Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem { 13 galleries }

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Absaroka Mountains

21 images

The Absaroka Mountains are considered the backbone of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. These massive mountains stretch from northern Jackson Hole, through eastern Yellowstone National Park, and terminate just north of Yellowstone as they intersect the Beartooth Mountains. The highest point in Yellowstone National Park is found in these very mountains at Eagle Peak surrounded by a pristine mountain environment. It's in this very area that the mountains also rise above the most remote location in the lower 48, known as The Thoroughfare. The eastern Absarokas give way to the high deserts that make up much of Wyoming as they tower above the town of Cody. They're visible for dozens of miles to the east. The annual Cody Ice Climbing Festival also heads into the Absaroka Mountains up the South Fork of the Shoshone River.
Beartooth Mountains

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The Beartooth Mountains are a massive mountain range that extend out of the northeastern Absaroka Mountains. They feature one of the largest expanses of alpine tundra in the entire country. Crossing over this tundra is the All-American Scenic Road, the Beartooth Highway. Visitors to Yellowstone drive this highway to access the northeast entrance of the park. This is also the least accessed entrance, making it an excellent way to escape the crowds. The mountains themselves are home to endless hikes and fishing, including the Beartooth Loop, a National Scenic Trail.
Grand Teton National Park

7 galleries

Grand Teton National Park is my personal favorite national park. Numerous factors add to this preference, from the iconic Teton Mountains, to the immense preserved valley of Jackson Hole, to the stunning and epic hiking trails, to the remarkable wildlife, symbolized by the queen herself, Grizzly Bear #399. A plethora of overlooks along Highway 89 and the Teton Park Road give casual sightseers more than they could ask for, while the wildlife that calls this area home is frequently spotted along both roads, as well as the Moose-Wilson Road, Antelope Flats, and the northern reaches of the park, such as the now-famous, Pilgrim Creek. High in the mountains, every canyon beckons hikers to ascend to higher elevations, with the Teton Crest Trail crowning many of the canyons and remaining one of the must-do hikes of the United States. No matter where you look, Grand Teton National Park has no shortage of outdoor entertainment and recreation opportunities.
Gros Ventre Mountains

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Often overshadowed by the neighboring Teton Mountains, the Gros Ventre Mountains are a local secret for tremendous mountain scenery and escapes into secluded mountain destinations. With the Gros Ventre Wilderness at the heart of the mountains, towering peaks and euphoric mountain environments are up every canyon. Hundreds of miles of hiking and backpacking routes take adventurous hikers through some of the most underrated mountain scenery in the region. Closer to Jackson Hole, both the Sleeping Indian (aka, Sheep Mountain) and Jackson Peak provide incredible hiking and new and exciting challenges. A local's favorite for camping, Shadow Mountain stretches out into the northern reaches of the mountains along the eastern edge of the Valley of Jackson Hole.
Jackson, Wyoming

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Jackson, Wyoming is a gateway town to a mountain paradise. Resting at the foot of the Gros Ventre Mountains, the area is a must-stop along the way to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. Founded in 1914, the town passionately conserves the wilderness around it. The town square contains four arches made of elk antlers on each corner, a popular tourist attraction for those taking a break from the infinite outdoor adventures awaiting just outside of town.
National Elk Refuge

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Created in 1912, the National Elk Refuge attracts not just 5,000-10,000 elk each winter, but also bighorn sheep, wolves, coyotes, and foxes. Covering roughly 25,000 acres, it protects a vital part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. An unfortunate aspect to the refuge is the vegetation along Flat Creek, or lack thereof in this case. Willows and cottonwood trees are prevented from growing each season due to the abundance of elk each winter. This prevents beavers from building any dams and slowing down Flat Creek. As a result, the creek is eroding heavily into the ground much more so than what is healthy.
Snake River Mountains

