Jackson Hole & Grand Teton National Park

Click Here to see 2015, 2016,2017, & 2018 Foliage Reports

During September, I’ll work on two pages simultaneously. This September Foliage 2019 post will contain more specific information about the ever changing foliage status in the area. The September 2019 Daily Journal for JH and GTNP page will contain some foliage information, but will focus more on wildlife and landscapes. You’ll want to go to both regularly.

Archived Resources: September Daily Journals

Fall Season Feature Posts

Click this link to find a variety of Feature Post from earlier years!

Foliage Scale 2019

Note: Peak Fall foliage is not a one day event! It evolves over several weeks. Some areas go first, then lose leaves while others are just beginning. You should be able to find colorful foliage anytime from around the 10th of September to the first week in October.

Science of Fall Colors

Click the link above to view an informative page written by the US Forest Service

October 20th, 2019 – Sunday

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Still color in some of the willows!

Interestingly, many of the aspen leaves and cottonwood leaves along Mormon Row are hanging onto the branches. They are burnt orange and didn’t turn bright yellow this year.

October 17th, 2019 – Thursday

Aspens: For most of Grand Teton National Park, I’d say the foliage season is over. For town, there are quite a few aspens worth attention.

I am not sure about the scientific botany, but many of the aspens and cottonwoods turned either rusty brown or dark brown this year instead of vivid yellow. I may still add a few more photos on this page, but most of my dedication to this page is over for the year. Hope it helped some of the readers! MJ

October 14th, 2019 – Monday

Clark’s Nutcracker: While “green” is not the dominant color now, there are still green and pea green trees around town.

Young Magpie: Some of the remaining leaves are still colorful enough for a nice background.

October 13th, 2019 – Sunday

TA Moulton Barn Pano: In some years, the cottonwoods behind the TA Moulton barn turn bright yellow. This year, they are more rusty orange. This is typical in many areas of the valley now. There are still some green aspens along the Moose-Wilson Road.

October 11th, 2019 – Friday

Oxbow Bend: Not much left at Oxbow now. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600 Lens, Handheld.

Oxbow Bend: The upper lot still look “okay” but the leaves are now burnt orange and not as vivid. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600 Lens, Handheld.

Country Road: Look around and you can still find pre-peak and peak colors. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600 Lens, Handheld.

October 10th, 2019 – Thursday

Munger Mountain Aspens: Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600 Lens, Handheld.

Upper Gros Ventre: Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600 Lens, Handheld.

Peach House on Mormon Row: I included this photo today to show the aspens along Mormon. Row. It will be a few days to prime there. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600 Lens, Handheld.

October 9th, 2019 – Wednesday

Munger Mountain: Nice stands of aspens south of Jackson. Taken with a Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens. Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600 Lens, Handheld.

Munger Mountain: Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600 Lens, Handheld.

Melody Ranch Barns: Taken with a Nikon D5 and Sigma Sport 60-600mm lens.

October 8th, 2019 – Tuesday

Ditch Creek: Even though SOME of the early foliage opportunities are behind us, there are still lots of them available to us.

Country Road: Taken near the old Teton Science School.

Aspens: The valley is in a state of transition. I like all of the variety!

Fiery Red Leaves: There are many additional foliage opportunities “in town”. I shot this one next to Kmart!

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October 7th, 2019 – Monday

Notes: The “Classic” shot at Oxbow Bend is mostly past prime. The Upper Parking Area is Prime. There is PLENTY of yellow all around the valley. The cottonwoods and aspens around Mormon Row is still beginning to change. Aspens in and around Jackson are prime or near prime.

Buffalo Valley Barn: Most of the Buffalo Valley is outside of Grand Teton National, on your way over Pass towards Dubois.

Buffalo Valley Aspens: Color is pretty good there! Some are still on the greenish side.

Buffalo Valley Aspens:

October 6th, 2019 – Sunday

Hillside Gold: The aspens in some areas are partially prime, and partially pre-prime.

Oxbow Bend: Generally speaking, it looks like the west end of Oxbow is now past prime.

Oxbow Bend Upper Lot: Prime!

October 5th, 2019 – Saturday

Shane Cabin: It snowed some overnight, frosting the valley. I looked for Moose early, the switched hats to my “landscape hat” and headed up the Gros Ventre. The Shane Cabins were along the route.

Gros Ventre River Ranch Cabin:

Slide Lake Pano: When the Tetons are covered with snow, I usually look for something else. Right now, the cottonwoods, willows and aspens in the Slide Lake area are prime or near prime. More than likely, the aspens on the west end of Oxbow Bend will be well past prime, or even blown off by the time we see Mt. Moran again. That’s possibly the bad news, but the good news is there are plenty of other good areas with great color!

