Leigh Lake 2014: The Trip That Almost Didn't Happen

l to r: Rockchuck Pk., Mt. Woodring & Mt. Moran

Many moons ago I climbed Mt. Moran with my friend Painter. En route to the climb, we canoed across Leigh Lake. During that paddle I noticed that there were a few backcountry campsites along the shoreline. Ever since then I've been itching to get back and take Brittany to camp there. We finally got to make that trip this past weekend. Plus, to make the trip even better, our good friends Derick & Janece came along as well.

Britt in front with the Moores in the lead on String Lake.

Seeing how canoe camping was new to us, we opted to ditch the kids and use this as a quasi-test run. Aside from the snafu trying to get our permit (more about that later), everything went off without a hitch, mainly no lost gear in the lake and no bear attacks!

We had tentatively planned on hiking into Paintbrush Canyon but opted to take advantage of having canoes and stayed on the water, paddling to different beaches and checking out the islands on the lake. All that paddling leads to hunger eventually though. Being able to bring coolers means one can bring food that one normally wouldn't/couldn't on a regular backpacking trip...and we took full advantage of that!

Each night we sat on the shore watching the stars reflecting off the calm water of the lake, something I've never really paid much attention to before. It was mesmerizing. Also, we followed climber's descending Mt. Moran guided by their headlamps. This trip put the fun back into Teton Park for us and we will definitely be back with the kids.

Our breakfast mascot who didn't seem to mind

walking right through our camp as she nibbled away on foilage.

Chillin', Teton style.

So about the title of this entry: Our permit that I reserved and paid for back in January 2014 was given away to another camper the morning of our arrival. Park reservation policy states that users wishing to obtain a backcountry camping permit need to be to the ranger's office by 10 a.m. the morning of their arrival, even if the user has paid for it. If they don't show up around 10 am, the computer system automatically cancels the reservation and it becomes available to the first person who wants it. I've seen people at the permit stations before waiting for any backcountry permits that become available due to "no-shows" so I've been aware of it. However, if one cannot make it by then, policy states that they are to call ahead and let the ranger know. I called the day before and talked to a ranger telling him we wouldn't be there until 1 pm. He said "No problem, you are good to go" or something to that effect. Not so. Seemingly half-assed apologies from the park staff abounded that morning as I was told "Sorry, there is nothing I can do, sir". Fuming, we demanded to talk to a superior. After a millennium of waiting, the head Ranger approached us and had taken care of the situation. This is were I have to tip my hat to this guy for not just brushing us off and offering us some lame campsite in some lame campground. They actually sent some rangers out to Leigh Lake and intercepted the person who ended up with "our" permit. All went well and we ended up getting our 3 days as planned. However, this little hiccup set the stage for some silly attitudes and our mantra was born: ""Don't f**k with 15!"

View from camp or Mt. Moran, 12,605'.