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Grand Tetons National Park, Wyoming

Jan 18th, 2009 by earthspaces

The Tetons first received government protection in 1897 when Congress created the Teton Forest Reserve out of land not included in Yellowstone National Park. In 1929, the central peaks of the Teton Range and a half dozen lakes at their base officially became Grand Teton National Park. In the mid-1930s John D. Rockefeller, Jr. bought 35,000 acres of property next to the park. In 1943 the Jackson Hole National Monument was created with a 221,000 acre tract of valley lands around the Snake River. By 1950 the original 1929 park was united with the 1943 Jackson Hole National Monument to create the present day 485 square mile park. The Tetons, rising abruptly from the floor of the Snake River Valley, are fault block mountains with their origin about 13 million years ago. Elk and pronghorn antelope make annual migrations through the park. Moose are seen around the Snake River wetlands and mountain lakes. Black bear and grizzlies roam the mountain slopes and wooded lake shores. The park has five campgrounds with 200 miles of trails to explore. The Colter Bay Visitor Center houses an Indian Arts Museum. Music copyright 2008 by Maury Smith. Slideshow and photographs copyright 2008, Creative Juice LLC.