Tag: Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park tourist mauled by grizzly bear

Park rangers believe the 35-year-old man was attacked after surprising two bears in a popular tourist area.

A Massachusetts man suffered serious injuries but is expected to fully recover after a grizzly bear attack Sunday in Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park.

According to the National Park Service, the 35-year-old man appeared to have surprised two grizzly bears near the Signal Mountain Summit Road.

One bear charged and mauled the man, who was treated on scene and airlifted to St. John’s Hospital. He was listed in stable condition.

As of Monday afternoon, the Signal Mountain Summit Road and Signal Mountain Trail remained closed to the public.

Park visitors are urged to keep bear spray handy at all times, and to make plenty of noise on trails to avoid surprise bear encounters.

–Generic grizzly bear image courtesy of the National Park Service

Video shows ‘chilling’ interaction between Grand Teton wolf, coyote

Guide Bo Welden explains why the wolf likely ran off with its tail between its legs.

A guide in Grand Teton National Park last week documented an extraordinary scene featuring a wolf reacting to the “chilling” cries of a distant coyote.

The accompanying footage was captured by Bo Welden and viewers are urged to turn up the volume and note the young wolf placing its tail between its legs – an act of fear or submission – before running from the unearthly sounds.

Since wolves are substantially larger than coyotes, and seemingly fearless in most situations, viewers might wonder why the wolf was so deeply affected by the howls of a smaller canine.

That’s not entirely clear, but Welden, a Jackson Hole Eco Tour Adventures guide who was exploring the park with a friend, implied that the coyote was in distress because of wolves.

“During this event I was able to spot what I believe were three different yearling wolves,” Welden stated via Instagram. “We watched as two coyotes actually chased these wolves away from a possible den site. It’s rare for a coyote to be so brazen.”

Welden told For The Win Outdoors that the wolves had likely raided the coyotes’ den and “possibly even fed on their newborn pups.”

That’d explain the shrill cries.

Welden was with photographer Kelly Wasenmiller, who began her Instagram description: “If I could have ever imagined a more raw and beautiful encounter with a wolf, I would have fallen greatly short.”

Man cited after landing helicopter to picnic in Grand Teton NP

A pilot has been cited after an unauthorized helicopter landing on a lake shore in Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park. He had hoped to picnic with a companion.

A pilot has been cited after an unauthorized landing on a lake shore in Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park.

Peter Smith, owner of West Elk Air in Gunnison, Colo., landed the aircraft at Moran Bay on Jackson Lake on June 24. He and a companion were picnicking when they were greeted by rangers.

The park stated in a news release that Smith had violated FAA regulations and was charged with two misdemeanors that carry fines up to $5,000 and/or six months in jail.

ALSO: Damaging thunderstorm slams Yellowstone; ‘Like a hurricane’

The park elaborated: “The unauthorized landing of helicopters is prohibited on the lands and waters within the boundaries of Grand Teton National Park in order to protect wildlife and other natural resources and to preserve the visitor experience.”

Four months earlier, Smith was cited for flying an airplane at an unsafe altitude in Gunnison National Park. He was fined $530.

His court date for the Grand Teton National Park case is scheduled for August.

Grand Teton launches probe after bison calf is harassed in park

Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park is asking the public for help in identifying two men who were photographed harassing a bison calf.

Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park is asking the public for help in identifying two men who were photographed harassing a bison calf.

A park news release states that the men were spotted approaching and touching the baby bison Sunday at about 1 p.m.

The news release contains the following advisory:

“If you were in the Elk Ranch Flats area on the afternoon of June 4, and have information that could help in this investigation, or if you know who these individuals are (pictured), please call the park Tip Line 307-739-3367. If you see any harassment of wildlife happening in the park, you may also call the Teton Interagency Dispatch Center at 307-739-3301 to report the incident.”

Grand Teton National Park is hoping somebody can ID these men.

Park regulations require tourists to remain at least 25 yards from bison.

The same rule is in effect in Yellowstone National Park, just to the north, where more than 5,000 bison reside.

