Christina Adele Warburg-HonExplorer

Leigh Lake is absolutely stunning with about as many recreational activities as you can imagine for a lake. It is a short flat one mile hike from the trailhead at String Lake to Leigh. Once you get there can go as far along as you wish along the 2 mile lakeshore. You can also Kayak, Canoe, or SUP with a small well marked portage from String Lake if you wish. Once you get there, the lake has nu...

Graves Creek Falls are a series of pleasant waterfalls viewable without much effort. To get here From Hungry Horse drive south on the West Side Road (Forest Road 895) 33.6 miles to the Graves Creek Campground. From here turn right into the campground, park and take a short walk of a couple hundred feet to the first water fall. The creek in this area is fun of brook trout, so make sure to stay a...

This ranch is not very well known at all, even by those who have lived in the area for years, but it's definitely worth the visit. It's giant red barn against the backdrop of the Tetons, which is any photographer's dream and trumps the more famous Mormon Row with its beauty.To get there, park at the parking lot for the Chapel of the Transfiguration/Menor's Ferry. Walk towards Menor's Ferry and ...

Ah...the Observatory. This is not its actual name, but the nickname it has earned over many years of use by the seasonal employees. This is an amazing site to camp at, just on the edge of the Bridger-Teton forest right outside of the park. This area overlooks the entire valley and Teton range. There are also plenty of spots within the immediate vicinity to either hike, mountain bike, or run.To ...

To climb Table Mountain you begin at the Teton Canyon Trailhead near Driggs, Idaho. The trailhead sits at about 6,800 feet elevation and from there you have two options to reach the 11,106 ft. peak -neither of which are technical, and both of which are dog-friendly.The first option, named Huckleberry, is about 7 miles long and is considered easier as you build elevation slowly. You will see thi...

The Wind River Lake is at a picnic area right off the road near Togwotee Pass. Many drive past it each day, but few stop to actually give this small lake the attention it deserves. While it freezes over in the winter, it remains photogenic, especially if you get there early in the season after a fresh snow.  In the spring/early summer as the lake starts to thaw, the fishing here is particular...

To get to this swimming hole you drive south from Hungry Horse on the West Side Road (Forest Road 895) 33.6 miles to the Graves Creek Campground. Park in the small parking lot with the bear box and outhouse, opposite the campground closer to the lake. Follow the path as it leads you past the cascades and down to the lake. The turquoise swimming hole will be to your right once you reach the lake...

Sunrise at Oxbow Bend is one of the most popular events in the park, and for good reason. Mt. Moran is particularly stunning in the morning light. For wildlife viewing, Oxbow Bend is one of the best places in the park, but its even better if you can explore it by water. The easiest access to the water level is around the back of the bend at a place known as Cattleman's Bridge. Coming from the s...

This gorgeous hike to Signal Mountain begins from the Signal Mountain Lodge parking area. The trailhead is located on the opposite side of the entrance road from the lodge. To reach the trailhead from the parking area you can either walk westbound along the road, passing the general store, showers, and the campground registration area, or take the unmarked paved path located just to the eas...

Spotted Bear Beach is a secluded white sand beach in the middle of Montana. To get here from the town of Hungry Horse, drive east on Highway 2 for ½ mile to the East Side Reservoir Road #38. Turn right (south) onto Road #38 and drive on through the town of Martin City. After two miles the pavement ends and the gravel East Side Reservoir Road continues on 55 miles to Spotted Bear Ranger Station,...

This is one of the absolute best things to do in Grand Teton. The road is secluded and teeming with wildlife and amazing views. Most people prefer to mountain bike this, but if you want to drive this road, you DEFINITELY need a car with great 4 wheel drive. It runs from just above the Taggert Lake trailhead in the south to slightly below the Signal Mountain Summit Road in the north and follows ...

The Signal Mountain campground is my personal favorite campground in Grand Teton National Park as it is exceptionally scenic. It is right on Jackson Lake and has sites located on the lakeshore. Even if you don't score one of these sites, many of the others have great views of the Teton range. Most of the sites are shaded and private.There are several beaches on the shore of the lake that provid...

