We knew this day would be special the moment we strapped on our snowshoes.
It was a crisp winter morning in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and Vance and I had one thing on our minds: fresh snow, fresh air, and fresh wonder. After a quick stop at Teton Mountaineering to rent snowshoes, we made our way to the Taggart Lake Trailhead in Grand Teton National Park—a relatively gentle 4-mile loop with less than 500 feet of elevation gain, but views that climb straight into the heavens.
The parking lot was full—yes, full despite the winter weather. We had to park a few cars down the road, which only made us more curious about what lay ahead. If this many people were braving the cold, it had to be good.
Spoiler alert: It was better than good.
As we trekked through the snow, it wasn’t long before the trail narrowed and the snowshoe tracks faded. We didn’t pass another soul after that point, just the faint glide marks left behind by cross-country skiers. Without those tracks—and our trusty AllTrails GPS—we might’ve wandered off into the snowy unknown. But the solitude was magical. Peaceful. Almost reverent.
We crossed a charming snow-covered bridge and began the gentle climb up, pausing often just to take in the sweeping views of the valley and mountains beyond. Little streams peeked through the snowy canvas below us, whispering beneath the surface, reminding us that even in the deep of winter, life hums along.
The landscape looked like something straight out of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. A glistening blanket of snow covered everything in sight, and the Teton Range stood proudly in the distance, towering above the valley like ancient guardians: Grand Teton, Mount Owen, Teewinot, Middle Teton, Nez Perce, and Mount Wister. Some peaks were hidden by cloud cover, but their majesty still echoed all around us.
And then, as all great Wired to Explore adventures go… we followed the views with brews.
Snake River Brewing in Jackson Hole welcomed us like only Wyoming can—with hearty elk dishes and top-notch beer. I warmed up with elk chili while Vance dove into the elk bolognese. We shared a grapefruit, roasted beet, and candied walnut salad (so good), plus a creamy smoked trout dip that I’m still dreaming about.
And then came the beer. Two flights, eight varieties, zero regrets. The standout? A Rice Lager that blew us away with its depth and complexity. Vance said it best: “Most rice lagers lack the layers of flavors that other beers offer—but Snake River Brewing has nailed this recipe.”
From snow-covered serenity to sips and savory bites, this day was everything we dreamed of when we set out on this travel nursing adventure journey. Grateful doesn’t even begin to cover it.
Here’s to more snowy trails, mountain views, and of course… brews with views!
Craving more? Check out the video of this adventure here: https://youtu.be/G_zAsSLzdJc?si=YIgJXErKQdEtvyZ6