Driving through America�s National Parks

The Teton Mountains

After two days of much needed rest in Salt Lake City, Utah, we resumed our journey on August 14 for the five-hour drive to Jackson Hole, a quaint mountain resort in Wyoming and gateway to one of the most spectacular places in America _ the Teton Mountains.

From Salt Lake City we drove up north via the nondescript semi-arid landscape of Northern Utah, potato fields and Snake River Valley of Idaho, and then eastward cutting across the picturesque Targhee National Forest of the Teton Mountain Range. The highest point along the drive was Taylor Mountain at 10,350 feet. As we neared Jackson Hole, the elevation dropped from 8,500 to 6,300 feet over a distance of less than a mile.

On the morning of August 15, we departed for the Teton National Park, located 13 miles north of Jackson Hole where we stayed overnight. We were bowled over by the splendor of the Teton Mountains before even we entered the park.

The saw-toothed mountain range, overlooking a valley bisected by the Snake River, rose from the valley floor through the steep conifer forests into alpine meadows past white glaciers to naked granite pinnacles. The monolith nature of the pyramid-shaped mountains with sharply notched craggy peaks accented by deep U-shaped glaciated canyons is truly a sight to behold.

Rising more than 7,000 feet above the valley with peaks covered in snow most of the year, the Tetons make one of the boldest geologic statements in the Rockies.  

The Tetons are a fault-block mountain range carved from a segment of the Earth’s crust that has been uplifted along a fault. The range began rising about 10 million years ago when numerous earthquakes, up to a magnitude 7.5, released tension along the fault building the mountains one step at a time.
Although earthquakes have built the Teton Mountains, it is glaciers that gave them much of their unique character. Over time they covered the mountains and slowly crunched their way down the slopes, carving the characteristic U-shaped canyons. Melting as they reached the bottom, these glaciers deposited enormous quantities of rock and debris into accumulations known as moraines. When the glaciers receded after the last Ice Age, they left behind a string of crystal clear, jewel-like lakes—Phelps, Jenny, Leigh, Sting and Jackson—along the eastern base of the mountains. There are some remnant glaciers that adorn the higher peaks of the mountains.

The Grand, Middle and South Tetons, referred to as the Cathedral Group, form the heart of the range. The two principal summits are the Grand Teton at 13,772 feet and Mount Moran at 12,605 feet with both anchored 24,000 feet below the surface. Their neighbours, Mount Owen and Teewinot (Shoshone Native American word meaning “many pinnacles”) Mountain are no less imposing. Unencumbered by foothills, the mountains stand mighty and tall.

Strategically placed overlooks by the scenic drive gave us many unique and different perspectives of these pulse pounding “undecaying monuments” of the Earth. To get to most of the overlooks we had to drive past Jackson Lake or Jenny Lake. Jackson offers outstanding reflection of the Grand Teton while Jenny is vibrant with wildflower meadows.

A five mile climb through a narrow road took us to the Signal Mountain Overlook. From there we had a panoramic view of the Teton Mountain Range and Jackson Lake. The Snake River Overlook allowed us to truly grasp how impressive the Teton Mountains are.Renowned American photographer Ansel Adams immortalised Mount Teton with his memorable photos taken from this overlook.

We also stopped at the most photographed place in the entire park _ the Oxbow Bend Turnout, named after the oxbow-shaped bend in the Snake River. The overlook provided a magnificent view of Mount Moran, with the glacier visible in one of the canyons.

The Snake River, having begun its journey in southern Yellowstone, winds leisurely past the Teton Mountains on its way to Idaho. The wetlands along the braided sections of the river support a cornucopia of wildlife, most notably moose, elk, beavers, trumpeter swans, sandhill cranes, Canada geese and all sorts of ducks. The meadows were painted with wildflowers _ blue lupine, red gilia, dark-brown western coneflower and columbine.  

As noted by the American environmentalist John Muir, “Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; wilderness is a necessity.”  

The Teton Mountains, a masterpiece of nature, is indeed a retreat for the tired souls. Their unsurpassed sublime beauty inspires a deep sense of admiration.

