[Illustration: _Anglers on the Snake face a dilemma. With each
backcast, tantalizing pools and riffles vie for attention._]
Approaching Grand Teton
_Grand Teton National Park sits in northwest Wyoming just below
Yellowstone National Park. By road Grand Teton is reached from the north
via Yellowstone on Routes 89, 191, and 287. From the east, Routes 26 and
287 connect the park with Dubois, Wyoming, via Togwotee Pass. From the
south the park is reached through Jackson, Wyoming, via Routes 26, 89,
and 191. Routes 191 and 189 link Jackson with Interstate 80 to the
south. From the west, Route 22 over Teton Pass links Jackson with Idaho
Falls, Idaho, and Interstate 15 west of Idaho Falls._
[Illustration: Lofty peaks.]
[Illustration: _From valley floor to lofty peaks, artists face a
similar dilemma: what not to paint._]
Buses.
The Jackson-Rock Springs Stage, (307) 733-3133, provides daily summer
connections to Greyhound Bus Lines in Rock Springs, Wyoming. The address
is 72 S. Glenwood, Jackson, WY 83001. From early June through
mid-September the Grand Teton Lodge Company runs regular bus service
between Jackson Lake Lodge and Jackson twice daily. The company also
meets all incoming flights at the airport (see map) and runs a service
to Signal Mountain Lodge, Colter Bay, and Jackson Lake Lodge. The
company runs shuttlebuses daily between Jackson Lake Lodge and Colter
Bay. Holiday Tours and Gray Line of Jackson Hole offer one-day tours of
Yellowstone National Park from Jackson. Individuals may book overnight
or longer passage to Old Faithful on Grayline of Jackson Hole tours, but
no in-park transportation is available in Yellowstone.
Some useful distances: Denver to Grand Teton, 500 miles; Salt Lake City
to Grand Teton, 288 miles; and Idaho Falls to Grand Teton, 105 miles.
Please note that public transportation to and around the park is not
always regularly scheduled or frequently available. If you intend to
rely on bus service for travel inside the park, plan carefully and be
prepared for long waits between bus arrivals and departures in parts of
the park. Hitchhiking is illegal in Wyoming.
Taxi and Transportation Services.
Local taxi service is limited, but it is available. The Jackson Hole
Transportation Company, (307) 733-3135, provides ground transportation
for Teton Village and Jackson to and from the airport, and service to
and from Flagg Ranch on the Rockefeller Parkway.
Air Service.
Scheduled airlines serve the Jackson Hole Airport, 7 miles north of
Jackson on Highway 26, 89, and 191. Denver, Colorado; Salt Lake City,
Utah; and Idaho Falls, Idaho, all offer connecting flights to Jackson.
Flights arrive and depart several times daily in summer; less frequently
in the off season. Check with your travel agent for flight schedules as
well as ski package rates for winter travel to the Jackson Hole area.
Car Rental Services.
Avis (307) 733-3422, Budget (307) 733-2206, Hertz (307) 733-2272, and
National (307) 733-4132 offer car rentals. All but Budget, which
provides airport pick-up and delivery, are located at the Jackson
airport.
All major park roads are two-lane and paved. Summer months coincide with
road repairs and re-surfacing. It is possible to have short delays (up
to one hour) while maintenance crews repair old and build new road
surfaces.
Many bicyclists ride along the narrow Teton Park Road between Moose and
Colter Bay (see map). Traffic is very heavy from mid-June to Labor Day
and both cyclists and motorists should be alert to possible hazards.
Useful Addresses and Telephone Numbers
Grand Teton National Park, P.O.
Drawer 170, Moose, WY 83012. (307)
733-2880.
Wyoming Travel Commission
Cheyenne, WY 82002
(307) 777-7777.
Jackson Hole Area Chamber of Commerce
Box E, Jackson, WY 83001
(307) 733-3316.
Grand Teton Natural History Association
PO. Drawer 170, Moose, WY 83012
(307) 733-2880.
Map of the Park
[Illustration: Grand Teton National Park]
Visitor Centers and Museum
To best use your time, make your first stop the Moose Visitor Center
(south end) or the Colter Bay Visitor Center (north end). Ask the ranger
at the desk about park activities and services. And ask for tips about
what you can see and do in the time you have. You may even decide to
lengthen your stay in the Tetons.
Moose Visitor Center includes information services, a publications sales
outlet, and a backcountry and boating permits office. This building also
houses the park headquarters and all administrative offices. Summer
hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; from Labor Day to mid-May 8 a.m. to 4:30
p.m. The visitor center is on the Teton Park Road just west of Moose
Junction. Check the map in advance. With such impressive scenery you can
easily miss this junction.
Colter Bay Visitor Center includes the Indian Arts Museum, free film
showings, a publications sales outlet, and a backcountry and boating
permits office for the park’s north end. Summer hours are 8 a.m. to 7
p.m.; from Labor Day to the end of September, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed
from October to mid-May. Check the map in advance and watch for the sign
that will direct you to the Colter Bay area and its Colter Bay Visitor
Center, 6 miles north of Jackson Lake Junction and 17 miles south of
Yellowstone National Park. The Indian Arts Museum there houses the
extensive David T. Vernon Collection of Native American Arts. Be sure to
inquire about museum tours and Indian arts and crafts activities.
