Grand Teton National Park
Covering 310,000 acres of Northwestern Wyoming. Grand Teton National Park includes the major peaks of the 40 mile long Teton Range. As well as the northern sections of the Jackson Hole Valley. The park is named after the tallest peak in the range, Grand Teton, at 13,775 feet (4,199 m) which towers 7,000 feet over Jackson Hole.
The park is located just 10 miles south of Yellowstone National Park. The two are connected by John D. Rockefeller memorial highway, managed by the national park service. Along with surrounding national forests, these protected areas make up the almost 18,000,000-acre Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, one of the world’s largest intact mid-latitude temperate ecosystems.
Next stop Wyoming
We woke up in Vail, Colorado resupplied at the grocery store (super expensive) then headed north for Wyoming. The southwest portion of the state was pretty monotonous, miles and miles of gently rolling plains. Not nearly as mountainous as I would have imaged but I knew that would change the further we pushed north.
For most of the drive we tried to spot Pronghorn antelope that could often be seen grazing near the road. Then out of no where we flew passed (the speed limit is 80 mph) two huge Angus bulls fighting like I had never seen before. We made a u-turn as soon as we could. Drove all the way back and they were still fighting! Two ranchers tried to break them up with little success.
Not long after the bulls we made another unplanned roadside stop at a historical marker. Damn, glad we did. As a kid I vividly remember playing the Oregon Trail computer game. Now I was standing on the real Oregon Trail! I couldn’t believe the wagon wheel ruts were still clearly visible! My day had been made and we hadn’t even made it to the park yet.
Notice the Oregon Trail ruts to the left of the sign!
We made one last pit stop at the Duck Creek Riparian Lookout. The mountain on right side of the range is Gannet Peak, Wyoming’s tallest mountain!
After a long day on the road, we finally arrived at Grand Teton National Park!
Maybe next time Jackson!
We drove right through Jackson Hole because we wanted to be somewhere scenic for the sunset. It looked like a lively and enjoyable place to spend some time though.
Once at Schwabachers Landing we patiently waited for the sun to set while fighting off swarms of mosquitos. Patience ended up paying off with a absolutely stunning reflection of the Grand Tetons!
Time to find a campground
It was well after dark when we made it to the Gros Venture Campground, luckily we found a spot amongst the crowds. Pitched our tent in less than five minutes and soon after passed out. It had been a long day!
We woke up to a moose right outside of our tent, much better than a hungry bear. However moose still can pose a huge danger to humans when threatened.
Regardless of your interest Grand Teton has it all!
For those of you interested in hiking, Grand Teton National Park should be at the top of your list. The park offers trails for any fitness level. I would recommend the String Lake Loop, for beginners. Taggart Lake for moderates. And if you are looking for a challenge be sure to check out Static Peak Divide, a grueling hike through pristine alpine terrain.
Grand Teton National Park has a big climbing culture for those looking to push their limits. You can even climb the Grand Teton if you hire a guide. Fishing is also popular activity for visitors and locals alike. Unless you are experienced with fly fishing, I would recommend hiring a local guide.
In the winter Jackson Hole turns into a winter wonderland. Skiers and snowboarders pack the slopes the entire season while the peaks are covered in fresh powder.
Overall..
Being born and raised on the Gulf Coast of Texas, about as far away from the mountains as you can get. I strangely have always been drawn to the mountains, especially rough and jagged ranges like these. Therefor, it is not hard to see why Grand Teton National Park is without a doubt one of my all time favorites!
The park is located very close to the Jackson Hole Airport, making the park easily accessible. I would recommend driving or at least renting a vehicle so you will be able to visit Yellowstone National Park while you’re in the area!
For more information on the park conditions visit the official park website here.
I think it could be easily argued that Grand Teton is the most pristine mountain range America has to offer! What do you think?
Be sure to check out the other parks we have visited
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