Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park is an excellent weekend excursion for those coming from the Bozeman area. Driving routes from Bozeman include scenic roads through West Yellowstone or directly through Yellowstone National Park itself. Whichever path you decide to go, don't be in a hurry--you'll want to take the time to savor all the natural beauty and observe the wildlife along the way.
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The Tetons at Sunset
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The Teton mountain range began its uplifting about 6-9 million years ago when the earth's crust began to stretch and thin, causing the Teton Fault to move. When the elasticity of the earth's crust reached its limit, the Teton Fault broke, sending the western half upward, turning it into the Teton mountains, and the eastern half downward, turning it into the Jackson Hole Valley. Evidence that the tops of these mile-high peaks used to be part of the valley floor, exists in the form of a pink deposit of Flathead Sandstone on the summit of Mount Moran.
The creation of Grand Teton National Park had rough beginnings and met a lot of resistance from ranchers, forest service workers, and local residents. People feared grazing rights for cattle and free roaming elk would be affected. They also feared that unsightly construction would ensue. In 1950, after much compromise and a generous donation of funds and effort from John D. Rockerfeller Jr., Grand Teton National Park was designated as a protected wilderness area for all to enjoy.
Today, Grand Teton National Park covers a distance of over 300,000 acres and hosts about 2.5 million visitors a year. Visitors are attracted to the dramatic landscape of mountains that abruptly rise 7,000 feet above the valley floor. There are no foothills to ease the transition from valley to mountain, making the view of the Tetons all the more intense. The summit of the Grand Teton rises to 13,770 feet, while the valley floor sits at 6,400 feet. Between the sagebrush valley floor and rocky mountain summits, grow dense forests. In the summers, wildflowers abound and glacial lakes are full. The winter months are harsh with whipping winds, snow storms, and temperatures that often drop below zero degrees.
Within its many canyons and around its numerous lakes, Grand Teton Nation Park offers spectacular hiking, camping, rock climbing, fishing, canoeing, skiing, snowshoeing, and wildlife viewing. Elk, deer, marmots, black bears, grizzlies, porcupines, and moose are just some of the wildlife to be seen on its trails. The park provides trails for all ages and abilities. Go for a quick and easy hike to Bradley and Taggart Lakes, or take a few days to hike the Teton Crest trail that crosses the entire range. Take some photos or paint a picute. Whatever you do, it is worth taking the time to explore.
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