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The Snake River Mountains were named for the Snake River that meanders around them on the east, south, and west sides of the mountains. Rugged topography and remote locations keep a popular herd of introduced mountain goats happy. Much of the mountains are seldom visited by anyone other than locals since they are often overshadowed by many other mountain ranges in the area, such as the Teton Mountains. A bit of exploring though will yield majestic peaks and lush mountain canyons thriving with vegetation and wildlife. The mountains contain trails that explore their peaks and canyons that provide a sense of solitude found in few places in the area.
Teton Mountains (outside GTNP)

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Most peoples' impressions of the Teton Mountains are made while visiting Grand Teton National Park. Venturing just a bit outside of the borders, however, will reveal equally impressive landscapes and mountain vistas. From Mount Glory and Ski Lake to the northern Tetons and canyons, the mountains freely reward more adventurous hikers. The Alaska Basin is a popular spot for backcountry explorers and can be easily accessed up Teton Canyon. Farther north, the Granite Basin Lakes provide solitude for anyone looking for it. Popular with locals in Teton Valley, the Wind Cave Trail and Darby Canyon make for quick and easy, but fantastic escapes into the mountains. Any adventure into the Tetons, whether in the national park or not, will prove to be a great day out.
Teton Village, Wyoming

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Teton Village, Wyoming is home to the wildly popular Jackson Hole Mountain Ski Resort. Boasting 4,000 vertical feet, it receives some of the most snow of anywhere in the Rocky Mountains, attracting skiers and snowboarders from all over. Situated just a mile south of Grand Teton National Park, it's also flush with wildlife passing through the community, as well as the ranches and forests on its outskirts. Thanks to its location at the base of the Teton Mountains, it also receives incredibly dynamic weather, ranging from summertime rainbows to winter whiteouts.
Wilson, Wyoming

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Wilson, Wyoming is a quiet and charming community nestled in at the base of Teton Base and the Teton Mountains. Though technically part of Jackson, it still maintains its own identity as a more tucked-away community from the main part of town. Fish Creek runs through the town from north to south giving a healthy and vibrant component to the town and a nurturing creek for much of the wildlife in the area. Wilson also provides easy access to many trails in the southern Teton Mountains and northern Snake River Mountains.
Wind River Mountains

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The Wind River Mountains are one of the best kept secrets of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Stretching out into the red desert around the southeastern edge of the ecosystem, the Winds have some of the most majestic mountain scenery found anywhere on the planet. Some of the largest glaciers in the lower 48 can also be found high in these mountains along the Continental Divide. It's also home to a famous mountain basin called Cirque of the Towers, a mountain landscape seemingly pulled straight from Patagonia in South America. Here, enormous granite spires eroded from ancient glaciers tower around a glacial lake at the head of a large canyon. The mountains are also home to Wyoming's highest peak, Gannett Peak.
Wyoming Range

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The Wyoming Range offers a seclusion that few other mountains in the area can provide. Rugged terrain and lush meadows create the ultimate escape for anyone looking to get away from crowds found only a couple of dozen miles north. Though not quite as dramatic and sky-reaching as its nearby neighbors, the range still offers breathtaking mountain vistas and solitude around every turn. Also unknown to even many locals, the mountains provide a National Recreation Trail in the Wyoming Range National Recreation Trail. The trail spans 70 miles of gorgeous scenery that only these mountains can provide.
Yellowstone National Park

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The world's first national park, Yellowstone National Park ignited a conservation frenzy due to its abundantly unique geology and wildlife, including the last wild bison in the country. It's a home to countless species of wildlife and plant life and offers a glimpse into how well nature can take care of itself when given the chance. It's a park that is larger than both Delaware and Connecticut combined and has endless trails to explore as well as lessons to teach anyone willing to learn. It's most famous and well-known feature is of course Old Faithful Geyser, but many other treasures are easily accessible along its roads, including the colorful Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River, Mammoth Hot Springs, many different geyser basins, and the Lamar Valley, also known as the Serengeti of North America. Yellowstone National Park is a truly unique gift that has more to offer than many humans have even begun to realize.