Teton Reflection
teton reflection
Grand Tetons, NP
The areas surrounding Jackson Hole provide stunning views of the magnificent Teton Mountains. Many iconic locations attract hundreds of visitors at sunrise each day, which can make it overwhelming and challenging to capture great photographs.
However, sometimes taking the road less traveled can also lead to wonderful photographic opportunities without the crowds. I offer this peaceful alternative to the famous Schwabacher’s Landing. I have visited this location several times at sunrise and have rarely encountered other people there.
And yes, I bring bear spray.
Images and location summary by Tim Wier
Trail Difficulty - EASY
I rate the difficulty of this trail as 1.5 on a scale of 1-5 (with 5 being most difficult). It’s an easy 1/4 mile walk from the parking area near just south of Schwabacher’s Landing. The hike to this location is on a well-defined trail along the tributary leading west from the parking area.
GPS Coordinates & Elevation
6,567 ft Elevation
View In Google earth
Download KMZ Trail File
Click here to download the KMZ file for this location.
Directions
CLICK HERE to get driving directions to the parking area.
From Jackson, WY - travel north on US-191 for approximately 16 miles and then turn left onto Schwabacher’s Landing Rd. From the turnoff for Schwabacher’s Landing Rd. - Travel 3/4 mile until you see a small parking area on the left. THIS LOCATION IS BEFORE Schwabacher’s Landing Rd.
From the small parking area, hike about 400 yards down a well-defined trail along the tributary until you reach this location (it is about 100 yards past a beaver dam).
Photography Tips
This shot is fairly straightforward - arrive several minutes before sunrise, find your composition, and wait for the light to paint this beautiful scene.
For the image above, I set my composition to frame the main mountain peak with the V shape formed by the grass in the foreground (this same formation may not be present when you are at this location). I chose to wait for the tallest peak to begin to illuminate (with a pink glow) and then composited it with the same shot a few minutes later when the foreground was in light.
EXIF Data
Focal Length – 24 mm
Exposure – 1/10th sec @ f 8.0
ISO – 100
Date – June 27th
Time – 6:09 am
Best Time of Day to Shoot
This location can be photographed from sunrise to early morning before the sun gets too bright. The image above was taken about 20 minutes after sunrise (because there was a small cloud bank that blocked the sun for several minutes). Otherwise, be ready to shoot around sunrise.
Best Time of Year
This location can be photographed whenever the park is open. Early June would have more snow on the Tetons, and late September would include some Fall colors.
Lens(es) Needed
There are several ways to photograph from this spot. I chose to shoot with a wide-angle lens to include the small grass near the water, which helps frame the shot. You can also zoom in a bit to capture the beaver pond and mountain peaks.
Birds-Eye View
Permits
This location is in the Grand Teton National Park. Once in the park, no additional permit is required.
Direction of the Shot
The direction of the shots is west @ 290°.
Equipment Needed
Other than a sturdy tripod (as you might have to blend exposures) and a polarizer, there is no need for any special photography equipment.
Number of Other Photographers to Expect
The location of this shot is about 500 south of the very famous and always busy Schwabacher’s Landing. However, this location is rarely visited as most visitors are focused on Schwabacher’s Landing.
Weather
The weather in the spring, summer, and fall is terrific in the Jackson Hole area. Early morning before sunrise can be cold, and winter in the Jackson Hole area can be freezing.
Cell Service
Cell service in the park has improved significantly since years ago. However, service at this location is still spotty.
Area Guides and Workshops
None