Autumn Is Beautiful for Jackson Hole Visit
No Crowds, Great Scenery, Fun Activities at National Park Gateway
Sep 8, 2008
With a sprinkling of snow on its majestic peaks and the tangy scent of pine, sage and cottonwood in the air, fall is a wonderful, uncrowded time for seniors to enjoy the splendor of Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Their majestic profiles rising up from the plains behind Jackson and Jenny Lakes make the Tetons perhaps the most dramatic mountains in the lower 48 states. At Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, located in nearby Teton Village, and in the town of Jackson itself, experts can help seniors find ideal outdoor excursions.
Tour Yellowstone Without Crowds
Once choice: spend a day touring Yellowstone, the first national park in the U.S. Drivers can sample a few of its wonders by car, including the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, an awesome waterfall down the gorge cut by the Yellowstone River; the Fountain Paint Pots, a fiesta of gurgling geysers and fumaroles; plus at least one eruption of Old Faithful.
Along the drive through both parks, visitors often find themselves staring at moose and their calves, herds of shaggy bearded bison, the occasional elk and pronghorn. Even a sleek coyote might nonchalantly trot across the main road. Inside the park,
Cyclists can rent mountain bikes and pedal along the paved trail from Teton Village to the little town of Wilson. The trail keeps the cars at a safe distance most of the way. There are also miles of unpaved single- track. Hikers can roam through within the Bridger-Teton National Forest with or without a guide, or follow self-guided hikes among the peaks in Grand Teton National Park.
White-water Rafting, Float trips, Paragliding
Also available: gondola rides, white-water rafting, fly fishing, horseback riding and kayaking. For the really brave, there are mountain climbing lessons from the famed Exum Guide Service, as well as paragliding and hang gliding. First-timers soar to heights several thousand feet above the valley floor under the guidance of certified pilots.
A more gentle option is a float trip along the Snake River, which offers scenic panoramas, photo opportunities and, for really lucky rafters, a glimpse of resident bald eagles.
Prefer the indoors? The Avanyu Spa and Health Club at Snake River Lodge, a luxury RockResorts hotel inTeton Village at the base of the ski mountain includes a gym, treatment rooms for massage and other indulgences, and an indoor/outdoor pool. Or stroll though Jackson's many art galleries and a visit the National Museum of Wildlife Art, where you can see a collection of all kinds of painted and sculpted animals, birds and landscapes, many by world famous artists.
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