Schwabacher Landing is one of the most photographed and rewarding stops in Grand Teton National Park, known for its glassy reflections of the Teton Range in quiet beaver ponds along the Snake River. A short, flat walk makes it approachable for most visitors, while the scenery delivers big—towering peaks, wildlife sightings, and ever-changing light throughout the year. Spring brings swelling wa...

The drive out to the trailhead where this hike starts is an adventure in and of itself. As the Forest Service website describes it. "Silvertip Trailhead is accessed from Highway 2. From the town of Hungry Horse, drive east on Highway 2 for ½ mile to the East Side Reservoir Road #38. Turn right (south) onto Road #38 and drive on through the town of Martin City. After two miles the pavement ends ...

About 100 miles of mostly gravel roads (14 miles of pavement) will take you around this beautiful reservoir.  With that many miles of road and the shoreline to go with it, it is obvious that there is plenty to see and do in the Hungry Horse area. Check out some of my other adventures for ideas of more specific things to do while exploring around Hungry Horse. However, the drive around the lake ...

In 1949, a fire started in a remote area of the Gates of the Mountains wilderness, a gulch east of the Upper Missouri River. Fifteen smokejumpers were dropped in to fight it. Thirteen died. The United States Forest Service drew lessons from the tragedy of the Mann Gulch fire by designing new training techniques and safety measures that developed how the agency approached wildfire suppression. T...

The Lucas Fabian Ranch is a place you will not find on any map of the park, but it is one of my absolute favorite places to go for peace and quiet. To get there, drive toward Jenny Lake from the town of Moose. About four miles in, you will pass the Alpine Climber's Ranch and the Teton Glacier turnout. Almost immediately after the turnout, on your left, you will see a service road with a gate bl...

As you drive from Dubois to Togwotee Pass or Grand Teton you will no doubt notice beautiful cliffs right off the road. These are the Breccia Cliffs. This whole area offers plenty of places to explore, photograph, fish, swim, hike and much more including places like Wind River Lake, Brooks Lake, and Brooks Lake Creek Falls.  Lots of dirt roads peel off from the main road. Drive down these to dis...

This waterfall is is located at the Falls campground near Togwotee Pass. Located right off the highway it is a must stop on your way to Yellowstone or Grand Teton. If you choose to camp here, the waterfall is literally right in your backyard, no hike necessary. However, if you aren't camping here, just park your car at the entrance to the campground and take the very short hike to check out the...

This campground is the closest one in Grand Teton National Park to the town of Jackson, so if you are looking for convenience, this is it! The Gros Ventre (pronounced Grow Vont, NOT Gross Venture) campground offers sites for both RV's and tents and is nestled in a grove of cottonwood trees. All campsites include a picnic table, fire pit, and nearby bathrooms include flush toilets, with cold run...

Taking a drive down this road is well worth the trip. The first 10 or so miles are not particularly noteworthy, but once you reach the first lake (Trail Lake) the road becomes a lot more scenic. You will also pass Torrey and Ring Lakes. All of these lakes offer fishing, camping, and picnicking opportunities. Once you pass Trail Lake keep your eye out on the rocks, especially the ones to your ri...

The Refrigerator Canyon Trail is a scenic trail that leads into the Gates of the Mountains Wilderness. While this trail goes back for up to 16 miles, for this adventure, we will focus on the first half-mile of the trail. The first half-mile of Refrigerator Canyon Trail is the most scenic and unique. It passes through a narrow canyon with 200 feet high limestone walls. At the quarter-mile point,...

Hippie Hot Springs is definitely one of the better kept secrets in the area. In fact, locals will probably get mad that I am even letting others know about it. Recently the Park Service has really cracked down on people illegally bathing in the more popular hot springs up near Flagg Ranch. The good news is that those northern hot springs are far inferior to these beautiful southern ones anyway....

The Jenny Lake campground is by far the most popular campground in Grand Teton National Park, and there are several reasons for that. However, be aware that it is extremely crowded and will oftentimes fill before 8 AM. If you are looking for a campground with solitude or easy access, this is not the campground for you.Many consider Jenny Lake to be the jewel of Grand Teton, and it is indeed a g...