LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY > GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK – USA > Grand Tetons North Fork River 4 (Grand Teton National Park)
Print Code: GTNP7 | Print Sizes: S, M, L, Oversize | Contact for Prints
This panorama photograph of Grand Teton (13,775′, 4198m) and Mt. Owen was taken from the Cascade Canyon North Fork Camping Zone one beautiful summer morning. Indian Paintbrush, columbines of various colors and many other wildflowers adorned the river’s edge as it ran through the North Fork. Grand Teton’s famed Cathedral Group towers above.
Grand Teton National Park is located in northwestern USA just 10 miles (16 km) south of Yellowstone National Park. The jagged peaks of the Teton Range rise dramatically out of the Great Plains to an altitude of 13,800′ (4200m). Grand Teton’s pristinely preserved wilderness features valleys covered with Columbine and Indian Paintbrush wildflowers, raging mountain rivers and rugged, snow-covered peaks. The park is home to many different kinds of animals including grizzly bears, elk, moose and marmots. Due to its stunning beauty, Grand Teton National Park is one of America’s most popular national parks.
Photographer’s Reflection:
“I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.
The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave was upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the LORD: ‘O LORD, save me!’
The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The LORD protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me.
Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you. For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living…
How can I repay the LORD for all his goodness to me?” (Psalm 116:1-9, 12)
“The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16)
I had been battling a high degree of stress on the first section of my three day backpacking trip up Cascade Canyon and the North and South Forks in Grand Teton National Park. I wasn’t able to eat much because of the stress, and this affected my ability to climb up the canyons carrying a pack half of what I weighed because my energy levels were so drained.
On the first morning I had a big climb up to the top of the South Fork that awaited me. I knew I most likely wouldn’t make it if I didn’t overcome the stress and eat something. I began to battle, using the Word of God and worship as the weapons of my warfare (2 Corinthians 10:3-5, Ephesians 6:10-18).
This was a solo trip, so I was alone as I hiked and alone where I camped. I usually love being alone in the wilderness with the Lord and usually look forward to these trips with great joy. However, when I am stressed, being in mental isolation can sometimes exacerbate the problem.
But I remembered back to another time I was on a solo backpacking trip and was under a great deal of stress. I had prayed earnestly that God would provide some Christians to encourage me, and God FAITHFULLY heard and answered my prayers, for the first people I met at the campsite were a couple of Christians who greatly encouraged me (and I mutually encouraged them). (See: Autumn Fagus Trail (Cradle Mountain – Lake St. Clair National Park -TASMANIA)
Remembering this past time of God’s faithfulness emboldened me to ask the Lord again for some Christian encouragement and for someone to pray for me along the way and to help me in my battle. I earnestly prayed this as I was getting ready to leave the North Fork and head for the South Fork.
About a half hour later, only several minutes down the trail, I bumped into a party of four walkers. They happened to live in the adjacent town to my hometown back in Minnesota! We got to talking, and they asked me what I did, so I mentioned I was a Christian artist. They said that all of them were followers of Jesus too! WOW!!!
I asked if they would please pray for me on my trip, and they did!
Praise the Lord that he again heard and answered my prayers for Christian support in my time of need, and so promptly too!
Strengthened by the Word of God, worship and the prayers of the saints, I continued up the South Fork. God mightily blessed me with a massive spiritual victory, deep revelation of a few spiritual truths, a beautiful time in his presence, photos that testify of his glory and, last but not least, a powerful testimony to others that God is compassionate and gracious and that he hears and answers our prayers.
“We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered…We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure…But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead…He has delivered us…and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favour granted us in answer to the prayers of many.” (2 Corinthians 1:8-11)
“The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love…As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust…But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children–with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.” (Psalm 103:8,13-14,17-18)