ALSO: Yellowstone guide saves motorist from momma grizzly bear’s wrath

Bison give birth to calves early each spring. They’re commonly referred to as “red dogs” because their coats are reddish in the first several weeks of their lives.

Approaching or touching bison is considered harassment. Grand Teton National Park explained:

“Interference by people can cause wildlife to reject their offspring. In this case, fortunately, the calf was successfully reunited with its herd, but often these interactions result in euthanizing the animal. Approaching wildlife can drastically affect their well-being and survival.”

–Top image showing a “red dog” bison is courtesy of ©Pete Thomas

Huge grizzly bear springs into action after scent-marking tree

Images showing a grizzly bear scent-marking a tree in Grand Teton National Park are reminiscent of dramatic trail-cam footage captured in August 2021 in Canada’s Yukon Territory.

Buckrail on Thursday published images showing a grizzly bear standing while rubbing its back against a telephone pole in Grand Teton National Park.

Buckrail explained that this is more about scent marking than scratching. Marking is a means of communication and the higher a bear can place its scent the larger it’ll appear to other grizzly bears.

The publication describes this as a spring phenomenon, but the photos are reminiscent of trail-cam footage captured in August 2021 in Canada’s Yukon Territory.

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The Yukon Wildlife Cams footage (posted below) shows a giant grizzly bear rubbing against a tree before charging toward the camera in slow motion.

Please note the thoroughness with which this bear marks the tree, but also the remarkable perspective afforded by the camera as the bear runs past in slow motion.

You might agree with trail-cam operator David Troup, who exclaimed via Facebook: “Look at those claws!”

World awaits famous grizzly bear to emerge to see if it breaks a record

A 27-year-old grizzly bear that has received worldwide attention could become a record-setter when it emerges from hibernation.

A 27-year-old grizzly bear that has received worldwide attention could become a record-setter when it emerges from hibernation.

If the famous bear known as Grizzly 399 emerges with cubs in Grand Teton National Park, she will become the oldest monitored grizzly in the history of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem to bear a litter of youngsters, according to WyoFile.

“We looked it up, and from what I’m finding, the oldest known age of actual reproduction is 25,” Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team leader Frank van Manen told WyoFile. “Of course, that might change this year if 399 comes out with cubs.”

Also on FTW Outdoors: Bear stuck in ice given Pop Tarts during ill-advised rescue attempt

The family tree of Grizzly 399 is quite impressive with at least 24 bears—cubs and cubs of cubs)—having descended from her, according to Thomas Mangelsen. She has produced at least seven litters.

And she has a good chance of adding to the family.

Chuck Schwartz, a former federal grizzly researcher, completed a worldwide study 20 years ago that found that grizzly fertility shuts off around age 29.

“We’re at the end of the curve where things change pretty rapidly,” Van Manen told WyoFile. “I wouldn’t give it a high probability, more like 50/50.”

From WyoFile:

Grizzly 399 has also pushed the envelope on reproductive norms.

In 2020, she lumbered into view seven weeks after the COVID-19 pandemic began changing life for humans. At her side were four little ones — a feat in itself. Four-cub litters comprise just 2% of all litters in the ecosystem. At that time, Grizzly 399, then 24, was the oldest sow being monitored with cubs in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

Since then, the old grizzly moms’ club has added to its ranks. Two 25-year-old females were documented with new cubs in 2022, van Manen said, tying the record — shared by four females — for the oldest age of reproduction documented in the Yellowstone region…

Grizzly 399 has a couple of things increasing the odds she’ll again reproduce. One, she was observed breeding last summer.

“I saw her breeding with Bruno in June,” wildlife photographer Tom Mangelsen said.

That same male bear, Grizzly 679, was also seen mating with Grizzly 399 in June 2019, the year before she emerged with four cubs.

Biologists say that Grizzly 399 also appears to have stayed in good shape.

So, stay tuned.

Photo of Grizzly 399 with four cubs in 2020 courtesy of Wikipedia Commons.

