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Outpost Jackson Hole

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Grand Teton National Park

Aug 02 2022

Fill Labor Day Weekend with the Best of Jackson Hole Summer

We can emphatically say that summer should last an extra month. With a plethora of activities to take advantage of, the long days spent outside soaking up the rays are some of the best in Jackson Hole. But time has that funny way of staying consistent, and our days of summertime are limited. That’s why we always like to fill our Labor Day Weekend with the best of Jackson Hole summer. We’ve compiled a full weekend of activities for you to enjoy every second you have in our special neck of the woods. We hope you’ll join us in celebrating the close of summer in Jackson Hole! 

Friday
Kick off your Labor Day Weekend in Jackson Hole with a trip to the backside of the Tetons. A little known secret: the Idaho side of the Teton range offers stunning views of the mountains. Home to many of those who keep the wheels spinning here in Jackson Hole, we encourage you to take a peek into our community that you simply won’t get without a visit to Idaho. 

Start your day with breakfast at Butter Cafe. The sister restaurant to ever popular Streetfood in Wilson, this charming breakfast joint is the perfect spot to fuel up for your day of adventure. If you’re feeling up for a big hike, Table Mountain is a 12 mile round-trip hike. Landing you right next to the Grand Teton, you’ll have incredible views of our favorite mountain range. If you’d like something less strenuous, the Darby Canyon Wind Cave hike is a beautiful 6 miles out-and-back. After your day in the Tetons, grab an early dinner at Teton Thai in Driggs (we recommend the Pineapple Fried Rice with Crispy Duck, or Bison Pho), and end your day perusing the many beautiful Arts and Crafts during September’s First Friday Art Walk in Driggs. Bonus: take in the stunning sunset over Jackson Hole as you drive back over Teton pass.  

Saturday
After your big day of hiking, enjoy a lazy morning breakfast at Snake River Roasting Co.’s beautiful cafe just off Town Square. We recommend the Bison Benedict and getting a Cinnamon Roll to share. Who doesn’t love a good breakfast appetizer? And don’t forget to grab a bag of their hand-roasted coffee to bring home with you! 

Next head over to the Saturday Farmers Market. Open from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., there’s no rush to get there super early! Be sure to grab some locally grown produce and steaks for a grill-out at your rental later today. Once you’re all stocked up, mosey down to Snow King Mountain Resort and spend a day frolicking (yes truly) with a Big King Pass. From ziplines, to ropes courses, an alpine slide, miniature golf, and so much more, your day will be filled with shrieks of laughter and maybe just a little adrenaline. Head back to your rental and fire up the grill for a quintessential Labor Day Weekend BBQ. 

Sunday
After two days packed with activities, treat yourself (and your body) to a stretch with yoga on the rooftop of the Cloudveil, followed by brunch downstairs at the Bistro. Be sure to make a reservation. When you’re ready to kick it back into gear, head out to Teton Village for Sunday Funday. Enjoy $20 lift tickets and 20 percent off bike rentals, and spend your afternoon exploring their epic downhill mountain bike terrain. Once you’re ready for a beer (or three) and some delicious food (we recommend the lamb burger, tacos, or bibimbap), head over to Streetfood at the Stagecoach. Pro tip: stick around for line dancing at “Church.” Bill Briggs (the first person to ski the Grand!) and his band has played there every Sunday for the past 40 years.  

Monday
We know, you’re tired. It’s been a long weekend FULL of activities. Grab some sandwiches from Creekside and head up to String Lake in Grand Teton National Park for a lazy lake day with incredible Teton views. Be sure to bring your bathing suit as this is the perfect swimming hole. We recommend finishing your trip with a delicious dinner at Trio before heading home. Be sure to make a reservation, and definitely order the Blue Cheese Waffle Fries. You won’t regret it. 

We hope you’re able to pack in as much of our favorite summertime activities during your Labor Day Weekend in Jackson Hole. Maybe we’ll see you out there as we do the same! 

