North to Jackson Hole - The Most Scenic Drives in America: 120 Spectacular Road Trips - page 352

bymountains (what19th-century trappers called ahole)that servesastheopeningcorridor
to Grand Teton National Park. Though Jackson is a welter of boutiques, galleries, and res-
taurants, it is a great base camp for the loop drive through Grand Teton National Park. Be
sure to make reservations for the busy summer season.
6. Jackson Hole Aerial Tram
An effortless alpine experience is provided by the aerial tram that in 10 minutes glides to
the summit of 10,450-foot Rendezvous Peak, offering a view north into the sharp-edged
tableau ofthe Tetons. The tram operates daily,late May throughSeptember,fromthe Jack-
son Hole Ski Resort off Rte. 22, west of Jackson.
7. National Elk Refuge
Earlyinthiscentury,JacksonHole'smajesticelkweredyingbythethousandsinbitter-cold
winters. Consequently,in 1912the federal government established a winter range forthou-
sandsofelk,which evolved intothis 25,000-acre refuge.Elkdotthesnowymeadows from
October to April or May but head for the higher elevations in summer. Rte. 89 skirts the
refuge's western boundary, often affording somewhat distant views of the antlered beasts.
For a closer look, buy tickets for a horse-drawn sleigh ride at the Jackson Hole & Greater
Yellowstone Visitor Center.
8. Gros Ventre Loop
For a lesson in the geologic history of Jackson Hole, take this 25-mile loop through a part
of Grand Teton National Park overlooked by most visitors. Turn east at Gros Ventre Junc-
tion, paralleling the Gros Ventre River to Kelly. One mile north of Kelly, turn east on the
narrow, winding road that leads through groves of white-barked aspen to the site of a re-
latively recent geologic cataclysm: the Gros Ventre Slide. In June 1925 a mile-long layer
of sandstone suddenly tore loose from Sheep Mountain and slid downhill, damming the
Gros Ventre River and forming Lower Slide Lake. Two years later a part of the lake burst
through its natural dam and sent a wall of water rushing downstream toward the town of
Kelly, which was virtually destroyed.