Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park is named for Grand Teton, the tallest mountain in the Teton Range.To get great views of the mountains we drove to the top of Signal Mountain.  Signal Mountain is an isolated summit standing 7,720 feet above sea level with sweeping views of the Teton Range, much of the northern Jackson Hole area as well as the Snake River.

Grand Teton National Park is an awe-inspiring mountain range stretching some 50-miles in length.  With beautiful peaks high overlooking the valley an great variety of wildflowers and wildlife its a wonderful place to visit.

Besides Grand Teton, the other most recognizable mountain in the park is Mt. Moran. This mountain is 12,605 feet in height and has a distinctive flat top, quite different from most other mountains in the range.

From the top of Signal Mountain we had great views from the top north over the Snake River. 

You will also see the Teton Range to the west.  Using our binoculars, Kathy and I both observed Elk walking and grazing along the range. 

If you click on this photo to enlarge it, you will see I also caught a bald eagle flying near our location.

This is a great example of Jackson Lake a beautiful alpine lake with crystal clear water, undisturbed shorelines and great surrounding flora.

One of the many comments made by park visitors is that the mountains seem to grow right out of the lakes as evident in this photo. 

The Cathedral Group

The easiest way to view the Cathedral Group is to visit the Cathedral Group Turnout, just north of Jenny Lake.

Rising above their surroundings, the pyramid peaks of the Cathedral Group of Grand Teton National Park contains most of the Teton Range’s tallest summits.

“More than any other erosional force, great Ice Age glaciers sculpted this mountain skyline. Today, a dozen glaciers flow from hollows cut by Ice Age giants. Teton Glacier, the largest in the park, lies below and northeast of the Grand Teton.”

“For a glacier to remain a constant size, snowfall at the top must equal melting at the bottom. More snowfall causes a glacier to advance, meaning to grow larger. Less snowfall results in retreat. At any size, to be called a glacier, snow fall compacted into ice must flow under the pull of gravity.”  You can see the glacier directly in the center of this photo.

Teton Village Aerial Tramway

Jackson Hole Aerial Tram is located in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and has become an iconic symbol of the town. Located at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, it takes people to the top of Rendezvous Mountain.

It can hold up to 100 people plus an operator.  Kathy thought the ride was smooth except when the tram traveled over the five support stanchions.  The car drops for just a moment.  Kind of makes you think?

This is what flying feels like. In 9 minutes, the Aerial Tram glides 4,139 vertical feet from the base of Teton Village to the top of Rendezvous Mountain. 

 

Kathy was a little reluctant about taking this tram all the way up to the 10,450 ft elevation but did it anyway. Proof to follow.... 

Take a jacket - it's cold up there.  As if the stunning views on the way up aren't cool enough, there is a cabin at the summit (Corbet's Cabin) that serves three different kinds of delicious waffles, hot chocolate, and some other snacks.  Kathy opted for the hot chocolate while I devoured an ice cream bar. 

The first tram started operation on July 31, 1966, while the current tram started operation on December 20, 2008. The current tram is 12,463 feet in length. Starting at an elevation of 6,311 feet, it takes passengers up to an elevation of 10,450 feet in approximately nine minutes.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words.  Here's the proof!  

With snow still around we were limited to the Top of the World walk, but the whole view was breathtaking. To the north is the Grand Teton, and the south the Wind River range.

 The summit offers a staggering 360-degree view of the Snake River Valley, Grand Teton National Park and the Gros Ventre Range in the distance.

Here we are starting our descent. Since our visit was in early June, we did not have to wait in any lines. Although I thought the price was a little expensive, I hear you can get discounts in local advertisements but the trip up to the top of the mountain was well worth our time and effort. 

You can see several dwellings along the road on the way down the mountain.  

Back at the bottom, we decided to check out the cabling, left of Kathy's hand.   Do not miss this attraction! Bring a camera and get ready for a fantastic time.