Wyoming - Signal Mountain Launch Point Public Boat Ramp ~ Beautiful Teton Lake!

We had just spent two weeks on vacation in the Grand Tetons National Park of Wyoming with two of those days also dedicated to exploring parts of Yellowstone National Park and this was our last day. Two hours of that precious time was spent at the Signal Mountain Boat Ramp area overlooking Lake Jackson and we enjoyed ourselves immensely even though we had no boat.

My mother, niece and I had rented a car and we decided to drive back into the Tetons retracing some of our steps.

Spring Creek Ranch was our place of residence for this vacation and we had taken tours of the Grand Tetons National Park and also Yellowstone National Park.

Often we utilized the free transportation from Spring Creek Ranch to descend the butte upon which the resort sits high up over the town of Jackson Hole enabling us to easily take in various sites within the town.

All of this and more is detailed in several other hubs written about Jackson Hole, the Tetons, Jenny Lake and Yellowstone.

This last day we simply wanted to spend a little more time in some of the natural settings that we had glimpsed at other points while on this wonderful vacation trip.

When we pulled off the road into the Signal Mountain Boat Ramp area the three of us thought that we would simply look at the site and move on to other areas within the National Park.

Surprisingly we got caught up in the sheer beauty of the place and ended up spending a fun filled relaxing several hours listening to the lapping of the waves in this crystal clear lake while also basking in the rays of the sun.

If we had custom ordered it, the day could not have been better!

Skies overhead were blue and clear occasionally accentuated with passing white cotton-like clouds.

The sunlight glistened on the ripples and waves of the water making it sparkle as though diamonds were cast upon its reflective surface.

The Signal Mountain Boat Ramp along with the Lodge is located on the southern end of Jackson Lake.

There are also nearby camp grounds.

Naturally the prime use of this area is to launch boats into Lake Jackson for recreational use and the particular day that we happened upon this scene, it was primarily being utilized by people enjoying the sport of windsurfing.

All of those rich jewel toned sails of the single person windsurfing vehicles that were flitting across the water like so many brightly colored butterfly wings embellished the already dazzling colors spread out before our eyes. It was sheer joy to be spectators that day watching the ever changing palette of scenery upon the waves of Lake Jackson.

It takes good balance and some sense of sailing skills to successfully accomplish the sport of windsurfing.

Obviously most of the people we saw that day skimming the surface of Lake Jackson were seasoned windsurfers. Once launched into the water and catapulted forward by the breeze, we did not see one mishap with a sailor losing control of his craft and getting dunked into the lake.

Watching the aquatic fun made us wish we had brought swimming suits along until we tested the waters.

BRRRRR! The waters were cold. As a matter of fact, some of the people doing the windsurfing were wearing wet suits.

That did not stop my niece!

After testing the water with her hands and feet she decided to leap into Lake Jackson and have some fun.

Ahh...youth!

I can still remember the days when I was younger and able to withstand much colder temperatures in lakes and even swimming pools for that matter.

These Tetons lakes within the National Park were still cold even though our visit was in the middle of the summer.

One could see no other swimmers other than my niece who busily splashed, swam and played in the water for a brief period of time.

While my niece was swimming and playing in the cool temperatures of Lake Jackson, my mother and I were allowing the glorious sun rays to kiss and warm our exposed skin.

Once my niece finished her frolicking in the lake, it did not take long for her wet cloths to dry while still on her body.

 By the time we decided that we must depart from this heavenly scene there was no chance of getting the seats of the car wet from this unexpected tryst with the lake waters.

This encapsulates one short period of time spent on our vacation in the Grand Tetons National Park.

Hopefully after seeing these photos taken at the Signal Mountain Boat Ramp area in Wyoming, you will understand the thrill of the moments that my mother, niece and I shared that day in Wyoming even though we did not have a boat. We had unexpected fun of our own while watching others launch their boats onto Lake Jackson and we especially enjoyed viewing the most colorful and active sport of windsurfing.

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