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June 2003
Grand Tetons National Park
David Aaronson2005-09-29 12:29:01
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The logical base for exploring the Tetons is the town of Jackson, Wyoming. Not to be confused with Jackson Hole (which is the valley that Jackson sits in). Jackson is perhaps a tad on the touristy side as it tries to play up the 'American West' theme as much as possible. Just north of the town is the beginning of Grand Teton National Park. To the east is the National Elk Refuge and Bridger-Teton National Forest surrounds the rest. Speaking of elk, these arches which stand at all four corners of Jackson's town square (1) are made entirely of elk antlers (retrieved by natual means - no hunting).
You don't have drive very far north of town before you come over a small hill and are faced with the classic postcard view of the Teton range (2).
The Tetons are technically less visited than Yellowstone National Park just to the north but the geography of Grand Teton Park is such that it is basically one large mountain range with a road running along the east side of it in the valley. The linear aspect of it made it seem more crowded to us. There is an obvious concentration of visitors along the road and the farther from the road (in either direction) one goes, the fewer people one sees. Our trip to the Tetons became a study in less traveled routes which we think we did rather well at. For the record, the Tetons can be accessed from the west side (Idaho) via several multi-day hikes from Targhee National Forest.
The most popular short hikes are in the area around Jenny Lake (4) and the Jackson Lake Lodge. From the south Jenny Lake parking area, a boat crosses the lake and lets visitors off at the base of Cascade Canyon trail which leads up to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point (National Park rule #1: There must be an Inspiration Point). One can also hike around the lake. In fact the north route around the lake is relatively unused. Most day-hikers take the boat across and hike back along the south
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United States Gallery
