Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the Greater Yellowstone area. Their experts provide classes and programs to engage every
type of learner from small children to adults. The courses focus on everything from ecology
and geology to unique plant and animal life. Even if you only plan to be in the park for a
day or two, visit their website to see what is being offered. Regular programs can include
hikes, campfires, canoe tours, and wildlife viewing. The school also offers renowned
wild-
life expeditions
(877/404-6626). These can be half-day, full-day, or multiple-day guided
tours with professional wildlife biologists, who provide you with an up-close and unique
opportunity to experience the natural wonders of the park.
Despite the fact that every square inch of Grand Teton National Park is at or above 6,400
feet in elevation, there is a remarkable diversity of both plant and animal life in the three
main growing zones and four distinct habitat regions. Throughout the short but sublime
summer, the valleys are awash in colorful wildflowers. And although animals aren't quite
as visible as they are in the vast open spaces or burned-out forests of Yellowstone, wildlife
watchers will have terrific opportunities in the park.
All three of Grand Teton's growing zones—alpine, subalpine, and valley—fall between
6,400 feet and 13,770 feet in elevation, meaning harsh climates and a short growing season.
Still, there are upward of 1,000 species of vascular plants in the park. Porous soil allows
for an abundance of colorful wildflowers. And even in the high reaches of the mountains,
delicate jewels like alpine forget-me-nots grow close to the ground in mats.
Because of the short growing season, the vast majority of trees in the park are con-
ifers—like Yellowstone, lodgepole pine is the most common tree—but aspens and cotton-
woods have chlorophyll in the bark, allowing them to photosynthesize before putting out
leaves. As a result, Grand Teton National Park is illuminated in the fall by changing leaves.
Sagebrush is everywhere, lending an almost minty smell to the crisp air.
Along with Yellowstone, Grand Teton National Park is a critical part of the more than
11-million-acre Greater Yellowstone ecosystem, considered one of the last nearly intact
temperate ecosystems on earth. As such, it provides critical home habitat and migratory
routes for a number of species.
The park's four main habitat types are alpine, sagebrush, forest, and aquatic. The alpine
habitat, above 10,000 feet, is home to some of the park's hardiest creatures: yellow-bel-
lied marmots, pikas, and bighorn sheep. In the ubiquitous sagebrush areas, with more than
100 species of grasses and wildflowers, wildlife watchers can look for pronghorn, coyotes,
bison, badgers, elk, and Uinta ground squirrels. While not as easy to explore, the park's for-
