Solitude Float Trips

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Solitude Float Trips

*Solitude Float Trips is an authorized concessionaire of the National Park Service. We are dedicated
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“We are dedicated to making your experience with Solitude Float Trips the highlight of your vacation to Jackson Hole. As we are one of the very few that are allowed to float within the Grand Teton National Park boundary, our panoramic views of the Teton Mountain Range cannot be matched. While relaxing through the bends of the historic Snake River the abundance of wildlife is all around, from the

willowed meadows where Moose inhabit to the tall cottonwood trees where the Bald Eagles’ nest their homes. Our experienced guides share their vast local knowledge of this historic area and are able to bring you and your family as close to all of the natural beauty this park has to offer. We look forward to sharing with you and your loved ones the place we all call home here in Jackson Hole.”
--Colby Colonel, Owner of Solitude Float Trips

03/11/2024

Happiness is 1. A walk in the woods . A “snowroll “ 3. A warm fire. 4. Snoopy of course!

03/07/2024

When you come visit us this summer be sure to stop in at for a snack. The view is even better in the summer!

09/28/2023

MEET OUR GUIDES: J Evans

J is one of those people we wish there were more of in this world! He works hard and is always willing to fill-in on his days off. J is always upbeat, and offers a fun and informative trip. Someone once said, “J is knowledgeable in a relatable way.”

He grew up in Ventura County, California where most of his family resides. He moved to Jackson in 2012 to work for Jackson Lake Lodge and fell in love with guiding. While at Jackson Lake lodge he guided under the mentorship of some very experienced boatman, including Bill Guheen – a legend of the Snake River! J began this journey as a rear-boatman on a replica of a WWII bridging pontoon boat called a sweep raft. Watching these experienced boatmen run these sweep rafts and learning from them is when J’s love of the river started. After 8 years, in 2020, he became part of SFT family and was a welcomed addition. J’s love for the river has only become stronger as he guides Deadman’s Bar to Moose among other like-minded guides in Grand Teton National Park.

On days off, J enjoys camping, hiking, fishing and rafting on all stretches of the Snake River. Like many of the other guides, he also enjoys snow skiing. He is inspired by the Tetons and Wyoming and feels fortunate to work and play in one of the most beautiful places in the world. His favorite quote is, “Love what you do, because you will never work a day in your life.”

09/23/2023

MEET OUR GUIDES: Monte Facer

Monte is one of our newer guides but most definitely not new to rafting. His love of rivers started in his twenties after receiving a cheap inflatable kayak for his birthday! Much like Wyoming, beautiful rivers are abundant in East Idaho where Monte grew up. Close to his home, and where most of his family resides, are the Blackfoot River, the Bear River, Henry’s Fork, and South Fork of the Snake to name a few. Monte enjoys running the whitewater when he’s not rowing scenic trips Deadman’s Bar to Moose in Grand Teton National Park.

Monte has three adult children, and is great at connecting with kids and engaging with younger adults who get to experience an SFT scenic float trip with him. Monte has worked at multiple ski areas across the West and is presently a supervisor at Pebble Creek Ski area where he has been for the last 5 winters. His favorite pastime in the winter is snowboarding. Just imagine your favorite pastime in the spring/summer being your seasonal job for half of the year, and your favorite pastime in the fall/winter your seasonal job for the 2nd half of the year … What a life! Monte has a very calm, gentle spirit and a great sense of humor, so it’s fitting that his favorite animals – and he can rattle off some interesting trivia about them – are beavers!

09/13/2023

Soaking in every last summer sunset from the Snake River 🌞

There is still time to float with us! Visit the link in our bio to book a trip before our season ends on September 30th.

09/08/2023

MEET OUR GUIDES: Nick Baffoni

While Nick has already logged thousands of miles on the Snake River, he’s a newer guide with the SFT crew. He has lived in many parts of the United States, born in D.C., he frequently visited and even lived with family who has a home in Moran, Wyoming – the northern most town in Jackson Hole, but lives here full time now.

Like most of the SFT guides, he enjoys being outdoors. During the winter he enjoys all types of skiing, and summer Nick enjoys hiking, camping, fly-fishing, and hanging out with the crew, with his dog, Buddy, trailing alongside. Nick is also a gym rat and enjoys playing lacrosse with a local league.

