The Riparian Zone: Secrets of the Grand Teton Moose

A Moose standing in the willows along the Snake River in Grand Teton National Park

Imagine this: Majestic antlers pierce the twilight sky, a powerful silhouette looms against the backdrop of the Tetons – the moose is an emblem of Grand Teton National Park. But for Barker Ewing Scenic Float Trips, a moose sighting is more than just a photo op; it’s a chance to witness a fascinating creature in…

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Dip! Wade! Swim!

The water ouzel was my father’s favorite bird. Sometimes I think it was his favorite because he liked to say “water ouzel.” Try it, it’s fun! There are five water ouzel varieties throughout the world, and our local ouzel is the American dipper. (Not as much fun to say.) The American dipper is roughly robin-sized…

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Unmistakable Signs of Spring

Oh, the signs of spring. Squadrons of Geese are winging northward, stopping briefly in our valley to rest and recharge before continuing on to their summer roosts in Canada. Flocks of Sandhill Cranes entertain us with their distinctive clacking calls as they return from warm southern states. Pronghorn and Mule Deer make their way into…

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Let it Snow!

Teton Range covered in snow

It’s ski season in Jackson Hole. Many of us here at Barker-Ewing are lucky enough to both work and recreate on the snow-covered slopes that surround us all winter. And that fluffy white snow is solid gold! When spring arrives, the snow transforms into liquid gold as it melts into the Snake River, our summer…

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2020 Float Season is here!

Finally, after a most unpleasant spring, the 2020 Float Season is here! Our crew has spent the last several weeks working on our boats, trailers, and vehicles to make sure everything is ship-shape and ready for action, and scouting the best routes down the Snake River. And at last, Grand Teton National Park is open…

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River Dreams

Grand Tetons from a Barker Ewing raft- Snake River float trips

Along the lazy, tranquil, rushing, surging river,Dense hatches of gnats and mayfliesBriefly cloud the banks and darken the skies.For feeding fish, they’re a life giver. Below the rippled surface, rocks lurk near.They never move, yet break the flowOf dividing currents, some fast some slow,The river tells me, place the oars here. Logjams and sweepers, hazards…

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