Photo by: Jacob Lips
Grand Teton National Park is home to the major peaks of the 40-mile Teton Range, from which the 310,000-acre park got its name. Grand Teton is the highest peak in the park at 13,775 feet, making it a mountaineer’s dream. Close to 3.5 million people visited Wyoming park in 2018.
History
The park has a lot of ancient rocks, the most in any national park in the U.S. The oldest rocks are from 12 million to 2.7 billion years ago. Various geological activities from all those years ago are responsible for Grand Teton National Park’s natural landscape.
The earliest human presence in the area can be traced back to 11,000 years ago. They were hunters believed to have spent some time in Jackson Hotel during hunting season. They left behind some fire pits and tools along Jackson Lake.
The first American exploration in the area happened in the early 1800s. One of the members of the expedition was John Colter, who was considered as America’s first mountain man after scaling the area. In the late 1800s, when Yellowstone National Park was established, people initially wanted the Grand Teton to be part of it. But it was eventually recognized as its national park on Feb. 26, 1929.
Photo by: Jacob Lips
Things to do
Hiking
This is the best way to experience a park known for its mountain range. There are over 230 miles of hiking trails in the park, ranging from easy to strenuous. Not only that, almost every trail presents a different vista of the park.
The trek from Aspen Ridge to Boulder Ridge, for example, offers scenic views of aspens, boulders and Phelps Lake. The trail that passes through Bearpaw and Trapper Lakes, offers a beautiful picture of blue waters and red shrubs and conifer forest. For those who prefer the reddish and yellowish prairie colors, the Christian Pond Look provides an easy trail through a marsh habitat.
A trip to Death Canyon is strenuous but the walk over a sea of green grass is exhilarating. A hike around Emma Matilda Lake gives a great view of the Teton Range, as well as beautiful colors from the lakes, mountain range, forest and the smattering of wildflowers. The Flagg Canyon is an easy hike, which follows the stretch of the Snake River.
Seasoned hikers might want to discover more of Teton Range by going through the rocky ground of Cascade Canyon. Even farther than that is Garnet Canyon, which is the heart of Teton Range. For a panoramic view of the Teton Range and Jackson Hole, the Grand View Point is the place to be.
Among the most beautiful spots in the park that are accessible through hiking are Jackson Lake, Swan Lake, Holly Lake, Jenny Lake, Lake Creek, Lake Solitude, Leigh Lake, Marion Lake, String Lake, Surprise and Amphitheater Lakes, Taggart Lake, Two Ocean Lake, Moose Ponds, Heron Pond, Polecat Creek, Beaver Creek, Hidden Falls, Hurricane Pass, Inspiration Point, Paintbrush Canyon, Lunch Tree Hill and Murie Ranch.
Camping
With so many beautiful mountain views, lakes and creeks at the park, exploration is impossible in just one day. So for a complete Grand Teton experience, camping should also be part of the itinerary. The park has several campgrounds available: Colter Bay Campground, Gros Ventre Campground, Headwaters Campground, Jenny Lake Campground, Lizard Creek Campground, and Signal Mountain Campground. Each campground has its beautiful spot.
The Gros Ventre Campground, for example, is blanketed with sagebrush and grasses with a peppering of blue spruce and cottonwoods. Jenny Lake Campground is small, but a perfect spot because of its proximity to Jenny Lake. It also has a great vantage point marvel at the imposing Cascade Canyon, Mount St. John and Teewinot Mountain.
Signal Mountain Campground is near Jackson Lake, and it provides majestic views of Mount Moran and the Teton Range. Lizard Creek is also close to Jackson Lake but vistas include Web Canyon, Owl and Ranger peaks, and the Teton Range.
Mountaineering
For the adventurous lot, climbing the Grand Teton is the experience of a lifetime. Even if the climb is quite a challenge, thousands of people visit the park for this adventure. Climbing the peak doesn’t require a permit unless trekkers stay the night—which they should! Nighttime at the park is also an unforgettable experience.
Scenic Drives
Tourists don’t have to tire themselves just to enjoy the park’s many picturesque views. Most parks only have a road or two of scenic routes, but with dozens of beautiful landscapes and natural beauty oozing from the park, there are several scenic roads for tourists.
The scenic roads are Buffalo Valley, Grassy Lake Road, Gros Ventre Road, Highway 191, Jenny Lake Loop, Kelly WY & Antelope Flats, Moose Wilson Road, Rockefeller Parkway, Signal Mountain Road and Teton Park Road.
Photo by: Jacob Lips