[Illustration: _Colter Bay Visitor Center serves park visitors in
summer._]
[Illustration: _Moose Visitor Center is open all year._]
At either visitor center pick up a copy of the free park newspaper,
_Teewinot_. Turn to the calendar-style activities schedule and look it
over at the desk so you can get the ranger’s advice on the best
activities for you and your party. _Teewinot_ also lists
concession-operated accommodations, services, and facilities. These
offer many valuable ways to experience the park. The _Teewinot_ is also
available at park entrance stations, campgrounds, and concession
facilities.
[Illustration: _The Indian Arts Museum at Colter Bay houses a large
Plains Indian collection. Ranger-guided activities throughout the
park provide information about its natural and human history. The
Grand Teton Natural History Association sells maps and other
publications to enhance your understanding of the park._]
[Illustration: Indian crafts]
[Illustration: Indian crafts]
Wayside Exhibits.
As you drive through the park on the main roads, take your time and stop
at the wayside turnouts along the roads. At many turnouts wayside
exhibits identify the scene before you and briefly interpret the natural
and human history of Jackson Hole and the Teton Range. These turnouts
are usually located at excellent scenic viewpoints and provide safe
parking areas for viewing and photographing the mountain scene.
Ranger-led Activities
From mid-June through Labor Day, park rangers lead activities several
times daily throughout the park. These offer ideal ways to see and
understand the many natural, historical, cultural, and recreational
resources the park offers. These activities are listed in _Teewinot_,
the park newspaper, and are posted at each visitor center and
campground. The _Teewinot_ listing describes the event and tells you
where and when to meet. There are short hikes, short hikes with boat
transportation, all-day hikes, wildlife hikes, demonstrations, and
campfire programs. Rangers present interpretive programs each night on a
variety of subjects throughout the summer at the Gros Ventre, Signal
Mountains, and Colter Bay Amphitheaters. All ranger-led activities are
free except those requiring modest fees for supplies or transportation.
Self-guiding Trails.
Informative booklets are available at visitor centers or the trailheads
to guide you on short-to-modest hikes along established trails that
explore the history or nature of the Tetons and Jackson Hole. These
walks are great for families and provide exercise for building up to
longer hikes. Self-guiding trails include: Menor’s Ferry Historic Trail,
Cascade Canyon Trail, Cunningham Cabin Trail, Taggart Lake Trail, Lunch
Tree Hill Trail, and Colter Bay Trail.
[Illustration: _Ranger-led hikes provide good introductions to the
park._]
[Illustration: _History comes alive on Menor’s Ferry on the Snake
River at Moose._]
[Illustration: _Campers consult a field guide to identify a duck._]
Camping and Accommodations
The National Park Service operates five campgrounds in the park on a
first-come, first-served basis. Reservations are not accepted. A nightly
fee is charged. South to north (see map) the campgrounds are: Gros
Ventre, Jenny Lake, Signal Mountain, Colter Bay, and Lizard Creek. All
except Jenny Lake (tents only) accommodate tents, trailers, and
recreational vehicles. There are no utility hookups. All campgrounds
have modern comfort stations. Maximum stay is 7 days at Jenny Lake, 14
days elsewhere. In July and August the campgrounds fill to capacity
daily. Jenny Lake fills by 8 a.m.; Signal Mountain and Colter Bay fill
between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.; Lizard Creek fills between 4 and 6 p.m.: and
Gros Ventre by early evening. There are trailer dumping stations at Gros
Ventre, Signal Mountain, and Colter Bay. Colter Bay has showers,
laundry, and propane service.
Additional camping areas are found in nearby national forests and
elsewhere outside the park. Camping is not permitted along roadsides or
in overlooks or parking areas. Doubling-up in campsites is prohibited.
There are no overflow facilities in the park. (Backcountry campers,
please see Backcountry Basics.)
Group Camping.
There are 10 group camping sites at Colter Bay and five at Gros Ventre.
Sites accommodate between 12 and 40 people. The nightly use fee is $1.00
per person. These are available to youth, religious, educational, and
other organized groups. Reservations are required. Make them as soon as
possible after January 1, by writing the chief ranger at the park
address.
Trailer Villages.
Concessioners operate trailer villages with full hookups, showers, and
laundry at Colter Bay and Flagg Ranch (in the Rockefeller Parkway).
Reservations are advised. For Colter Bay write the Grand Teton Lodge
Company address (listed under Accommodations). Write to Flagg Ranch at
Moran, WY 83013.
Accommodations.
The many concessioners within the park offer cabins, lodge facilities,
and rooms. Accommodations concessions in the park and the advance
reservations telephone number (area code 307) and address are: Colter
Bay Cabins, Jackson Lake Lodge, and Jenny Lake Lodge, 543-2855, write to
the Grand Teton Lodge Company, Box 240, Moran, WY 83013; Flagg Ranch,
543-2861 or 733-8761, Box 187, Moran, WY 83013; Moose Enterprises, Inc.
