Yellowstone Park belongs
to all of the people of this country.
Snowmobiles
at this time are the best way to
see Yellowstone for those without
much time or for those that
aren't fit for skiing. Everyone should
see Yellowstone in winter and when
you are old and infirm you will be
glad that you still have an expeditious
way
of seeing the Yellowstone Park unencumbered
by fogged up snow coach windows.
There are plenty of places
to get away from the snowmobiles as
they are very limited as to where
they can go. The snowmobile controversy
is greatly exaggerated by opponents
of snowmobiling who never learned
to share as children.
Most of Yellowstone is backcountry and managed as wilderness;
many miles of trails are available for skiing. Track is set
only on a few trails. All unplowed roads and trails are open to
cross
country skiing and showshoeing. When skiing on unplowed roadways
used by snowmobiles, keep to the right to avoid accidents.
There are dangers inherent in wilderness:
unpredictable wildlife, changing weather conditions, remote thermal
areas,
deep snow, open streams, and rugged mountains with extreme avalanche
danger.
When you choose to explore Yellowstone, you experience
the land on its own terms; there is no guarantee of your safety.
Be prepared for any situation. Carefully read all backcountry guidelines
and regulations, and know the limit
of your
ability. Most trails are marked with orange metal markers
attached to trees. Few streams have bridges.
Parties venturing
into the backcountry
should carry a USGS topographic map and a compass
and know how to use them. Even on a well-marked
trail, it
is easy
to get lost
in a "whiteout" or blizzard. Only skiers
thoroughly familiar with the area should attempt
off-trail travel.
When planning your trip, get specific information
on conditions
from rangers
at a ranger station or visitor center.
Park elevations
with adequate skiable snow range from 7,000
to 10,000 feet (2133 - 3048 meters.) Skiers and snowshoers
who live
at lower elevations should take a short day
or overnight trip to test their capabilities before attempting
longer
outings.
A Backcountry Use Permit is required for all overnight
ski trips.
Contact a park ranger at a ranger station
or visitor center before you begin a ski trip-- whether for a
few hours or
several days.
Some park areas could be open to skiing or
snowshoeing on designated routes only during severe winter conditions
to protect
wildlife.
Maps of these routes will be posted at trailheads,
but check with a ranger before beginning your trip. Trip
planning should include
allowances for limited daylight, snow conditions,
temperature extremes, and the number of people in the group,
their experience
and physical condition. Overnight ski and
snowshoe trips during December and January are difficult due to
short days,
extreme
temperatures, and soft snow. Learn as much
as you can about winter survival. Talk with park rangers before
you leave
on any trip.
Choose skis and boots
made for touring or mountaineering. Narrow racing skis won't provide
enough
surface
area to break trail.
Here, you can submit information
on temperature, humidity and snow granulation, and our system
will make recommendations for the best Swix wax for the conditions.
These recommendations are based on our published guides,
along with the many years of World Cup race experience from
our Swix wax technicians.
• Teton Canyon -
Drive up Ski Hill Road out of Driggs. The road will change
names
a
few
times
but
I don't
think
it is noticeable, (I never did) just stay on the main drag
until about a mile after you go through Alta there is a turn
right
on
Teton
Canyon
Road.
drive
down
this road
until
you
get
to the parking area. This is a beautiful ski at The Grand
Teton towers over you the whole way.
• Darby Canyon - This is
an ungroomed multiple use trail. Between Victor and driggs
on hwy 33 you will turned east
on Darby Road
it dead ends
at Stateline road
then turn right it will then turn left on Darby Canyon Rd
and soon the road will end where the trail starts.
• Fox Canyon - This is an un-groomed
multiple use trail. Between Victor and Driggs on hwy 33 you
will turn east on
and take
it till it ends.
• Moose Canyon - This is an un-groomed
multiple use trail. About a 2 miles east of Victor torn lift
on Old Jackson
Hwy
go
about a half mile then turn right on
to e. Moose Creek Road and go to the end.
• Cabin Creek - is at the bottom of
the west side of Teton Pass. park at the parking area on the
north side of
the road. At the bottom and on the south side of
the road you will find the Cabin Creek Trail.
Jackson Hole
• Cache Creek - located on the southeast
corner of the town of Jackson east of Snow King Ski Resort. This
is a busy
trail but it
does provide a quick access out of the town of Jackson.
