Get Local: The Perfect Lazy Summer Day

As much as I love my job, I’m tired at the end of the week!  So, while it is tempting to always go for the big hike or bike ride, sometimes I just need a Lazy Summer Day.  Floating…lakes…rivers…ahhhhh.

I grabbed a similarly inclined co-worker (meet Mags), a couple of stand up paddleboards (SUPs) and headed for String Lake in Grand Teton National Park. I figured that String Lake- no current, warm water and views of Mount St John and Rockchuck Peak looming above us- would be perfect for our Lazy Summer Day (and skill level). Parking at String Lake is plentiful and there are multiple launch spots. The shallow shore-side water was indeed warm and welcoming.  We stepped gingerly aboard (they’re a little tippy). With a tentative nudge from our paddles and a wide-stance wobble, we were off. These boards were wide and stable so it didn’t take long for us to be paddling along confidently; we visited the far side of the lake and several of the rock islands.  We even found a wee bit of current at the outflow from Leigh Lake to play around in.

After a couple of hours of SUP’ing success, Mags and I were ready for a change of scenery. We packed up the boards and headed over to the Jackson Lake Dam. The Snake River emerges from the dam to wind its way south towards the town of Jackson. This stretch of river is world-renowned for its wildlife and awe-inspiring views of the Tetons. It is also basically as flat as a pancake- no riffles, all gentle bends and sluggish current. We set our SUPs in the water and once again stepped delicately aboard.  No falling- just some wild arm waving- as our boards took off. We pointed downstream and floated. Even with a small current, you don’t have to paddle much. Our Lazy Summer Day just got even lazier. This stretch is about 4.5 miles long. If you paddle, you could probably do it in an hour and a half. But why? We drifted, paddling only when we wanted to cross the current to find something. We saw beaver, pelicans, Great Blue Heron, moose, bald eagle and, the high point, an osprey diving for dinner. Our backdrop was the Tetons, notably Mt Moran and the summer remnants of the Skillet Glacier. Magic.

Our day ended at the Pacific Creek boat ramp where we had dropped the car. The setting sun turned the air golden and the water a molten shimmer. Our toes were wrinkled and our noses probably a little sunburnt. Not once- not one time– did I wish I had decided to go for a big mountain workout. It was a perfect Lazy Summer Day.

Author’s note: SUP’ing on lakes or flat current rivers is perfect for the outdoor family that knows how to swim.  Look for rentals in Moose, WY at Adventure Sports or in Jackson at Leisure Sports.  Rendezvous River Sports in Jackson has rentals and lessons if you want more guidance or to get on a more advanced stretch of river. Don’t forget a personal floatation device and helmet! They should come with your rental.  Bring plenty of water and sunscreen.