WINTER 2020/2021 TETON OF THE STEWARDS NEWSLETTERNEWSLETTER OF THE GRANDGRAND TETONTETON NATIONAL NATIONAL PARK PARK FOUNDATION FOUNDATION Photo: Brad Schwarm/Alpenglowtours.com GRAND TETON RENEWS HISTORIC CREST TRAIL “The linking together of the Cascade and Death canyon trails, at their heads, took place on October 1, 1933, and marked the first step in the realization of a plan whereby the hiker will be enabled to visit the most fascinating region…In traversing this loop, one completely encircles the three Tetons and adjacent high peaks, viewing them from all sides. In this way one learns to know these peaks with an intimacy impossible to the visitor who contents himself with distant views. No more thrilling mountain trip can be found in all America than that over the newly-completed loop of the Teton Skyline Trail.” –FRITIOFF FRYXELL, 1934. GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK’S FIRST RANGER AND TRAIL VISIONARY. he almost ninety-year-old trail Trail, the iconic route is marked by “To be a member of the CCC back that travels through the high high mountain passes, rugged terrain, in the thirties would have been both country of Grand Teton National and unforgettable views. It was greatly rewarding and also extremely TPark provides a once-in-a-lifetime ex- completed in 1933 by the Civilian humbling,” Grand Teton Assistant perience for those with the grit to get Conservation Corps and has wel- Trail Crew Supervisor Corey Kruse there. Initially called the Skyline Trail comed hikers, backpackers, and said. “It’s mind blowing to think how and now known as the Teton Crest horsemen every summer since then. much time was spent just getting “One of the memorable things for me was the amount of gratitude we received from almost every hiker on Hurricane Pass.” –TRAIL CREW MEMBER– Park crew members complete drystone masonry and trail regrading on the path that leads to Hurricane Pass. Photos: Teton Hiker–Wade McKoy, Trail Crew–NPS supplies and equipment to isolated The main objective was to reestablish Work along the Teton Crest Trail is locations, and that was just the a sustainable path in this technical slated to continue next summer in beginning. They had to find the best area. Crews etched a new three-foot- the south fork of Cascade Canyon route, complete challenging manual wide trail in the bedrock, creating a and at Paintbrush Divide. labor to build every foot of trail, and stable surface for both stock and foot keep going on and on in what had trac. They constructed drystone To learn more about the Foundation’s to seem like an endless expanse of retaining walls and erosion control support of trails in Grand Teton, rugged alpine terrain.” structures, and also regraded a major contact Molly Rue at 307-732-0629 GRAND TETON RENEWS portion of the pathway, ensuring the or [email protected]. Limited by a short work season (it’s route is safe and accessible. only snow free for a few weeks each HISTORIC CREST TRAIL summer) and complicated logistics “One of the memorable things for 2020 Accomplishments: of getting tools and supplies to the me was the amount of gratitude we high elevation job sites, the Crest Trail received from almost every hiker on • Removed 18,450 pounds “The linking together of the Cascade and Death canyon trails, at their heads, took place on October 1, 1933, has remained largely untouched by Hurricane Pass,” Trail Crew Member of bedrock and marked the first step in the realization of a plan whereby the hiker will be enabled to visit the most the park’s maintenance crews for Matt Noble said. “People were very fascinating region…In traversing this loop, one completely encircles the three Tetons and adjacent decades—until this summer. excited to see the improvements • Built 87 square feet of drystone retaining wall high peaks, viewing them from all sides. In this way one learns to know these peaks with an intimacy we had made, first time hikers and Hurricane Pass is the first renewal Teton Crest Trail veterans alike.” impossible to the visitor who contents himself with distant views. No more thrilling mountain trip can be site along the route. Sitting at 10,400 • Regraded 176 linear feet found in all America than that over the newly-completed loop of the Teton Skyline Trail.” feet, this alpine area experienced 2020 marked the beginning of a new of trail significant damage from rain and focus area for Grand Teton National –FRITIOFF FRYXELL, 1934. GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK’S FIRST RANGER AND TRAIL VISIONARY. snowmelt runo in recent years, Park Foundation to fund trail renewal • Constructed 25 new resulting in safety issues for hikers. throughout Grand Teton. Success of stone steps The park’s trail crew completed three, past projects inspired the park and eight-day backcountry hitches at the