Snake ~ Teton info ?

LSB · 02-18-2009

I want to float through that Ansel Adams photo this season and shoot that picture with my raft in it. Does anyone know exactly what stretch that is and where he shot it from? Public or private land, camping etc?

Paddle Iraq · 02-18-2009

Its in Grand Teton National Park. The picture you speak of was not taken from the river level, but rather from the bench above the river. You can drive there. I forget the name of the pull-out, but it is right before the river access road at deadman's bar. So take your picture and then head down to the river and float from deadman's to Moose. Its about ten miles. There is no whitewater but its a beautiful stretch. There are many large strainers so you do have to keep your eyes open. The river is braided there too, so you have to be sure you are taking a clear channel. You need a permit for your boat from the park service.

LSB · 02-18-2009

Thanks... I'd like to shoot it in either evening or morning light so camping would be easiest but since it is in the park there probably isn't a spot right around there. Right?

raftus · 02-18-2009

Most parks allow dispersed or backcountry camping as long as you are a certain distance from a road - like 1/4-1/2 a mile - you probably need a permit but they are usually cheap and easy to get - most people don't want to be that far from their cars. And from a practical standpoint unless they have a lot of river patrols (if any) they probably won't even know that you spent the night out. And frankly, as long as you are going Leave No Trace style who cares? So you might be able to float to somewhere nearby, camp, then float down to that spot, hike up for the photo and have someone else row into the frame, then bushwack back to the river. I would love to see that shot.

Beware of moose and bears up there.

Paddle Iraq · 02-18-2009

Unfortunately the park bans camping along the river... which sucks, it would be great to do an overnighter on this stretch. Here is what you should do: You can camp just outside of the park nearby in national forest land. Just north of the Triangle X ranch, which is just south of the pullout you want to take you picture from, is a dirt road that leads east. I think there is a brown national forest sign that says Teton National Forest Access. Take this road up the hill and camp anywhere you want. Your picture will look far better in the morning light than in the evening. So get up early, drop a photographer at the turnout, and go down and launch on the river. Your photographer will be able to take the picture you want within a few minutes of when you launch. Note that it will be very dificult, if not impossible, for your photographer to bush whack down to the river to join you.