(prefer monthly rental), (307) 733-3863, Box 331, Moose, WY 83012;
Signal Mountain Lodge, 543-2831 or 733-5470, Box 50, Moran, WY 83013:
and Triangle X Ranch (weekly, American plan) 733-2183, Box 120T, Moose,
WY 83012. Most of these also provide meals to non-guests. Groceries are
sold at Colter Bay, Flagg Ranch, Kelly, Jenny Lake, Moose, and Signal
Mountain. For information on commercial enterprises outside the park,
write to the chamber of commerce address or the Wyoming Travel
Commission address.
Post offices.
Post offices are located at Colter Bay (summer only), Moran, Moose, and
Kelly.
[Illustration: _Some of the park’s most intriguing aspects reveal
themselves only to hikers._]
Hiking
You may think time is fixed but it’s not. Its many speeds here include
car time, float time, horseback time, and hiking time. Car time is,
well, just car time. Hiking time is Grand Teton time, Jackson Hole time,
your time. On great days it’s timeless time. There are more than 225
miles of hiking trails in the park.
The shortest trails are the self-guiding trails 0.5 to 2 miles long. See
the list under Ranger-led Activities. The valley trails that run along
the base of the Teton Range and take you to the large lakes in front of
the mountains are also shorter and less arduous than the mountain
trails. The valley trails will pique your interest and help you decide
if you wish to hike further into the mountains. You can take a half-day
to all-day hike into the canyons between Teton peaks. The walking will
be more difficult, requiring some up- and downhill effort, but the
rewards—mountain views, wildflowers, and wildlife—are worth it. You can
take multiple-day trips over highcountry passes and into the alpine
zone. A free backcountry permit is required for all overnight camping.
In the visitor centers you can buy the _Teton Trails_ guide booklet. It
offers shaded relief trail maps, lengths and hiking estimates, scenery
identification drawings, and photographs on which you can trace your
route. Rangers can direct you to interesting hikes and help you assess
the level of difficulty. If you plan to travel off trail you must
register at Jenny Lake Ranger Station, or at the Moose Visitor Center
from October through May. Overnight travel requires a free backcountry
use permit (see Backcountry Basics).
Wear comfortable and sturdy footgear no matter how far you hope to
travel. Even on shorter hikes, be sure to carry raingear. Afternoon
thundershowers are common throughout the hiking season and can occur
suddenly. The day may be sunny and warm, but a quick drenching rain can
spell big trouble for hikers without raingear. Life-threatening
hypothermia occurs most often in the 30 to 40°F temperature range,
especially if clothing is wet and there is some wind. Be prepared. Don’t
take chances. You will also need to carry water on your hike. At high
altitudes the sun is hot and the humidity is low; you get thirsty
quickly. Microorganisms in stream water can cause intestinal problems
10-14 days after you drink, so use your canteen. (See Water Warning
under Backcountry Basics.) Be sure to carry lunch and some high-energy
snacks to munch on while you walk. Add sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, and
camera, and you will be prepared to enjoy your day on the trail.
Please read Bear Warning under Backcountry Basics. Pets are not
permitted on trails or in the backcountry. Most valley trails are open
by early June. Highcountry trails may remain closed by snow until
mid-July. Please note that horse parties have the right-of-way on
trails. Step well off the trail and remain quiet while horses pass.
Backcountry Basics
Most basic is this: _Overnight backcountry use requires a free
backcountry use permit._ This written permit can be obtained at Moose
Visitor Center, open all year, or at Jenny Lake Ranger Station and
Colter Bay Visitor Center in summer, on a first-come, first-served
basis. There are more people who want a wilderness experience than there
is wilderness in the park, so backcountry user capacities have been
established. This means that some people are turned away. Reservations
may be made for backcountry camping areas by mail only from January 1 to
June 1. These reservations by mail are available for only 30 percent of
the backcountry camping sites. From June 1 to October 1, no reservations
can be made, and then all unreserved sites are first-come, first-served.
Organized groups wishing to backpack overnight should write the Permits
Office at the park address for full particulars.
[Illustration: Backpackers.]
[Illustration: Tent.]
[Illustration: _Backpackers can readily reach the heart of the
Tetons and enjoy pristine wilderness. Good backcountry ethics ensure
protection of these wild places and minimize conflicts with bears_.]
Making a Reservation.
Submit your _final_ itinerary listing the specific sites at which you
wish to stay each night (list calendar dates!) and the size of your
group (the maximum group size is 12) to the Permits Office at the Park
address. See Closed Areas. You must still pick up your permit in person
by 10 a.m. of the day your trip begins. A backcountry zone system is
used to minimize human impact and to allow you freer choice in camping.
The Teton Range above 7,000 feet elevation has been divided into camping
zones. You may stay anywhere within a zone if you follow these simple
rules: 1. No ground fires are allowed. Small backpacking stoves are
recommended for cooking. 2. Camp at least one mile away from any trail
junction or patrol cabin. 3. Camp at least 100 feet away from all lakes
and streams. 4. Camp out of sight of the trail and other campers. 5. Do
not camp in fragile or overused sites that will show signs of your camp
having been there (unless told otherwise).
Below the 7,000-foot level there are a few remaining designated lakeside
backcountry camping sites. Unless there is a fire danger, wood fires are
permitted in the firegrates provided at these designated camping sites.
General Backcountry Regulations.
