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== Recreation == === Mountaineering === Grand Teton National Park is a popular destination for mountain and rock climbers partly because the mountains are easily accessible by road.<ref name="ortenburger3">{{cite book|last=Ortenburger|first=Leigh|title=A climber's guide to the Teton Range|date=Nov 1, 1996|publisher=Mountaineers Books|isbn=978-0-89886-480-9|page=13|author2=Reynold Jackson}}</ref> Trails are well marked and routes to the summits of most peaks are long established, and for the experienced and fit, most peaks can be climbed in one day.<ref>{{cite book|last=Peterson|first=Eric|title=Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks|date=March 13, 2012|publisher=Frommers|isbn=978-1-118-07473-2|page=122|edition=8th}}</ref> The highest maintained trails climb from the floor of Jackson Hole over {{convert|4000|ft|abbr=on}} to [[mountain pass]]es that are sometimes called saddles or divides.<ref name=dayhikes/> From these passes, the climbs follow routes that require varying skill levels. Climbers do not need a permit but are encouraged to voluntarily register their climbing plans with the National Park Service and inform associates of their itinerary.<ref name=mountain>{{cite web|title=Mountaineering|url=http://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/upload/mountaineering_07-c.pdf|publisher=National Park Service|access-date=March 10, 2012|date=August 2007|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090530132656/http://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/upload/mountaineering_07-c.pdf|archive-date=May 30, 2009|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Any climb requiring an overnight stay in the backcountry does require a permit.<ref name=back>{{cite web|title=Backcountry Camping |url=http://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/upload/Backcountry11.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120127084946/http://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/upload/Backcountry11.pdf |archive-date=January 27, 2012 |publisher=National Park Service |access-date=March 10, 2012 |date=November 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Climbers are essentially on their own to determine their own skill levels and are encouraged to not take unnecessary risks.<ref name=mountain/> The Exum Mountain Guides, which is considered one of the finest mountaineering guide services in the U.S., as well as the Jackson Hole Mountain Guides, offer instruction and climbing escorts for those who are less experienced or unfamiliar with various routes.<ref>{{cite web|title=Climbing & Mountaineering|url=http://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/climb.htm|work=Plan Your Visit|publisher=National Park Service|access-date=March 10, 2012|date=December 29, 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315031405/http://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/climb.htm|archive-date=March 15, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Fedarko|first=Kevin|title=The House Of Rock|url=http://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/climbing/rock-climbing/The-House-of-Rock.html?page=all|publisher=Outdoor|access-date=March 10, 2012|date=April 2004|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120629072236/http://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/climbing/rock-climbing/The-House-of-Rock.html?page=all|archive-date=June 29, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref> [[File:Mount Moran, April 2021.jpg|thumb|[[Mount Moran]] at 12,605 feet elevation ]] An average of 4,000 climbers per year make an attempt to summit Grand Teton and most ascend up [[Garnet Canyon]] to a mountain pass called the Lower Saddle, which is between Grand Teton and Middle Teton.<ref>{{cite book|last=Pitcher|first=Don|title=Yellowstone and Grand Teton: Including Jackson Hole|date=May 5, 2009|publisher=Avalon Travel Publishing|isbn=978-1-59880-160-6|pages=135β136}}</ref><ref name="ortenburger4">{{cite book|last=Ortenburger|first=Leigh|title=A climber's guide to the Teton Range|date=Nov 1, 1996|publisher=Mountaineers Books|isbn=978-0-89886-480-9|pages=50β51|author2=Reynold Jackson}}</ref> From the Lower Saddle, climbers often follow the [[Owen-Spalding route|Owen-Spalding]] or [[Upper Exum Ridge Route|Exum Ridge]] routes to the top of Grand Teton though there are 38 distinct routes to the summit.<ref name=ortenburger3/> The [[North face (Grand Teton)|north face]] route to the summit of Grand Teton is a world-renowned climb involving a dozen distinct [[Pitch (ascent/descent)|pitches]] and is rated at [[Grade (climbing)|grade]] 5.8 in difficulty for the {{convert|3000|ft|adj=on}} vertical ascent. On a connecting ridge and just north of Grand Teton lies Mount Owen, and though lower in altitude, this peak is considered more difficult to ascend. Middle Teton is another popular climb that is most easily summited from a saddle between it and South Teton. Well, north of Grand Teton lies Mount Moran, which is further from trailheads and more difficult to access and ascend. The [[Direct South Buttress (Mount Moran)|Direct South Buttress]] of Mount Moran provides a vertical mile of climbing that was considered the most difficult climb in the U.S. when first accomplished in 1953.