Beyond the watersports on its lakes and rivers, Grand Teton National Park is a hiker's dream. The varied trail system -- more than 250 miles in all -- offers both short, level trails around the valley floor and more demanding trails to the Teton Range that escape the crowds and challenge the body.
For a more extensive and detailed list of trails, pick up Teton Trails, by Katy Duffy and Darwin Wile. It's available for $6.95 from the Grand Teton Association, P.O. Box 170, Moose, WY 83012 (tel. 307/739-3403; www.grandtetonpark.org).
Day Hikes
The park's many trails vary greatly in length and level of difficulty, so you'll want to consult with rangers before tackling the trails. They can update you on everything from bear activity to trail damage (such as bridge outages) to weather concerns. Rangers might be able to suggest hikes suitable to your expectations and ability; they also conduct various guided walks.
For those who have only a brief time at Grand Teton, here are two suggestions in the "if you can only do one hike" category: the Signal Mountain Summit Trail and the Inspiration Point Trail in the Jenny Lake area. Trails are generally very well marked.
And remember, if you are planning to hike for more than 30 minutes, be sure to carry a supply of water and some rain gear.
Especially for Kids
Youthful visitors (ages 8-14) to the park are encouraged to explore and experience Grand Teton as members of the Young Naturalist program. To participate, pick up a copy of the Young Naturalist activity brochure at any visitor center, and then complete projects outlined in the booklet during your stay. When you present the completed project (and $1) to a ranger at the Moose, Jenny Lake, or Colter Bay visitor centers, you'll be awarded a Young Naturalist patch.
Two trails within Grand Teton are especially kid-friendly. The Inspiration Point hike is less strenuous if you take the boat shuttle across Jenny Lake. This reduces the hiking distance to less than a mile; at 7 miles round-trip, the entire Jenny Lake Loop Trail is a bit too long for kids, but the terrain is fairly level if you stick to the portion along the eastern shore. Also, the Christian Pond Trail, a level, 1-mile round-trip from the corrals at Jackson Lake Lodge, is a nice diversion, offering great views and a chance to see myriad waterfowl.
