Teton 2025

Grand Teton National Park
August 2025

I've said before that Grand Teton National Park is one of my favorite places on earth: dramatic peaks, rising from a flat plain, against a brilliant blue sky. The sight of the mountains, rising to 13,000 feet, takes one's breath away as one drives north from Jackson Hole or south from Yellowstone National Park.

I remember the first time I saw the mountains. I was driving from Portland to Washington, D.C, in 1983, where I would study Canon Law at The Catholic University of America. I pulled over to the side of the road and stared, transfixed at what I said at the time was the most beautiful vista I had ever seen. I said to myself at the time, "One day, I will return."

Since then, I have visited Teton about four times, most recently in August of 2025. Before the trip, I looked at the weather report for Jackson Hole, and it wasn't good. At least two days of my trip would be stormy and rainy. The storm would pass after two days, so off I went. I stayed in the park, at the Jackson Lake Lodge, a wonderful mid-century park lodge where I've stayed before. To my surprise, (and pleasure as a photographer), the storm over the Tetons was quite beautiful and very photographic (see the picture to the left).

I still had two days to get some clear sky, with fog, over the Tetons. I got up early, before sunrise, and headed out to a couple of places where I knew I could get some good shots. As I pulled into an open view of the range, looking west, with the rising sun behind me, I saw the first light hit the top of Teton, at 13,000 feet. I started clicking.

The result of my efforts can be seen in the 20 pictures I posted below. I took many more pictures, which I, as a photographer, felt proud of, but for others, they might appear a bit redundant and repetitive. I have spared you!

So, I posted only 20 or so that give an impression of the beauty of the mountains, and the beauty of the day. It was Grand Teton National Park at its best. Click the button below for a quick slideshow.

P.S. I just remembered that I had photos on my iPhone that I forgot to post. I don't shoot many photos with iPhone, but sometimes it's more convenient than my camera. Click HERE, or Scroll down until you see the Special Note: iPhone Photos, and click. The slideshow has captions.

Slideshow