before they headed out to see a Gabby Petito memorial. I’m in the middle of doing laundry for the first time all trip and want to cook dinner in a real kitchen, so I opt to stay in and get some more prep done for tomorrow.

Hopefully they’re not back too much after my bedtime.

Day 20: First one up and start packing, partially out of habit, but also in case I decide to camp tonight.

Around 6 the everyone else starts to get up. We’re all packed and out the door by 7 to head to Grand Tetons.

Adam and I ride together and get a call from Curtis who is finishing up a night in Vegas. Sounds like he’s having a great time and I hope we can be as happy at the end of our day.

We beat the other car to the lot and I pack a couple extra bottles of water as a precaution. The plan is to hike to Cascade Canyon and the trailhead begins on the other side of Jenny Lake, fortunately there is a boat that shuttles visitors. While standing in line 2 of us read separate texts recommending Lake Solitude, which is about a 14 mile round trip. We put off deciding until we are on the trail, but I already know what I want to do.

The first waypoint is Hidden Falls, and it doesn’t disappoint. It is one of the larger waterfalls I have ever seen.

Shortly thereafter is Inspiration Point, which looks out over Jenny Lake. It is just shy of a mile from the boat drop off, and the turnaround point for many on the trail.

Cascades Canyon is still over 3 miles away, so we press on. Not too long after we are told by other hikers that a bear is on the trail moving in the same direction as us. Simultaneously excited and nervous, we eventually catch up to a group of hikers who are directly behind the grizzly. While large, he is not a big grizzly, and most importantly shows no sign of aggression.

A few more minutes he wanders off the trail and we can all relax a little.

It’s a little after 11 when we reach Cascade Canyon. By now, Adam and Jordan have decided to head back to pick up the 6th member of the group from the airport, while Landon, Jonathan, and I will head to Lake Solitude.

As good as the view were the first part of the hike, they are even better now.

However, the there is now some snow on the trail and the path has gotten rockier, and Landon is in a pair of tennis shoes that offer little support or traction.

But like a champ he doesn’t complain and we make it to Lake Solitude.

It is beautiful and partially frozen. Like a child, I must find out if the ice is possible to walk on. While Jonathan and Landon take a well deserved break, I scamper over to a part that looks like it has been walked on recently (there is still snow on the ice). I pick up a stick and lean over to press the stick into the ice to gauge it’s weight bearing potential, but I lean a little too far and slip into a shallow pool of water. It’s not a small slip, and I am completely submerged in water that has only recently melted from its frozen state. I pull myself out and rush back to Landon and Jonathan, eager to shed my wet clothes, particularly the shoes and socks. Fortunately, it is nearly 70, and I’m at no risk of hypothermia, just a scraped knee and severely damaged pride.

After wringing out my socks and shirt, we turnaround a start walking back down. The way down is quicker than the way up, but no less beautiful.

Just before we make it back to Cascade Canyon, the group in front of us points out a couple moose.

Absolutely delighted. Wish it could have been an adult male, so I could see one with antlers, but I love moose and am so lucky to have seen them from the trail.

We continue down and I shared some of the extra water, as Landon and Jonathan had packed for a 9 mile hike, not a 14 mile. When we got back down to the boat dock there was a long line. Lacking the patience to wait, I hiked around the short part of the lake while the others, more than satisfied with the days effort, took the boat. Totally mileage for the hike came in a little over 17, a new longest day for the trip. Looking forward to finding a way to top it.