Pets, firearms, and wheeled vehicles are not permitted. Carry out all
refuse and leave no evidence of your stay. Short-cutting on trails is
prohibited. Keep stock out of camping areas. Use hitch racks where
provided. Do not tie stock to live trees. To prevent pollution, do not
wash dishes or laundry in, and do not bathe in, lakes and streams.
Closed Areas.
When you pick up your permit, check on areas that may be closed to
backcountry use. No overnight camping is permitted at Lake Solitude,
Bradley Lake, Taggart Lake, Laurel Lake, Amphitheater Lake, below the
Forks of Cascade Canyon to Jenny Lake, and the lower valley area east of
the Valley Trail and the east shore of Jackson Lake. No overnight
camping is permitted along the Snake River.
Water Warning.
Surface water is of questionable purity. Carry water from approved
public supplies. Backcountry water should be boiled for one minute,
three to five minutes at higher altitudes. Water treatment disinfection
chemicals are not considered as reliable as boiling to safeguard against
_Giardia_ and _Campylobacter_ intestinal disorders. Most water filter
mechanisms are not adequate for these organisms. The evening meal is an
ideal time to boil water for drinking and brushing teeth and for the
next day’s use.
Bear Warning.
Black bears are sometimes seen in the backcountry and in campgrounds.
They show little fear of people and may try to get your food. Federal
law requires proper food storage in the backcountry and in campgrounds.
Suspend food from a tree (or bear pole if provided) or store it out of
sight in a vehicle. Your backcountry permit packet includes instructions
on hanging your food. A bear brochure is available free at ranger
stations and visitor centers. Make sure everyone in your party reads
this information before your trip. Report all bear sightings, damage, or
injury to a park ranger. Grizzly bears are seen occasionally in northern
parts of the park. If a bear should charge you, climb a tree or play
dead. Don’t try to run away, however. Running excites the bear, and you
cannot outrun one.
Theft from Parked Cars.
Trailhead parking areas are patrolled regularly, but in recent years
theft from cars parked overnight has become more common. Leave nothing
of value visible in your car and thoroughly lock up the vehicle before
leaving on your hike. It’s best to lock valuables in your trunk.
Trip Planning.
Write the Grand Teton Natural History Association at the park address
for a list of sales literature and maps to enhance your pre-trip
planning and enjoyment.
Horseback Riding.
For short rides with a guide you can rent saddle horses at Jenny Lake,
Colter Bay, Flagg Ranch, and Jackson Lake Lodge. Jenny Lake Lodge and
the Triangle X Ranch have horses for guests only. A short horseback ride
gives you a leisurely look at the park and a sample of Jackson Hole’s
Old West flavor. If you’ve never ridden, or have not ridden in years,
_make the first ride short_. Your first steps after first riding a horse
for an hour or more feel very strange! The concessioners offer a variety
of wagon rides and hay-rides to cowboy cookouts. Guided trips of several
days can be arranged with park concessioners. Or you can write the
chamber of commerce address for information about area outfitters. If
you plan to bring your own stock, write the chief ranger at the park
address for information on saddle and pack animal use regulations. Also
read the Backcountry Basics section. Please note that no grazing is
permitted in the park; processed feed must be packed in. Saddle and pack
animal facilities are available only at String Lake Parking Area,
Whitegrass Ranger Station, and the Granite Canyon, Sheffield Creek,
Arizona Creek, and Pilgrim Creek trailheads. Many highcountry trails are
blocked by snow until mid-July and are impassable to saddle and pack
animals. For this reason many horse parties camp on the adjoining
national forests and take day-trips into Grand Teton National Park.
[Illustration: _Overnight backcountry travel with horses requires a
backcountry permit. Please observe the regulations on horse use.
They are designed to protect fragile landscapes._]
Mountaineering
This is one of the country’s finest areas for general mountaineering.
The rock is mostly excellent, snow slopes mostly moderate, and the range
unusually accessible. Still, many climbers pack in and set up their
camps in a highcountry location. Mountaineering guide service and
instruction are available at Jenny Lake. Write to: Exum Guide Service
and School of American Mountaineering, Box 56, Moose, WY 83012. Jackson
Hole Mountain Guides also offers guide services in the park; write to
Box 7477, Jackson, WY 83001. Climbing guidebooks and individual route
guides are available by mail from the Grand Teton Natural History
Association address or can be purchased at park visitor centers and the
Jenny Lake Ranger Station.
The Jenny Lake Ranger Station (see map) is the center for climbing
information and registration in the park from early June to
mid-September. Climbing conditions are the best from mid-July through
late September, although afternoon thundershowers are common in these
months and an extended period of poor weather with snowfall usually
occurs in late August. May and June feature long periods of poor weather
with heavy precipitation, some snow, and subfreezing temperatures. Heavy
rockfall and some avalanche activity are common. Major storms occur in
late September and early October with snowfall and icing conditions on
most routes. Winter weather in the Teton Range is severe: heavy
snowfall, high winds, and extreme temperatures. Avalanche danger,
usually present, is frequently high December to June.
[Illustration: Climbing equipment.]
[Illustration: _Hard, crystalline rock and an alpine panorama make
the Teton Range a mountaineering mecca._]
Registration and Information.