BROWSE LABOR DAY WEEKEND AVAILABILITY

Written by helen · Categorized: Explore · Tagged: Grand Teton National Park, Jackson Hole, Jackson Hole Rentals, Jackson Hole Vacation Rentals, Labor Day Weekend, Outpost Summer, Snake River Roasting Co

Jul 11 2022

End Your Summer on a High Note in the Mountains

One of our favorite things about summer vacation is the utter abandonment of your calendar. Forgetting the date and letting time float by makes us nostalgic for the ice cream filled summer days of our childhood. But just like it did when we were kids, Labor Day Weekend is signaling the final hoorah of the summer. End your summer on a high note by spending August in the mountains before autumn blows in the shorter, cooler days. Lucky for us, the blurry, golden haze of late August in Jackson Hole offers some of the best days we get. Make sure to book an Outpost vacation rental today, and get excited for your late summer getaway!

Fishermen enjoy a beautiful late summer day on the water.

For the BBQ Enthusiast 
Take advantage of your back deck, and enjoy the smokey, grilled flavors of summer from your BBQ. Our local farms are at the height of their production, so make sure to pop through the Farmer’s Market over Labor Day Weekend, or hit up the Wednesday People’s Market through the rest of August and September. Don’t forget to swing by Sweet Cheeks Meats for cuts of the best locally sourced meat around. Insider tip: go for the ribeyes, they’re worth every penny!

For the Avid Flyfisherperson
This is the best time of year to cast your line. The river is at its lowest point, the hatches are buzzing, and the cooler nights and mornings bring more active, biting fish. As the golden hues of August spread into the aspen trees, the views from the river get even better. Book your guided fishing trip today. 

For the Animal Enthusiast 
Though the elk aren’t bugling quite yet, the turn of the season is a great time to view wildlife. Book a wildlife safari and experience the exquisite animals who call this place home. (Staying at an Outpost property? Please contact our guest relations team for a discount code. 307-690-4790 / salescrew@outpostjh.com.)

Looking to get up close and personal? Book a horseback ride through the foothills of the Teton Mountain range. With no sound but the gentle clip of hooves on dirt, you’ll feel transported to a time long past in our beautiful valley.

For the Artist
From August 5-7, come enjoy the 57 Annual Art Fair in Jackson Hole! Beckoning work from local artists, and artists from around the region, this much anticipated event showcases a wide array of pieces. Otherwise, spend a morning immersed in some of America’s most celebrated painters and photographers at the National Museum of Wildlife Art. Finish your tour with views of the Elk Refuge with lunch at Palate. After being inspired by the museum’s incredible collection, take a walk through the many galleries downtown. Who knows, you might find something you just can’t go home without! 

While we’re sad to see the final days of summer approaching, August ushers in a beautifully slow, even romantic transition to fall. Book your end of summer getaway to join us in celebrating the last of this incredible season, and welcome in the early splashes of autumn in Jackson. 

Written by helen · Categorized: Explore · Tagged: Grand Teton National Park, Jackson Hole, Jackson Hole Summer, Jackson Hole Vacation Rentals, Jackson Hole Wyoming Rentals, Outpost Summer, Summer Activities

Jul 01 2022

Summer is in Full Swing in Jackson Hole

Adrenaline-fueled shrieks of laughter reverberate through the Hoback canyon as fleets of rafts splash through the whitewater. At each of the four corners of Town Square, friends, lovers, and families cling to each other as they pose under the iconic antler arches. Throughout the evenings, joyful sounds of live music spill onto the streets. Summer is in full swing in Jackson Hole. 

Summer revelers white water raft down the Snake River.

We’re all holding on to that insatiable summer energy and appetite. Bouncing from one activity to the next, there’s a gentle reminder of cooler days to come hanging in the air. It’s time to recharge before the school year and take advantage of every day you have left. With an abundance of summer activities, concerts, and events to enjoy, there’s no better way to fill your last days of summer than in the mountains of Jackson Hole. 

Traveling with a group? Choose an Outpost vacation rental in Teton Village as the home base for your vacation. From mountain biking to rope courses, hikes, spas, and so much more, there are a plethora of activities just footsteps from your door when staying in our luxurious Granite Ridge Chateau, Shooting Star Lodge 1, or Timber Ridge 9 homes. Located at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, these homes are ideal for large group getaways. In the evenings, take advantage of the exceptional lineup of musicians playing through the end of August at the Grand Teton Music Festival, as well as the many wonderful dining options in Teton Village. 

If you want your August getaway closer to downtown Jackson, we recommend booking your stay at one of our One Town Hill condominiums, East Gill 4, or Grand View 5140. Each home features a unique style and offers that home-away-from-home experience for all visitors. Stay within walking distance of the rodeo, live music and line dancing at the famous Cowboy Bar, a large array of fabulous restaurants, and everything else that August in Jackson Hole has to offer. 

