Journeys: Grand Teton National Park - Day 3

We had joked about the steep and lengthy approach to the Lower Saddle all of Thursday. We had charaded throwing up and passing out. Nico and Anna said they wanted to take it easy on the way up. Now we were on the trail with our packs and gear. It took us 33 minutes to cover the first 1.7 miles. So much for taking it easy! When we came to the boulder field at the end of the established trail we got our first good views up and down Garnet Canyon. It was a gorgeous alpine environment and it was easy to see why anyone would want to come here whether they were climbing, hiking, or camping.

Anna and Nico nearing the first boulder field.

Anna and Nico in the boulder field.

Anna and Nico stopped for water at the boulder field. I set up to take some photos. We continued "taking it easy" by passing everyone we could between the boulder field and the Petzoldt Caves.

Above the caves the crowd thinned. We entered the morainal camping zone. Anna posed for a great photo. We knew a thunderstorm was forecasted to blow in during the afternoon. It caught us just as we topped out on the fixed rope head wall at the moraine. Lightning cracked, thunder boomed, hail pelted. I asked a guide if there was much shelter in the Lower Saddle for thunderstorms and lightning.

"Well, we have huts…"

The huts were for paying customers. We found a magical rock cave just below the saddle that all three of us could squeeze into. In a break between the hail and the next heavy rain cloud we arranged our bivouac and ate some food. We cozied up under the rock laying side by side. Rain hammered down. We arranged Anna's Sponge Bob Square Pants shower curtain to keep Nico mostly dry. Yes, really, a Sponge Bob Square Pants shower curtain. To the left water roared off the Grand Teton in a muddy waterfall. Rock could be heard trundling down the faces of the great mountain. The roof of the cave was four inches from my face. I did not feel claustrophobic until I jerked awake in the middle of the pitch black and storm less night. It was difficult to move with rock on my left and Nico on my right. And rock four inches above my face. I scooted down a foot or so where the rock was not smothering me and went back to sleep.

Anna and Nico in the cave.

Ah, Garnet Canyon.