Nick is inspired by the life of John Colter. Colter is remembered for being part of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, but Nick is mostly inspired by the mountain man Colter was, living months alone – the terrain he crossed in unimaginable conditions, in the wilderness, and among the grizzly bears! The Grizzly is also Nick’s favorite animal (other than Buddy). This is a subject he loves to expand on.

Nick, is the only person to show up at a cookout with his own tomahawk steak because he’s afraid there won’t be enough food. He prefers Italian food the most, as his dad is a chef who was born and raised in Italy and taught him a true appreciation for the diversity of Italian cuisine.

Nick is finding his place among the elite guides of the Snake River in Grand Teton National Park and he does it with a smile that could put him on the cover of a magazine!
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09/03/2023

MEET OUR GUIDES: Andy Westbrook

Andy, aka: Westy, has been guiding trips with Solitude Float Trips for over 20 years! Westy spends half of his time in Idaho, where his home is, and half of his time in Wyoming. Westy shares his home with his Idaho S**g, Sparrow and he has now spent half of his entire life in Wydaho!

His gentle and calming spirit is infectious and appreciated by his guests, as well as, the rest of the SFT crew. His knowledge and respect for the valley is vast. Westy, a Navy brat, grew up primarily on the North Carolina coast where his love for water and sailing Hobie Cats all started. He attributes his love for the outdoors to his father – skiing, camping, boating – teaching him that no matter what he chose to do to just be happy, and his happiness is definitely being outdoors. In the winter Westy enjoys downhill and cross-country skiing. In the summer, if he’s not floating the river, you’ll find Westy paddleboarding, backpacking, mountain biking, hiking, and camping. Initially moving to Jackson Hole because of his love of snow skiing, after a summer of working in a restaurant, his attraction to water prevailed. It was natural for him to gravitate to the river as a guide and spend his summers outdoors. This will also be Westy’s 20th winter working for Jackson Hole Mtn. Resort earning him a life-time ski pass! Decades later, his desire to navigate the Snake River under the grandeur of the Teton Range has not diminished. Skiing brought him out West, but the rivers keep him here.

09/02/2023

MEET OUR GUIDES: Sam Bernstein

Sam grew up in Wisconsin and moved to the valley in 2016. He guides snowmobile tours in the winter. He also worked for Bill Guheen – a long time veteran of the Snake River -- prior to becoming a part of the SFT crew, where he has been for the past several years. Sam rides his bike several miles to and from work, and always shows up with a great attitude, slightly mischievous, and plenty to say.
A guy with his puckish personality is going to have at least one nickname. Sam has many! He enjoys taking his time on the river and puts his raft in a ferrying angle whenever he can. Because of this, he acquired the nickname, “Sideways Sam,” but the list goes on… “Samboni” “Sam-ba-lam,” “The Great Sambino,” and “Sambeezy,” to name a few. His favorite pastime when he’s not on the river is alpine skiing and drinking cold beers – the combination earned him the nickname, “Fettucine knee.” He offers a great and informative trip. His favorite animal is the moose. Follow Sam on Instagram

08/30/2023

MEET OUR GUIDES: Bernie Sowder

Bernie has one of those magnetic personalities that make people instantly curious. He’s usually good for a laugh, and is a very kind and caring person. He has a large number of returning guests each year – not only because he gives a great trip, but he gets to know his guests and leaves a lasting impression. Folks just want to come back to be on the river with their new “best friend.”
He grew up on a farm in Lexington KY. Bernie married his wife, Janice, on the 4th day of a 21-day Grand Canyon River trip. His favorite pastime is camping, and fishing with his wife and his dog, Milly… who he takes on a hike every morning around 6 am. Bernie moved to JH in 2001 and never looked back because this is “the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen.” He has been running Deadman’s Bar to Moose now for 18 years.