If you’re looking for a more secluded experience of the Tetons, the Teton Retreat, Golf Creek 35, or Teton Shadows Owen E Outpost vacation rentals are perfect for you. While each boasts unique and stunning Teton views, these homes will also give you the space you desire, with the convenience of an easy drive to downtown, Teton Village, and Grand Teton National Park. Bonus: one perk of being more secluded is the increased likelihood of wildlife sightings!

While we wish there was a way to slow down the clock, our sun-filled days of summer in the mountains are beginning to feel numbered. The best way to stretch out the time is to use every last day of summer that you can. We can’t imagine a better way to do so than a summer getaway right here in beautiful Jackson Hole.   

Written by helen · Categorized: Rentals, Uncategorized · Tagged: Grand Teton National Park, Jackson Hole, Jackson Hole Luxury Rentals, Jackson Hole Rentals, Jackson Hole Vacation Rentals, Outpost Summer, Rentals in Jackson Hole WY

Jun 20 2022

Record-breaking Flooding Temporarily Closes Yellowstone: Updated Information

Mist rises over thermal springs in Yellowstone National Park

Recent record-breaking flood conditions caused a full evacuation of Yellowstone National Park. After temporarily closing the country’s oldest national park, the National Park Service took time to assess the overall damage to Yellowstone’s infrastructure. The North entrance remains closed to non-commercial vehicle traffic, but is open to foot and bicycle traffic to Rescue Creek. The Northeast entrance also remains closed to non-commercial vehicle travel, but is open to foot and bicycle traffic in to Warm Creek Trailhead.

After careful consideration, the park reopened the south loop through the Park’s Southern Gate (North of Jackson Hole), East Gate (Cody), and West Gate (West Yellowstone), on Wednesday, June 22. As of July 2, the access to the north loop opened to the general public, allowing access the the majority of the National Park.

Entrance to the park through the South, East and West gates are open to all visitors at this time. We encourage all visitors to stay attuned to park road conditions and gate closures before planning any trips into Yellowstone.

We are devastated to see the damage caused by flooding in Yellowstone, and our hearts go out to the many communities reeling from this disaster. Interested in donating to Yellowstone and the communities directly affected by this disaster? Here are some options for disaster relief programs giving aid through this time.

If you’ve already booked your travel to Jackson Hole, consider the following activities for your trip.

  • Plan day trips to nearby Grand Teton National Park
  • Book a scenic float or white water adventure down the beautiful Snake River
  • Get your adrenaline fix at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort’s bike park
  • Scale the Tetons on Jackson Hole Mountain Resort’s Via Ferrata
  • Soar above the Tetons with a magical hot air balloon ride
  • Experience the last of the Old West at the rodeo

Written by outpostjh · Categorized: Explore · Tagged: Flooding in Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Jackson Hole, Jackson Hole Summer, Jackson Hole Vacation Rentals, Outpost Summer, Yellowstone National Park

Jun 13 2022

The Perfect Homebase for Your Summer Getaway

The skies have cleared, pushing out the cold, wet days of mud season and bringing forth days filled with sun and all that comes with summertime in Jackson Hole. From June until September, our valley is filled with reverie. Join the celebration of our countless summer activities, live outdoor concerts, farmers’ markets, and so much more by booking your summer getaway in the mountains. 

The Perfect Home Base for Your Summer Getaway

BROWSE AVAILABILITY

Spring Creek Ranch

Take in spectacular Teton views with an al fresco dinner at the quiet, private oasis at our Teton Retreat. Perched on the East Gros Ventre Butte, this spacious house features 4 bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms. Just a 12-minute drive from downtown Jackson, it’s the ideal home for a family vacation or trip with your favorite couples.

Take in the immense views of the Tetons as you unwind in the Mountain Tope Lodge hot tub placed right on its back deck. With 4 bedrooms, this custom log home is tucked away on the East Gros Ventre Butte, giving you privacy and solitude with a convenient 12-minute drive to downtown.

Westbank

Conveniently located between the town of Jackson and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort at Teton Village, our Westbank homes have you close to the action but separated from the crowds.

For a more intimate stay, our gorgeous Primrose 1715 condominium has 3 bedrooms and is the perfect option for a family. Enjoy warm summer evenings on the private patio and spend your days biking straight from the condo, utilizing our extensive bike path system that runs right past this charming Wilson neighborhood.

