Classic with their craggy peaks of granite and gneiss, the Grand Tetons tower 7,000 feet over the valley below, which is already 6,400 feet above sea level. They are a perfect setting for hiking through canyons up to clear alpine lakes, or just contemplating nature's immensity.
Geologic History
The collision of tectonic plates that created the Tetons pushed up layers of sediment deposited 85 million years ago by a great inland sea on base layers of granite and gneiss, 2.5 and 2.7 billion years old, respectively.
Habitats
Spanning valley to high peaks, the park offers four habitats: alpine, coniferous forests, sagebrush flats and wetlands.
Mammals
Because of the parks diversity, 61 different species live within its boundaries. Typical mammals range from the moose, elk, deer and bison to more secretive grizzly and black bears, wolves and mountain lions to smaller creatures like pikas, marmots and ground squirrels with golden mantles.
Viewing Wildlife
Keep your distance from large animals and never get between a mother and child as you check out these recommended viewing spots: Oxbow Bend for river otters, ospreys, bald eagles and possibly moose and beavers; Timbered Island for pronghorn antelope and elk; Mormon Row for bison pronghorn, coyotes, Northern harriers and American kestrels; Snake River for elk, bison, eagles and blue herons.
Hiking
Hikes range in difficulty from an easy lakeside loops around Jenny Lake and then on to a Cascade Canyon hike that ranges from easy to moderate up to Hidden Falls and on to moderate-strenuous to strenuous for striking mountain views, and even farther for the Schoolroom Glacier.
Scenic Drives
With the proviso that you keep your eyes open for large mammals, three roads offer panoramic views without having to do more than look out a window or step out of the car at a turnout: Teton Park Road along the base of the Teton Range, Jenny Lake Scenic Drive and Signal Mountain Summit Road up 800 feet to sweeps of mountains, valley, and Jackson Lake.
Tags: from easy, granite gneiss, Jenny Lake
