Jackson Hole, WY – Vice President JD Vance took a brief respite from his busy schedule on Wednesday to explore the scenic Old Pass Road trail in the Bridger‑Teton National Forest. Accompanied by his nine‑year‑old son, Ewan, the pair paused for about twenty minutes at Crater Lake, where Forest Service ambassador Randy Roberts gave them a quick natural‑history briefing.
Roberts, who was pulling weeds near the lake when the Secret Service entourage arrived, led the Vance family on a short walk along the lake’s edge. He explained the area’s wildlife, noting that bears are common and that a hiker had been bitten earlier in the month. When Ewan asked whether fish lived in the lake’s 40‑yard‑wide pothole, Roberts clarified that they do not, describing how a rise in the water would indicate their presence. The duo tossed pebbles into the water to illustrate how fish create concentric ripples when surfacing for insects.
The informal nature talk continued for roughly twenty minutes, covering beavers, the history of the bench built by the Scouts of America, and the broader ecology of the forest. After the conversation, Vance introduced himself, shaking hands with Roberts before the ambassador returned to his duties.
Local law enforcement, the Secret Service, and the White House declined to comment on the purpose of the vice president’s visit or the members of his family who may have accompanied him. The visit follows a 2025 trip to the valley where Vance raised funds for his political endeavors, and reports indicate he was again fundraising during this three‑day stay.
During the vice president’s time in the area, the Federal Aviation Administration restricted aircraft over Jackson Hole Airport and nearby residential zones on Wednesday and Friday, a standard security measure for high‑level officials.
Protest outside the mountain resort
While Vance trekked the forest trail, a small protest formed at Teton Village, drawing roughly twenty demonstrators. The crowd gathered to denounce policies of the Trump administration, which they claim turn public lands into “ultra‑wealthy playgrounds.” Protesters included Jules Shelton, a local restaurant server, who said she wanted to show Vance and his allies that they cannot “fly under the radar.”
Other participants voiced strong language against Vance and his political allies, accusing them of supporting “insane, loser‑y, pedophilic friends” and of undermining public lands, democracy, and reproductive health rights. Musicians and activists also joined, labeling the administration’s environmental stance an “abomination” and linking it to broader concerns about illegal wars and LGBTQ oppression.
After the hike, Vance and his entourage departed in a motorcade of more than a dozen vehicles. Unlike typical vice‑presidential trips, none of the cars displayed the customary white limousine flag. At the trailhead, Vance paused to thank Roberts, who noted the vice president’s politeness and graciousness.
The encounter highlights a rare, low‑key moment of a senior federal official engaging directly with a local natural‑resource employee and his own child, set against a backdrop of ongoing national debates over public‑land management. For many residents, the sight of a father and son enjoying the outdoors underscores the simple pleasures that public lands provide to families across America.
Original reporting: Oil City News (Casper WY) — read the source article.
