Grand Teton [Wyoming] National ParkUnited States. Department of the Interior
History
Grand Teton [Wyoming] National Park
United States. Department of the Interior
Grand Teton National Park (Wyo.)
The Grand Teton National Park is located in the interior of a vast
mountain region, and its avenues of approach are, of necessity, through
canyons and passes. These approaches are themselves of great interest
and beauty, and afford magnificent distant views of the Teton Range. The
country traversed is rich in associations of the Old West and contains
numerous historic shrines which deserve the attention of the passing
traveler.
The north approach, from Yellowstone Park by United States Highway No.
287, passes over the Continental Divide just a few miles south of West
Thumb, and in leaving the Yellowstone Plateau follows the course of
Lewis River. In the dense forests along this wilderness stream there are
opportunities to see big game, such as elk, deer, moose, and bears.
Descending into Jackson Hole, the highway skirts the east shore of
Jackson Lake, and the view of the distant Tetons, rising from the far
shore of the lake, is one the traveler will not soon forget. At this
distance they glisten in delicate blue and white, so sharp they seem
actually to bristle.
The west approach, from Salt Lake City and points farther west, leaves
United States Highways Nos. 91 and 191 at Idaho Falls or Sugar City,
Idaho, traverses historic Teton Basin, the "Pierres Hole" of the early
trappers, and passes over Teton Pass, elevation 8,429 feet, to the town
of Jackson, which lies in the south end of Jackson Hole about 15 miles
south of Teton Park headquarters. This approach is the only one from
which the three Tetons, noted landmarks of a century ago, stand out
prominently, and the view of this trio is highly impressive. No less
spectacular is the panorama of Jackson Hole revealed as one reaches the
summit of Teton Pass. Undoubtedly the Teton Pass view is the finest to
be had of this basin from any point on the highways.
The south approach, from Evanston, Kemmerer, Rock Springs, and other
towns in southern Wyoming, follows United States Highway No. 187 or US
89, and avoids all high mountain passes, entering Jackson Hole by way of
the Hoback Canyon. This road does not open up glimpses of the Tetons
until one is well into Jackson Hole, but it affords excellent views of
the snow-clad Wind River Range. Strung along its course is a series of
interesting monuments marking such historic spots as the site of Fort
Bonneville, founded in 1832; the location of the fur trappers'
rendezvous of 1824; the grave of John Hoback, guide to the early
expedition known as "the Astorians"; and similar interesting places. At
a point called "Names Hill", between Kemmerer and Tulsa, Wyo., can be
seen names and dates as old as the 1820's carved in sandstone by the
early trappers and travelers in this region.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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