Grand Teton National Park is in the northwest corner of Wyoming and was born from a wild past. This National Park is roughly 10-miles south of Yellowstone. It includes the small town of Jackson, nestled in the valley of the Teton mountains. This National Park is easily accessed from Big Sky and Bozeman, Montanna as well.
The Grand Tetons are striking. They stretch high above the valley floor with no foothills on either side. The highest peak (Grand Teton) reaches 13,776 feet high. It is the second tallest peak in the greater Yellowstone area.
This wild landscape was born out of an ancient past. Formed by intense geologic forces, these jagged beasts are some of the oldest rocks in North America. Some are as old as 2.7-billion-years. Dating as far back as 10 million years ago. The movement on the Teton fault caused massive earthquakes. This resulted in the mountains rising as the valley floor dropped.
Geologic forces lifted the mountains into place. The power of erosion sculpted its unique look. As glaciers recede, they form the deepening canyons, eroding the mountains around them. This process transports, and deposits, huge catalogues of rocky glacial debris. This process sculpts the Tetons. As debris transports to the rocky valley below, it chips and grinds away at the mountain side. Slowly carving what we see today.
6 different ecosystems encompass Grand Teton and surround these jagged peaks. There are glacier fed lakes, lodgepole pine forests, ponds, rivers, sagebrush flats, meadows and wetlands. It is for this reason that bear spray is highly recommended for any outdoor activities. Both black and grizzly bears are active here. There are also bald eagles, bison, elk, moose, pronghorn, river otters, and wolves.
The whole damn park was breathtaking. Each new view of the Teton range would change the view and the look of these jagged peaks. We got lucky and saw a handful of moose, a couple pronghorns, a field of bison, and some elk. We stopped at Jenny Lake’s main viewpoint, for a short hike. It offered commanding views of the clear blue lake. The Tetons danced over the lake, reflecting the serene scene.
We stopped for lunch at the Colter Bay Village, where we had a picnic style lunch. We acquired chips, fruit, and some sandwiches from the store. There was a restaurant option, but I failed to stop and check it out. There is even Wi-Fi available in the village. This could be a good place to get some work done if needed.
The Tetons have 3 visitor centers located around the park. It is here that you can have any questions answered by a park ranger. It is where to go to pick up required back country permits. This is also where to find camping information, hiking trail, and wildlife info as well.
Hiking Jagged Peaks and Serene Lakes
Hiking in the Teton’s is some of the best in the country. It includes over 250 miles of trails to choose from. The Tetons have something for everyone. Choose between a short 30-minute walk and several multi-day backcountry excursions.
If you decide to take a hike, or walk, always remember to carry water on your person. It is imperative to pack in and pack out all trash and food scraps. Cleaning up after oneself helps to keep wildlife wild and the Park in pristine shape.
If camping is your thing, then there are plenty of options. There are several campgrounds inside the park and even more outside the perimeter. If you want to plan ahead, reserve sites through recreation.gov.
Reserving ahead can help avoid spending a day searching for where to spend the night. Had I been more thorough with my research, I’d have known that dispersed camping sites, or free camping, is in the Shadow and Curtis campgrounds. Both options include breathtaking views of the Tetons as well.
The Grand Teton National Park is a wonderful outdoor experience for the entire family. I cannot wait to return and delve deep into the hikes, in search of the pristine nature that can be found throughout this magical land.
I would highly recommend this National Park to everyone. The views are inspiring, and the mountains are striking. There’s a quiet that can be discovered here, bringing peace to anyone in search of tranquility.