Just around the corner, our cozy Woodlands A5 unit features 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. Bask in the late summer sun on its private patio and grill up some delicious, freshly butchered meat from nearby Aspens Market just a quick walk away.

With 3 bedrooms and an external guest suite, our Wesbank home at Fish Creek 3725 is the ideal family getaway. Boasting a beautiful open floor plan with lots of natural light, and a sizeable private patio, this beautiful home has plenty of space for your whole family.

North of Town

Enjoy amazing sweeping views of the Teton mountains from our townhouse (D) in the Teton Shadows neighborhood. Conveniently located between the town of Jackson and Grand Teton National Park, this quiet neighborhood offers quick access to our national parks as well as our bustling downtown.

Another beautiful home located in the same area, with similarly spectacular views of the Tetons from its back deck, is our Golf Creek 41 home. Take advantage of your proximity to the beautiful hikes, swims, and the many other activities that Grand Teton National Park has to offer while staying in this charming oasis.

Downtown Jackson

Stay footsteps from the action of downtown Jackson at our One Town Hill 404 condo. At the base of Snow King Mountain, this modern, 3-bedroom condo has unparalleled access to all that Jackson has to offer.

Teton Village

Our Sleeping Indian E3 studio condo is the perfect spot for a romantic getaway. Take advantage of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort’s many beautiful hikes right from your doorstep. Cool down afterward in the Sundance swimming pool just across the street, and finish your day with an intimate happy hour for two on the deck.

Whether you’re looking to be in the heart of our festive summer crowds, or want a more secluded experience of the Teton Mountains, we have something for everyone. Don’t miss your chance to experience Jackson Hole this summer, and book your vacation in the last of the Old West today!

Written by outpostjh · Categorized: Rentals · Tagged: Grand Teton National Park, Jackson Hole, Jackson Hole Rentals, Jackson Hole Vacation Rentals, Jackson Hole Wyoming Rentals, Outpost Summer, Summer

Jan 28 2020

Wildlife, Up Close & Personal

“There is a subtle magnetism in nature, which, if we unconsciously yield to it, will direct us aright.” – Henry David Thoreau

While there’s nothing wrong with being that person on the side of the highway, blocking traffic while you snap a grainy photo of a moose two hundred yards away — why not get the real Jackson wildlife experience up close and personal?

After asking myself this same question, I booked myself a spot in a converted van with Ecotour Adventures for a half-day winter tour around Grand Teton National Park (they offer tours in Yellowstone as well). I chose to go at sunset, but if you’re a morning person you can opt for the sunrise tour. Both are equally as wonderful for wildlife viewing, and both are the most gorgeous times of day to get out for some sights.

Result: I’ll be treating myself to at least one of these a year, but more likely one a season. 

They’ve ripped out the seats in the vans and put in captain’s chairs which, not only is this way better for viewing (everyone gets a window seat and a roof hatch to pop out of), but the comfort meter goes straight to a 10. Before my stomach could even start to rumble, our amazing guide, Shaun, was handing me locally-made jerky and a cup of tea. Fully content, I settled back into a glorious, post-work relaxation coma for the rest of the commute. 

When we got to the park, there was no shortage of our guide’s expert knowledge about where to find wildlife. We found plenty of moose, including mother cow moose and their calves nibbling on branches close by. Who’s to say they don’t know how to love up the camera? A little further along, we watched herds of elk moving across the massive landscape, bald eagles close enough to see the detail of their tail feathers, trumpeter swans, and mule deer. When we came upon dozens of sage grouse (I learned Jackson’s population is a genetically isolated species), I was floored at how camouflaged and unique a species we have right here at home. 

Did I mention the van had roof hatches for us to poke up out of so I never even had to leave the warmth of the interior? I think I did, but I want it to sink in. And I doubt I’m the only person who didn’t realize high quality binoculars make a serious difference; I spent the whole tour glued to the world-class specs they gave us from Wyoming-based company Maven Optics.  

Riding back near dusk, we heard owls hooting back and forth across some distance to each other (and Shaun extended the tour for us to search them out). I closed my eyes and let that comfy captain’s chair engulf me, drifting off for a quick cat nap filled with sage grouse and porcupines, and some elk jerky on the side. 

