Hiking and Fishing in the Tetons

by | Aug 16, 2013 | Uncategorized | 2 comments

blog-Aug-13-2013-1-Hiking-in-the-TetonsAugust 13 – 15, 2013

 

Not sure how it came about, but during our annual Christmas Eve party friend Jessica Chitwood suggested we all go on a backpacking trip into the Tetons this summer.  The thought was a great idea and Granny and I were on board immediately.  We haven’t been backpacking since we trekked to Mount Everest in 2002.

 

blog-Aug-13-2013-2-backpacking-Grand-Teton-National_ParkAugust 13

 

There were nine of us for this week’s adventure that started at String Lake in Grand Teton National Park.  We left with heavy packs (including fly rods) at 10 AM and headed west along Jenny Lake and up Cascade Canyon.  As you would expect the scenery was no less than phenomenal.

 

blog-Aug-13-2013-3-Grand-TetonWe covered about seven miles and camped above South Cascade Canyon in a group site.  When we arrived we had thunderstorms all around us but none centered on us and we enjoyed some light drizzle for a few hours before the sun broke back out.  Then we sipped our favorites and watched the sun rays light this unusual view of “The” Grand Teton.

 

blog-Aug-14-2013-4-black-bear-Grand-Teton-National-ParkAugust 14

 

I heard a robin scolding outside our tent before sunrise.  The shrill went on for ten minutes or so.  It was time to get up anyhow and I saw Andy and Leslie waving to me when I poked my head out of my tent.  I crept speedily over and they were watching a black bear chowing on huckleberries.  I’m glad we took care of our food properly or it would likely have been gone!

 

blog-Aug-14-2013-5-Granny-Currier-Hurricane-Pass-Grand-TetonsAfter breakfast we hit the trail again.  We hiked about eight miles that included crossing over the steep 10,000 foot Hurricane Pass.  On the top is one of the most incredible Teton views of all.  The Grand, Middle and South Tetons shoot high above all other mountains.  Unfortunately the west is full of forest fires, especially in our area and what is normally jaw dropingly beautiful was only ok because of the haze.

 

blog-Aug-14-2013-6-Jeff-Currier-Climbing-in-the-TetonsAs always, I took my view a step further and climbed a pinnacle to get higher than the trail over the pass.  I hope my mom doesn’t see the picture as I was not exactly in a safe place.  Nor was the scramble to get up and down safe.  In fact, an older couple passed us later.  They saw me from the distance and the lady gave me an earful of how crazy and dangerous the move was.  She even went as far as to say my mom wouldn’t be happy.  She’s right, but I’m a thrill seeker.

 

blog-Aug-14-2013-7-Sunset-Lake-Teton-National-ParkWe ended the day in the Alaska Basin and camped on one of several Alaska Basin Lakes.  These lakes are why we all packed fly rods.  Unfortunately, no one strung up a rod.  We didn’t see a fish or a rise and word is that the fish were frozen out last winter.  High mountain lakes are always unpredictable.  What a drag!

 

blog-Aug-15-2013-8-wild-flowers-Grand-Teton-National-ParkAugust 15

 

The hike out today took us to the Teton Creek Trailhead just east of Driggs, Idaho.  It was smooth sailing with much lighter packs.  The wine was gone, most of the food eaten and the hike was downhill most of the day.  The highlight for me were areas of incredible wildflowers.

 

blog-Aug-14-2013-9-The-TetonsThe older Granny and I grow the less walking for fish we do.  Honestly we end up in the boat more than we should.  I think everyone is guilty of this. Regardless of the lack of fish, I’m glad we got the backpacks on.  The change of pace was refreshing and the hike was no less than spectacular.  In fact it was so fabulous that Jess will let us know what next years expedition will be at our Christmas Eve party.  I’m sure it will be good.

 

Jeff Currier Global Fly Fishing

2 Comments

  1. Erik Moncada

    Cool trip. That is too bad about the lake; it’s always a shame to hear about a fish kill. That is funny you got scowled, ha ha.

  2. Jess

    So fun!!! I can’t wait to plan one for next year!

Welcome to the Blog of Jeff Currier!

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I started fly fishing at age 7 in the lakes and ponds of New England cutting my teeth on various sunfish, bass, crappie and stocked trout. I went to Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin, where I graduated with a Naturalist Degree while I discovered new fishing opportunities for pike, muskellunge, walleyes and various salmonids found in Lake Superior and its tributaries.

From there I headed west to work a few years in the Yellowstone region to simply work as much as most people fish and fish as much as most people work. I did just that, only it lasted over 20 years working at the Jack Dennis Fly Shop in Jackson, WY where I departed in 2009. Now it’s time to work for "The Man", working for myself that is.

I pursue my love to paint fish, lecture on every aspect of fly fishing you can imagine and host a few trips to some of the most exotic places you can think of. My ultimate goal is to catch as many species of fish on fly possible from freshwater to saltwater, throughout the world. I presently have taken over 440 species from over 60 countries!

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