What should Road Trip 2009 do in Jackson Hole, Wyoming?

What should Road Trip 2009 do in Jackson Hole, Wyoming? If you have a great suggestion that I end up incorporating into the project, and you're the first to make it, I have a nice prize for you.

(Credit: Jackson Hole Central Reservations)

COLUMBIA FALLS, Montana--For the past three-plus weeks, I've been driving around states like Colorado, Utah, Idaho, and now the Big Sky state, writing stories and producing photo galleries and videos as part of my Road Trip 2009 package. Almost everything I've done was pre-scheduled and coordinated long before the trip started.

But for some reason, a few things on the agenda seem to have fallen through in the last few days, and I find myself, among other things, looking for a perfect Road Trip story to do in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

And this is where you come in. When I've asked for this kind of help in the past, as I did recently for my visit to Boise, Idaho, you've come through with terrific suggestions. So I'm turning to you again: can you help me find something to do in Jackson that fits into Road Trip's mission of giving exposure to the best this country has to offer in a wide range of fields including technology, military, science, space, architecture, aviation, nature, and so on?

In this case, however, there's a twist: my visit has to be on a Saturday. That complicates things, I know, because most businesses are closed, and few people want to host a reporter on the weekend. But schedules being what they are, that's my situation. Still, I know you will have terrific ideas, and I want to hear them. If you're the first person to make a suggestion that I actually end up incorporating into Road Trip, I have a nice prize for you: Either a Flip Mino video camera or DVD sets of Dexter, seasons one through three.

Please let me know your ideas as soon as possible, and send them, via e-mail, to daniel--dot--terdiman--at--cnet--dot--com. I look forward to hearing from you.

For the next two weeks, Geek Gestalt will be on Road Trip 2009. After driving more than 12,000 miles in the Pacific Northwest, the Southwest, and the Southeast over the last three years, I'll be writing about and photographing the best in technology, science, military, nature, aviation and more in Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, and Colorado. If you have a suggestion for someplace to visit, drop me a line. And in the meantime, join the Road Trip 2009 Facebook page and follow my Twitter feed.

[adamberberich]

Check out the Snake River Brewery @ 265 S Millward St.

[kevinvw]

have a light lunch at Billys Burgers @ West Side of the Town Square

[Alphaman63]

You know, Dan, I'm really envious of your job, where the toughest problem you've got after 3 weeks of "hard" work on the road is "what can I do in Jackson Hole on a Saturday???"

How do I apply for such a position with CNet?? ;)

Personally, I recommend you take more photos like the one at the top of this article!

[putting4bird]

You have to try the Mangy Moose

[sistertodd]

Stay at Trail Creek Ranch, it's a little out of Jackson in Wilson. We had an amazing time there last week. The Bar J Chuckwagon was also a very good time. But, it's hard to need entertainment when you could just lay on the grass and stare at the scenery, move 10 miles and do the same thing. It's my personal favorite place in the world. Oh, their rodeo (if it's on when you are in town) is also well worth seeing. And, the chuckwagon restaurant in Moose is fabulous!

[LarryTubbs]

Enter Grand Teton National Park. Take the boat ride across Jenny Lake, and hike the awesome trail to Inspiration Point. It is one of the best views in the lower 48. If you have the legs for it after that climb, continue up Cascade Canyon for some of the best hiking I've ever experienced.

[NotForNuthin]

I hear ya'... My brother is a Jenny Lake Ranger

[shortandsweet]

It's true.... Cascade Canyon is AMAZING!!!!

[josiahc]

Jenny Lake at the base of the Tetons this time of year is the most beautiful place on earth (tied with the Columbia River Gorge in the Fall). It's a short drive from Jackson Hole in the Teton National Park.

If you've got a full day, chartering a raft on the Snake River would be a rush. They've got some good class 3-4 rapids that will give you plenty to report about afterwards. Might be a good chance to try out a water-proof camcorder. Jackson is all about the nature.

Also, if you could take a high-res shot of the Antler archways in the park downtown it would be cool to see just how many racks they crammed into those.

If you can swing it, stay at the Wart. But you've gotta try the hole-in-the-wall 50's era diner across from that antler park. If you manage to take a picture of their extensive "Rules for dining here" list and post it here you'll be a legend. They enforce those rules pretty strict - and one of the them is no pictures of the rules list.

Have fun and tell us how it goes!

[whois101]

I second these suggestions. Jenny Lake and Inspiration Point are great. Also check out the view on Mount Moran from Oxbow Bend. Pictures, please.

More info at WyomingTourism.org

[shortandsweet]

The hole in the wall diner he is talking about is actually called Billy's burgers and they took the rules down (Sadly), but it is the best burger you'll ever eat! I agree with everything in this post, but the problem is, it's impossible to get the whole feel for Jackson in only one day! if you can somehow swing it, you gotta spend a couple days there... one day to play on the river and the next to play in the Grand Tetons! I worked there for two summers and there are some amazing places in the Tetons that a lot of people never see. Jenny Lake is great, but it is also a really populated touristy trail. I recommend either Paintbrush canyon to Holly Lake (the trail is on the south end of Jenny Lake at a place called String/Leigh lake... when you go into the park they will give you a map to all the trails), or Phelps Lake and Death Canyon (there's a fun jumping rock on that lake that a lot of people jump off for quite a rush). Both of these trails are amazingly beautiful with some stunning vistas and amazing canyons. :) Just keep in mind that the road to Phelps Lake/Death Canyon is kind a rough.

[carl2500]

Get up early and have a hearty breakfast at Bubba's. Then do a rafting trip down the Snake River (including a fine blackened salmon dinner at the end of the trip). For the evening, a visit to the National Wildlife Arts museum is nice.

[porkytorkwal]

Find the largest ball of barbed wire, have your picture taken next to it (so as to interact with the locals) and upload it to Wikipedia so they have a picture of it. The music festival is also going on I think.

[aardvarkfff]

My step-father-in-law has a great raft and would be happy to take you down the whitewater. I sent you an email with my contact info, if you're interested.