08/24/2023

MEET OUR GUIDES - Bryan Palmer

Bryan was born to be a river guide! All of our SFT guides put about 2000 miles a season on the Snake River. Imagine a job you love so much that you do the same thing on your days off. One of Bryan’s favorite interests when he’s not sharing his love for the river with SFT guests is to explore other rivers. While Bryan grew up in California, he’s been in the area for 14 years. Like so many locals he came to Wyoming on a whim and fell in love with the valley and the river!
Bryan lives in Tetonia in Teton County, Idaho with views of the west side of the Teton Mountain Range. He and his wife share their home with two dogs, two bunnies and two horses – what a life! After a gratifying day of hard work – which can include stacking a couple tons of hay bales – he will take a joy-ride in his ’68 Ford Bronco. Holding true to the old West tradition, after a long day of work, Bryan enjoys relaxing with a glass of whiskey.

08/03/2023

MEET OUR GUIDES - Colby Colonel

Colby’s love for the river began as a young boy floating and flyfishing on the South Fork of the Snake River in Southeast Idaho with his dad. Many of his fishing adventures began in the seat of his favorite car, a 1967 Toyota LandCruiser FJ40, commenting, “I should have never sold that car!” He also guided his first commercial float trip on the Upper Snake River in June of 1992 – over 31 years ago! Colby’s entire family moved to Jackson just a few years earlier in 1988 after having spent his childhood in Inkom, Idaho. They all remain very close in Jackson, Wyoming and Victor, Idaho with the exception of Colby’s adult son, Hayden – named after Ferdinand Hayden and Hayden Valley in Yellowstone.

Colby’s greatest passion is, hands-down, flyfishing – especially when it involves time off with his business partner and wife, Lori. He took an obvious path for his profession, and Colby respects those great men who paved the way for commercial rafting in Grand Teton Park … Dick Barker, a legend who established the ways of the current “river etiquette,” as well as, Wayne Johnson and Bill Guheen who are still on the river; and combined have over a hundred years’ experience.

Colby’s favorite animal is, without a doubt, the North American Bison. He says their sheer power coupled with their ability to survive extreme winters, predators and their mere existence despite human’s best efforts to wipe them out. A very humble guy, Colby would like to be remembered for being a good steward of the land, the wildlife and rivers, as well as, a kind and understanding employer who worked side by side with the crew. He is the only concessioner in GTNP who owns and guides scenic float trips. He noted “I will probably be remembered for the saying, ‘Let’s give it to ‘em whether they want it or not!’”

07/05/2023

Happy birthday ! You’re the one who makes this whole operation work! Hoping you have a great day:)

06/28/2023

No better way to enjoy a summer afternoon than from The Snake River ☀️

06/24/2023

Did you know young Sandhill Cranes, known as colts, can grow up to an inch a day? Book a scenic float trip with us for a chance to see one of these beautiful birds in their natural habitat!

06/21/2023

A look into the safety talk we conduct with guests prior to each float trip - safety is our number one priority, and delivering the trip of a lifetime is a close second!

06/14/2023

Nothing like a game of “River Bingo” to keep younger guests engaged and excited during their trip

06/12/2023

Pure serenity!

Our scenic float trips offer a peaceful way to observe the beauty of the Snake River and Teton Mountain Range.

06/08/2023

Moose on the loose!

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Jackson, WY

Website

https://www.solitudefloattrips.com/

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Videos

The residual wildland fire provides for some stunning photos! #solitudefloattrips #sft #sftjh #rafting #scenicfloat #jacksonhole #grandtetonnationalpark #snakeriver #westernlifestyle

Spotted: cow and calf moose on the 1:30 trip yesterday! #solitudefloattrips #sft #sftjh #rafting #scenicfloat #jacksonhole #wyomingwildlife #westernlifestyle

Did you know the American Bison is the largest mammal in North America? . . . #solitudefloattrips #sft #sftjh #rafting #scenicfloattrips #grandtetonnationalpark #snakeriver #jacksonhole #wyoming #wildlife #summer #western #bison #americanbison #yellowstonenationalpark

A look into the daily struggles of growing up on the Snake River! Thanks to Eva Cook for capturing this special moment during our scenic float trip! . . . #solitudefloattrips #sft #sftjh #rafting #scenicfloattrips #grandtetonnationalpark #snakeriver #jacksonhole #wyoming #wildlife #summer #western #moose