MIKE AND JESS' TRAVEL DIARY
Grand Tetons and Yellowstone Trip
Day 2 - May 31 2022
We woke up and wanted to get a hike in first thing. We had heard great things about hiking around Jenny Lake to Inspiration Point, so we chose that as our first hike. About half way to Inspiration point, multiple people in a row stop us asking if we have seen the bear and her cub? They have been on the trail.
Bit of backstory- I (Jess) am terrified of most wildlife. I love every single animal and want them to exist in splendor all across the world. However, I do not have the desire to exist IN their habitat. I would like to view them from a safe distance, to not bother them or endanger myself. Of all on-land wildlife, I least want to be anywhere near a bear. If I never saw a bear IRL, even from afar, I would be perfectly good with that. All this to say, I told Mike before taking this trip into BEAR COUNTRY that if we get even a whiff that there is a bear anywhere in the vicinity, I am out. Roadrunner cloud of dust in my stead.
As soon as the second person mentioned seeing the mama bear and cub near the trail, I wanted out. Thankfully, no one minded and we turned around.
We did, however, get to see an elk just feet from the trailhead who was not bothered in the least by the people stopping to take photos.
After the half-hike, we visited the Jenny Lake general store and gift shop for some souvenirs and park passport stamps.
We took the long way back to the campsite and paused at some overlooks for pictures and light hiking.
On the way, there was a slow down on the road and a ton of cars parked on the side. There were a couple grizzlies in the clearing! First of the Big 5 seen and on our first full day!