• Game Creek - travel south from Jackson
on Hwy 89/191 approx. 7 miles, and turn left onto road #30455
9Game Cr. R.)
toward Game Creek. Parking is on left less than a mile
up this
road
• Granite Creek Hot Springs - Go 12 miles
south of Jackson and head south on Hwy 191 through the beautiful
Hoback
Canyon. About
fifteen miles up turn on Granite Creek Road and right away
you are at the trail head. It is a ten mile ski to the Granite
Hot Spring but even if you make it a shorter trip you will
still
enjoy it. This is a popular groomed snowmobile and dog-sledding
trail.
• Gros
Ventre Road - go about 7 miles north
of Jackson to the Kelly turn off and after go through the
town of Kelly go about another 2
miles then turn right on Gros Ventre River Road, follow it
until it ends at the parking area above Slide Lake. The exposed
red cliffs juxtaposed against the snow is a beautiful site.
This
is
Rocky mountain Bighorn Sheep wintering grounds and the chances
of seeing some are about 90%. This is a popular groomed
snowmobile trail.
• Shadow Mountain - is
about 15 miles north of Jackson, look for Antelope Flats Road
then turn left when the road ends and
follow it
till it ends.
This Trail is about an 8 mile loop with about a thousand
foot elevation gain that provides
great
views
of the
Tetons
Island Park/Ashton
• Harriman State Park is located 20
miles north of Ashton on Highway 20. There is a total of 21 miles
of trails, and
10 of those are
groomed, providing opportunities for all levels of skiing.
Harriman is a wintering ground for the majestic trumpeter
swan and is home
to many other animals. A warming shelter and restrooms are
provided at the trail head. The $3 entrance fee is waived
if you have a
Park N' Ski permit on your vehicle.
• The Fall River Ridge Park N' Ski
area is located 10 miles east
of Ashton on the Cave Falls Road. The various loops are suitable
for beginner and intermediate use. The terrain consists of rolling
hills dotted with meadows, and stands of lodgepole pine and aspen
trees. A small plowed parking area is provided and is shared by
snowmobilers and skiers. They also share one mile of trail. Nearly
seven miles of trails make up this area, which is groomed periodically
when funding and weather conditions permit.
• Bear Gulch/Mesa Falls
- This ski area is located seven miles northeast of Ashton on
Mesa Falls Forest Highway 47. The trail parallels
the snowmobile trail out to the spectacular Lower and Upper
Mesa Falls. The trail then branches away from the snowmobile trail
and travels along the canyon rim, then returns to the trail
head. This trail is recommended for intermediate and advanced
skiers
because of the steep climb in the first mile. The trail is
nearly
nine miles long and is groomed periodically when funding
and weather conditions permit.
•The Brimstone Trail is located
one-quarter mile north of the Island Park Ranger Station on Highway
20 near Ponds Lodge Resort. The
terrain varies from gentle grades to downhill runs through tree
groves. The nine miles of trail offer scenic views of the Island
Park Reservoir, Box Canyon, and Buffalo River. The trail provides
opportunities for all levels of skiing ability.
• The Buffalo River Trail - is
2.6 miles long, starting at the Island Park Ranger Station and
winding
along the Buffalo River
through forests of lodgepole pine. The trail's gentle grade provides
an excellent opportunity for beginners to polish their skills.
Both trails are groomed periodically when funding and weather
conditions permit.
Swan Valley
• Palisades Creek - just east
of Irwin turn left on Palisades Creek Road and drive till
it ends
at the trail head. This is a beautiful narrow canyon for
the first mile and you will want to watch for big rocks in
the trail early in the winter, a mile up after there first
bridge the canyon opens up some for some beautiful views.
There is a lake up about 4 miles.
• Indian Creek Trail - is about
15 miles south of Swan Valley Hwy26 drops into the indian Creek
bottom
there is
parking on the west side for
the road the trail starts on the east side of the Hwy. This is
a also a snowmobile route
• Fall Creek Campground - is About
5 miles north of Swan Valley you cross the Snake River there you
turn
left on River Road and go up about
2 miles to the parking area on the left side of the road. Ski
along the river to get to Creek
Campground this parking is the same one for Fall Creek trail which
is also a groomed snowmobile trail as is all of River Road. Bonneville
county grooms Fall Creek Campground for cross country skiing.
• Bear Creek Trail - is about 4
miles south of Irwin. Go till you get to Palisades Dam an park
in the parking lot at the top then
ski south on the Groomed snowmobile trail. for the ambitious the
forest service rents a cabin 12 miles up and makes a nice little
destination.
• Fall Creek - About 5 miles north
of Swan Valley you cross the Snake River there you turn left and
go up
about 2 miles to
the parking area on the left side of the road. Ski up the Fall Creek
Canyon groomed snowmobile trail as far as you like. This is a great
wildlife viewing area.
