AN ANSWER TO AN AGE-OLD QUESTION

The guys left before dawn to go fishing.  I decided I shouldn’t waste a good day cleaning house or even painting pictures.  I took my cameras and drove to Grand Teton National Park just a little over an hour away.

No matter what the weather or time of year the Grand Tetons are always spectacular.

Even though most of the park is closed after October there are still trails along the edge open to the public.  I decided to hike to Bradley Lake.

The temperature was mild for autumn and the snow line was still high,

...although remains of a light snow could be seen in shady areas.  I parked my car at the trail head and walked past the empty corral which in the summer held horses for riding.

There were a few hikers with big backpacks who looked like they were returning from overnight camping.

Others were there just to walk around and take a few photos.  Some seemed to be driven to beat some speed record, marching along, head down with two hiking poles and not a glance at the scenery.

I took my time moving up the trail.  It was steep going over the rocky ridges left behind by ancient melting glaciers.

Bradley Lake rests in a bowl at the foot of The Grand. It was clear and deep and acted as a mirror reflecting the frosty mountains.

 No other hikers were there. It was quiet, too quiet.  Even the birds were silent as the sun rolled through some soft clouds and moved toward the horizon.

On my way back down the trail I almost stumbled over a huge, fresh pile of poo.  It wasn’t biscuits left by trail horses or deer pellets or elk nuggets.  It was blackish blue and full of nuts and berries.  Either Yogi or Smokey had recently made a pit stop.  Crap!  I guess this answered the age-old question.

 It was all downhill from there.  I hustled along whistling and humming and keeping my eye out for big shaggy creatures.  I thought they were supposed to be hibernating at this time of year.

Funny how a shot of adrenaline can add a lot of energy to tired legs.