Photos by Lindley Rust

Written by outpostjh · Categorized: Concierge, Explore, Featured, Jackson Hole, Outpost Chronicles · Tagged: Grand Teton National Park, Jackson Hole, Wildlife, wildlife tour

Jan 18 2019

OYG’s Secret Sauce

It must be the grappa in these chicken wings, because they’re making my tastebuds simmer and scream for more. Deemed the “#1 Breaded Wing Dings,” I agree. Then the dining room manager, Blythe Wisniewski, tells me the #1 stands for “1 full pound.” I suppose it does look a little like more of a sharing plate (though I’m not sharing).

We’re sitting at Old Yellowstone Garage — better known as OYG — at Teton Village after a sunny day on the slopes. After a hiatus where all of us locals lived in desperation for a decade, Chef Paulie O’Connor brought his Italian-with-a-twist comfort food back to Caldera House in Teton Village with Chef De Cuisine Jeremy Williamson for the perfect pairing.

After I finish the giant dollop of the remaining Pt. Reyes Blue Cheese Dressing from the wings, my taste buds keel over in a reunion with real poutine. The gravy stays put like butter on the tater tot rather than slipping into a soupy mess at the bottom of my bowl. And yes, I did say tater tot. The oversized chunks of local squeaky cheese curds from Reed’s Dairy transport me back to the best days of elementary school lunch. How can tater tots and gravy be this divine? Jeremy tells me it’s because they toss them still hot with the rest of the ingredients. “If you let the tots cool a little and then toss them, it wouldn’t be the same.”

Then comes the Father Guido Sarducci flatbread. It’s become increasingly clear we aren’t enjoying reheated frozen pub food here. This place cares about ingredients, and they reduce waste wherever possible down to the fruit in their cocktails. Which reminds me, bartender Jordan Schleicher has just delivered me their go-to cocktail, the Pîna & Tonic, a house-made infused pineapple mezcal with green chartreuse, fresh lime juice, and club soda. It’s precisely the version of a Pîna Colada you’d want on a ski hill — it comes head-freeze free without losing the light, floaty feeling of vacation in the tropics. As I head out on a quick trip to a tropical paradise, the flatbread arrives.

I get my first of taste of Esposito’s (yes, the NYC institution for sausage), spiced-prolone sausage, soft and assertive mixed wild mushrooms from Washington state, and house-made mascarpone topped with wild arugula. And the flour from Naples truly melts in my mouth, and I have a new love in my life.

So what’s their secret to this spread of comfort? “Simple and delicious,” Jeremy tells me with a laugh. “When you take three things that are delicious all on their own, there’s nothing to hide behind.”

And with that, I sit back and enjoy the last tidbits of tater tots to the sounds of Jordan shaking up cocktails amidst afternoon sun and shadows, dogs romping around in the snow outside, and layers getting stripped off as the tables fill up with today’s newfound friends.

To check out Old Yellowstone Garage’s winter menu follow these links: Lunch/Dinner


 

 Images ©: Lindley Rust

Written by outpostjh · Categorized: Concierge, Eat/Drink, Jackson Hole · Tagged: Après, Après Ski, Cocktails, Dinner, Fine Dining, Grand Teton National Park, Jackson Hole, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Lunch, Outdoor Seating, Pizza, Salad, Salads, Sandwiches, Slopeside, Soup, Teton Village, Wine, Wings

Jan 03 2019

Largest Management Company in Jackson Hole!

Proud moment. With over 120 properties in our portfolio we’ve officially become the largest vacation rental management company in Jackson Hole and we’re kicking off the New Year with a feature in Jackson Hole News and Guide. To read the full story follow this link.

Outpost has been in business for only three years, and our growth is a testament of our passion for what we do. It has truly been an incredible ride. We thank our talented team who have all worked tirelessly, and our amazing families who have been our pillars of support. They’ve all contributed so much to our accomplishments. We also owe a huge thank you to our wonderful clients and supportive Jackson community who we truly could not have done this without! Our crew has our sights set on continued growth, improvements, and success for the future. We have built an outstanding team and together we will all continue to deliver the best experience, performance and service there is.

On behalf of Mekki, Annie, Charlotte, and the rest of our incredible team we wish you all the best in 2019. Here’s to another exciting year ahead!

