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| Cross Country Ski & Snowshoe Guide | Cross Country Ski & Snowshoe Trails |
| Snowcoach Trips | Snowmobiling |
Cross Country Ski and Snowshoe Guide
Winter Safety
For your safety:
Hypothermia is a life threatening emergency that can occur in any season. The body cannot keep itself warm, due to exhaustion and exposure to cold, wet, windy weather. Symptoms are uncontrolled shivering, poor muscle control, incoherent speech, lethargy. apparent exhaustion and careless attitude. Help the victim immediately. To treat, put on dry clothing, drink warm liquids, warm victim by body contact with another person, protect from wind, rain, and cold.
Avalanche Hazard
Steep slopes are subject to avalanches, depending on wind loading and stability of the snowpack. All backcountry travelers should use good route selection and avoid known avalanche paths, steep canyons and gullies. For current avalanche conditions check at Moose Visitor Center (8:00 am - 5:00 pm), or call 733-2664 for the 24 hour Bridger Teton National Forest backcountry avalanche report and weather forecast.
Winter Check list
Regulations
Cross Country Ski and Snowshoe Trails
Trails from Taggart Lake Parking Area
Targgart Lake Parking Area - Drive 4.5 miles northwest of Moose Junction on the Teton Park Road to the Taggart Lake parking area at the end of the plowed road.
| Name | Type | Description | Jenny Lake Trail | Easy | 7.6 mile round trip. Elevation change is 100 feet. Follow unplowed road .25 to Cottonwood Creek (be alert for snowmobiles), then ski north along the creek. The trail follows the west side of the creek and crosses several large meadows, then gently climbs a low ridge of glacial moraine and ends at an overlook of Jenny Lake. On clear days, the trail provides close views of the snow-draped peaks as it skirts the base of the Teton Range. The terrain is mostly level and excellent for beginners. Skiing on Cottonwood Creek is Not recommended. Return via the same trail. Another option is to follow the unplowed road (not flagged) to the east side of Jenny Lake (be alert for snowmobiles). To reached the flagged ski trail from the unplowed road, cross the bridge over Cottonwood Creek and head west along the edge of Jenny Lake. | Taggart Lake Beaver Creek Loop |
Difficult | Taggart Lake and return trip is 3.2 mile with elevation change of 277 feet. Taggart Lake - Beaver Creek Loop is 4 mile roundtrip and an elevation change of 397 feet. This loop through a forest that burned in 1985 has steep sections. From the parking area, ski directly toward the mountains. Turn north (right) and follow the trail as it climbs over the moraine (ridge of the glacial debris). The trail forks in about 1 mile. The right fork climbs 0.7 mile for a view of Taggart Lake. The left fork takes you directly to Taggart Lake, nestled at the foot of the Tetons. If you return the way you came, you will encounter a steep, treelined section that is at times icy and treacherous, requiring downhill skiing ability. Another option from Taggart Lake is to turn south, cross the bridge over the lake outlet, and follow the trail that climbs the moraine. Then ski down the steep open slope and follow the trail to the east to return to the parking area. |
Moose - Wilson Road Area
The Moose - Wilson Road connects Moose and Teton Village, but plowing of the road ends one mile north of Teton Village. The trailhead for Phelps Lake is located 3.1 miles south of Moose on the (west) right side of the Moose - Wilson Road and is accessible by vehicle only from Moose at the north end. The skiable section of the Moose - Wilson Road starts 6 miles south of Moose and may also be reached by driving one mile north of Teton Village.
| Name | Type | Description | Phelps Lake Overlook | Moderate | 5.2 mile roundtrip with an elevation change of 520 feet. The trail follows a narrow unplowed road through a forest of mixed conifers for the first 1.7 miles, making a gradual ascent to the Death Canyon trailhead. Then the trail climbs westward through a lodgepole pine forest and over an open slope to reach the overlook of Phelps Lake framed by towering Douglas firs. Do Not continue beyond the overlook because of high avalanche hazard. The return trip is all downhill. When the trail is well packed, skiing can be fast. | Moose - Wilson Road | Easy | 4.0 miles with an elevation change of 100 feet. Park at either end of this unplowed portion of road. The trail follows a winding unplowed road (be aware of snowmobiles) and is mostly flat but has enough changes in terrain and scenery to make it interesting. This trail through conifer and aspen forest is a good choice for beginners. |
Colter Bay Area
Colter Bay is 10 miles north of Moran Junction. Trailhead is located 300 feet south of the Colter Bay Ranger Station. PArk in front of the Ranger Station or near the trailhead on the spur road from the main highway.
| Name | Type | Description | Swan Lake - Heron Pond Loop | Easy | 2.6 mile round trip with an elevation change of 40 feet. The trail first crosses an unplowed parking area, then passes the summer Hermitage Point Trailhead. Continue to the right side of the trailhead sign and follow an old road for the first 0.4 mile. The trail forks to either Swan Lake or Heron Pond. Ski 2.2 miles in either direction on the gently sloping loop trail to return to this junction. Skiing on the ponds is not recommended. View the jagged Teton Range and Jackson Lake from the edge of Heron Pond. Beyond Heron Pond, unflagged trails lead to Hermitage Point. This loop adds 5.8 miles and 60feet elevation change to this trip. |
Signal Mountain Area
Signal Mountain is located 26 miles north of Moose Junction and 8 miles west of Moran Junction. To reach the trailhead, follow Highways 26 - 28 - 191 north to Moran Junction, then 5.0 miles west to Jackson Lake and south 3 miles on the Teton Park Road.