Because of the hazards and possibility of accidents in mountaineering,
the National Park Service requires all climbers to register in person
before climbing and to sign out in person after climbing. From early
June to mid-September this is done at the Jenny Lake Ranger Station. It
must be done at Moose Visitor Center the rest of the year. Notes left at
the ranger station are not acceptable registration or sign-outs.
(Climbers returning after the ranger station is closed may sign out at
the Late-Returning Climbers Registration Box on the ranger station
porch.) Registration is regulated under the Federal Code of Regulations.
The mountaineering rangers on duty provide current information on the
nature and condition of climbing routes, equipment and experience
requirements, and time factors. Request general mountaineering
information from the chief ranger at the park address.
Guidebooks, maps, and photographs of various peaks and routes are
available at the Jenny Lake Ranger Station to help you plan climbs. In
winter—mid-September through May—information and registration are
available at the Moose Visitor Center. Conventional mountaineering
equipment is satisfactory for summer climbs. Ice axes are essential and
crampons may be desirable for early season climbs and for some routes
throughout the season. Climbing helmets are strongly recommended for
technical climbs and for climbs exposed to regular rockfall dangers.
Climbing equipment and food suitable for backpacking may be purchased in
the area. Limited selections of rental equipment may be available. Low
cost lodging for registered climbers is available at Grand Teton
Climber’s Ranch, an American Alpine Club-operated concession. Write the
manager at Moose, WY 83012.
Boating and Floating
Boat trips are offered by concessioners on Jackson and Jenny lakes.
These vary from steak fry cruises to lunch excursions, to drop-off and
pick-up cruises for hiking trips up Cascade Canyon. On Jackson Lake
concessioners operate Colter Bay Marina, Leek’s Marina, and Signal
Mountain Marina. Marinas offer fishing guide service, launching, marine
supplies and fuel, buoy rentals, and canoe rentals. Teton Boating
Company provides cruises, shuttle service, and boat rental on Jenny
Lake. Canoe rentals for lake use only are available from Moose
Enterprises at the grocery store in Moose.
Floating.
One of the best ways to experience the park’s wildlife and scenery is by
floating the Snake River. Numerous concessioners offer guided float
trips in inflatable rubber rafts. Outfitters are listed in _Teewinot_,
or write to the park address for a complete list. (Please don’t ask
National Park Service employees to recommend one over another.) On a
float trip you don’t have to watch the trail or mind the horse. You just
watch the animals and scenery and listen to the guide’s narrative,
wildlife identifications, and local lore. The Teton Range appears to
slide by, now peeking above a massive river-cut glacial moraine, now
peeking through trees, now disappearing from view. Morning and evening
floats are best for seeing wildlife. You may well see bald eagles,
ospreys, moose, great blue herons, Canada Geese, beaver, otters, and
various ducks. You can float the river in your own craft, but a permit
is required. The river is floated in the park from 1,000 feet below
Jackson Lake Dam to Moose, a distance of about 25 miles. Do not attempt
the river on your own below Pacific Creek (see map) unless you are
familiar with your craft—kayaks, inflatables, and canoes are best—and
experienced on rivers of similar difficulty and similar hazards. People
too often underestimate the power of the Snake. Write the park address
for information about hazards, regulations, equipment, and travel times
in floating the Snake River in the park. Motorized craft are not
permitted on the Snake River.
[Illustration: Canoe.]
[Illustration: Whitewater raft.]
[Illustration: _The park’s numerous lakes and the Snake River offer
many boating and floating opportunities._]
[Illustration: _The Snake River offers world famous angling for
cutthroat trout. Catch-and-release angling is encouraged._]
Fishing
Fishing is regulated in keeping with the park’s overall management
objective of maintaining natural systems and scenic values. Most park
waters are open in season, subject to Wyoming laws and National Park
Service regulations. These regulations are intended to maintain quality
waters, protect natural fish populations, and protect the food sources
of bald eagles, ospreys, otters, great blue herons, and other native
fish-eating wildlife. A Wyoming fishing license is required and may be
purchased in the park at the Colter Bay or Moose Tackle Shops, at Signal
Mountain, and at Leek’s Marina. Information on fishing laws and on
special regulations, including bait restrictions, closed waters,
artificial fly fishing waters, and creel limits is available at the
visitor centers. You must check on this information before you fish.
Fishing guides are available at the lodges.
[Illustration: _Popular artificial fly patterns here are:_ 1 _Silver
Spruce Matuka_, 2 _Muddler Minnow_, 3 _Matts Fur Nymph_, 4 Jay-Davis
Hopper, 5 _Royal Wulff, and_ 6 _Yellow Humpy_.]
The park’s waters support one of the last wild inland populations of
cutthroat trout. The Snake River cutthroat, a unique race of the
cutthroat species, is the only trout native to the park. (See pages
56-57.) The National Park Service encourages you to release small
cutthroat carefully so that the opportunity to catch this unusual fish
is perpetuated. Other gamefish include rainbow, lake (Mackinaw), brown,
and brook trout and the Rocky Mountain whitefish.
The use or possession of fish eggs—real or artificial—or fish as bait in
any park waters are prohibited. (Some dead non-game fish are permitted
on the shores of Jackson Lake only.) Get specifics at a visitor center
or write the chief ranger at the park address for fishing regulations
and information.