A tourist’s guide to Grand Teton National Park’s best spots

Don’t miss these natural wonders.

Mosey your way over to Wyoming for some of the most captivating mountain vistas in the United States. At Grand Teton National Park, tourists can expect days full of awe-inspiring nature explorations. Memorable landmarks like Oxbow Bend, Colter Bay, and more provide visitors with hours of outdoor entertainment. And while many of these places are worth visiting, guests may want to prioritize a few key regions to get the most out of a trip to the area.

Three hotspots will treat visitors to the best views of Grand Teton National Park. Below, you can peruse details on Schwabacher Landing, Jenny Lake, and the Teton Mountains. Plan your trip around the overlooks, trails, and other key points in these areas for an unforgettable experience.

An illuminated, snow-capped mountain range reflected in a body of water.
Photo by D. Lehle, via NPS

Schwabacher Landing

Just minutes from the parking lot, Schwabacher Landing welcomes guests to the park with spectacular views. To reach this area, guests will hike roughly 350 yards (less than .2 miles) along a channel of the Snake River. Stop upon reaching a large beaver dam, where you can spot the animals during active hours around dawn and dusk.

Nature photographers and sightseeing tourists will enjoy some of the park’s most stunning landscapes at Schwabacher Landing. While summer and fall are popular seasons for seeing the park in full bloom, visitors who thrive in colder weather can marvel at the snow-covered Teton Mountains in winter.

A park ranger in front of a lake pointing at a mountain.
NPS photo by Geoscientists-in-the-Parks

Jenny Lake

Jenny Lake is one of Grand Teton National Park’s most visited spots for a reason. This gorgeous lake sits at the base of the Teton Range and serves as the “centerpiece” of the park. While here, stop at the Jenny Lake Visitor Center inside Harrison Crandall Studio. This 1920s building was renovated in 2019 and lets guests meet with park rangers and explore art’s role in National Park Service (NPS) history.

Several scenic hiking trails lead visitors to further adventures in the Jenny Lake region. If you want to wander through nature on a long hike, follow nearby trails like Lake Solitude and Hurricane Pass. For incredible photos, take an out-and-back hike on South Jenny Lake Loop Trail to reach Inspiration Point. South Jenny Lake Loop Trail can also take hikers to Hidden Falls, where snowmelt feeds into a majestic waterfall.

Want to spend even more time near Jenny Lake? Consider booking a stay at Jenny Lake Lodge. The cozy cabins will keep you close to the park’s best views.

An old wood farmhouse in a valley in front of a mountain range.
Photo by P. Potter, via NPS

The Teton Mountains

No trip to Grand Teton National Park is complete without exploring the Teton Range. After all, the park is named for these incredible mountains. You can’t miss this natural wonder, as the range rises above the Jackson Hole valley.

Mountaineers don’t need a permit to venture through the Teton Range. However, climbers will need a camping permit if they’re planning an overnight trip. Expect snow on the mountain until mid-July, and come prepared for surprise storms. The NPS recommends prospective climbers read books like “A Climber’s Guide to the Teton Range” and “Teton Classics” for further information on local climbing conditions.

Watch: Wolf tries to run down elk in Grand Teton National Park

A Wyoming ecotour guide this week shared suspenseful footage showing a wolf trying to run down a large elk in Grand Teton National Park.

A Wyoming ecotour guide this week shared suspenseful footage showing a wolf trying to run down a large elk in Grand Teton National Park.

Bo Welden, naturalist and guide for Jackson Hole EcoTour Adventures, noted the impressive strides by both critters and observed via Instagram:

“There is an undeniable power in both these species of animals and to see it firing on all cylinders was beyond incredible. Guides and guests wait for moments like this for years, so I felt very lucky to have witnessed this one.”

At one point during the pursuit, both animals cross a highway in front of an idling vehicle.

Welden explained that fleeing elk will try to access rivers for safety. In this case the elk simply outran the wolf “and walked away alive” in footage accompanied by Sia’s hit song “Unstoppable.”

