Our last day in Wyoming. The group has experienced so much – it has been a fantastic educational adventure. Today we split up into two hiking groups. The whole group started hiking from Jenny Lake with 3 volunteers from the Geologists of Jackson Hole (we were in good hands as two are volunteer backcountry rangers). Our first encounter was with a black bear and her cub – that got our attention!

After this, one group headed up to Inspiration Point and the other decided to tackle the 15.3 mile (roundtrip) hike to Lake Solitude – rated a 20.0 (strenuous) on the difficulty scale with a 2350 foot elevation gain, up to a glacial lake at 9048 feet! I’m not sure any of the students in the group thought they could accomplish this feat when Earth Camp started, but 10 of our 18 Earth Campers started and finished the hike! I was so incredibly impressed!!! The Lake Solitude Hike is rated one of the hardest in the park (and just was given the distinction as one of the top 10 most beautiful day hikes in the world)

It was an inspiring way to end the week for all of our students and staff. Thanks for a great Earth Camp Wyoming experience!