 

 

Written by outpostjh · Categorized: Concierge, Featured, Jackson Hole, Outpost Chronicles, Rentals, Welcome · Tagged: Family, Grand Teton National Park, Jackson Hole, JH Vacations, vacation property, vacation rental

Aug 18 2015

Paddling the Tetons’ Turquoise Necklace

The boat leaves the shoreline in a lurch, its stern tracing a line in the sand until it launches into the clear water. String Lake stretches forth, a crystalline, glassy plane that seems to support the entire Teton Range.

In the calm morning’s light breeze and still water these piedmont lakes are at their finest: Jackson, Leigh, String, Jenny, and Phelps lie strewn like a necklace of turquoise beads at the foot of the impossibly jagged Teton Range. As ancient glaciers scraped out the valley bottom almost 2 million years ago on their thoughtful journey southward from the Yellowstone Plateau, they left the earth pocked and pitted. The Jackson Hole valley retains, and boasts, the glorious scars of this age — scars apparent in the wide canyons, sharp ridges, moraines, and deep piedmont lakes.

The inlet stream at String Lake bubbles forth under a low wooden bridge, continuing its slippery southbound journey to Jenny Lake, the next of these shimmering liquid emeralds. Although most visitors are drawn, understandably, to the seemingly endless (and epic) hiking opportunities in the area, accessing the Tetons by boat offers a unique perspective into the quieter corners of the park. While it is impossible to paddle all the lakes successively, short portages make exploring clusters of them a rewarding endeavor. From the canoe, quietly sliding across the water, the mountains reveal subtleties not visible from the forested intimacy of the hiking trails.

Each stroke of the paddle westward propels the little vessel past the fir-lined shore, closer to the mountains than before. The paddlers fall into an easy rhythm, correcting their course every few strokes. In the tranquility even the gentlest shifts of light are startling as the stern Cascade Canyon cliffs become sharper and more pronounced. As our steady paddling passes time along, the morning imperceptibly blossoms into daytime; the lake water takes on a new hue of blue as the sun intensifies.

A series of white sand beaches stretch between clusters of lodgepole forest. A perfect picnic spot. The canoes coast toward the beach: not a sound aside from a breath of wind and the calm dropping of water beads falling from the glossy wooden paddles. Being on the water does that. It eliminates excess and distraction. The sand, warm to the touch, welcomes the watercraft as we haul them ashore. Our tidy beach spot frames the lesser-known Moran canyon, sparking talk of potential adventures, logistics, and future days of pure exploration.

On the water, time seems to slow down, just a little bit, and maybe just for a morning. The Tetons’ piedmont lakes, when explored patiently, offer a unique and unforgettable perspective of our majestic range. All that matters is to keep the bow straight and take another paddle onward.

canoe-002

barn_blog_graphic

Images © Taylor Glenn

Written by outpostjh · Categorized: Jackson Hole · Tagged: Canoe, Grand Teton National Park, Jackson Hole, Jenny Lake, String Lake

Aug 18 2015

Photo Tips: Capturing the Night Skies in Jackson Hole

Astrophotography has seen a boom in the recent years with digital technology. The capabilities of today’s cameras are incredible and capturing the night sky has never been easier. Here in Jackson Hole we are fortunate to have a combination of very little light pollution and high altitude that creates a perfect place to capture brilliant photos of the cosmos. Here are a few tips to get you started. First of all you need the proper equipment. A tripod, camera, and a fast/wide lens. A shutter release and headlamp can be useful as well. Don’t get too concerned about having the absolute latest camera as long as its relatively new. Of course the newer the better as each generation of digital sensors outperform the previous. Lens choice is also hugely important when it comes to image quality. I typically use my Nikon 14-24mm f2.8G as it is very fast and very sharp, a great lens for this. You will find that wider is usually better for night photography. nightsky-001-8

Nikon D750 Nikon 24-70mm f2.8G Nikon 14-24mm f2.8G Gitzo Basalt Tripod Really Right Stuff Panning Ballhead Really Right Stuff L Bracket for Nikon D750

