Description

Grand Tetons  2024     Road Trip                   Description & Overview

 

Grand Tetons National Park is an amazing place with lots of opportunities for hiking, scrambling, walks, cycling and mountaineering adventures.  The Park also offers opportunities for Wildlife observation, fishing, as spectacular photographic visits along the route of Ansel Adams.

Check out their Link  @                                Grand Teton National Park

The American Alpine Club has a Climbers Ranch (Bunk accommodation and outdoor (BBQ) cooking facilities within the boundaries of the Park which offers quick easy and convenient access to numerous trails  and by-ways at an incredibly low rate (Joining American Alpine Club is not required but does qualify one for lower rates).  The bunks are in any one of 7 cabins on the site which have electricity, and running water.  The site has picnic tables for outdoor cooking as well as laundry and shower rooms.

The AAC Climber’ Ranch is situated @ about 6,700 ft

Check out their link @            American Alpine Club Grand Teton Climbers’ Ranch

For many visitors, the Grand Teton @  13,775 ‘ (4,199 m) is prime objective.  The most accessible routes on the Mountain are the Owen-Spalding (5.4+ and Exum Ridge (5.7) these are frequently done as overnight trips with a camp on the lower saddle @ about 12,000 feet before summiting the following day.  In addition many find it helpful to do an acclimatization trip in advance to relatively easy summits such as Buck Mtn (overnight) or Teewinot (day trip).  For those hoping to summit the Grand it would be wise to party up (and car pool) in advance of the trip to provide the best chances for success.  In other words to avoid disappointment, don’t count on a trip to the summit without advance partnering and preparations.

Odds & Ends

Required     Passport,  Out of Country Travel Insurance

Sleeping Gear;  +  tents or bivy sacs for those doing overnight on Buck and/or Grand

Cooking; Stoves cutlery plates etc  Bring Cooler & Portable BBQ if you have ‘em.

For those intending to ascend Grand;  axe, helmet, crampons ropes, slings

(60m rope) for rapp of the Grand as well as selection of cams etc

There are also lots of Sport Climbing routes to be enjoyed & Hot Springs

 

Itinerary      (DRAFT for overview & planning purposes)

Day 1  Saturday July 27

Departure Depart Vancouver about 5 am to cross Border (Blaine) about 6 am

Travel South towards Seattle take USA Highway 90 through Spokane, Missoula,

(Stop @ Missoula REI for any needed gear) to Butte exit to I   15 South continue South to Dillon Mt for Overnight @ KOA tent or motel.  (1264 k’s 11- 13 hrs)

Day 2  Sunday July 28

Depart Dillon about 8 am.   Procerposes only)ed along South on I 15  (possible brief stop @ Spencer Tiny Opal mine & gas bar ) Continue along 1 15 to SAGE Junction turn left onto I -33 East Head towards Rexburg turn North onto 1 -20 to reach 1 -33 East Heading to Tetonia  staying on 1 33 south to Victor Mt.  stay on 1  33 E toward  Jackson   (Highway becomes 1 22 (E)  when crossing border into Wyoming).      To Jackson  Hole  (about 350 k  3 – 4 hours).

Shop for food  and supplies in Jackson Albertson’s or similar)

Shop for any climbing supplies @ Climbing gear shop in Jackson

Proceed to Grand Teton Park Entrance (Moose Wy) acquire Park Pass

Proceed check in to American Alpine Club Climbers Ranch   BBQ Dinner @ Ranch

Day 3 Monday July 29

Proceed (early) to Jenny Lake Ranger station to acquire permits for overnight acclimatization trip to Buck Mtn  (scramble rock & snow, helmet axe rope crampons etc   (easy route class 3 routes possible steep snow likely)

Or Spirit Lake Day  Hike or Teewinot (mixed 4^{th –} 5^th   class)

Some out tenting (Buck) others Spend evening at Climbers Ranch

Day 4  Tuesday July 30

Head for possible day trips hike/climb / cycle / Fishing / photography

Spend evening in @ Climbers Ranch

Day 5  Wednesday July 31

Hot Springs Trip…..Dinner out @ Moose Restaurant   Night @ AAC   Climbers Ranch

Day 6  Thursday August 1^st

Proceed to Jenny Lake Ranger Station  acquire overnight permits to climb Grand  Teton  (Owen Spalding or Exum Ridge Route )

Climbers Ascend to High camp on Lower Shoulder  Others Evening @ Climbers Ranch

Day 7  Friday August 2nd

Summit Grand            Descend to Climbers Ranch

Hike’s bike, fish  Visit Jackson Hole

Spend night @ AAC Climbers Ranch

Day 8  Saturday August 3rd

Depart Climbers Ranch (6 am) Travel through Yellowstone Park seeing sights

Highway  191 Wy   & 89 Mt              Some may want to drive all the way back to Van

Others may want to head for Livingstone Mt   90Restaurant & overnight @ 3 Forks KOA

Day 9  Sunday August 4^th

Diver Home along 1 90 W from 3 Forks Mt