| Name | Type | Description | Signal Mountain Sumit Road | Moderate | 12 miles roundtrip with an elevation change of 700 feet. Park near Signal Mountain Lodge (closed in the winter). Ski the unplowed road (be alert for snowmobilers) southward for aprox. one mile until you reach the unplowed road that goes eastward (left) to the summit of Signal Mountain. The Signal Mountain Summit Road winds gradually uphill through conifer forests. The summit affords panoramic views of Jackson Hole and the Teton Range. The return trip is all downhill. |
Flagg Ranch Area
Flagg Ranch is 26 miles north of Moran Junction. The trainhead is located near the northwest corner of the Flagg Ranch parking area.
| Name | Type | Description | Polecat Creek Loop | Easy | 2.5 miles with an elevation change of 50 feet. Take the loop in either direction. The south side of the loop parallels the Grassy Lake road, which is open to snowmobiles. The west side of the loop follows a branch above Polecat Creek, kept open by thermal activity. The north and east sides of the loop traverse a dense conifer forest of lodgepole pines, sub-alpine firs and Engelmann spruce. |
| Flagg Canyon Trail North | Difficult | 4 miles roundtrip with an elevation change of 120 feet. Follow the east side of the Polecat Creek Loop Trail and travel north for .5 mile. Turn east (right) at the marked trail junction. The trail crosses the groomed snowmobile trail; use caution and watch for snowmobiles and snowcoaches. The flagged trail continues on the east side of the road and leads to the Flagg Canyon trail which follows the Snake River. Take the Flagg Canyon Trail north (left) to reach the South Gate of Yellowstone National Park. This section of trail contains a few short steep sections that can easily be avoided. Use caution and avoid cornices where the trail follows the edge of the cliff above the Snake River. return via the same route or take the groomed snowmobile trail. |
| Flagg Canyon Trail South | Easy | 4 miles roundtrip with an elevation change of 40 feet. Reach the Flagg Canyon Trail as described for Flagg Canyon Trail North. At the junction with the Flagg Canyon Trail, turn south (right). The southern half of the Flagg Canyon Trail leads 1.2 miles to end at the highway near the bridge over the Snake River. The trail follows rolling terrain and is suitable for beginners. Return via the same route. |
Snowmobiling
When snow depth is sufficient, snowmobile routes including the Continental Divide Snowmobile Trail (CDST) will be opened within the Grand Teton and John D. Rockefeller, Jr., Parkway. For the unplowed portion of the Teton Park Road, the snowmobile season is generally mid-Dec through mid-Mar. The season for the CDST is considerably shorter. Travel on Jackson Lake is not recommended because of numerous hazards.
Snowmobile regulations in Grand Teton National Park and the Rockerfeller Parkway differ from those in Yellowstone National Park. For Yellowstone info call: 307-344-7381.
The CDST (Continental Divide Snowmobile Trail) connects Dubois, Lander and the Togwotee Pass areas with Yellowstone National Park. The CDST is a groomed trail and may be closed periodically for grooming. For current information on trail conditions please call 307-739-3612; ask at the Moose Visitor Center and the Flagg Ranch Information Station; or check bulletin boards located along the CDST at the East Entrance to Grand Teton, at Signal Mountain and the Snake River Bridge at Flagg Ranch.
The CDST is located immediately adjacent to the plowed road and follows Highway 26 - 287 from east park boundary to Moran Junction, then follows Highway 89 to the south entrance of Yellowstone National Park. From the east park boundary to Jackson Lake Junction, the CDST is located on the north side of the highway. At Jackson Lake Hunction, the trail crosses the highway to the west side and follows an old roadbed north to Christian Creek. After crossing Christian Creek, the trail passes under the highway bridge and continues north to Flagg Ranch on the east side of the highway.
A spur trail from Jackson Lake Junction south connects the CDST with the Teton Park Road snowmobile route. This spur trail follows the north side of the Teton Park Road to Jackson Lake Dam. From Jackson Lake Dam to Signal Mountain, snowmobiles must share the roadway with wheeled vehicles, so snowmobile operators must be extremely cautious. The snowmobile route from Signal Mountain south to Taggart Lake parking area follows the unplowed road and is not groomed.
Regulations
A person under 16 yrs may only operate a snowmobile if accompanied and supervised within the line of sight by a responsible person 21 or older. The responsible person must supervise only one person under 16 years of age.
A person under 12 yrs may only operate a snowmobile if accompanied on the same machine by a responsible person 21 or older.
Snowmobiles must exhibit a valid Wyoming snowmobile registration decal.
All snowmobiles must have a working headlight and a red tail light. These lights must be on when it is dark or visibility is 500 feet or less.
All accidents must be reported to a ranger station or visitor center within 24 hours of occurrence. Call 911 or 739-3300.
Pets are allowed on plowed roads, snowmobile trails and frozen surface of Jackson Lake, but must be leashed or physically restrained at all times.
Prohibited Actions - All Trails
Flagg Ranch is authorized to provide shuttle service from Flagg Ranch to a staging area east of Moran. The fee is $ 33.00 per snowmobile one way; $ 40.00 roundtrip. Capacity per shuttle is 6 machines. For information and reservations call: 307-543-2861.
Entrance Fees
Entrance fees are collected at the Moran and Moose Entrance Stations in Grand Teton and all Yellowstone Entrance Stations. Entrance permit is good for both Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park and good for 7 days. Save your receipt.
Other Information
Snowcoach Tours
Enjoy the winter scenic wonders and wildlife of Grand Teton and Yellowstone Natonal Parks in the warmth and comfort of a snowcoach. A snowcoach is a converted van that is utilized for over snow travel. Snowcoach Tours are offered by operators in the Grand Teton National Park area. The tour destination is the Old Faithful Geyser area in Yellowstone National Park.
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