Latest news with #GrandTeton
New York Times
3 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
Will America's National Parks Survive Trump?
Like a cinnamon river overflowing its banks, thousands of elk have been making their way across Jackson Hole, Wyo., to their summer range below the high, jagged peaks of Grand Teton National Park. This is one of the world's most spectacular migrations, protected by the creation and expansion over the last half century of what is now a 485-square-mile park. As the weather has warmed, cars and vans carrying tourists from far and wide have been lining the roads, watching and photographing the elk and keeping an eye out for wolves, bears, moose, deer, bison and pronghorn antelope. With more than 3.6 million visitors last year, Grand Teton is one of the most popular national parks. In 2023, the $738 million spent by these tourists in nearby hotels, restaurants and shops supported more than 9,300 regional jobs — not a bad return for a park that runs on a budget of about $15 million a year. The pattern is similar across America. That same year, the most recent for which figures are available, the 325 million visitors to national parks, monuments and historic sites spent an estimated $26.4 billion in surrounding communities. Visits to the parks swelled last year to a record of nearly 332 million. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Travel Daily News
23-05-2025
- Travel Daily News
Jackson Hole: America's premier year-round destination
Whether you're seeking heart-pounding adventure, peaceful communion with nature, or sophisticated luxury in a spectacular setting, Jackson Hole has established itself as perhaps America's premier mountain destination and not just for a specific season, but for any time of year you choose to visit. Having made a name for itself primarily because of its undeniably world-class winter skiing, Jackson Hole, Wyoming has developed a reputation as one of America's most coveted year-round destinations. It's hardly surprising given its natural beauty. The breathtaking valley nestled alongside the majestic Grand Teton mountain range offers visitors an unparalleled combination of scenic beauty, outdoor adventure, and luxury amenities across all four seasons. 'What's really changing the game for Jackson Hole is that people are discovering how it's really more than just a winter wonderland,' says Jason Ziernicki, founder of local news outlet Antlers Arch. 'Tourism patterns are shifting as travelers realize each season here offers completely unique experiences you simply can't find elsewhere.' Spring: Renewal… and Value Spring offers perhaps the best value of any season. As the skiing season winds down, hotel rates drop off before the summer crowds arrive and the prices respond to demand. Wildlife viewing in the spring months is exceptionally good with new births and animals emerging from their winter hibernation. For photography, this is a great season to visit. The Snake River comes alive with some of the year's best fishing conditions, while hiking trails at lower elevations become accessible again, often with dramatic waterfall displays from snowmelt. Summer: Adventure Playground When the snow melts, Jackson Hole transforms into an outdoor enthusiast's paradise. The region boasts over 56 miles of paved pathways and hundreds of miles of mountain biking trails. By summer, Grand Teton National Park's 310,000 acres are fully accessible, offering incredible and varied hiking experiences for every skill level. There are plenty of watersport options to consider on the Snake River, from adrenaline-pumping whitewater rafting to more serene fly fishing expeditions. And at this time of the year, wildlife viewing reaches its peak, with opportunities to spot grizzly bears, wolves, moose, and the park's famous bison herds. 'People come to Jackon in the summer for the wildlife and outdoor activities but find themselves equally drawn to our expanding cultural offerings like the Grand Teton Music Festival and the vibrant local food scene,' according to Ziernicki. Fall: Nature's Spectacular Show Fall might just be Jackson Hole's best-kept secret. September and October is when you can see a breathtaking display of foliage as aspens turn brilliant gold against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains. Temperatures during these months remain pleasant for hiking, and wildlife viewing opportunities increase as animals prepare for winter. The shoulder season months also means significantly fewer crowds and reduced rates at many luxury properties. Winter: World-Class Powder and Beyond Jackson Hole Mountain Resort's legendary terrain remains the valley's winter crown jewel, offering some of North America's most challenging skiing. But winter activities extend far beyond downhill skiing. Visitors can explore Grand Teton National Park on snowshoes or cross-country skis, take wildlife safaris to spot wolves and bighorn sheep, or enjoy the unique experience of dog sledding through pristine backcountry. 