Grand Teton National Park- Moose Sighting

We visited Grand Teton National park for the first time.  We took a boat across Jenny Lake to hike into Cascade Canyon and see not only Grand Teton mountain (the highest mountain in Grand Teton park), but a moose. 

We hiked 4 miles in and barely avoided being eaten up by mosquitos and collapsing from hyperventilating.  The struggle was real, let me tell you.  Most of the hike is uphill on the way in.  But, in the end it was worth it.  We did in fact finally get to see a cow moose and some beautiful scenery.  We also enjoyed a lot of laughs and kept each other going as we recalled that 4 miles in meant 4 miles to get back out.  

This is actually a beautiful little Catholic Church right in Grand Teton Park on Jenny Lake.  We stopped in for a look and a prayer.

Sure, we were all smiles when we first arrived at the Jenny Lake boathouse and before we traveled across the lake for the 8 mile hike.

Jenny Lake

Early in the hike to Cascade Canyon

So happy when our hike started to even out as we got deeper into the canyon.

The melting snow from the mountain caps created waterfalls in the sides of the mountains.
 

About halfway into the hike, I swear I seriously considered turning around.  Well low and behold, we meet this lady who tells us she saw a moose before hiking out and then a ranger passes us to relay the same message.  People let me just say, I got my second wind and started making up time.  And there she was a big cow moose. She was so cute and it was so much fun to stand and watch her eat and move.  

Nope, no shame at all.  We drug Gracie down the hill and we took a selfie with the moose in the background.

Looking up at Grand Teton

On our hike out as if we weren't on enough of a high having finally seen a moose, we topped the mountain to see this beautiful sight

When we finally made it back to the dock to catch the boat to cross the lake, a storm was coming up and this beautiful rainbow was peeking through the clouds.  What a beautiful way to end our day after seeing a moose and finally catching our breaths. 

On our way back to the hotel, we saw this black bear up on the hill.