ALSO: Watch coyote’s ‘animated response’ after detecting trail camera

Welden told FTW Outdoors that he captured the footage in October 2021, and that the wolf belonged to the Wildcat Ridge Pack in the park’s northern region. (Grand Teton National Park is just south of Yellowstone National Park.)

Generic elk image courtesy of ©Pete Thomas

“That evening was magical because it highlighted the fact that wolves are not 100% successful in their hunts,” Welden said. “Elk are strong and fast and wolves try to kill them with their faces [teeth]. That’s hard to do.”

Wolves are sometimes killed by elk and typically work as a pack to bring one down.

Welden added: “Both the elk and the wolf deserve tremendous respect as members of a beautiful intact ecosystem. We need them both here. Without the other the one will suffer.”

–Generic wolf image courtesy of NPS/Yellowstone National Park

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Woman banned from Grand Teton for role in missing hiker case

A woman has been banned from Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park for five years and fined $17,600 for providing false information to authorities regarding a missing hiker.

A woman has been banned from Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park for five years and fined $17,600 for providing false information to authorities regarding a missing hiker.

The hiker, Cian McLaughlin, has been missing since June 8, 2021.

Heather Mycoskie, 40, a Utah resident formerly of Jackson, Wyo., is said to have provided a detailed but false account of McLaughlin’s presumed whereabouts in the hope that authorities would not abandon search efforts.

ALSO: Yellowstone wolves, bears not welcome at ‘bison funeral’; video

Mycoskie stated that she had seen and conversed with McLaughlin on the south portion of the Bradley-Taggart moraine on the late afternoon of his disappearance. She added that he had intended to jump from his favorite rock at Taggart Lake.

In a news release issued Thursday, the National Park Service said that an investigation, which involved witness interviews, concluded that Mycoskie fabricated her story and “never saw anyone matching McLaughlin’s description.”

Based on her information, more than 530 hours were spent searching and managing the search effort, conducting follow-up investigations, and writing reports.

“This wasted valuable time that could have been focused on searching areas of higher probability and it cost the Federal Government approximately $17,600,” the NPS stated.

The NPS added that all other potential sightings of McLaughlin involved the trail network leading to Garnet Canyon, Surprise and Amphitheater Lakes, and Delta Lake.

In September 2021, authorities discovered that McLaughlin had been searching “Delta Lake” on a computer.

The search for McLaughlin – focusing on Garnet Canyon, Surprise and Amphitheater Lakes, and Delta Lake – will continue through the summer.

McLaughlin was believed to have been in possession of a red Apple watch and a red iPhone 12 mini. He was wearing gold wire-rimmed sunglasses and a white T-shirt.

The NPS is asking backcountry users in the park to contact authorities if they find any of these items.

–Image via Wikimedia Commons

Grand Teton park motorist clocked at 132 mph during pursuit

An Idaho man was arrested Sunday after a pursuit in which he was clocked at 132 mph in Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park.

An Idaho man was arrested Sunday after a pursuit in which he was clocked at 132 mph in Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park.

Police radar clocked the motorist at 108 mph near the Teton Point Turnout, according to the Jackson Hole News and Guide. Police followed with lights flashing and sirens blaring, hoping the man would pull over.

But the motorist stepped on the gas and attained a speed of 132 mph while southbound near Moose Junction. (The maximum daytime speed limit on Highway 89/26/191 is 55 mph.)

Photos: Grand Teton National Park

Park spokesman CJ Adams told the News and Guide that the motorist got stuck in traffic at the Gros Ventre Roundabout and pulled over with other motorists who had pulled over to make way for police.

ALSO ON FTW OUTDOORS: Yellowstone tourists spot one of park’s rarest animals

If that was an attempt to blend in and evade capture, it didn’t work.

The man, who was driving a Dodge truck, was arrested and cited for multiple offenses, including driving while under the influence, open container, driving with a suspended license, and trying to escape officers.

The man was due to appear in court Tuesday, Adams said.