Grand Teton and its neighboring peaks in the Cathedral Group are the tallest mountains in the Teton Range. The Teton Range is the youngest mountain range in the Rockies and the Shoshone called the range Teewinot (many pinnacles). Six to nine million years ago, at the north-south Teton Fault, the west block thrusted upwards forming the Teton Range. The east block moved down forming Jackson Hole valley. Then, glaciers carved the alpine peaks of the Teton Range into classic pyramid shapes. Visit the park to admire the jagged and sharp shark’s teeth of Grand Teton’s iconic granite pinnacles.

MUST SEES

Grand Teton

Tallest of the Teton Range at 13,775’, Grand Teton towers 7,000’ above Jackson Hole. Hire a guide for 4 days, including 2 days of climbing school. On the first day, you gain 5,000’ in 7 miles. Summit day consists of 2,500’ of hiking and technical climbing.

Cunningham Cabin

John and Margaret Cunningham staked a claim for Bar Flying U Ranch near Jackson Hole. He built this dog-trot cabin using traditional Appalachian construction techniques. Yet the long winters was not ideal for cattle ranching.

Jenny Lake

Glaciers formed Jenny Lake 12,000 years ago. At the base of the Teton Range, many hiking trails and climbing routes to the tall peaks begin here. You can also take a scenic boat ride across Jenny Lake to Cascade Canyon.

Cathedral Group

The Cathedral Group includes the tallest mountains of the Teton Range, most above 12,000 feet. French fur trappers referred to Grand Teton, Middle Teton, and South Teton as “les trois tétons” (the three breasts).

Mount Moran

At 12,610, Mt. Moran is recognizable by its basalt intrusion. The Black Dike is a long vertical stripe of igneous rock. Getting to the top requires lots of planning. It involves canoeing across two lakes, bushwhacking, hiking, and technical climbing.

Hidden Falls

At the eastern end of Cascade Canyon, Hidden Falls drop 100 feet. You can take the Jenny Lake shuttle boat to shave 4 miles from the hike to the falls. After the boat ride, it’s just one-mile roundtrip to the waterfall.

Keep Exploring!

Africa | Antarctica | Asia | Australia | Caribbean | Europe | Middle East | North America | South America