The official newspaper of Grand Teton National Park & Grand Teton Guide John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Winter 2016-2017 (November–April) Parkway Native American tribes refined their designs winter conditions—skis and snowshoes were Winter in the Tetons by fashioning beautifully laced snowshoes that invaluable tools. The oldest pair in our collection Grand Teton National Park feels like a different caught the eye of European settlers. The historic dates back to 1943! The snowshoes’ history is not place in winter. The pace is slower, the snow- snowshoes used on the park’s ranger-guided well known leaving many unanswered questions. covered mountains seem larger and the whole snowshoe walks reflect these ancient designs. Were these snowshoes ever used in combat? Were park feels quieter. A great way to experience the they used by local area soldiers recruited for their park is on skis or snowshoes. Even if you have skills in the mountains? We will never know, but never been on snowshoes before, you can join a it’s fun to wonder. ranger-guided snowshoe walk for a fun-filled and educational experience! Join a ranger-guided snowshoe walk to While many of us travel over snow for recreation, experience these skiing and snowshoeing were once key to winter unusual snowshoes survival. The oldest known snowshoes—found for yourself. Or, head in the Italian Dolomites—are almost 6,000 out on your own and Some of the park’s historic snowshoes likely came years old! Many different cultures probably enjoy the experience from the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division. developed snowshoes around the same time of winter in Grand During and after World War II, soldiers from the to allow traveling and hunting during winter. Teton National Park. 10th trained for combat in mountain areas and Winter Wildlife Winter poses challenges for all wildlife. Snow buries food, temperatures plummet and traveling through Safe Wildlife Viewing Winter Closures deep snow is difficult and tiring. Wildlife survive the • Keep your distance and never approach. To protect wildlife during this stressful season, the park closes key habitat areas to all travel. harsh winter by adapting. Some animals migrate, some • Use binoculars for better viewing. hibernate and some • Areas around Snake River, Buffalo Fork River & Kelly • Obey speed limits: Wildlife may be near the roadway. simply endure. Enjoy Warm Springs: December 15–March 31 watching the wildlife • Feeding wildlife is prohibited and dangerous. • Summits of Mount Hunt, Prospectors Mountain & in the park, but be Static Peak: December 1–March 31 respectful and don’t add Keep Your Distance More Information page 4 to their challenges. For your safety and theirs, never approach wildlife and back away if needed. Did You Know? Bears usually hibernate from December into March— timing varies on weather and 25 yards (23 m) 100 yards (91 m) food. International Visitors Contact Information Snowshoe Walk • Des renseignements en Français sont disponibles Website www.nps.gov/grte Experience winter in Grand aux centres des visiteurs dans le parc. Facebook www.facebook.com/GrandTetonNPS Teton National Park. Join a ranger for a Lost & Found www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/lost-found.htm guided snowshoe walk. Walks offered, late • Sie konnen Informationen auf Deutsch in den December through mid-March, conditions Besucherzentren bekommen. EMERGENCY . 911 permitting. See page 2. • Se puede conseguir información en Español en el Centro Park Dispatch .......................................307-739-3301 del Visitante. Contents Visitor Information ...................................307-739-3300 • 国立公園案内の日本語版が各公園内のビジターセン Weather . 307-739-3611 ターでご利用できます Trip Planning and Safety . 2 Road Conditions . 307-739-3682 • 您可以在游客中心免费领取中文版《大提顿国家公园游 Concessioners ...................... 2 览指南》 Bridger-Teton National Forest Avalanche Center .............307-733-2664 Go Digital ......................... 3 Snowshoe Hike Reservations/Information (10 am–4 pm, M–Sa) ..307-739-3399 Partners. 3 Accessibility information available at visitor centers Backcountry Permit Information .........................307-739-3309 Park Map .......................... 