April on the Snake River? Bring Your Rod and Reel

The ski racks haven’t quite disappeared from the tops of Teton County cars yet, but as winter activities wind down and we all begin to gear up for summer adventures in the mountains, there’s no shortage of waders and drift boats around town (and in the park!).  We asked a local fly fisherman to tell us a bit about why these spring months are such a great time to be out on the water.  Here’s the scoop: 

• The water is “gin clear” this time of year – need we say more?
• Fish are still pooled up in “winter water” versus the high water of summertime when fish are more widely dispersed along the shores
• Temperatures and other indicators of seasonal change are causing fish to start to “looking up” to hatching bugs
• Lots of would-be fishermen are still enjoying the ski slopes (or haven’t yet arrived for the summer), so fishing pressure is minimal
• Daily temperature changes allow for a variety of set ups and techniques, including nymphs, streamers and dry flies; there’s also a great variety of bug activity: stoneflies, mayflies, midges and more
• Fish are hungry coming out of the winter months and are eager to feed, especially on warmer days; they also haven’t seen artificial flies all winter
• The river is low so it’s easy to cover “good water” on foot – a great time for wade fishermen

Fishing in Grand Teton National Park is regulated according to Wyoming state laws. A license is required. For more information visit the Wyoming Game and Fish website at gf.state.wy.us. You may also download the park’s fishing brochure here.

David Vela, Grand Teton's New Superintendent

Photo by Ryan Sheets

David Vela, former associate director for workforce, relevancy and inclusion at the National Park Service's Washington headquarters, is Grand Teton’s newly appointed superintendent and the 21st in park history. Vela succeeds Mary Gibson Scott, who retired in late 2013 after nearly ten years on the job.

A Texas native, Vela credits a childhood trip to Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks with setting him on his career path. He began his NPS career in 1981 as a cooperative education student at San Antonio Missions National Historic Park in Texas, where he later became a ranger. He has held numerous positions in the NPS, including supervisory park ranger at San Antonio Missions National Historical Park in Texas, superintendent of Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site in Texas and Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park in Texas, and director of the NPS’s southeast region. Prior to accepting his role as Grand Teton’s superintendent, he oversaw NPS programs including human resources, learning and development, equal opportunity, youth, and the Office of Relevancy, Diversity and Inclusion.

Vela will oversee the park’s 310,000 acres, including 51 miles of wild and scenic rivers, management of Grand Teton's diverse wildlife, and assortment of cultural resources and historic artifacts. On behalf of the Foundation, we welcome you, David!

Mormon Row: Grand Teton's Cultural Gem

Even if you’ve never been to Grand Teton, chances are you’d recognize the T.A. Moulton barn. Rumored to be the most-photographed barn in America, it is part of Grand Teton’s Mormon Row Historic District, one of the country’s best representations of an early 1900s western farming community and part of the National Register of Historic Places.

Named “Grovont” by the U.S. Post Office, the area was more commonly known as Mormon Row due to the predominant religion of its residents.  In 1896, a group of Mormons escaping drought in Utah settled on the rich soils east of Blacktail Butte along Ditch Creek. With only 60 frost-free days, the community relied heavily on shared labor and tools, along with quick-growing crops such as oats. They worked hard to clear the area of sagebrush and established intricate irrigation systems involving a network of levees and dikes, some of which continue to transport water to the area today. Long winters and drought caused many Mormon Row residents to sell their properties to the Snake River Land Company in the 1930s, which soon became part of Grand Teton National Park.  Although over 100 residents lived in the Mormon Row community in the 1920s, only six homesteads remain visible today. They are some of the most visited sites in Jackson Hole.

Despite various maintenance efforts over the years, today the structures at Mormon Row are in poor condition.  As they deteriorate, the area grows increasingly unsafe for visitors.  The Foundation is currently raising funds to enable work this summer to improve structural longevity and visitor safety at Mormon Row.  Thanks to the generous support of Foundation donors, including the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole, $10,000 has been raised for this effort to date.  An additional $5,000 is needed to complete the park’s goals for the area this year.  If you would like to contribute to the success of this project and help us preserve this iconic area, please make a donation here or contact Leslie Mattson at GTNPF.

