Escaping the Crowd

I spent two mornings trying to capture sunrise here at Moulton Barn, one of the most iconic images of the Grand Tetons. On the first day thick clouds along the horizon to the east prevented 'Golden Hour' from occurring.

On both days, I was joined by small groups of photographers on tours, who invariably set up their tripods to take the image from the vantage directly in front of the barn (to the right of this image). I'm not sure why that vantage appears preferred by the tour operators, perhaps it's because there are no trees in the background from that angle. I chose this because I could capture the bulk of the range in the background, and the high grass in the foreground.

Moulton Barn is on some of the last property sold to the National Park Service for inclusion in the Grand Teton National Park. Located along Mormon Row, a line of homesteads dating from the early 20th century. Whereas most homesteads in the region are isolated, the Mormon settlers tended to build in clusters, hence the name.

When exploring the Grand Teton National Park, budget time for a sunrise here, but wear appropriate attire, since the open plains allow for strong breezes and cooler temps (even on June 12th, the sunrise temperatures were merely a degree or two above freezing).

Spring Enters Grand Teton Like a Lion

You plan, you walk the lines the day before when the light is harsh. You book a place to stay that is as near as possible, but still about a 40-minute drive, and is an unheated tepee when the overnight temperatures get down to about 20°F in early June. You wake at 0330 and try to quietly depart the campsite so as not to disturb all the other sane travelers. You drive to the location and find a tour group also arriving at the same time.... but, they are setting up for the straight on shot, which you have seen a thousand times.

You know it's been dark, with few stars, but there are breaks in the clouds as you drive to the location. But, as you set up your gear, you watch in horror as the clouds thicken, a periodic drizzle is an annoyance, because you are already freezing, the winds are gusty, and the updrafts from the mountains stop the clouds in their tracks...right above the scene. The ephemeris data says this is first light...but, there is no sun, there is no horizon to the east, only heavy cloud cover.

Spring in Wyoming. Unpredictable. Frustrating. Exhilarating. Worth it.

RECOGNITION:
Merit Award: NOV 2019 Professional Photographers of San Diego County (PPSDC) - Illustrative Category

FORMAT:
1x2

Recommended Media:
Metal

Prints Remaining:
9 of 10

Summer Sunset on the Grand Teton Range

Willow Flats Overlook is just south of Jackson Lake Lodge and offers a wonderful panoramic view of the northern Teton Range from the Cathedral Group up to Mount Moran.

In this 4-image panorama, the major named peaks from left to right are: Albright Peak, Static Peak, Buck Mountain, Shadow Peak, Nez Perce, Cloudveil Dome, Teewinot Mountain (original Shoshone name for the Grand Tetons), Grand Teton, Symmetry Spire, Mount St John, Rockchuck Peak, and Mount Moran.

Although comprised of some of the oldest rock on earth, the Teton Range is some of the youngest mountains, continuing to grow as the tectonic plates continue to grind together. Clearly, their grandeur was worthy of John D Rockefeller Jr's investment to protect the area from further development and underwrite the establishment of Grand Teton National Park.

When visiting in the late-Spring/Summer, get up early for sunrise at Moulton Barn, visit the other sights and hikes throughout the day, and find a way to experience sunset from a perspective close to this.