Winter Season Activities & Operations Get Underway in Grand Tetons

The winter season officially begins Monday, December 15 in Grand Teton National Park and the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway (JDR Parkway). New this winter in the JDR Parkway is the availability of overnight lodging, dining, and saloon. These services will be provided by Headwaters Lodge & Cabins at Flagg Ranch from December 18 through March 2, 2015. In addition, the Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center will be closed through March 1, 2015. In the absence of a winter visitor center, park staff will be available to answer questions and provide park information by phone at 307.739.3399, Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

An alternative for winter visitor information about the greater Jackson Hole area—including Grand Teton and the JDR Parkway—is the Jackson Hole and Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center on North Cache Street in Jackson, Wyoming. This interagency visitor center is open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and offers educational and interactive displays that highlight the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and its many features. Wintering elk can be observed on the nearby National Elk Refuge from a wildlife observation deck equipped with spotting scopes. Click here for more information.

Ranger-led snowshoe hikes begin Saturday, December 2 7 from Taggart Lake trailhead on the Teton Park Road, three miles north of the park's Moose HQ campus. The snowshoe tours take place at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday each week. The two-hour guided walks offer an opportunity to learn about snow science and winter ecology. Previous experience is not necessary, and snowshoes are available for a rental fee of $5 for adults and $2 for children, 8 years or older. Reservations are required and can be made at 307.739.3399.

A Single Day Pass is available to winter visitors at the Moose, Moran and Granite Canyon entrance stations. This winter-season permit allows a one-day entry into Grand Teton at a cost of $5 per vehicle. The single day pass is valid only in Grand Teton and cannot be used for entry into Yellowstone. Winter visitors may choose to purchase one of the following other options for entry:

$25 Seven-day Pass valid for single vehicle entry into Grand Teton and Yellowstone
$50 Grand Teton/Yellowstone Annual Pass valid for one year entry into both parks
$80 Interagency Annual Pass valid for one year entry to all federal land management fee areas

Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are popular winter activities. Most winter trails are skier tracked, but not groomed. The Teton Park Road becomes a backcountry trail in winter and is open to non-mechanized use only. In past winters, grooming operations on the Teton Park Road have been intermittent due to budget and personnel limitations. During winter 2015, however, this winter trail will be machine groomed from Taggart Lake parking area to Signal Mountain for cross-country and skate skiing twice a week thanks to generous support from the Grand Teton National Park Foundation. Grooming will take place each Friday, and whenever weather and staffing allows on Mondays. For trail condition updates, phone 307.739.3682. Important reminder: Snowshoers should walk adjacent to the groomed ski trail, as snowshoe treads ruin the grooved track set for skier use.

Skiers and snowshoers are not restricted to established trails. However for protection of wildlife, park visitors are required to observe the following public closures during winter:

Closed December 1 to April 1—Static Peak, Prospectors Mountain and Mount Hunt (see the park's cross-country ski brochure for area descriptions).

Closed December 15 to April 1— Snake River floodplain from Moran to Menor's Ferry near Moose, Buffalo Fork River floodplain within the park, Kelly Hill and Uhl Hill.

To obtain maps and closure locations, click here.

Backcountry users and mountaineers planning to stay overnight in the park must get a camping permit before their trip. Permits are not required for day users. Winter camping permits can be obtained in person at the front desk of the park's HQ building in Moose Monday—Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. During weekends and holidays, persons wishing to get a permit must call 307.739.3301. A general permit info line (307.739.3309) will be staffed Monday—Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This line will not be staffed on weekends or holidays, and only voice messages will be accepted.

To obtain weather forecasts and backcountry avalanche hazard information, click here, or phone the avalanche hotline at 307.733.2664.

Leashed pets are allowed on the park's plowed roads and turnouts, the unplowed Moose-Wilson Road, and the Grassy Lake Road. Pets are not allowed in the backcountry, which includes all other park areas beyond the plowed roadways.The unplowed Teton Park Road (TPR) is open to visitors who wish to walk, snowshoe or ski with their leashed pet. Dogs are restricted to the TPR, and must be restrained at all times on a leash no longer than 6-feet in length. Dogs must also be leashed while in the parking areas at Taggart Lake or Signal Mountain. Please keep dogs off the groomed ski tracks as a courtesy to other trail users.

Dog sleds are not allowed on the Teton Park Road or on Grassy Lake Road in the JDR Parkway.