Foundation to take a more holistic • Placed 11 new water bars work site this past summer—meaning and long-term approach to improve they camped near ten thousand feet trails, allowing Grand Teton to be • Installed 3 new drystone for more than a week (three times) more strategic and execute projects culverts to complete the improvements. that seemed unreachable in the past. Message from President LESLIE MATTSON hat a year it has been. The pandemic forced all of us to re-evaluate what is most important and, based on what we saw in Grand Teton this summer and fall, visiting our nation’s public lands is a priority for many people in our country. Connecting with nature Wbrings hope, and we are all lucky to have the opportunity to experience the park’s incredible scenery and impressive wildlife both in person and from afar. Changing patterns in visitor use engage diverse youth, and preserve about the interagency collabo- and limited sta ng caused a variety cultural resources. In a time when ration. In addition, we will fund of challenges for our partner many things were uncertain, our regular grooming of the Teton Park during the last several months. supporters’ generosity had an Road and a team of volunteers to The Foundation’s support created extraordinary impact. help orient and educate cross outcomes that would not have been country skiers, snowshowers, possible without private philan- As the winter season begins and and walkers. thropy. We enabled volunteers to interest in exploring the outdoors extend the reach of park rangers by continues, we look forward to On behalf of the entire team at educating people about resource helping our partner address chal- the Foundation, it is a privilege protection and safety. We ensured lenges by funding projects that to partner for the conservation the Jenny Lake Rangers—the park’s promote responsible recreation. of this park and contribute to its search and rescue team—had the We will support a park avalanche preservation for future generations. training and equipment to respond forecaster for the third year in a We could not accomplish all we to backcountry emergencies. ro w. With a likely increase in do without passionate people like We improved the experience at use due to restraints on local ski you. Thank you for your support popular destinations like Jenny and resorts, this position is a tremen- and encouragement! String lakes. We provided housing dous asset to backcountry skiers for seasonal employees. And we and riders in Grand Teton. See Leslie Mattson continued critical work to protect the article in the pages of this wildlife and natural resources, newsletter for more information President Photo: Flo McCall Photos: Ryan Sheets, Diana Stratton, and NPS Monitored Grand Teton’s 11 alpine glaciers to provide insight into glacier 2020 dynamics, ice loss, temporal change, and potential future conditions under climate HIGHLIGHTS change Directly supported Grand Teton National Park with from donors $6,378,495 1,689 Transferred the Moulton to enable high-impact programs and projects. Ranch Cabins to Grand Teton, Highlights include: allowing the Mormon Row Historic District to be preserved in its entirety while also pro- Collected 142,290 viding much-needed seasonal locations from 66 collared workforce housing hat a year it has been. The pandemic forced all of us to re-evaluate what is most mule deer along migration routes, on summer ranges, important and, based on what we saw in Grand Teton this summer and fall, visiting our and throughout winter ranges Educated countless park nation’s public lands is a priority for many people in our country. Connecting with nature to help provide insight into visitors about resource pro- their seasonal movements tection and safety through 3 brings hope, and we are all lucky to have the opportunity to experience the park’s incredible across the park and Greater programs—Wildlife Brigade, Yellowstone Ecosystem String Lakers, and Snake River scenery and impressive wildlife both in person and from afar. Ambassadors—whose volun- teers contributed thousands of Launched the first hours of their time year of construction at Pacific Creek as part of our Snake River Gateways campaign that is improving 1,152 hours access and addressing Recorded of cutthroat trout utilizing resource degradation along key spawning habitat, the river in the park allowing Grand Teton to better understand the population of this native fish in park waters Installed 41 bear-resistant food storage boxes in camp- grounds and picnic areas to protect both bears and visitors Groomed the 14-mile stretch of road between Taggart Lake Trailhead and Signal Mountain Lodge 30 times Introduced park service during winter for Nordic skiers, careers to 15 college students snowshoers, and walkers to through NPS Academy enjoy this