For getting a correct exposure there are a few rules of thumb here that will be helpful. In these photos you will notice that there are no ‘star trails’. Star trails occur when you have the shutter open long enough to record the rotation of the earth. Because the earth is moving relative to the stars the result is that the stars will create a ‘trail’. For my images I prefer to capture the brilliance of the night sky without the trail affect so this is where I have to be very careful with how I select my lens and shutter speed. (f-stop and ISO settings also come into play here) For shutter speed I use the ‘500 Rule’. 500 Divided By the Focal Length of Your Lens = The Longest Exposure (in Seconds) Before Stars Start to “Trail” So let’s say you’re using a 14mm lens on a full frame camera. 500 / 14 = 36 seconds. Using a 14mm lens I can shoot a 36 second exposure without the stars ‘trailing’. You then have to choose the proper f-stop and ISO settings to determine the optimal exposure. Full disclosure – I found out about the 500 rule by searching the interweb.  There are tons of sites out there with far more technical info if you really want to geek out.  For example I found this post with the following chart to help simplify your lens/shutter speed combo. chart So to provide an example of this at work:

nightsky-001-4
Milky Way over the Tetons – Nikon D800, 14-24mm f2.8 – 14mm, 30secs @ f2.8 ISO 3200

As you can see the stars appear brilliantly with no trailing.  I was also lucky to capture a meteor streaking across the frame.

Framing your shot can be a little tricky when it is dark out. You will have to experiment with your camera/tripod position in order to frame your composition. Auto focus will also be useless, so you will need to turn your camera or lens to manual focus and set the focus ring to infinity (this is where the headlamp can be useful to see your focal markings on the lens barrel).

Start by making exposures and using the preview on the back of the camera to determine if your exposure is correct and you like the composition. Adjust until you get the results you like. When you have a composition you like and it’s time to take the shot, a shutter release cable can be handy in order to trigger the shutter without shaking the camera. Newer cameras like the Nikon D750 can be triggered via wifi and a smartphone app. To capture the Milky Way best you’ll want to wait for the moon to be in the new moon phase. There will be no light pollution from the moon and the night sky will be at it’s most brilliant. Photographing with the moon out can also be a fun time to shoot as the moon provides ambient light which can highlight the landscape. The starry sky will not be as brilliant but on the proper night it offers a really cool balance. Here is an example.

The Tetons from Glacier Point - Nikon D3, 24-70mm 2.8 - 34mm, 30 sec@ f4 ISO 200
The Tetons from Glacier Point – Nikon D3, 24-70mm 2.8 – 34mm, 30 sec@ f4 ISO 200

  For another take on night photography you can also do fun things with moon phases.  Last year during the Blood Moon event I made this image.  The Blood Moon is a total lunar eclipse as the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon casting a red hue on the moon.

Blood Moon Composite - Nikon D800, 70-200 f2.8 - 200mm, 1/125 sec @ f4 ISO 100
Blood Moon Composite – Nikon D800, 70-200 f2.8 – 200mm, 1/125 sec @ f4 ISO 100

And finally there is the Holy Grail of night photography: The Northern Lights. Far more common in the higher latitudes, it is pretty rare to see the aurora this far south. But in June of 2015 we were treated to a showing here in Jackson Hole. I was fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time. It only happened for a brief few minutes and I had just setup my camera as the light began dancing across the northern sky. To capture an image like this basically involves a lot of luck, but if you ever have the chance you want to be ready! It helps that I know how to setup my camera properly but there is no way to predict if or when you will see the aurora. When a solar flare happens and creates the proper conditions the geophysical institute in Alaska can offer a prediction if the aurora will appear but even then it is not guaranteed. And if the moon is in a brighter phase it will diminish the affects. I also broke the 500 rule here a bit. With a 50mm focal length I would have been better to have a 10 sec exposure. You can see the stars just starting to trail a bit but it doesn’t bother me here. Remember all this is subjective anyway so learn about your camera and what settings create which results and then you can choose how you want your images to be.

Aurora Borealis over the Tetons - Nikon D750, 24-70mm 2.8 - 50mm, 30secs @f4 ISO 2000
Aurora Borealis over the Tetons – Nikon D750, 24-70mm 2.8 – 50mm, 30secs @f4 ISO 2000

You can spend all day reading about technique on the web but to really learn how to create these images you just need to get out and experiment. Most of all, getting out there and shooting at night helps you figure out which effects you like best. Personally, however the photographs turn out, I love being up in the national park on these cool clear nights. Its a great way to experience Grand Teton National Park. Go out and give it a whirl!

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All images © Taylor Glenn

Written by outpostjh · Categorized: Jackson Hole · Tagged: Grand Teton National Park, Local Tips, Night, Photography, Taylor Glenn

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