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First visit to the Grand Tetons
A trip to the Grand Canyon offered me the opportunity to make a great loop around the west, and come up through the Grant Teton/Yellowstone area.
The Tetons contain the largest vertical drop in the U.S. and one of the largest in the world. The amazing thing about them, as can be seen from the photos, is that there are really no foothills. The Tetons simply rise right up out ot the plain.
Roads wind around the peaks, in search of a mountain pass. Despite appearances, the plain itself is already quite high.
The extent of the timber line is obvious in this photo. After a certain elevation, the vegetation just seems to stop.
Curving around a grassy mountain base, with a bald summit in the background.
The area is pretty well forested, as are all of the alpine areas in this part of the country, including Yellowstone Park. 
The rugged appearance of the peaks is a signature of fault block mountains. These are formed by a fault which uplifts on one side and drops on the other. This gives the potential for large verticals, as exist in Jackson Hole. It also produces ragged peaks as the earth on both sides of the fault is cracked and torn.
Despite the oppressive heat which seems to be following us, the peaks still retain some snow.
Looking more like something out of the Swiss Alps, than anything you would expect to see in the United States, these unsymetrical peaks are a challenge to climbers. 
Part way through the Tetons, we come to Jenny Lake, which is unique in that it comes right up to the mountain bases. jenny lake is named for a girl friend of one of the French trappers who were the first Europeans to live in the area.
Jenny Lake touches the well forested base of the Tetons. The Tetons were named by imaginative trappers (or perhaps they were just lonely and too used to solitude) who likened them to a woman's breast. it makes me wonder what french women of the early 1800's must have been like.
Jenny Lake makes a fine reflecting pool for the mountain peaks. It is also a great place for boating, fishing, and it's surrounding woods are great for camping. It's not so good for swimming, however, since the water can be rather cold.
A notch between two peaks would seem to be a natural pass for traveling, but such is not always the case. Sometimes such a pass leads to an impenetrable canyon.
My brother sits along the edge of the path. There is a stone stairway leading down to the edge of this peaceful place. The water, though cold, is inviting and obviously clean.
Some of the more gentle slopes of the Tetons, reflected in Jenny Lake.
Passing over a brook on our way from Yellowstone. The whole area is filed with mountain streams.
Looking back towards the Tetons, as we approach Yellowstone Park. They are clearly visible, though somewhat tree shrouded, from the southern end of the park
The last of the exposed granite peaks can be seen melding into the grass covered hills. 
The mountains level out into gentle hills, but we will soon be climbing into the high mountain plateau of Yellowstone Park.



 
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