'You can ski world-class terrain by day, then enjoy a genuine western experience at night,' says Ziernicki. 'You've got everything from sleigh rides through the National Elk Refuge to dining in historic log cabins.' Getting There Jackson Hole Airport, the only commercial airport located within a U.S. National Park, now offers direct flights from major cities including Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and Dallas. Many flights operate year-round, eliminating the seasonal access challenges of the past. Whether you're seeking heart-pounding adventure, peaceful communion with nature, or sophisticated luxury in a spectacular setting, Jackson Hole has established itself as perhaps America's premier mountain destination and not just for a specific season, but for any time of year you choose to visit. Photo by James Ohlerking on Unsplash
Daily Mail
20-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Hunky athlete raced up and down iconic national park mountain... then his Strava tracker got him in BIG trouble
A breathtaking ascent, followed by a lightning-fast descent, ended not in glory but in a courtroom for a well-known North Face-sponsored ultrarunner. Michelino Sunseri, 32, a professional mountain runner, completed a blistering, record-setting, round-trip of Wyoming 's Grand Teton on September 2, 2024, finishing the grueling 13.2-mile route in just two hours, 50 minutes, and 50 seconds. But, shortly after crossing the finish line, his triumph unraveled - not due to injury, but because of a small off-trail shortcut captured by his Strava GPS tracker. The single switchback cut, a violation of National Park Service rules, landed Sunseri in legal hot water and cost him official recognition for what would have been a new fastest known time. According to park officials, the infraction occurred during his record-breaking descent, when Sunseri deviated from the designated trail by cutting across a switchback - a maneuver intended to save seconds but prohibited to prevent erosion in the fragile alpine environment. The detour was logged on his GPS watch and uploaded to Strava - a social fitness platform used by runners, cyclists, and hikers - effectively documenting his own violation. Grand Teton National Park rangers later cited the Idaho native for 'traveling off designated trails,' a federal petty offense. Prosecutors offered him a misdemeanor guilty plea for the citation, which carries up to six months in jail and a $5,000 fine. However, Sunseri pleaded not guilty and was set to appear in court on Tuesday to contest the charge, WyoFile reported. Earlier this spring, attorneys representing the park offered Sunseri a five-year ban from Grand Teton as part of a settlement. But he declined. 'Definitely not,' he told SFGATE in February. 'That's crazy.' He also proposed volunteer trail work and soil rehabilitation as alternatives, but the park reportedly rejected those offers. 'I'm feeling a little confused that this is even happening,' Sunseri said. Yet, the fallout following his record-setting run was swift. rejected his submission, citing the off-trail violation and affirming its commitment to park rules. 'Any future attempts to cut switchbacks will result in complete rejection,' the site now states. The North Face, which sponsors the self-proclaimed 'mountain ninja,' deleted a post congratulating him on achieving an 'impossible dream,' though he remains sponsored. The experienced trail runner argues he followed the path used by six of the last seven record holders: an old climber's trail described as 'a hard-packed, well-traveled and historically significant trail below the mouth of Garnet Canyon.' Sunseri has also contended that the NPS' enforcement rests on two small, poorly visible signs - one 'hidden in sagebrush' and the other 'behind a pine tree' - according to a petition started by friend Connor Burkesmith. 'Despite consistent public use of the trail over the last three decades, no one else was prosecuted,' the petition reads. The petition, calling for charges to be dropped, has since garnered over 2,000 signatures. 'It is frankly ridiculous that the NPS is hanging a criminal charge over his head,' one supporter wrote. But not all are sympathetic, some environmental advocates and trail runners insist that rules are there for a reason. 'It was a very public violation of NPS regulations, shared in such a public way by this influencer and sponsored athlete in association with his effort to achieve the fastest known time goal,' Grand Teton spokesperson Emily Davis said. What could have been a career-defining achievement has instead become a cautionary tale for the ultrarunner. 'I don't think I'd wish this on my worst enemy,' he told SFGATE. 'I'm being prosecuted by the federal government for trail running. I don't stand by that anymore, no.'
