Jackson Hole, WY - need some suggestions

olliedawg - 2009-05-08 10:36 AM

Me and my special lady friend went to Jackson Hole a couple winters ago and had a blast.  Part of the package we bought included a day of snowmobiling through Yellowstone to Old Faithful and snowmobiling back.  It was through the Heart 6 Ranch.  Super nice folks and they do a lot of stuff there during the summer.  I've never been there during the summer but if they do as good a job as they do during the winter, you'll be happy. 

matt3liv - 2009-05-08 9:16 AM The Mrs. and I are heading out to JH in late June. Neither have ever been there. I'm the outdoors, adventurous type, she is not. However, she suggested it for our tenth anniversary, so I bought tickets within about 30 seconds so she couldn't change her mind. We are heading out very early on a Wed, returning late on a Sunday. She booked us at a nice hotel downtown. She said she wants to go horseback riding and rafting. (I'm still in shock, but accepting all of it with a smile) Are there any MUST DO things out there? She won't want to go on a ten hour hike, but some short "scenic" hikes are fine. I won't be bringing any bikes. She doesn't ride, so renting is not going to happen. I've read about the hot springs, and of course the parks (probably drive up through Grand T and Yellowstone). We basically have four full days for activities.

Hi-Side - 2009-05-08 10:43 AM

In the summer... downhill mountain biking,

matt3liv - 2009-05-08 8:16 AM The Mrs. and I are heading out to JH in late June. Neither have ever been there. I'm the outdoors, adventurous type, she is not. However, she suggested it for our tenth anniversary, so I bought tickets within about 30 seconds so she couldn't change her mind. We are heading out very early on a Wed, returning late on a Sunday. She booked us at a nice hotel downtown. She said she wants to go horseback riding and rafting. (I'm still in shock, but accepting all of it with a smile) Are there any MUST DO things out there? She won't want to go on a ten hour hike, but some short "scenic" hikes are fine. I won't be bringing any bikes. She doesn't ride, so renting is not going to happen. I've read about the hot springs, and of course the parks (probably drive up through Grand T and Yellowstone). We basically have four full days for activities.

bwingate - 2009-05-08 10:44 AM



Jackson is "close" to Yellowstone NP.  If you plan ahead you can go horseback riding in the park.  Go see Old Faithful lodge - try to eat there or have a beer on the terrace facing old faithful.  You can do Yellowstone in a day, but you won't see a tenth of it - just the crowds.  A 5 mile hike, heck, a 1/2 mile hike out of any of the parking areas will get you away from the crowds.

There's a corny shootout in town by the park with all the antlers.  Lots of shopping and bars in town too.  Jedediah's restaurant has great sourdough pancakes.

We loved it and can't wait to go back.

Bill - 2009-05-08 9:47 AM

We were there in early July last summer for about 10 days. Shoot me a PM and I'll dig up the names of the groups we rafted with and the trail ride we did. They were both first rate. If you like to fish, we did a guided trip that was really cool. We caught 20 or so trout in a couple of hours and had one cooked up at the lodge restaurant.

There was a trail hike we did around a lake just inside Teton National Park, maybe 20-30 minutes outside of Jackson. Easy walking for the most part. If you go all the way to the waterfalls at the end it's maybe 3 hours round trip from the ranger station.

We have a ton of info at home. My memory for names/places isn't so hot... but I know we saved all of the information.

One tip, if given the choice I'd rather do one of the "rubber duck" kayak trips with a guide as opposed to a raft trip (same guide service). I did both. The inflatable kayak is safe and easy to maneuver, and you can do your thing a little. The water will be fast enough this time of year to make it interesting but not so fast that you're defying death on the rapids. Have fun. I'd live there if the housing/job market were favorable.

gir1with1nose - 2009-05-08 11:07 AM

Let me know your details when you get back.  I will be in Ketchum, ID (mountain biking!) for a week in late July, then have a week of travelling around the area and would be very interested in your Yellowstone/rafting adventures.

gir1with1nose - 2009-05-08 9:07 AM

Let me know your details when you get back.  I will be in Ketchum, ID (mountain biking!) for a week in late July, then have a week of travelling around the area and would be very interested in your Yellowstone/rafting adventures.

bradword - 2009-05-08 11:13 AM Amazing mountain biking up here in Ketchum/Sun Valley/Hailey!

olliedawg - 2009-05-08 4:16 PM

If you like beer, hit the Snake River Brewery.  They have big pretzels for a dollar and their stout is awesome. The Million Dollar Cowboy Bar has saddles for bar stools... sweet.

mdg2003 - 2009-05-08 8:33 PM

Too cool !!! How long does it take to do that? How technical of a climb is it?