Slide Lake:

Snow King Aspens: The hillsides closer to town are just now firing up, as seen in this photo on Snow King.

Snow King Aspens:

October 4th, 2019 – Friday

Oxbow Bend Shoreline: Finally…Some nice morning clouds!

Oxbow Bend Shoreline Pano: Some of the leaves in the middle section of this band of Aspens are missing now. There was a lot of wind later in the day, so I suspect many more leaves will have fallen by Saturday morning.

Oxbow Bend Upper Lot Pano: Prime.

Floating Leaves: Don’t forget the small shots!

October 3rd, 2019 – Thursday

Oxbow Bend: Good color!

Oxbow Bend: The upper lot is almost peak.

Snowy Aspens: Fresh show this morning! Aspens are looking great now.

Two Ocean Lake Aspens:

Arizona Meadows: These aren’t quite prime, but getting there! This meadow is near Arizona Creek (the bridge is under construction).

Mt. Liedy: Taken near Elk Ranch Flats.

The lower part of Oxbow Bend is still okay. Hurry! The upper parking lot’s aspens are prime. Hopefully, people will see mountains tomorrow.

October 1st, 2019 – Tuesday

Oxbow Bend: I’d say it is a prime as it will get before the left side leaves blow off!

Oxbow Bend Upper Parking Area: Prime enough!

Shoshone: This one show a few of the aspens at the south end of Blacktail Butte.

The wind has been blowing a lot of the willow and cottonwood leaves off.

September 30th, 2019 – Monday

REMEMBER!!!!! The Jackson Lake Dam will be closed on October 1st.

Peak Aspens: Lots of color right now, especially the Aspens! Some of the Willows and Cottonwoods are losing leaves.

Aspens at Oxbow Bend: These are Aspens visible from the “upper parking lot”.

Two Ocean Lake:

Two Ocean Lake Road:

Cottonwood Creek: This is the small stream coming out of Jenny Lake.

Two Ocean Lake Road:

September 29th, 2019 – Sunday

Yellowing Hillside: Just a quick shot of a hillside north of town. It’s “game on” in most of the valley.

Sleeping Indian and Cottonwoods: This was taken along the Highway across the Gros Ventre River.

Cottonwoods, Willows, and Aspens: I took this one along the Gros Ventre river bottom.

Lip Curl: I stayed south today, but have a feeling Oxbow is looking great now.

September 28th, 2019 – Saturday

Red Leaves of Fall: Depending on where you were in the valley this morning, you would find either rain or snow. I took this photo along the Moose-Wilson Road.

John Moulton Homestead: Most of the valley floor was wet, but snow covered hillsides and mountainsides around it.

Snow on Shadow Mountain:

Shadow Mountain: Aspens on Shadow Mountain are close to peak.

Cottonwoods and Aspens: Taken along Antelope Flats Road.

September 27th, 2019 – Friday

Aspens: Better wear shades! The valley is turning yellow! This was taken near Snake River Overlook.

Bison in Gold: Captured along Elk Ranch Flats.

Upper Lot at Oxbow Bend: These trees have changed a lot in just a couple of days. They are not prime yet, but getting there.

The Weather: Some news and weather reports suggested we would get a big early season snow storm. As of tonight, it looks like they have pulled back some from those predictions. We should have rain most of Saturday, and likely snow in the high country, though we will not see it until after the storm passed.

Great Gray Owl: No matter where you look, you can still find some green leaves.

Great Gray Owl:

Moron Row: A few of the cottonwoods are beginning to turn along Mormon Row, but most trees are still essentially green. They are usually not prime until the first week or so in October.

September 26th, 2019 – Thursday

Mt. Moran Reflections:

Oxbow Bend:

Riverside at Oxbow Bend:

Wind, rain and even snow are in the forecast for the next few days. The wind is the WORST! Keep your fingers crossed!

September 25th, 2019 – Wednesday

Oxbow Bend: Getting close!

Buck Mountain: Taken from Pacific Creek Road.

Colorful Hillside: Taken near Elk Ranch Flats. You can find bright colors in many areas now. You can also find stands of green aspens.

Colorful Hillside:

Polarizer in Use: This is about the only time of the year I use a circular polarizer. It darkens the sky, brightens the white clouds, and brightens yellows. Nikon D850 and Nikon 70-200 Lens, Handheld…with polarizing filter

No Polarizer: Nikon D850 and Nikon 70-200 Lens, Handheld.

September 24th, 2019 – Tuesday

Oxbow Bend: Still a few more days.

Aspens Pano captured near Moran Junction. These are prime!

Aspen Stand Pano captured near Spread Creek.

Gold Cottonwoods near Elk Ranch Flats.

Gold Cottonwoods at Spread Creek.