CBS News
09-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
Well-known grizzly bear hit and killed by vehicle in Wyoming — months after famous mother met same fate
A 5-year-old bear that was a member of a well-known and beloved grizzly family in Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park died after it was hit by a vehicle, the same fate that befell his mother late last year, wildlife officials said this week. Park rangers found the body of the male bear, known as Grizzly No. 1058, about 125 yards from Highway 26 near the Buffalo Fork River on Tuesday. The bear was one of four cubs that emerged in May 2020 with their mother, Grizzly No. 399, who was often called the world's most famous grizzly bear. Grizzly No. 399, who was beloved for decades by countless tourists, biologists and professional wildlife photographers, was hit and killed by a vehicle in October on a highway south of Jackson, Wyoming. Park officials used wildlife tags to confirm the relationship between the two bears. Grizzly bear No. 399 and her four cubs cross a road as Cindy Campbell stops traffic in Jackson Hole, Wyo., Nov. 17, 2020. Ryan Dorgan/Jackson Hole News & Guide via AP Grizzly No. 1058 had been seen occasionally in the park since he was weened in 2022, but no sightings of him had been reported this spring. After he was hit by the vehicle, he made his way to a patch of willows, where he died, the National Park Service said in a statement. Park officials said Tuesday he may have been dead for several days before his body was found. At 28 years old, No. 399 was the oldest known reproducing female grizzly in the Yellowstone ecosystem. Each spring, wildlife enthusiasts eagerly awaited her emergence from her den to see how many cubs she had birthed over the winter - then quickly shared the news online. The bear had 18 known cubs in eight litters over the years, including the litter of four in 2020. She stood around 7 feet tall and weighed about 400 pounds. Named for the identity tag attached to her ear by researchers, the grizzly was often seen near roads in Grand Teton, drawing crowds and creating traffic jams. The driver who struck and killed No. 399 was not speeding, and the bear's death was ruled an accident. Park officials have not released any additional details about the crash that killed No. 1058. A Grizzly bear named "399" walks with her four cubs along the main highway near Signal Mountain on June 15, 2020 outside Jackson, Wyoming. George Frey / Getty Images The National Park Service reminded visitors this week that wildlife -- including bears, elk and moose -- are "often near park roadways, difficult to see, and can cross the road unexpectedly." Officials said drivers should not speed and be especially vigilant in national parks. "Pay attention to your surroundings," officials said. "Speeding is not the only cause of wildlife collisions; park wildlife are often hit because drivers are distracted." Authorities said 49 grizzly bears died because of vehicle collisions between 2009 and 2023. Grizzly bears generally live to be around 25, though some in the wild have lived for over 35 years, according to the Fish & Wildlife Service. Before 1800, there were an estimated 50,000 grizzly bears living throughout 18 western States, including Wyoming, according to the Fish and Wildlife Service. By 1975, the population in the 48 contiguous states was reduced to between 700 to 800. After decades of being listed as threatened in the lower 48 states under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, the population has grown to at least 1,923 grizzly bears in the 48 contiguous states.
Washington Post
07-05-2025
- Washington Post
Member of beloved grizzly bear family hit and killed in Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park
MOOSE, Wyo. — A 5-year-old bear that was a member of a well-known and beloved grizzly family in Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park died after it was hit by a vehicle, the same fate that befell his mother late last year, wildlife officials said Tuesday. Park rangers found the body of the male bear, known as Grizzly No. 1058, about 125 yards (114 meters) from Highway 26 near the Buffalo Fork River on Tuesday. The bear was one of four cubs that emerged in May 2020 with their mother, Grizzly No. 399, who was often called the world's most famous grizzly bear.