<ref>{{cite book|last=Jackson|first=Renny|title=The American Alpine Journal|year=2001|publisher=Mountaineers Books|isbn=978-0930410896|pages=122β129|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_bRSqSWLDEEC&pg=PA122|editor=Christian Beckwith|access-date=June 6, 2012|chapter=Moran's South Buttress in Winter}}</ref> Other popular climbing destinations include [[Buck Mountain (Wyoming)|Buck Mountain]], Symmetry Spire, [[Mount Saint John]], [[Mount Wister]], Teewinot Mountain and [[Nez Perce Peak]] and each mountain has at least six established routes to their summits.<ref name=ortenburger3/> === Camping and hiking === {{See also|List of hiking trails in Grand Teton National Park}} [[File:Hiking to Paintbrush Divide.jpg|thumb|right|Hiker crosses snowfield en route to Paintbrush Divide.]] Grand Teton National Park has five front-country vehicular access campgrounds. The largest is the Colter Bay and Gros Ventre campgrounds, and each has 350 campsites which can accommodate large [[recreational vehicle]]s.<ref name=campgrounds>{{cite web|title=Campgrounds |url=http://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm#CP_JUMP_31296 |work=Plan Your Visit |publisher=National Park Service |access-date=March 10, 2012 |date=February 21, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227163820/http://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm |archive-date=February 27, 2012 }}</ref> Lizard Creek and Signal Mountain campgrounds have 60 and 86 campsites respectively, while the smaller Jenny Lake campground has only 49 sites for tent use only. Additionally, full hookups for recreational vehicles are at the concessionaire-managed 112 campsites at Colter Bay Village and another 100 at Flagg Ranch in the John D. Rockefeller Memorial Parkway.<ref name=campgrounds/> Though all front-country campgrounds are only open from late spring to late fall, primitive winter camping is permitted at Colter Bay near the visitor center.<ref name=campgrounds/> All campsites accessible only on foot or by horseback are considered backcountry campsites and they are available by permit only, but camping is allowed in most of these backcountry zones year-round. The National Park Service has a combination of specific sites and zones for backcountry camping with a set carrying capacity of overnight stays per zone to protect the resources from overcrowding.<ref name=back/> Open fires are not permitted in the backcountry and all food must be stored in an Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee approved [[Bear-resistant food storage container|bear-resistant container]].<ref name=back/> As of 2012, only four brands of bear-resistant containers had been approved for use in the Grand Teton National Park backcountry.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bears and Backcountry Food Storage|url=http://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/bears_bc.htm|work=Plan Your Visit|publisher=National Park Service|access-date=March 10, 2012|date=January 19, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314022625/http://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/bears_bc.htm|archive-date=March 14, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Additionally, hikers may use an approved [[bear spray]] to elude aggressive bears.<ref>{{cite web|title=Carry Bear Spray β Know How to Use It|url=http://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/bear_spray.htm|work=Bear Safety|publisher=National Park Service|access-date=March 10, 2012|date=December 6, 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120814130143/http://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/bear_spray.htm|archive-date=August 14, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The park has {{convert|200|mi|abbr=on}} of hiking trails, ranging in difficulty from easy to strenuous.<ref>{{cite book|last=Mayhew|first=Bradley|title=Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks|year=2008|publisher=Lonely Planet|isbn=978-1-74104-560-4|page=40|author2=Carolyn McCarthy}}</ref> The easiest hiking trails are located in the valley, where the altitude changes are generally minimal. In the vicinity of Colter Bay Village, the [[Hermitage Point Trail]] is {{convert|9.4|mi|abbr=on}} long and considered easy.<ref>{{cite book|last=Schneider|first=Bill|title=Best easy day hikes, Grand Teton|date=July 1, 2005|publisher=FalconGuides|isbn=978-0-7627-2541-0|pages=67β71}}</ref> Several other trails link Hermitage Point with [[Emma Matilda Lake Trail|Emma Matilda Lake]] and [[Two Ocean Lake Trail]]s, also considered to be relatively easy hikes in the Jackson Lake Lodge area.