Snowmobilers may use the frozen surface of Jackson Lake for the purposes of ice fishing only. A Wyoming State fishing license and appropriate fishing gear must be in possession. On Jackson Lake, snowmobiles must meet National Park Service requirements for Best Available Technology (BAT). Before operating a snowmobile, review approved BAT machines here.

Snowmobiles may also use the Grassy Lake Road in the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway. The BAT machine requirement does not apply to snowmobile access on Grassy Lake Road between Headwaters Lodge & Cabins at Flagg Ranch and the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. For more information on snowmobiling, click here. New this year, Flagg Ranch Company will have a limited number of snowmobiles to rent for use on the Grassy Lake Road.

For complete information about winter activities in Grand Teton National Park or the JDR Parkway click here. Visitors can also obtain information on the park's website or through the information line at 307.739.3399, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday.



Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
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HikingintheSmokys.com

Opening Dates for Grand Teton & JDR Parkway

Grand Teton National Park officials have announced the opening dates for seasonally operated facilities and roads in the Park and on the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway. The dates are as follows:  

Roads
* Teton Park Road -- May 1
* Grassy Lake Road -- June 1; remaining snow drifts may limit access
* Moose-Wilson -- Open when snow melts naturally
* Death Canyon -- Open when snow melts naturally
* Signal Mountain Summit -- Open when snow melts naturally
* Schwabachers Landing -- Closed for 2013
* Spaulding Bay -- Closed for 2013
* Two Ocean Lake -- Closed for 2013

 Paved multi-use pathways will be fully accessible for use as remaining snow melts.  

Visitor Centers
* Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center -- Open
* Colter Bay Visitor Center -- May 11
* Jenny Lake Visitor Center -- June 1
* Laurance S. Rockefeller (LSR) Preserve Center -- June 1
* Flagg Ranch Information Station -- Closed for 2013

Two facilities that would have remained closed as a result of automatic across-the-board budget cuts under sequestration will now be open thanks to collaboration with park partners. For this year only, Grand Teton Association has agreed to help fund operation of the Jenny Lake Visitor Center through revenue from their book sales; and Jackson Hole Preserve, Inc., which holds an endowment for the LSR Preserve, has established a singular grant to provide funding to operate the LSR Preserve Center in 2013. This grant was made with the understanding that it is a one-time gesture. Both facilities will operate with a shorter season and reduced hours.  

Campgrounds * Gros Ventre -- May 3
* Signal Mountain -- May 10
* Jenny Lake -- May 10
* Colter Bay -- May 23
* Colter Bay RV Park -- May 23
* Headwaters Campground & RV Sites -- June 1
* Lizard Creek -- June 7

Backcountry campsite reservations may be made until May 15 with a $25 non-refundable fee. Reservations can be made online at www.nps.gov/grte/, by fax at 307.739.3438, or by mail to Grand Teton National Park, Backcountry Permits, and PO Box 170, Moose, WY 83012. After May 15, all backcountry site permits are issued on a first-come, first-served basis.  

Lodging
* Signal Mountain Lodge -- May 10
* Jackson Lake Lodge -- May 20
* Colter Bay Cabins -- May 23
* Triangle X Ranch -- May 24
* Jenny Lake Lodge -- June 1
* Headwaters Lodge & Cabins at Flagg Ranch -- June 1  

Entrance Stations
The Moose, Moran and Granite Canyon entrance stations are open. Fee options include:
* $12 for a 7-day permit to enter by foot/bicycle into Grand Teton & Yellowstone national parks
* $20 for a 7-day permit to enter by motorcycle into Grand Teton & Yellowstone national parks
* $25 for a 7-day permit to enter by vehicle into Grand Teton & Yellowstone national parks
* $50 for a Grand Teton/Yellowstone Annual Pass valid for one-year entry into both parks
* $80 for an Interagency Annual Pass valid for one year entry to all fee areas on federal lands

Bicyclists are reminded that they must stop and show an entry pass before proceeding through the gates, just as vehicles are required to do. An automated self-serve machine is located on the multi-use pathway adjacent to the Moose Entrance Station. People traveling on the pathway by foot, bike, or rollerblade will be required to stop and pay $12 for a 7-day entry permit, or have a valid pass in possession. Personal identification is required with any pass that requires a signature.

For additional information about activities and services within Grand Teton National Park or the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway, please visit www.nps.gov/grte, stop by any visitor center, or call 307.739.3300.



Jeff
Hiking in Glacier National Park