Winter Activities
Winter activities gear up in mid-December. Just one good storm can turn
Jackson Hole into a winter wonderland covered with up to 6 feet of snow
in some years. In or near the park you can then crosscountry ski, ice
fish, snowshoe, mountaineer, ice skate, snow-mobile, and observe
wildlife and scenery. Minor park roads are not plowed in winter. The
Teton Park Road (see map) is closed from Cottonwood Creek bridge to
Signal Mountain Lodge. There is no direct car access between Moose and
Teton Village. Yellowstone National Park roads are not plowed in winter.
Registration and information on oversnow travel are available at the
Moose Visitor Center. Off-season camping is available at Colter Bay
across from the visitor center, which provides restrooms and water.
Lodging is available in winter at Flagg Ranch in Rockefeller Parkway and
at Triangle X Ranch in the park. Nearby Jackson offers full tourist
services year round. Write the chamber of commerce address for
information.
But you must prepare for the weather. An average 4-foot base of snow in
the valley is much deeper in the mountains. Daytime temperatures range
from -25° to +50°F. Severe winter storms and blizzards can occur
throughout the season. All oversnow travel is prohibited in the Snake
River bottom between Moose and Moran as well as in the Willow Flats at
Jackson Lake Lodge. Check at the Moose Visitor Center for exact
boundaries on these closed areas.
[Illustration: _Moose Visitor Center is the registration point for
winter activities, including mountaineering._]
[Illustration: _Winter sports wait only for that first good snow._]
[Illustration: Cross-country skiers.]
Management Concerns and Safety
Many management concerns and safety tips are given under specific
subjects in this handbook. Here are other things to consider. Camp only
in designated sites. Obtain a backcountry use permit for all overnight
backcountry use, including in winter. Register at the Jenny Lake Ranger
Station in summer or park headquarters in winter before starting any
off-trail hike or climb. Boat permits are required for the use of any
watercraft on park waters. Fishing requires a Wyoming license, and
please check park regulations at a visitor center. Obtain an oversnow
vehicle permit at Moose Visitor Center and check the regulations before
operating a snow-mobile or snowplane in the park. Bicycles are not
allowed on trails or in the backcountry. Pets must be leashed and under
physical restraint at all times. They are not permitted on trails, in
buildings, or in the backcountry. Kennels are found in Jackson; check
with the chamber of commerce. All natural features are protected; leave
all rocks and plants in their natural setting. All park animals,
including bears, are wild and protected by law. Do not feed or molest
them. Please read the Bear Warning under Backcountry Basics.
Driving Tips.
Drive carefully and defensively, especially at dawn, dusk, and at night.
Every season large animals are killed and vehicles are mangled. Slow
down, and ask passengers to help spot animals in the road. When stopping
to view wildlife, stop in turnouts, be careful to stop your vehicle in
the safest position possible, with all doors shut. Consider traffic flow
problems and their potential hazard. Be a responsible driver. Keep motor
vehicles off bikeways. Report all accidents to a park ranger. Observe
posted speed limits.
Respect Wildlife.
Keep a respectful distance from all animals to avoid disturbing their
natural routine, especially when taking pictures. Larger animals are
quick, powerful, and unpredictable. Getting too close can result in
serious injury. Take special care to avoid encounters with bears and to
help maintain their natural fear of humans. Many small mammals can carry
diseases and should never be touched or handled. All animals are part of
the natural processes protected within the park. Allow them to find
their own food. Their natural diet insures their health and survival.
_Feeding wild animals is prohibited no matter how convincingly they
beg._
Fire Management.
The park is zoned for the management of natural fire. In some parts of
the park lightning-caused fires are monitored and allowed to burn,
because we have learned that natural fire often plays a vital role in an
ecosystem. Some plant species require fire to thrive, and several animal
species benefit from fire. Natural fires that threaten developed areas
will be extinguished to protect human life and property. Report fires to
a park ranger. Human-caused fires will be extinguished. Please be
careful with fire yourself.
Nearby Attractions
John D. Rockefeller, Jr., Memorial Parkway joins Grand Teton National
Park with Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone is world famous as the
first national park. Its geysers and mudpots, canyons and waterfalls,
and wildlife and wilderness are spectacular. For information write or
call the Superintendent, Yellowstone National Park, P.O. Box 168,
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190. (307) 344-7381.
Teton National Forest, Teton Wilderness, and Targhee National Forest
adjoin the park boundary. For information about hunting, fishing,
backpacking, and campgrounds write or call the Forest Supervisor,
Bridger-Teton National Forest, Box 1888, Jackson, WY 83001, (307)
733-2752, or Forest Supervisor, Targhee National Forest, Box 208, St.
Anthony, ID 83445, (208) 624-3151.
National Elk Refuge headquarters is just east of Jackson (see map).
Christmas through April 1 you can ride a horsedrawn sleigh into North
America’s largest elk herd. In summer you can drive on the refuge road
into the sagebrush and buttes landscape. For information write or call
the Refuge Manager, National Elk Refuge, Box C, Jackson WY 83001, (307)
733-9212.
