This mornings coffee run took me 40 miles north of Jackson into Teton National Park to one of the most photographed places in the United States, Oxbow Bend. Oxbow is just north of Moran Junction about 4 or 5 miles and on this morning it was -15 degrees as I arrived just before dawn. In the summer there is always a multitude of photographers waiting for the sun to bathe the mountains with its warmth. Today I was all alone, with the exception of my father-in-law who made the journey with me.
We arrived as it was still dark and set up for the shots I wanted, some of which I am sharing with you here. As the sun makes its way over the eastern range it begins to bathe the Teton Range with a warm glow. This all happens in about 12-15 minutes so you need to be ready with your camera. Now I am no professional but you would have to try pretty hard to screw this up. Here are a few pics of the Oxbow Bend with Mount Moran in the back ground all taken within minutes of each other. You can see the difference in the shots as to how the sun bathes the mountains and the river. Oh yeh – this is the Snake River for those who do not know this area. Amazing is all I can say. Put this on your bucket list for sure.
On the way back I took a detour and found some of my favorite subjects. I counted over 18 moose this morning all within a few hundred yards of these shots. I almost got stepped on when this big guy came within a few feet of my Jeep. A few feet is no exaggeration! I never tire of seeing these beautiful creatures of nature. They are so unique and awesome to be this close to. If you venture out – be careful because they can hurt you. Enjoy!
Very nice! You would be the perfect person to ask: Ansel Adams took an iconic picture of the Tetons with the Snake River ijn the foreground. Is it from this same area you were in?
Hi Jason – Merry Christmas! The spot you are talking about is the Ansel Adams turn out which is north of Jackson about 20 miles. Just north of Moose Junction a few miles. This spot where you are talking about is an overlook of the Snake River and you can see from Yellowstone in the North all the way to Jackson on a clear day. The Tetons are to the west of this view point. Oxbow Bend is north of Moran Junction and just south of Jackson Lake. Both are easy to get to and both have awesome views for sure.