<ref>{{cite book|last=Schneider|first=Bill|title=Hiking Grand Teton National Park|year=2005|publisher=Falcon Guides|isbn=978-0-7627-2567-0|page=155|edition=2nd}}</ref> Other easy hikes include the [[Valley Trail (Grand Teton National Park)|Valley Trail]] which runs from [[Trapper Lake (Teton County, Wyoming)|Trapper Lake]] in the north to the south park boundary near Teton Village and the [[Jenny Lake Trail]] which circles the lake. Ranging from moderate to strenuous in difficulty, trails leading into the canyons are rated based on distance and more importantly on the amount of elevation change. The greatest elevation change is found on the [[Paintbrush Canyon Trail|Paintbrush Canyon]], [[Alaska Basin Trail|Alaska Basin]] and [[Garnet Canyon Trail]]s, where elevation increases of over {{convert|4000|ft|abbr=on}} are typical.<ref name=dayhikes/> Horses and pack animals are permitted on almost all trails in the park; however, there are only five designated backcountry camping locations for pack animals and these campsites are far from the high mountain passes.<ref>{{cite web|title=Saddle and Pack Stock|url=http://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/upload/stock.pdf|work=Plan Your Visit|publisher=National Park Service|access-date=March 25, 2012|date=March 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120622030022/http://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/upload/stock.pdf|archive-date=June 22, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Bicycles are limited to vehicle roadways only and the park has widened some roads to provide a safer biking experience.<ref name=bike>{{cite web|title=Biking in the Park|url=http://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/bike.htm|work=Plan Your Visit|publisher=National Park Service|access-date=March 25, 2012|date=March 23, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001232004/http://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/bike.htm|archive-date=October 1, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref> A paved multi-use pathway opened in 2009 and provides non-motorized biking access from the town of Jackson to South Jenny Lake.<ref name=bike/> === Boating and fishing === [[File:Colter bay boats 20100822 080110 1.jpg|right|thumb|Boats anchored at the Colter Bay Marina]] Grand Teton National Park allows boating on all the lakes in Jackson Hole, but motorized boats can only be used on Jackson and Jenny Lakes. While there is no maximum horsepower limit on Jackson Lake (though there is a noise restriction), Jenny Lake is restricted to 10 horsepower.<ref name=boats>{{cite web|title=Boating and Floating|url=http://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/boat.htm|work=Plan Your Visit|publisher=National Park Service|access-date=March 26, 2012|date=March 22, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327155520/http://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/boat.htm|archive-date=March 27, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Only non-motorized boats are permitted on Bearpaw, Bradley, Emma Matilda, Leigh, Phelps, String, Taggart and Two Ocean Lakes. There are four designated boat launches located on Jackson Lake and one on Jenny Lake. Additionally, sailboats, windsurfers, and water skiing are only allowed on Jackson Lake and no jet skis are permitted on any of the park waterways.<ref name=boats/> All boats are required to comply with various safety regulations including personal flotation devices for each passenger.<ref name=boating>{{cite web|title=Boating|url=http://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/upload/boating12.pdf|publisher=National Park Service|access-date=March 26, 2012|date=February 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621231616/http://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/upload/boating12.pdf|archive-date=June 21, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Only non-motorized watercraft are permitted on the Snake River.<ref>{{cite web|title=Floating the Snake River|url=http://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/upload/Floating11.pdf|publisher=National Park Service|access-date=March 26, 2012|date=March 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120522124358/http://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/upload/Floating11.pdf|archive-date=May 22, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref> All other waterways in the park are off limits to boating, and this includes all alpine lakes and tributary streams of the Snake River.<ref name=boating/> In 2010, Grand Teton National Park started requiring all boats to display an Aquatic Invasive Species decal issued by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department or a Yellowstone National Park boat permit.<ref name=boating/> In an effort to keep the park waterways free of various invasive species such as the [[Zebra mussel]] and [[Myxobolus cerebralis|whirling disease]], boaters are expected to abide by certain regulations including displaying a self-certification of compliance on the dashboard of any vehicle attached to an empty boat trailer.