4 and on the Grand Teton website: www.nps.gov/grte. TTY/TDD Emergency Calls Only ..........................307-739-3301 Publication of the Grand Teton Guide made possible through the generous support of the Grand Teton Association. Make the Most of Your Winter Park Visit Average Weather Moose, WY 1958-2013 Average Average Average Average Month High Temp Low Temp Snowfall Snow Depth January 26.1 °F 0.9 °F 43.1 in. 27 in. February 31.0 °F 3.2 °F 28.7 in. 33 in. March 39.4 °F 12.1 °F 20.3 in. 30 in. April 49.3 °F 22.3 °F 9.5 in. 12 in. May 60.9 °F 30.8 °F 2.4 in. 0 in. June 70.7 °F 37.3 °F 0.1 in. 0 in. July 80.6 °F 41.6 °F 0 in. 0 in. August 79.2 °F 39.7 °F 0 in. 0 in. September 69.3 °F 32.1 °F 0.4 in. 0 in. October 55.7 °F 23.2 °F 4.7 in. 0 in. November 38.3 °F 13.6 °F 23.4 in. 4 in. VISITOR INFORMATION December 26.5 °F 1.8 °F 39.5 in. 16 in. From November 1, 2016 through March 5, 2017 all visitor centers in the park are closed. The Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center will reopen on March 6. For information, visit the park’s website: www.nps.gov/grte, or call 307-739-3399, Monday–Saturday, 10 am–4 pm. Safety and Regulations Activities FALL ELK REDUCTION SNOWBIKES & KITE-SKIING Congress authorized an elk reduction Snowbikes are NOT allowed for over- program in some areas of the park for herd snow travel. Kite-skiing is only allowed on RANGER-GUIDED SNOWSHOE When skiing or snowboarding, you are management when the park expanded the frozen surface of Jackson Lake. WALKS responsible for your own safety. If you in 1950. The reduction program ends on Are you curious about winter ecology or access the park from Jackson Hole Mountain December 11, 2016. Call 307-739-3399 for HOT SPRINGS snow science? Would you like to experience Resort, remember the park does not perform additional information. Soaking in pools where thermal waters the park in winter? A snowshoe walk with a avalanche hazard reduction work. Please originate is prohibited to protect resources. interpretive ranger is the perfect introduction check the map on page 4 for wildlife closures. WILDLIFE VIEWING Soaking in adjacent run-off streams is to winter in Grand Teton National Park and The Bridger-Teton National Forest Avalanche Maintain a distance of at least 100 allowed, provided they do not contain an snowshoe travel. The park offers a two-hour Center posts a daily avalanche forecast at: yards from bears and wolves, and 25 yards originating water source. These waters may guided snowshoe walk from the Taggart Lake www.jhavalanche.org or call 307-733-2664. from all other animals whether on foot harbor organisms that cause diseases. Trailhead Monday, Wednesday, Friday and or in your vehicle. Please obey all wildlife Saturday, at 1:30 pm beginning December WINTER CAMPING closures (see map on page 4). WINTER SAFETY 26th through mid-March (conditions Park campgrounds are closed during • Protect yourself. Know your permitting). Reservations required. Call 307- winter. Primitive winter camping is allowed PETS & SERVICE ANIMALS equipment and capabilities. 739-3399, 10 am–4 pm, Mon.–Sat. on the parking lot next to the Colter Bay Pets: During winter, pets are allowed • Ski or snowshoe in GROUPS. Visitor Center from December 1 to April 15. on plowed roadways and parking areas, Always tell someone your route, CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING & Pay $5 at the self-pay station by the restroom. and the unplowed portions of the Teton destination, and expected return time. SNOWSHOEING If your plans include backcountry camping, Park and Moose-Wilson roads. Pets must • HYPOTHERMIA is a common cause Experience the exhilaration of winter you must obtain a backcountry permit. For be restrained on a leash (6 feet or less) at all of human fatality in mountain country. on cross-country skis or snowshoes. more information, call 307-739-3309. times. Properly dispose of pet feces. Pets Carry extra clothing and dress to prevent From November 1 through April 30, 14 miles are not allowed in visitor centers, on ranger- hypothermia. Never leave a member of of the Teton Park Road from the Taggart SNOWMOBILING led activities or park trails. Pets are only your party alone. If anyone in your group Lake trailhead to Signal Mountain Lodge, is Snowmobile use is limited in Grand allowed in boats on Jackson Lake. begins to act or talk abnormally, have open for non-motorized use only (snowbikes Teton National Park to the frozen surface of Service Animals: Must assist with a them put on more clothing and drink prohibited). Thanks to the generous support Jackson Lake with approved snowmobiles disability and must be trained to perform warm liquids. Learn about treating of the Grand Teton National Park Foundation for ice fishing only. Snowmobiles are also tasks to aid with the disability. Dogs whose hypothermia before your trip. and the Nordic Alliance, the Teton Park allowed on the Grassy Lake Road in the John sole function is providing comfort or • Be prepared for sudden changes in the Road will be groomed approximately twice- D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway. For emotional support do not qualify as service WEATHER and SNOW. Conditions weekly from mid-December to mid-March more information, visit: www.nps.gov/grte/ animals under the ADA may vary considerably throughout the day (conditions permitting). Call 307-739-3682 planyourvisit/winter.htm. and with elevation. Check the weather for updates. Other places to enjoy winter FIREARMS forecast before you venture out, and activities include Colter Bay, Moose-Wilson FISHING Wyoming state regulations apply.