_The park abuts other expanses of wild country._
[Illustration: _A photographer fills her frame with elk at
Yellowstone._]
[Illustration: _A backpacker enjoys the Targhee National Forest._]
[Illustration: _National Elk Refuge visitors watch the herd from
sleighs._]
Jackson National Fish Hatchery Visitor Center lies across the highway
from the southernmost park boundary (see map). This hatchery raises
trout. Anglers can go stark raving mad over the seething masses of trout
in the hatchery ponds. For information write or call the Hatchery
Manager, Jackson National Fish Hatchery, Box 1845, Jackson WY 83001,
(307) 733-2510.
Armchair Explorations
The nonprofit Grand Teton Natural History Association, Moose, WY 83012
sells books, maps, and other publications in support of the interpretive
and management programs of the national park. These items are displayed
at the visitor centers, or can be purchased by mail. Write for a free
list. The following selected book list may also be of interest.
Betts, Robert B. _Along the Ramparts of the Tetons: The Saga of Jackson
Hole_, Colorado Associated University Press, 1978.
Clark, Tim W. _Ecology of Jackson Hole_, Jackson, Wyo., 1981.
Crandall, Hugh. _Grand Teton: The Story Behind the Scenery_, KC
Publications.
Fryxell, Fritiof. _Mountaineering in the Tetons_, The Teton Bookshop,
1978.
Harry, Bryan. _Teton Trails_, Grand Teton Natural History Association,
1961.
Harry, Bryan. _Wildlife of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks_,
Wheelwright Press Ltd., 1972.
Hayden, Elizabeth Wied. _From Trapper to Tourist in Jackson Hole_, Grand
Teton Natural History Association, 1981.
Love, J.D. et al. _Geologic Block Diagram_, Grand Teton Natural History
Association/U.S. Geological Survey, 1973.
Love, J.D. and John C. Reed, Jr. _Creation of the Teton Landscape_,
Grand Teton Natural History Association, 1968.
Murie, Olaus J. _Elk of North America_, Teton Bookshop, 1979.
Righter, Robert W. _Crucible for Conservation: The Creation of Grand
Teton National Park_, Colorado Associated University Press, 1982.
Saylor David, J. _Jackson Hole Wyoming: In the Shadow of the Tetons_,
University of Oklahoma Press, 1971.
Schreier, Carl. _Explorer’s Guide to Grand Teton National Park_,
Homestead Publishing, 1982.
Schullery, Paul. _The Bears of Yellowstone_, Yellowstone Library and
Museum Association, 1980.
Shaw, Richard J. _Plants of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks_,
Utah State University Press, 1976.
Yandell, Michael D. _National Parkways: Grand Teton National Parkways_,
Worldwide Research and Publishing Co.
Index
_Numbers in italics refer to photographs, illustrations, or maps._
A
Absaroka Mountains 14
Albright, Horace 7
Alpine environment 25-27, _36-37_, 62, 63
Animals 26, 36, _37_, 59-63
Antelope. _See_ Pronghorn
Aquatic life 50. _See also_ Fish
Aspen _38_, 63
B
Beadwork, Indian _77_
Bear 59, _65_, _82_, 83, 92
Beaver 33, 59, _65_
Birds 26, _36_, 50, 62-63, _66-67_, 89
Bobcat 59, _64_
Bridger, Jim 52, 53
Buffalo River 14
Burt, Struthers 7, 20
C
Caddisfly 50
Carncross, Horace 7
Carson, Kit 52
Christian Pond 62
Clymer, John 53
Codsiogo _34_
Colter, John 39, 52, 53
Colter Bay 86, 90
Coyote 59, _64_
D
Doane, Gustavus 53
E
Elk _22-23_, _44-45_, 59, _64_, _93_
Eynon, John L. 7
F
Falcon, prairie _36_, 63, _66_
Fishing 33, _89_
Float trips & boating 86-87
Flowers. _See_ Plants
Fox, red 59
Fryxell, Fritiof 12, 14, 94
Furtrading 15, 39, 46, 52
G
Geology 25-31, 39, 43;
_diagram_, _30-31_
Glaciation 14, 25, 27, 30-31, 32-33
Grand Teton _covers_, 27, _28-29_, _35_
Grand Teton National Park 20,43;
accommodations 79, 90;
activities 76-78;
camping 79, 81, 82-83, 90;
Colter Bay Visitor Center _76_, 82;
fishing 56-57, 86, _89_;
founding 7, 12, 15;
health & safety 81,83, 92;
hiking 78, _80_, 81;
horseback riding 83-_84_;
Indian Arts Museum 76, 78;
Jenny Lake Ranger Station 82, 85, 86;
location 72;
map, _74-75_;
Moose Visitor Center, _76_, 82, 86, _90_;
mountain climbing 85-86, _91_;
regulations 82-83, 85-86, 87, 89, 92;
transportation 72-73;
winter sports _90_, _91_;
Grand Teton Natural History Association 76, 83, 94
Gros Ventre Mountains 14
Gros Ventre River 14
Grouse, sage 62, 63, 66
H
Hayden, Ferdinand V. 53
Hedrick Pond 62
Hells Canyon 49
Hoback Range 14
Hoback River 49
I
Indians 44, _52-53_, _54-55_, 59
Insects 26, 50
J
Jackson, David 15, 52