IMPORTANT ROAD INFORMATION

The North section of the Moose-Wilson Road is still closed due to grizzly activity.

Temporary Road Closures for Bureau of Reclamation to perform maintenance work of Jackson Lake Dam beginning Sept. 24, with intermittent road closures through October 25.

Closures will occur on the Teton Park Road across Jackson Lake Dam between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday for a period of up to four hours for each closure. No evening or weekend work is planned at this time.

19-62 Bureau of Reclamation Intermittent Closures of Teton Park Road across Jackson Lake Dam

During this time, travelers will not be able to make a through-trip on the Teton Park Road. Those wishing to access the northern part of Grand Teton or Yellowstone National Park may want to take U.S. Highway 89/191/287. Access to the Snake River, including the boat launch and fishing area below the dam will be available north of Jackson Lake Dam during this time.

Tentative Schedule (subject to change):

Tuesday September 24	10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tuesday October 1	10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Monday October 7	11 a.m to 3 p.m.
Tuesday October 8	11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tuesday October 15	11 a.m to 3 p.m.
Wednesday October 16	11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Schwabacher Landing: Not prime…but changing. There are lots of aspen stands nearing prime in various parts of the park now.

September 22, 2019 – Sunday

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Moose at Schwabachers: A quick shot to show the colors at Schwabacher Landing.

Oxbow Aspens:… Probably the update shot people are wanting to see! Some of the aspens are starting to change.

Oxbow Aspens:

Red and Orange Aspens at Willow Flats

September 21, 2019 – Saturday

Gros Ventre River: Willows and Cottonwoods along the Gros Ventre River.

Schwabacher Landing: Willows, aspens and cottonwoods.

Snake River: This was shot through the haze, but you can get an idea of the color along the Snake near Triangle X Ranch.

I offer year round photo tours in Grand Teton National Park. Seasons are changing! Book now! Click the image for additional information.

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September 20, 2019 – Friday

Aspen Stand: Each day there is more color and in more areas. This was taken along Elk Ranch Flats.

Aspen Stand: This group was taken at the Moran Junction area. They aren’t quite prime, but getting there fast.

North End of Elk Ranch Flats: Just a status photo.

Oxbow Bend Approach: The aspen stands at the West end of Oxbow Bend and at the Upper Parking lot are still mostly green, but there has been a considerable amount of changes above that area.

Oxbow Bend Hillside: This photo was taken from the Cattleman’s Bridge Road, pointing back to the Oxbow Bend Parking Area.

Cottonwood Creek: Taken below the Jenny Lake tail out. This should be fairly bright in a few more days.

Red Leaves: Some of the bright colors in the ground cover.

September 19, 2019 – Thursday

I didn’t take photos of the foliage today since things are essentially the same as yesterday. With that said, I can see a change over every couple of days. Much of the valley is still in the 1, 2, 3 or even 4 stage of my color chart, but there are patches of color. Check out the areas near Triangle X Ranch, Cunningham Cabin, and Moosehead Ranch. Foliage always looks brighter if you can catch it backlit. The Moose-Wilson Road remains closed. You can still access the LSR Preserve from the south entrance at Teton Village. Rain is in the forecast for tomorrow and part of Saturday.

If you are “needing” aspen color, consider a drive to Green River Lakes. The altitude is higher there. Aspens usually start turning right after Labor Day. The area is roughly 100 miles from Jackson. The last part of it is over rough roads, but it is definitely photogenic and worth the trip! Of course, I love the Tetons, but this area probably comes in a close second. Head south towards Pinedale, then look for the road going north through Cora. Follow it all the way to the end. There are no services. Stock up on food, snacks, and gas before heading into the region. The area has good fishing along the Green River, Dollar Lake, and in the lakes. Watch for grizzly bears, moose, wolves, deer, and elk. This is a popular access point for back country hikers and hunters.

Outside the Park: Alternative Places to Visit, Hike, Fish, and Photograph

A few friends that drive the Snake River Canyon have been telling me the Mountain Maple are finally starting this year near Alpine Junction. They typically fire up before our aspens, cottonwoods, and willows.

September 18, 2019 – Wednesday

This is the same stand of aspens I photographed on September 12th (at Willow Flats).

Foggy Snake River: You can see how some of the cottonwoods are beginning to turn near Triangle X Ranch, north of Snake River Overlook.

Numerous aspens are turning yellow at the Jackson Lake Lodge.

September 17, 2019 – Tuesday

Snake River Willows and Cottonwoods: This is a good example of current foliage. You can find good color in patches, with green all around. Notice the willows at the bottom and cottonwoods behind them. There seems to be more “color” south of the Snake River bridge at Moose than north of there. Color is better near the Snake River bridge in Wilson.

