The
Teton Range sets the backdrop for the narrow valley in
which lies Grand Teton National Park. This long, thin
park, just south of Yellowstone National Park, is
ready-made for quiet relaxation beside one of the scenic
lakes, or for more adventurous hiking and river
rafting
The
park was established and dedicated in 1929 but then it
was a tiny portion of what is today's park, containing
only the mountains and a thin strip of lakes. In 1950, it
was enlarged with the addition of most of the Jackson
Hole National Monument which included the 52 square miles
of land which John D. Rockefeller Jr. had donated to the
public trust. The park extends from its north boundary
(with Yellowstone Park via the Rockefeller Parkway) to
just north of the town of Jackson.
The
small range of mountains called the Tetons rose from the
valley floor, beginning about nine million years ago, and
twisted as they rose. At the same time, the valley
slipped downward and now slopes toward the mountains.
This movement continues to this day.
Now,
to that name: The peaks in the center of the range are
said to have been dubbed Le Trois Tetons by
overly-lusty French Canadian trappers when passing
through the area. The Idaho side of the range is much
more gentle and doubtless led the trappers to
fantasize.
What
to See & Do
The
Peaks
As
one stands on the east side of the Snake River Valley,
the full range is apparent. From south to north (left to
right), the peaks appear as follows:
The
Wall is the slope of limestone just above the town of
Jackson at Jackson Hole. There are many other sedimentary
limestone layers in the mountains to the north. South
Teton (el. 12,514 feet) is the first peak at the
south end of the range. Nez Perce (11,901 feet) is
next with Middle Teton (12,804) to the north.
The Lower Saddle divides Middle and Grand Teton
peaks. The Grand is the highest in the range at
13,770 feet, the third highest mountain in Wyoming and
the most spectacular of them all. The first successful
climb of the Grand is said to have been made in 1872 by
Nathaniel Langford, the first superintendent of
Yellowstone National Park -- but others have laid claim
to the distinction. There are many routes up the Grand
and none of them are easy. The most popular leads from
Garnet Canyon and then up via the Upper Saddle.
North
of Gunsight Notch, Mt. Owen rises to a summit at
12,928 feet. It was named after William Owen, an early
mountain climber whom the Wyoming legislature has
recognized as one of the first party to make the Grand
Teton summit, in 1898. Teewinot (12,325 ft.) named
by Fritiof Fryxell and Phil Smith, its first climbers, is
a Shoshone word meaning "Many Pinnacles". Then, looking
north, there are several less impressive peaks: Mt. St.
John (11,430 ft.), Rockchuck Peak (11,144 ft.), Mt.
Woodring (11,500 ft.) and Thor Peak (12,028 ft.).
Anchoring the northern end of the range is Mount
Moran, at 12,605 feet, named for Thomas Moran, the
Western artist whose paintings helped to establish
Yellowstone as a national park in 1872.
Park
Scenery and Facilities
Two
lakes define the park's valley area. At the north end of
the park, Jackson Lake is more than 16 miles long
and covers about 26,000 acres. There are picnic areas,
campgrounds and viewpoints along the eastern shore of the
lake. It is a natural lake which was made larger by the
dam near Jackson Lake Junction. Anglers will find
cutthroat, mackinaw, brown and brook trout in the
lake.
Jenny
Lake was named for a Shoshone woman, the wife of an
early trapper and local guide, Richard Leigh (for whom
Leigh Lake was named). There is no more beautiful lake
for awe-inspiring canoeing than Jenny.
There
are several motels and lodges within the park, providing
rustic to deluxe accommodations. Flagg Ranch is
the most northern place to stay, a guest ranch, motel and
cabins with restaurant, saloon and store. The resort
offers riding and river trips. Colter Bay Village
on Jackson Lake has moderate rates for its cabins. There
is a dining room and lounge but no cooking in the
cabins.
Jackson
Lake Lodge is the upscale place to stay if you like
lots of people around. The lodge has deluxe rates and a
fine dining room with lounge. Just to the south, Jenny
Lake Lodge is located in a more secluded location on
the Jenny Lake Loop Road. Its rates are deluxe, with only
30 units and a dining room with lounge, open during the
summer and fall seasons. Signal Mountain Lodge, also with
deluxe rates, has 22 cooking units among its total of 79
units and it too is a seasonal operation. The lodge has a
dining room and cocktail lounge. Moose Head Ranch
has a horse for each of its 40 guests. It's located on
Highway 26/89/191 with cabin accommodations and features
cookouts with fishing close at hand.
There
are service stations and grocery stores along the
highway, next to the major accommodations areas. Park
visitor centers are at Colter Bay and Moose. The
Colter Bay center includes the Indian Arts Museum
where Native artists demonstrate their work during June,
July and August. The Moose Center features a park
orientation video which provides a good overview of park
attractions and facilities. Both information centers are
open from 8 am to 7 pm during summer months and to 5 pm
the rest of the year. Ranger-led tours and other
interpretation activities are available during summer
months. Backcountry and boating permits are available at
both Moose and Colter Bay centers..
The
principle concessionaire in the park is the Grand Teton
Lodge Company which operates the first three lodges
(guests of any of their operations may use facilities at
the others). All are seasonal.
Jackson
Lake Lodge
This large deluxe lodge caters to kids with riding
and float trips, but also features a cocktail lounge,
dining room and pool. ($$ to $$$). Write to the lodge at
Box 240, Grand Teton N.P. 83013.
Jenny
Lake Lodge
Cabins in this spectacular location are rustic but
luxurious and rates (also luxurious) include two meals a
day at the lodge, known for its excellent continental
cuisine. Young children are not encouraged here ($$$).
Write to Box 240, Grand Teton National Park, WY
83013.
Camping
in the Park
You'll
find five campgrounds inside the park, operated by the
Park Service. From north to south, these are: Lizard
Creek, with 60 sites; Colter Bay with 310 sites, laundry,
propane and dump station; Signal Mountain with 86 sites
and dump station; Jenny Lake with 49 sites restricted to
tents and small camping vehicles (no trailers) and dump
station; and Gros Ventre, the largest of the campgrounds
with 360 sites and dump station.
For
places to stay in the town of Jackson,
located just south of the park, go to the
Jackson
Page,
or go to the link below to choose a hotel.