Jackson Hole 12, 14-15, 39, 43, 46-47, 49, 52-53
Jackson Hole National Monument 7, 12
Jackson Lake _32-33_, 86
Jackson Lake Dam 49, 50
Jackson National Fish Hatchery Visitor Center 93
Jenny Lake 86
Jones, J.R. 7
L
Lakes 14, _32-33_, 53
Langford, Nathaniel 35
Lewis & Clark Expedition 39, 49, 52
Lichen 26-27
Love, John D. 43
Lucas, Geraldine 35
Lynx 59
M
Map _51_, _74-75_
Marmot, yellow-bellied _37_, 63, _64_
Menor’s Ferry 47, _78_
Moose _8-9_, 59, _64_
Moran, Mount _24_, 30, 39
Mountain climbing _34_, _35_, 85-86, _91_
Mule deer _58_, 59, _65_
Murie, Margaret (Mardy) E. _15_, _42_
Murie, Olaus J. 15, 20, _42_, 94
N
National Elk Refuge 44, 45, 62, _93_
Noble, Maude 7
O
Osprey _56_
Owen, Mount 27
Owen, W.O. 35
P
Pacific Creek 14
Plants 25-26, _36-37_, 59, _60-61_, _68-69_
Pronghorn 62, 63, _65_
R
Rabbit 63, _64_
Raynolds, William F. 53
Rockefeller, John D. 7, 12
Rockefeller, Jr. John D. _42_
Rockefeller, Jr. Parkway, John D. 93
S
Settlement 15, 39, 43, 46-47, 52-53
Sheep, bighorn _37_, 59
Sheep Mountain 43
Shoshone Falls 49
Skillet Glacier _24_
Smith, Jedediah 52
Snake River, 14, 29, 33, 39, 49, 86, 89;
_illustrations_, _16-17_, _40-41_, _48_, _51_, _70-71_
Snake River Range 14
Stevenson, James 35
Sublette, William 15, 52
Swan, trumpeter _13_, 62
T
Targhee National Forest _93_
Timbered Island 43
Teton Glacier 27
Teton National Forest 15, 93
Teton Range _4-5_, _10-11_, 14, _28-31_, 39, 43, 85
Teton River 29
Teton Science School 47
Teton Wilderness 93
Trees _38_, 62-63
Trout, cutthroat _56-57_, 89
W
Washakie Mountains 14
Weasel 59, _64_
Weather 90
Winger, Richard 7
Y
Yellowstone National Park 76, _93_
Yellowstone Plateau 14
Handbook 122
The National Park Service expresses its appreciation to all those
persons who made the preparation and production of this handbook
possible. The Service also thanks the Grand Teton Natural History
Association for its financial support of this project. All photos and
artwork not credited below come from the files of Grand Teton National
Park.
Greg Beaumont 13, 30 photo, 36 photos, 58, 60-61, 66-67 yellowthroat,
towhee, goose, crane, jay, owl, killdeer, snipe, 68-69
columbine, dandelion, sugarbowl, lily, gentian, flax,
geranium, phlox, paintbrush, 64-65 weasel, pika, marmots,
mouse
Erwin and Peggy Bauer 70-71, 82 top and middle, 87 middle, 88, 93 top
P. Billing 15
Bridger-Teton National Forest 93 middle
Franz J. Camenzind 56 inset
John Clymer 52-53
John Dawson 36-37 paintings
Denver Public Library 54 inset
Jim Elder 78 campers, 87 bottom
Jeff Foott 66-77 goshawk, grouse, eagle, 68-69 orchid, violet, 64-65
elk
Jackie Gilmore 44 inset, 64-65 moose, beaver, squirrel
High Country Flies 89
Jerry D. Jacka 77 top and bottom
Frances Judge 47 inset
Stephen J. Krasemann 64-65 bear, hare, bobcat
Russell Lamb covers, 4-5, 16-17, 24, 40-41
Wayne Lankinen 64-65 deer
David Muench 6, 18-19, 22-23, 32-33, 48
National Elk Refuge 93 bottom
National Geographic (David Alan Harvey) 10-11, 44-45
Boyd Norton 34
Leigh Ortenburer 35 diagram
Jaime Quintero 28-29
Smithsonian Institution (William H. Jackson) 55 inset
Teton County Library 46-47
Triangle X Ranch, 42 top
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
As the Nation’s principal conservation agency, the Department of the
Interior has responsibility for most of our nationally owned public
lands and natural resources. This includes fostering the wisest use of
our land and water resources, protecting our fish and wildlife,
preserving the environmental and cultural values of our national parks
and historical places, and providing for the enjoyment of life through
outdoor recreation. The Department assesses our energy and mineral
resources and works to assure that their development is in the best
interest of all our people. The Department also has a major
responsibility for American Indian reservation communities and for
people who live in island territories under U.S. administration.
Transcriber’s Notes
—Retained publication information from the printed edition: this eBook
is public-domain in the country of publication.
—Compared Table of Contents with actual headings; tweaked two entries to
match.
—Relocated all image captions to be immediately under the corresponding
images, removing redundant references like ”preceding page”.
—Silently corrected a few palpable typos.
—In the text versions only, text in italics is delimited by
_underscores_.