<ref>{{cite web|title=Aquatic Nuisance Species-Free Certification |url=http://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/upload/self_certification_ANS_Steps.pdf |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/66mzHwZPZ?url=http://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/upload/self_certification_ANS_Steps.pdf |archive-date=April 9, 2012 |publisher=National Park Service |access-date=March 26, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=McGee|first=Diane|title=Aquatic Nuisance Species|url=http://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/upload/PocketGuide_ANS_Book.pdf|publisher=Grand Teton National Park|access-date=March 26, 2012|year=2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120417072631/http://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/upload/PocketGuide_ANS_Book.pdf|archive-date=April 17, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Grand Teton National Park fisheries are managed by the Wyoming Fish and Game Department and a Wyoming state fishing license is required to fish all waterways in Grand Teton National Park.<ref name=fishGY/><ref name=fishing>{{cite web|title=Fishing 2011|url=http://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/upload/fishing11.pdf|publisher=National Park Service|access-date=April 1, 2012|date=March 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130228040950/http://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/upload/fishing11.pdf|archive-date=February 28, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The creel limit for trout is restricted to six per day, including no more than three cutthroat trout with none longer than {{convert|12|in|cm|abbr=on}}, while the maximum length of other trout species may not exceed {{convert|20|in|cm|abbr=on}}, except those taken from Jackson Lake, where the maximum allowable length is {{convert|24|in|cm|abbr=on}}. There are also restrictions as to the seasonal accessibility to certain areas as well as the types of bait and [[fishing tackle]] permitted.<ref name=fishing/> === Winter activities === [[File:Grand Teton in Winter-NPS.jpg|thumb|right|Left to right, Nez Perce, Grand Teton, and Mount Owen in the winter]] Visitors are allowed to [[snowshoe]] and do [[cross-country skiing]] and are not restricted to trails.<ref name=winter>{{cite web|title=Winter Season Activities to Begin in Grand Teton National Park|url=http://www.nps.gov/grte/parknews/new-release-11-105.htm|publisher=National Park Service|access-date=April 8, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511210817/http://www.nps.gov/grte/parknews/new-release-11-105.htm|archive-date=May 11, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The Teton Park Road between the Taggart Lake trailhead to Signal Mountain Campground is closed to vehicular traffic during the winter and this section of the road is groomed for skiing and snowshoeing traffic.<ref name=skiing>{{cite web|title=Cross-Country Skiing and Showehoeing|url=http://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/upload/XC-ski12.pdf|publisher=National Park Service|access-date=April 8, 2012|date=November 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510181607/http://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/upload/XC-ski12.pdf|archive-date=May 10, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The park service offers guided snowshoe tours daily from the main headquarters located in Moose, Wyoming.<ref name=winter/> Overnight camping is allowed in the winter in the backcountry with a permit and visitors should inquire about avalanche dangers.<ref name=winter/> The only location in Grand Teton National Park where [[snowmobile]]s are permitted is on Jackson Lake.<ref name=snowmobile>{{cite web|title=Snowmobiling 2012 |url=http://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/upload/snowmobile12.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510181412/http://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/upload/snowmobile12.pdf |archive-date=May 10, 2012 |publisher=National Park Service |access-date=April 8, 2012 |year=2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The National Park Service requires that all snowmobiles use "Best Available Technology" (BAT) and lists various models of snowmobiles that are permitted, all of which are deemed to provide the least amount of air pollution and maximize noise abatement. All snowmobiles must be less than 10 years old and have odometer readings of less than {{convert|6000|mi|abbr=on}}.<ref name=snowmobile/> Additionally, snowmobile use is for the purposes of accessing [[ice fishing]] locations only.<ref name=cfr>{{cite web|title=36 CFR Part 7|url=http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2009-11-20/pdf/E9-27894.pdf|work=Federal Register|publisher=Government Printing Office|access-date=April 8, 2012|pages=60183β60194|date=November 20, 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929125841/http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2009-11-20/pdf/E9-27894.pdf|archive-date=September 29, 2015|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Snowmobile access was permitted between Moran Junction and [[Flagg Ranch]] adjacent to the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway so that travelers using the Continental Divide Snowmobile Trail could traverse between Bridger-Teton National Forest and Yellowstone National Park. However, in 2009, winter use planners closed this since unguided snowmobile access into Yellowstone National Park was also discontinued.<ref name=cfr/>
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