Be Bear Aware on Your Next Adventure

Photo by Sean Beckett

Bears are out of hibernation and active in Grand Teton. At this time of year, they are showing up in increasing numbers and are looking for the winter-killed carcasses, leftover berries, and pine seeds on which they feed during the spring months. All park visitors need to be alert for the presence of bears in any area of the park. Follow these essential precautions to stay safe in bear country:

1. Make Noise. Surprised bears feel more threatened. Make your presence known on the trail by talking, clapping, or making other noises. Bears usually move out of the way when they hear people approaching.
2. Travel in Groups. Hike in groups of three or more when in the park. Larger groups make more noise and appear more formidable to bears. Avoid hiking when bears are most active -- in the early morning, evening, or at night.
3. Carry Bear Spray. Bear spray is extremely effective in deterring attacks. Read the manufacturer’s instructions and learn how to use it properly.  Keep spray immediately available on your belt or pack’s waist strap.
4. Keep your Distance. Maintain a 100-yard or more distance from bears at all times.
5. Store your Food. Allowing bears to access to human food results in aggressive behavior. The bear quickly becomes a threat to human safety and must be relocated or killed. Never leave food unattended and keep your personal items with you. Store food and anything with an odor in vehicles or bear boxes, and dispose of garbage in in bear-resistant trash cans or dumpsters.

What if a bear attacks?
Bear attacks are extremely rare in Grand Teton. If a bear approaches or charges you, DO NOT RUN. Surprised or defensive bears typically false charge then stop abruptly. Hold your ground until the bear stops then slowly back away.

Please report any bear sightings or signs to the nearest visitor center or ranger station. Happy adventuring!

In the Spotlight: Signal Mountain Lodge

Signal Mountain Lodge (SML) sits on the stunning shores of Jackson Lake.  A corporate partner of Grand Teton National Park Foundation since 1998 and a frontrunner among environmentally responsible resorts, SML has a longstanding commitment to protecting Grand Teton and encouraging guests and staff alike to enjoy the park’s many wonders.  SML’s general manager, Jason Ryan, shares with us the lodge’s history of stewardship and some of Grand Teton’s best kept secrets.    


The lodge predates Grand Teton.  Tell us about the lodge’s history and culture of outdoor recreation.  SML was founded in the 1920s to provide accommodations for wealthy outdoorsmen.  In the early 1930s, manager Charles Wort, determined to make the lodge a first-class fishing resort, established a camp and boat dock on Jackson Lake and became the park’s first boat concessioner.  When construction of the Wort Hotel in Jackson took off in 1940, Wort sold the property to the Harris family, who constructed the modern hotel.  Today, our team shares a love for outdoor recreation, adventure, and Grand Teton.  One of our staff's greatest rewards is sharing their explorations and inspiring our guests through interpretive services, trip planning, and conversations in Deadman's Bar.

In 2002, SML became the first national park concessioner recognized as a Green Seal Certified Hotel and Lodging Property.  What steps does the lodge take to support the legacy of stewardship and philanthropy in Grand Teton?  We are a committed leader in land stewardship and feel it’s our responsibility to help preserve the park for the enjoyment of future generations.  Some of our stewardship partnerships include the Green Restaurant Association 3-star rating, ISO 14001 certification, EPA's Green Power Partnership, and the local RRR Business Leaders program.  By supporting the Foundation’s Visitor Donation Program, the lodge and our guests contribute to park preservation efforts to help protect park facilities.  These partnerships ensure we meet our mission of protecting this beautiful park.

What is the best kept secret you’ve discovered in the park that you’d like to share with readers?  For me, winter is the park’s best kept secret.  The snow allows for many unique touring and wildlife viewing opportunities.  During the summer season, the Signal Mountain Summit trail connected to the resort is a favorite.  You can complete the 6-mile loop without seeing another visitor.

Thank you, Signal Mountain Lodge, for all you do to protect Grand Teton, inspire its visitors, and set an example for other businesses working in or around our country's national parks.

April 2014 Wildlife Whereabouts

Photo by Patrick Leary

• Moose and other ungulates are experiencing the toughest time of the year as they emerge from winter with low fuel reserves. 
• Melting snow and greening vegetation help many animals get a jump on replenishing these critical energy reserves, particularly pregnant females which will be giving birth in the next 2 months.
• Since gestation lengths in mammals are fairly consistent, calving seasons will be similar to previous years, regardless of weather.  The first bison calves of the year are being born in April, with moose and elk to follow in May!
• Northern migration of elk from the National Elk Refuge into Grand Teton has begun.  Elk typically move up in the Snake River corridor north of the town of Moose first, where river banks and east-facing slopes melt early. 
• Wolves are out and about, localizing around den sites and preparing to give birth to cubs in late April.
• Bald eagles, ravens, great-horned owls, and other early-season nesting birds are incubating eggs.
• Birds that migrate out of Jackson Hole in the fall are returning in increasing numbers (the osprey, blue birds, meadowlarks, sandhill cranes and others are back!).
• Bears are showing up in increasing numbers and are looking for the winter-killed carcasses, left over berries, and pine seeds on which they feed during the spring months.
• Beaver are showing up as ice melts off ponds and are raising new families inside their dens.
• Bighorn sheep that winter in the Tetons begin to move off small wintering areas as the snow at high elevations firms up.
• Numbers of sage grouse attending lek (mating) sites will likely peak during April.