[Illustration: Church of the Transfiguration, Jackson Hole]
[Illustration: John Colter in Jackson’s Hole]
Grand Teton National Park became known to white men in 1807-8 when John
Colter crossed the range on the memorable trip which resulted in his
discovery of Yellowstone. The northern extremity of the Park lies about
11 miles south of Yellowstone’s southern boundary.
Grand Teton National Park contains about 96,000 acres, and is penetrated
by 90 miles of good trails. Besides its pinnacled peaks and majestic
canyons, Grand Teton includes five large lakes and dozens of smaller
bodies of water; glaciers, snowfields and a green forest empire of pine,
fir and spruce. Much of the Park is above timberline.
The great array of sharp, ragged peaks, which are called the “Teton
Range”, present some of the grandest mountain scenery in the world.
Southwest of Jenny Lake is a cluster of steepled rock, the dominating
figure being Grand Teton, the famous mountain after which the Park is
named. The towering Grand Teton rises 13,766 feet, 7000 feet above the
floor of the valley.
Grand Teton National Park has a rich history. This fertile, green valley
and lake region is the historic “Jackson Hole” of pioneer days
notoriety, when it was famous as a hideout for outlaws. A large part of
it is now included in Jackson Hole National Monument.
The colorful title “Jackson Hole” dates back to 1829 when Capt. Wm.
Sublette named it for a fellow trapper, David E. Jackson.
By 1845 the romantic trapper of the “Fur Era” vanished from the Rockies,
and during the next four decades the valleys near the Tetons were
virtually deserted, except for wandering tribes of Indians who
occasionally drifted in. Later government expeditions making surveys of
the region named many of the Park’s natural beauties—Leigh, Jenny,
Taggart, Bradley and Phelps Lakes, and Mount St. John—names which remain
today.
[Illustration: Car in Jackson’s Hole]
[Illustration: Jackson Lake and Majestic Mt. Moran]
The Indian and the outlaw have vanished from this valley but it still
retains a flavor of the thrilling Wild West days. The colorful cowboy on
spirited pony still rides the range, singing to the cattle, but now he
occasionally climbs into the ranch’s shiny station wagon and goes over
the pass to Victor to meet and bring incoming guests to the ranch, for
here are located some of the outstanding “dude ranches” of the West.
For years Jackson Hole has been famous for its big game. In this
classification the moose is the most common in the summer. In winter it
is the home of the world’s largest herd of Wapiti, or American elk.
Other wild animals which inhabit the region include bear, mule-deer,
elk, Rocky Mountain sheep, beaver, marten, mink, weasel and coyote. Over
100 species of birds have been identified. A unique variety of wild
flowers and plants grow profusely in the Tetons. The flowering period
begins in the Park as soon as the ridges and flats are free of snow in
May and continues until about the middle of August.
Grand Teton National Park is most conveniently reached from Victor,
Idaho, on the Union Pacific Railroad. From Victor motor buses climb the
Forest Service highway to the top of Teton Pass. This lofty vantage
point offers a sublime view of the surrounding domain.