The writer is Professor of Physics at Fordham University, New York.

Driving through America�s National Parks

The Teton Mountains

After two days of much needed rest in Salt Lake City, Utah, we resumed our journey on August 14 for the five-hour drive to Jackson Hole, a quaint mountain resort in Wyoming and gateway to one of the most spectacular places in America _ the Teton Mountains. From Salt Lake City we drove up north via the nondescript semi-arid landscape of Northern Utah, potato fields and Snake River Valley of Idaho, and then eastward cutting across the picturesque Targhee National Forest of the Teton Mountain Range. The highest point along the drive was Taylor Mountain at 10,350 feet. As we neared Jackson Hole, the elevation dropped from 8,500 to 6,300 feet over a distance of less than a mile. On the morning of August 15, we departed for the Teton National Park, located 13 miles north of Jackson Hole where we stayed overnight. We were bowled over by the splendor of the Teton Mountains before even we entered the park. The saw-toothed mountain range, overlooking a valley bisected by the Snake River, rose from the valley floor through the steep conifer forests into alpine meadows past white glaciers to naked granite pinnacles. The monolith nature of the pyramid-shaped mountains with sharply notched craggy peaks accented by deep U-shaped glaciated canyons is truly a sight to behold. Rising more than 7,000 feet above the valley with peaks covered in snow most of the year, the Tetons make one of the boldest geologic statements in the Rockies. The Tetons are a fault-block mountain range carved from a segment of the Earths crust that has been uplifted along a fault. The range began rising about 10 million years ago when numerous earthquakes, up to a magnitude 7.5, released tension along the fault building the mountains one step at a time. Although earthquakes have built the Teton Mountains, it is glaciers that gave them much of their unique character. Over time they covered the mountains and slowly crunched their way down the slopes, carving the characteristic U-shaped canyons. Melting as they reached the bottom, these glaciers deposited enormous quantities of rock and debris into accumulations known as moraines. When the glaciers receded after the last Ice Age, they left behind a string of crystal clear, jewel-like lakesPhelps, Jenny, Leigh, Sting and Jacksonalong the eastern base of the mountains. There are some remnant glaciers that adorn the higher peaks of the mountains. The Grand, Middle and South Tetons, referred to as the Cathedral Group, form the heart of the range. The two principal summits are the Grand Teton at 13,772 feet and Mount Moran at 12,605 feet with both anchored 24,000 feet below the surface. Their neighbours, Mount Owen and Teewinot (Shoshone Native American word meaning many pinnacles) Mountain are no less imposing. Unencumbered by foothills, the mountains stand mighty and tall. Strategically placed overlooks by the scenic drive gave us many unique and different perspectives of these pulse pounding undecaying monuments of the Earth. To get to most of the overlooks we had to drive past Jackson Lake or Jenny Lake. Jackson offers outstanding reflection of the Grand Teton while Jenny is vibrant with wildflower meadows. A five mile climb through a narrow road took us to the Signal Mountain Overlook. From there we had a panoramic view of the Teton Mountain Range and Jackson Lake. The Snake River Overlook allowed us to truly grasp how impressive the Teton Mountains are.Renowned American photographer Ansel Adams immortalised Mount Teton with his memorable photos taken from this overlook. We also stopped at the most photographed place in the entire park _ the Oxbow Bend Turnout, named after the oxbow-shaped bend in the Snake River. The overlook provided a magnificent view of Mount Moran, with the glacier visible in one of the canyons. The Snake River, having begun its journey in southern Yellowstone, winds leisurely past the Teton Mountains on its way to Idaho. The wetlands along the braided sections of the river support a cornucopia of wildlife, most notably moose, elk, beavers, trumpeter swans, sandhill cranes, Canada geese and all sorts of ducks. The meadows were painted with wildflowers _ blue lupine, red gilia, dark-brown western coneflower and columbine. As noted by the American environmentalist John Muir, Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; wilderness is a necessity. The Teton Mountains, a masterpiece of nature, is indeed a retreat for the tired souls. Their unsurpassed sublime beauty inspires a deep sense of admiration. The writer is Professor of Physics at Fordham University, New York.