Gros Ventre Willows and Cottonwoods: Similarly, the Gros Ventre River drainage is making a major shift. These are some of the brighter ones I saw when driving home.

Variegated Colors: I always like to find examples of the wide range of colors like this leaf along the Moose-Wilson Road.

The Black Hawthorn leaves along the Moose-Wilson Road are still green. They often become colorful as the season advances. As of today, the northern portion of the Moose-Wilson Road is closed due to bear activity.

Fall Fishermen: Bundled for the much cooler weather we had today. They were headed towards the Snake River at the Wilson Bridge.

Wilson Bridge: This is the bridge over the Snake River near Wilson, WY. Foliage in this area is ahead of the river bottom north of the Snake River bridge at Moose.

East Bank of the Snake River near Wilson.

West Bank of the Snake River near Wilson

Spring Gulch Aspens: Aspens are much farther behind in almost all areas. I took this photo from Spring Gulch Road. I’d call them the exception to the rule so far.

September 15, 2019 – Sunday

It was a little hazy when I took this photo this morning, but you can get an idea of some of the color. Across the board, it looks like the foliage season is very late this year!

This essentially the same shot on September 16 of last year.

I drove by the Gros Ventre this afternoon. Yes…there is a bit more of a shift in color there! Far from peak, but more 4.5,6 on my scale than only a few days ago.

September 13, 2019 – Friday

I took this photo Thursday afternoon along the Gros Ventre River. As you can see, there is a variety of color stages, but not many leaves are really bright yellow. As I keep saying, most of the valley is “shifting” colors.

September 12, 2019 -Thursday

Changing Aspens: Taken from one of the Willow Flats turnouts.

Mountain Ash Berries: Photographed at the Jenny Lake Overlook drive.

September 11, 2019 -Wednesday

Moose Cow and Calf on the Gros Ventre: I posted this photo on the September 2019 Daily Journal for GTNP and JH, but thought it might fit here, too. It shows the shift in color for the grasses and some of the willows.

Choke Cherries: Berries are ripening around the valley. I get report suggesting the Black Hawthorn berries along the Moose-Wilson Road are less this year than some other years. There have been bear sightings along the narrow road, but rangers and wildlife brigade volunteers are keeping people away from them. I also hear reports of people seeing black bears along the trails farther up the mountain trails.

Yellow Leaves: I took this photo of some leaves along the Gros Ventre yesterday.

September 9, 2019 -Monday

Gros Ventre Willows & Cottonwoods: There is a noticeable shift in the color of trees around the valley, but it is far from prime.

Gros Ventre Cottonwoods: I took these to backlit shots along the Gros Ventre this morning. They always look a little brighter with light on them! There was a fair amount of haze in the air this morning…but I don’t believe it was smoke from any area fires.

September 6, 2019 – Friday

Ferns: Nice color after a light rain at String Lake. Some of the underbrush is very vivid.

Oxbow Bend: The stand of aspens at Oxbow Bend are still green but a lot of the surrounding low willows are turning. There are a few aspens in the area beginning to change.

Arizona Meadows: Similarly, the grasses at Arizona Meadows (Kamas Meadows) are nice and golden in color. Aspens are barely shifting color.

September 5, 2019 – Thursday

I snapped this photo yesterday of a grove of aspens— not far from Snake River Overlook. Most of the valley is still in Level 1 or 2, but you can find smatterings of 6 and 7. The low willows in some areas are shifting in color.

September 2, 2019 – Labor Day Monday

If you want to find “color”, it’s out there! Don’t get too excited, however, as the bulk of the valley is still green. The leaves above are part of the ground cover along the Gros Ventre, taken today.

These aspens were seen near Jackson Lake Lodge yesterday.

Berries are ripening and turning deeper in color. Black Hawthorn leaves along the Moose-Wilson Road are beginning to change. This photo was taken in late August.

If you are in town right now and want to find larger groves of aspens, consider a drive down to Pinedale. That area is roughly 1000 feet higher in elevation than Jackson. Green River Lakes is close to 2000 feet higher than Jackson and can be beautiful. When our kids were young, we camped there. I remember noticing the big changes in the aspens over just the four days of the Labor Day weekend.

Reports indicate the Mountain Maple trees in the Snake River Canyon and along Palisades Reservoir are not colorful yet, but that should happen soon.

Several people tell me about the beautiful color in the meadows on Togwotee Pass right now. The willows at Willow Flats have shifted to burnt yellow in the past week or so.

As the month begins, the sky is clear of smoke. I read a recent article that talked about controlled burns south of town. This could pump smoke into the valley at times this year. This smoky photo was taken on September 29th last year.

Remember, this is the Initial Entry for the 2019 Foliage Reports. I will be adding more photos and updates fairly often throughout the foliage season.