Star Valley
Yet to be compiled
The
Grand Tetons
The Grand Tetons are a magnet for mountaineers from
all over the world. The jagged snow-crusted peaks epitomize the ruggedness
of the West, All the elements of alpine climbing, rock, ice, snow, and
altitude, are represented in the Tetons. Glaciers, striking arêtes,
fist-size cracks, steep rocky ridges and ice couloirs abound providing
climbers a true alpine experience. This variety makes them especially
appealing to experienced mountaineers who use the Tetons to apply their
technical rock climbing skills in alpine settings and to train for Alaskan
or Himalayan expeditions.
At first glance the Tetons are daunting to novice, the
massifs known as Grand Teton, Middle Teton, South Teton, Moran and Teewinot
are surprisingly accessible once you’ve mastered a few essential moves, learn how to read rock, how to knot a rope, how to belay a companion, and to leverage your arm and leg muscles and you’ll
be capable of climbing the Tetons.
Ascents of Grand Teton typically involve two days. The first day climbers leave
Lupine Meadows Trailhead by 10 a.m., and hike up hike up Garnet Canyon trail,
the main approach to the Grand. Along the way you are treated to views of stunning
alpine terrain. To the north, periodic clearings of the conifer forest reveal
Mt.Teewinot, Middle Teton and the Grand, that appear as distinct razor edges
and chiseled stone. Your arrive at the Lower Saddle between the Grand and Middle
Teton by late afternoon where you camp for the night. After a night spent at
the 11,650-foot saddle you push on in the early morning darkness for the summit.
The main approach to the summit is the Owen-Spaulding route, graded 5.4, a
relatively easy technical climb even for the novice.
The accessibility and comparatively modest heights of the Tetons lead some to underestimate their dangers. Altitude sickness, avalanche and wildlife, all pose hazards, lightning is a serious threat and it can snow any month of the year and does.
Mountain guides are available for hire, two well-regarded companies offer a variety of classes and private mountain guide services depending on skill level and experience: Jackson Hole Mountain Guides (www.jhmg.com; 800-239-7642) and Exum Mountain Guides (www.exumguides.com; 307-733-2297). offer classes and guided trips throughout the year to introduce climbers of all skills and ages to the Tetons.
There are many worthy peaks in the range offering a spectrum
of climbing opportunities, Guide's Wall on Storm Point, is a moderate climb
(5.7 to 5.9) on quality, or solid, golden rock is one of the more popular
one-day routes in the range. Other interesting day climbs include Baxter's
Pinnacle, the southwest ridge of Symmetry Spire and the of Mount Owen’s steep
couloirs.
Local Guide Books
Teton Skiing: A History and Guide
to the Teton Range, Wyoming by Thomas Turiano
Teton Skiing is a phenomenal book written eloquently
and comically from the perspective of a mountaineer (Tom Turiano) who
has climbed and skiied nearly every peak in the range. The book is perfect
for someone thinking about a trip to the Tetons in order to gain more
insight into the history that made it the touring site it is today,
as well as, a guide to help in planning your trip. It is also a great
book for anyone interested in history and/or the outdoors in general.
Although it is partly a guidebook, it was more intersting to me for
its well researched and colorful history of this mythical wonder called
the Tetons. If you haven't been to Wyoming's Tetons, this book will
make you want to go. If you have been, it will drive you to return and
discover things unseen. A book I treasure!
Was
Select Peaks of Greater Yellowstone
A mountaineering and history guide to the 107 highest,
most beautiful, most interesting peaks in Yellowstone National Park.
Full color!
High
points: New book gives history, geology, routes of Greater Yellowstone
peaks By BRETT FRENCH
A climb to the top of Montana's highest mountain - 12,807-foot
Granite Peak - provided lofty inspiration for Thomas Turiano.
When Turiano climbed Granite in 1997, he was growing bored with
the Teton Mountains he knew so well, high country he has explored
while working for Exum Mountain Guides in Jackson Hole, Wyo. "
Then I went to climb Granite Peak and saw this whole other universe
of mountains," he said. "It was a rebirth of interest
for me in peak bagging."
Mountaineering & XC-Ski Stores
Skinny
Skis • (Jackson
Hole) Finding the right gear and
clothing for cross country skiing begins with a visit
to Skinny Skis.
Since
1974 Skinny Skis has been Jackson Hole's leading shop. In
addition to featuring the finest line-up of cross country
ski equipment,
Skinny Skis carries summer and winter outdoor gear and clothing
from many of the world's leading manufacturers: Patagonia,
Marmot, Mountain Hardwear, Arcteryx, Salomon, Cloudveil,
Rossignol, Fischer and Black Diamond, to name but a few.
