Archive 2019 · I need advice for Grand Teton NP

Perreault
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · I need advice for Grand Teton NP

Hello,

I have never been to Grand Teton National Park. In January, 2 years ago, I spent a week in Yellowstone and loved it.
I am a passionate wildlife photographer.

Next week, I have five days of vacation and I have nothing planned.

I am thinking of flying and staying into Jackson Hole, renting a 4X4 and driving in the park everyday. Trying to shoot Bisons, Elks, Moose, Owls and landscape.

If you know the area, what do you think of my plan? How is driving in the park in winter? How easy would it be to find wildlife if I don't know the area? Do you have favorite spots to recommend? What are the best areas in the park for wildlife photography? How crowded is the park in march? How is the weather at this time of year?

Any advice will greatly be appreciated.
Thanks.

Yves

Mar 04, 2019 at 11:16 PM

morris
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · I need advice for Grand Teton NP

Hi Yves,

I suggest you visit the National Elk Refuge which is in Jackson Hole. Grand Teton's roads are lower than Yellowstone and some should be open. Stunning place, have a great time.

Morris

Mar 05, 2019 at 07:26 AM

Orogeny
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · I need advice for Grand Teton NP

Go to the website below, sign up (optional but recommended) and scroll down to the Daily Journals. Click on the most recent and you will see what is going on in Jackson and the Tetons. Mike Jackson is a fantastic photographer who lives in Jackson and he posts new stuff every day.

https://www.bestofthetetons.com

Tim

Mar 05, 2019 at 09:55 AM

stanparker
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · I need advice for Grand Teton NP

Have never been in Winter, so don't know about roads. That said, my most reliable place for moose over several trips has been the Moose Junction to Wilson road. Have seen one to three moose every time. They will be other places, too, but do try this road if it's open.

Mar 05, 2019 at 03:57 PM

Mike R Jackson
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · I need advice for Grand Teton NP

Some of the roads are closed during Winter months, and some areas of the river bottoms are closed. There are a few bison hanging around near Kelly, but most are already on the National Elk Refuge. Bighorns are staying high on the windblown slopes this year. Elk are easy if you take the Elk Refuge Sleigh Rides. Deer and Moose have lost their antlers, but can be found. Eagles and Swans are fairly common during the winter. Lakes are frozen (no reflection shots) but still pretty.

This page will let you know what I have been seeing in March.

https://www.bestofthetetons.com/2019/03/01/march-2019-daily-journal-for-gtnp-jh/

Cheers,
Mike Jackson

Mar 05, 2019 at 06:33 PM

Perreault
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · I need advice for Grand Teton NP

Thank you gentlemen for the information.

Mar 05, 2019 at 10:08 PM

bflood
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · I need advice for Grand Teton NP

The park closes some roads in winter - the park's website has the specifics: https://www.nps.gov/grte/index.htm

Also, the visitor centers are closed as well. The only way down to Schwabacher's Landing is to walk, and how difficult that might be depends on this year's snow depth. They typically do NOT keep the Snake River Overlook cleared, either - I've literally worked my way through waist deep snow to get to a shooting position in years gone by.

The Elk Refuge takes all comers, and that's a lot. There should be better than 3,000 elk there. They offer a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the refuge that will get you very close to them. They don't check IDs at the gate, so a lot of bison go in to eat at the buffet for free. Consequently, don't expect to find elk or much bison elsewhere in the park.

There's an area east of US89 called Gros Ventre (pronounced "grow van" by the local folks) where you might find moose, especially around the campground in my experience. The Moose-Wilson Road is probably closed.

I don't know about availability of lodging - Jackson is a ski town, so expect rooms to be harder to find at least on weekends.

Mar 05, 2019 at 10:50 PM


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