The Hole Tourist: Signal Mountain Road

Super Bowl Sunday, to us non-football fans (Well one of us is, but that team isn't in the game) is a great day to take advantage of the outdoors, free from those entranced in the big game. In the spirit of that mood, and also because Saturday we had other plans, we set out to enjoy more winter hiking while most were at home cozy and warm with friends and family. We set out once again to freeze our butts off.

Yesterday (2/6/11), we decided to head up to Jackson Lake. Our original destination for last weeks hike as you may recall. We again entered GTNP through the Moran entrance and took a left at the Jackson Lake Junction. On our way to the Signal Mountain Lodge Parking area we spotted a pull out near the Chapel of the Sacred Heart. Seeing as it was adjacent to the Lake we thought that maybe it would be a good trail to follow. So we parked the van and got out to investigate. With the kids in the lead we followed the trail until it dead-ended in a loop around the churches parking lot. The kids as usual found a positive aspect in a let-down-hike and once again found a snow hill to play on, while Kevin and I regrouped. As is our fashion before giving up on the trail altogether Kevin went off to investigate whether or not we would be able to break a new trail. After about 5 minutes of plowing through the snow he came back with the report that it would be manageable, but climbing back up the slope would be difficult. With that information, and last weeks not-so-triumphant hike we decided that this week we best stick to a path. Thus decided we declared this hike over and went back to the car. Emma, being sure to let me know that these "mini hikes" were her least favorite, and she wanted to go on a long hike and have a fire, today. With Emma's demands in mind we drove to the end of the road, which like most closed roads in Wyoming, promptly leads to a non-motorized path. Once again we parked, and unloaded the car and set out.

The trail we were on was really just the main road of the park, buried under snow. Which in the winter is a convenient place to hike, cross country ski, snowshoe, or get out in the snow by whatever means suits you. A great bonus about this trail is that it allows pets! Most National Park trails are closed to our four legged friends, so this was a nice treat. Not that we have a dog, but we dog sit from time to time and its nice to find a trail that we can bring our furry friends on as well.

Eventually we came to Signal Mountain Road and decided to take a left and see where that went. This path was less frequented than the previous trail. We only saw one set of cross country ski tracks and they appeared to have already come and gone. We followed this road as it wound through the forest and up a few hills. After about a half hour on this trail the kids were inches from lying down and quitting, Kevin took the hint and went ahead of us to find a suitable place to stop and rest. I with much coaxing, pleading and even a bit of pushing finally got the kids to Kevin's rest stop, where he had already gathered tinder and wood and was in the process of building a fire. The Children upon seeing Kevin's track fork off the road and into the woods instantly regained vigor and will power and followed the footprints into the forest. Jack and Emma started at once on making a fort, beds and a snow cave, Lulu was feeling a bit under the weather and took the opportunity to rest.

Kevin made us a nice toasty fire and we all took off our gloves and mittens and set them out to dry while we ate a lunch of sandwiches (tuna for the girls and pb&j for the boys), animal crackers and water. We stayed at the fire for about a half hour, before we became too restless to sit any longer. With toasty warm gloves and full tummies, we buried the fire and set ourselves on the path home.

This hike was by far the longest we have done this winter and it made us ever more grateful that winter will soon end. Jack needed a short ride on both the trip there and the trip back, and out of sympathy Kevin gave each the girls a five minute ride. From start to finish was two and a half hours and we hiked 3 miles. The end of this hike left me thinking, "If we can hike three miles, in fresh four inch deep snow, with the added weight of snow gear, at an altitude over a mile high with three kids, what can't we do?" Until next week, Be safe and Be well.