Teton
Mountaineering • (Jackson Hole)
Teton Mountaineering is
the oldest outdoor specialty shop in the United States. This year
we are celebrating our twenty-ninth anniversary,
and actually, our business dates back even farther, having originated
as the "Outhaus" in the nineteen-fifties. Our commitment
to both excellence in retailing and to our unique mountain heritage
remains strong.
Yöstmark
Mountain Equipment • (Teton
Valley) Yöstmark
Mountain Equipment is a backcountry skiing and outdoor
equipment shop located in Driggs, Idaho. We are avid outdoors
men and women who are out "testing" the equipment whenever
we can and we'll be happy to share with you how it works for us.
Mountaineering & Ski Guides
Rendezvous
Ski and Snowboard Tours • (Teton Valley) Established in
1986, Rendezvous Ski and Snowboard Tours operates three backcountry
ski yurts high on the western slope of the Tetons near Jackson Hole
and Grand Targhee Ski Resort. Our huts provide access to the Jedediah
Smith Wilderness Area and Grand Teton National Park, where over
500 inches of legendary light, dry powder snow falls each winter.
A variety of terrain from high mountain ridges and broad, low-angled
powder bowls, to the steep and deep combine to make some of the
best backcountry ski terrain in the lower 48.
Exum
Mountain Guides • (Jackson Hole) Exum offers group and
private avalanche training, alpine and nordic ski tours, and ski
and snowboard descents of the remarkable mountains of the Teton
area. You will gain basic avalanche awareness, improve your skiing
and snowboarding technique, and practice the use of avalanche rescue
transceivers. Technical skills, such as steep skiing, rock and ice
climbing, and rappelling are practiced during ski and snowboard
mountaineering trips.
Yellowstone
Expedetion • (Yellowstone) Let us show you the finest
way to experience a true Yellowstone winter, at a cross-country
skier's pace from the Yellowstone Yurt Camp. Join our certified
backcountry ski guides to explore the Yellowstone backcountry. Our
multiday cross-country skiing excursions are based from the comfortable
Canyon Skier's "Yurt Camp" located only one half mile
from the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
Mountaineering Destinations
St. Elias Alpine
Guides • Explore Alaska's
largest national park with the local experts, based in Wrangell-St.
Elias
since 1978. Half and
full-day glacier hikes, ice-climbing, trekking, backpacking, rafting,
skiing and mountaineering courses & expeditions. Our professional,
personable guides love to share their in-depth knowledge of this
magnificent wilderness!
Copper Oar • Copper Oar offers wilderness rafting
and multi-sport adventures in Alaska’s largest national park,
Wrangell-St. Elias, and throughout the state. Their adventures are
1-15 days in
length and suitable for everyone from children and novice adventurers
to veteran river travelers looking for the next great journey. Copper
Oar specializes in professional, personable guides, an in-depth knowledge
of the local human and natural history, great food, and creating
adventures of a lifetime!
Mountaineering Products
Life-Link • (Jackson
Hole)
When you live in Jackson Hole as we do you have the Tetons
as your
backyard. Our backyard provides some of the best
skiing and boarding on the planet. This is where the inspiration
for many of our products comes from. These ideas don’t
just come from us they come from our pro staff, our friends,
local
guides, patrollers and even folks who are just passing through
but have a passion for the backcountry and want the very
best equipment they can find.
R.U.
Outside -
(Teton Valley) Outdoor
clothing and gear for snowmobiling, skiing, horseback riding,
atv riding, hiking and water sports, including
neoprene supports,
EC2 boxer briefs, merino wool socks, winter boots, gloves, shorts,
altimeter watches, hydration packs, fleecewear and raingear.
Articles
10 Essentials for Multi-Day Backpacking By
Kevin Jackson • I have been involved in several backpacking
trips all over the world and the one constant is the importance of adequate
gear
for the environment — regardless
if we are leading a group through the Wind River Range in Wyoming or
hiking the Overland Track in Tasmania, Australia..........................................For
example, I recently led a five-day adventure through the Maroon Bells,
and Snowmass Wilderness outside Aspen, Colorado, and we experienced
conditions that were both unexpected and hazardous.
It was our essential gear that enabled us to enjoy the trip and cope
with the freezing weather and heavy snowfall. ..............................As
a rule of thumb, you want to pack lightly and take only what you need.
However,
when
confronted
with a difficult situation there are
certain items that should always be carried on any multi-day backpacking
trip. Here is my list of the 10 essentials. (Of course, if you take
regular backpacking trips, you should make your own list and share it
with the rest of your party. A little planning means less worries and
a better overall experience for everyone.)-----------------> More