Hot, hot, hot: Alice Creek Traverse, North Fork Teton

North Fork of the Teton Canyon along Forest Service Trail No. 107

There were fields of larkspur

Gordon Whirry walks the limestone ridge

Scarlet Indian Paintbrush livened the hillsides

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I can't remember when we've had so many 90+ degrees days.

We've gotten to the point where we've decided to get out in the heat, anyway.

Looking for a cool place on the 4th of July we checked out the North Fork of the Teton River Trail, where Waldron Creek comes in.

Then, noting that the temperatures might drop into the 80s in the high country, we did the 10.5 miles Alice Creek Traverse to see the wildflowers in bloom along the Continental Divide Trail.

I hadn't been in the North Fork Teton since the fires of 2007 and was surprised to see that there is virtually no pine-tree growth there in the ensuing 14 years.  A ghost forest now stands where a lush forest once ruled.  There are quite a number of small aspen coming in, though.

The fire has opened up great views of the river and the limestone walls above it.

I went up Forest Service Trail 107 for a little more than 1.5 miles, where it crosses the Teton and turned around.

That was an impressive fire.  It doesn't look as though this once popular trail gets much use any more.  

The hike failed to cool us down.

Then, Tuesday, it was the 10.5 miles Alice Creek Traverse that includes a stretch of the Continental Divide Trail, gaining and losing 2,600 feet along stunning limestone cliffs at points.  This area was severely burned three years ago and it seems to be coming back quickly.  The alpine wildflowers, particularly the larkspur and stick geranium, were exceptional.