Jackson Hole Paragliding offers a way to boost your vacation to a new level and the guides at Jackson Hole Paragliding will help you take flight. A relaxing gondola ride almost to the top of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort followed by a short jaunt to the launch site and you are ready to go. Experience is not necessary for a tandem flight and your guide will basically do all the work. Once you are all set to launch with your guide just lean forward, walk and then slightly jog and before you know it you are flying! Paragliding is a great way to see the valley and also enjoy a comfortable seat in the sky. Scott Harris and the guides at Jackson Hole Paragliding are expertly trained and will make you feel relaxed as you are soaring above the valley floor. Depending on your comfort level, guides sometimes will twirl you around in acrobatic twists and maneuvers called aerials. Be sure to wear pants, a jacket or sweatshirt, and sturdy shoes. Sunglasses help too. Paragliding heavily relies on wind conditions, so schedule a window of days to get the best conditions. Contact Jackson Hole Paragliding for a view of the valley and Tetons like none other!
Spend a few days to extend your summer tour of Jackson Hole and you will find out why Fall is one of the most treasured times in the valley. Crowds thin, temperatures cool and colorful scenery ignites in a final celebration of the warm temperatures as winter looms just above the valley floor. The town transforms into a small, but concentrated, bustle of events and excitement as locals and visitors alike relish Autumn activities, knowing plenty of time to catch up on good books by the fire is just around the corner.
One annual hallmark Fall event is the Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival. Spanning the first few weeks of September, the festival runs this year from September 4-21. “A visual, performing and culinary arts celebration,” the festival has been running for 24 years and draws artists, guests and locals from far reaches to bask in the Teton settings and relax in senesory overload from the festival’s lineup. Browse the Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival calendar to take a closer look at the numerous gallery events, exhibitions and conferences, culinary samplings and parties around town that offer something for all tastes and ages. This year’s featured artist is Greg Beecham, and his painting below was selected to represent the commemorative poster for this year’s festival.
Watch for a few highlights during the Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival on our blog over the next few weeks, but make sure to come experience the excitement for yourself.
A summer trip exploring the Tetons is not complete without cooling off with a Jackson Hole whitewater rafting adventure. Be prepared to get soaked and have adrenaline pumping through your body, because whitewater rafting the canyon stretch of the Snake River is a wild ride.
Book a trip in advance because slots can fill up in the busy weeks of summer. I chose to ride the rapids roller coaster this afternoon with Sands Wild Water. After you sign a safety waiver and put all your non-waterproof items away, jump in the bus and enjoy the 30-minute ride along the Snake River whitewater, jamming to classic oldies which makes you and the others sing out loud! Arriving at the destination, you will meet your guide who will soon fit you with a life vest, paddle, and a balanced spot on the raft.
Depending on your goals on the trip, the raft offers many different seating options. If you would like to be a workhorse and get the first gulps of water in your face, seat your self in the front for the unobstructed view of the rapids to come. If you are looking for less work and possibly less water sit farther back along the sides. Their are two different sizes of rafts to choose from when you do reserve a spot, 8-man and 14-man. The 8-man will be a lighter and more adventuresome experience; however the 14-man is just as fun and also has the middle seat option, for all non-rowers of the group. Also, if you are looking to stay more dry than others, Sands does offer a waterproof jacket you can wear, which is nice if the weather is chilly.
As you push off into the cold river water, your guide will be informing you about how to raft together, safety issues, and how to have some fun! The first few miles of the river are pretty easy going, with a few small rapids to get some practice on. Take this time to look around at the beautiful scenery, maybe catching some glimpses of Osprey’s flying around or a fly-fisherman catching a Snake River Trout. Depending on the speed of the water and the levels, your guide will most likely let any willing rafters jump in the water for a soak. Some people take full of advantage of every minute in the water; however, most are content in the raft trying to stay dry before the real rapids come around the corner.
Your guide will soon let you know that Big Kahuna is up next and begin to set up the raft for the dead center of the giant rapid, which at times during the summer can turn into a Class IV rapid. You can see rafts in front of you as they hit the rapid, almost disappear, and then pop out covered in a sheet of water full of screaming people. As your heart is pounding, your raft hits the rapid, and soon you are engulfed with the madness of trying to paddle as you are getting knocked every which way. Don’t forget to smile because your picture is being taken, which you can pick up later in town and laugh at how soaked you were.
The next rapid you hit is Lunch Counter, which also varies in size with the flow of the river. You might be able to catch some surfers carving the natural round-the-clock wave at this rapid. Take a little time to relax before you hit the next sequence of rapids- Rope, Champagne and Cottonwood. Champagne is my favorite because after you go over the rapid, you hear a light bubbly noise and soon see millions of bubbles that are rising from an 80-ft underground sheet.
Before you know it, your trip is over and you find yourself jamming to more classic oldies, but this time in wet clothes!
Cascade Canyon is a great place to turn to. Put on your hiking gear, grab your hiking poles, and fill your Camelbacks full.
As you are headed to Grand Teton National Park, stop by Creekside Market just on the north end of town and stock up with lunch and snacks for the day-you will be thanking me a few miles into the hike! There are two ways to begin your hike, both equally as satisfying. First, you take the Jenny Lake ferry for a scenic 15- minute trip and get dropped off on the other side where you begin your hike. Second, you can begin your hike near String Lake and hike along side Jenny Lake for two easy going miles, where you then meet up with the ferry dock. No matter where you began, the hike is the same from the ferry dock on.
Hike up the twisting trail about ¼ of a mile and you will hear something raging in the distance. Depending on the time of year Hidden Falls is a breathtaking waterfall, which roars with the heavy melt of the earlier months. Some people choose to end their hike here; however, if you would like to continue upward for a steep half mile you will soon hit Inspiration Point. Inspiration Point is a beautiful overview of Jenny Lake and surrounding areas and most people tend to feel inspired after they catch their breath from the steep incline up.
I always say-‘Turn around now, if you want to miss the best part.’ Inspiration Point is beautiful; however, if you keep hiking into Cascade Canyon it gets even better. The hike from here is very easy and you do not even realize miles are passing under your feet because the views are spectacular. The canyon opens up and beautiful views of the nearby peaks, including the Grand, are in plain sight with cascading waterfalls below. The trail follows a river the whole way up and it is almost expected to see some moose enjoying the cool calm waters. Stop and have a picnic whenever you feel ready to enjoy a snack and have a great view.
If you are looking to take this hike to another level, keep hiking till you get to the Cascade Canyon forks and hang a right. In another two and half miles you will be at beautiful Lake Solitude, a high-altitude crystal clear and freezing cold lake. Be prepared for snowfields normally up until August- so pack your gear accordingly. If you are still looking for more, there is always the option of doing Paintbrush Divide into Paintbrush Canyon- but be aware this is not for everyone and at some parts can be technical.
No matter where you turned around, the bottom line is that Cascade Canyon is really for everyone. The views are amazing and a great way to see a different side of the Tetons. Now head back for dinner to replace all the calories you burned.
