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Camping Trips 2000: Grand Teton National Park
© Thomas Stephens Sr.
May 1, 2000
Born from snowmelt in wilderness mountains near Wyoming's Continental Divide, the Snake River transverses beautiful Grand Teton National Park and continues flowing southward. It's waters offer provision for a multitude of diverse plants and animal life along its meandering way. Flowing in and then out of Teton's Jackson Lake, the Snake's cold waters mirror the majestic mountains of the Teton Range and stand them on their pointed heads. Grand Teton National Park contains some of the most dazzling landscapes and panoramas in the world. However, being in the awesome shadow of famous Yellowstone National Park, its natural wonders are too often overlooked.About the ParkLocated just seven miles south of Yellowstone, in northwestern Wyoming, Grand Teton covers about 310,000 mountainous acres. Most of the park is rugged wilderness. The town of Jackson lies at its southern portal on U.S. Highway 89 (26 & 191). Known as the John D. Rockefeller Memorial Parkway, US 89 runs north south for 82 miles through the eastern section of the park. It is joined by US 26, from the east at Moran Junction. The park has some 100 miles of scenic roads and four well placed visitor centers. The 3.4 million acre Bridger-Teton National Forest surrounds the parks eastern boundary, while the 1.8 million acre Targhee National Forest abuts its western flank. Grand Teton takes its name from the 13,770 foot Grand Teton peak. There are twelve peaks in the young Teton Range with elevations over 12,000 feet. Twelve glaciers still grace these purple mountains and enhance their majestic beauty. Add to this grandeur the cold blue waters of Jackson, Leigh and Jenny Lakes, and you have natural vistas beyond compare! A broad selection of wildlife and plants flourish in these rich environs. Park Attractions and ActivitiesJust name your favorite summertime outdoor activity, and Grand Teton National Park will most often oblige. Be it hiking, fishing, backcountry camping, wildlife watching or simply absorbing the scenic beauty, you will not be disappointed.Scenic DrivesFrom short spins down the road to all day trips, the park offers visitors many choice scenic drives. The Parkway has a number of great turnouts with eye-popping vistas. The Teton Park Road takes you by Jackson and Jenny Lakes. Signal Mountain Summit Road is a 5-mile drive that winds upward to a breath taking panoramic view. Park Hikes and Backcounty Trails Grand Teton National Park possesses over 225 miles of hiking trails. Menor's Ferry Historical Trail, for example, is a short and easy walk. In the Jackson Lake Lodge area, Lunch Tree Hill Trail is a half-mile easy walk. Near Flagg Ranch, the Polecat Creek Loop Trail passes through pine forest and offers hikers views of the marsh and the waterfowl. Bill Greer, a writer for the GORP Web site, has detailed many of his Favorite Teton Hikes including the more strenuous 18 mile Lake Solitude Hike. Some Teton trails lead hikers to beautiful waterfalls. Grand Teton has some of the best backcountry hiking and camping in America-with or without a horse.
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The copyright of the article Camping Trips 2000: Grand Teton National Park in Camping is owned by Thomas Stephens Sr.. Permission to republish Camping Trips 2000: Grand Teton National Park in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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