Grand Teton National Park
It's easy to travel by Grand Teton National Park, just south of Yellowstone in Wyoming, and think that you have seen it all. From the east side the Tetons seem to sprout up out of nothing. The valley of Jackson Hole lies flat beneath these towering peaks as if intimidated of getting in their way. From US 89 it's hard to concentrate on the road because the view is so overwhelming. Peaks, canyons, lakes, rivers, cascades, aspens, and wildlife galore take up the entire western horizon. Seven glacial lakes sit at the base of the Tetons including Jenny, Leigh, Taggart, Bradley, String, Jackson, and Phelps. Wildlife like elk, moose, pronghorn antelope, mule deer, bison, black bear, falcons, and eagles frequent all areas of the National Park. Despite its breathtaking views from outside of Grand Teton National Park, there is much to be desired hidden on trails, high above tree line, and deep in the park where canyons begin.
About 9 million years ago, what are now the Tetons began rising from the still active Teton fault line after many earthquakes. These two blocks of crust began colliding and moving in opposite directions, one up and the other down. For example, the type of rock on top of Mount Moran is the same as the rock layer that sits about 24,000 feet below the valley floor. Huge glaciers formed on these mountains whose runoff gouged off chunks of sedimentary rock, creating cirques, ridges, and rough peaks on exposed granite rock.
Grand Teton National Park is 40 miles long and between seven and nine miles wide. With over 200 miles of trail in the park there are many variations on experiencing and traveling through the Tetons. From Lupine Meadows Trailhead you wind up a series of switchbacks through huckleberry bushes, eventually opening up to a beautiful valley at the base of the South, Middle, and Grand Tetons, as well as Nez Perce, called Lupine Meadows. In this meadow, granite walls surround you on all sides, cascades tumble through distant boulders, and marmots and sometimes black bears scamper through shrubbery. Don't be surprised when your neck starts to hurt from looking up as over twelve peaks in Grand Teton National Park reach above 12,000 feet, the tallest of which towers at 13,770 feet. Visitors attempt to summit the Grand Teton frequently throughout the summer, usually with a guide and after waiting patiently for Mother Nature to provide perfect climbing weather. Another popular yet remote and majestic trail is the Teton Crest Trail which encircles the Tetons on their western front. Providing views into Idaho, this trail passes directly behind the Tetons, above steep drop offs into Death Canyon, and through the vast and colorful Alaska Basin. You can either start from the south by riding up the Tram to meet the trail or begin at the end of Paintbrush or Cascade Canyons.
If visiting Big Sky, make sure to travel and explore the many hidden treasures that lie within this unique part of the country in western Wyoming known as Grand Teton National Park.
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