Day 10: Animal and Mass Wasting

If from walking and driving around you could not surmise the abundance of wildlife in this area, all you would need to do is look at the ground. Hidden amoung the copious grasses, shrubs, and trees is quite possibly the most ubiquiteous substance in this land: poop. The guidebook that we have for the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone has information on the animals found in the area as well as how to identify their tracks and scat. The first night at the campsite we identified some nearby droppings as either elk or moose, as well as a few bison patties. Around the site the poop was sparse enough that it could be easily avoided, but on out first hike we realized very quickly that there was no point in avoiding animal fecal deposits.

Bones

Our first hike was up a nature trail that was across from the Gros Ventre landslide (or mass wasting area). The slide occured on June 23, 1925 and invovled the movement of nearly 50 million cubic yards of material which fell down the slope and up the other side of the valley, damming the Gros Ventre river and creating a lake upstreeam. Then 2 years later the 225' tall dam ruptured, flooding the town and ranch land below. The mass wasting event left an impressive scar on the side of the mountain.

View of landslide from the end of the hike

What is likely the best view of the slide comes from a hiking trail on the opposite side of the valley. From the base, the hike looked to be a steep short hike to the top of a hill, but when you reach the top of the hill you realize there was another on afterwards and another one after that and so on. Now, when I say this was a steep hike, I do not mean that it was just uncomfortable to walk up. I'm talking 60-75 degree slopes with loose crumbly soil and next to no tree cover on a trail covered with animal feces. This was the point where we stopped caring about stepping in poop, because it would've taken at least twice as long to reach the overlook point if we had avoided them. In fact, I realized it was easier and safer to walk to the side of the trail, following the animal tracks and subsequently walking through greater amounts of poo. But dirty boots* and all, we made it to the top, and though the hike was far more rigorous than was expected, the views were definitely worth it.

Hauntingly Beautiful Dead Tree Atop Steep Hill

Storm's abrewing over the Grand Teton.

After the hike, we had some lunch and went to the Visitor's center. While at the visitors center a storm rolled in canceling our afternoon hike, so instead we went down into Jackson Hole to do some touristy shopping and have dinner at the Snake River Brewery. Overall it was a very enjoyable day.

*We were sure to beat the gross off of our shoes after the hike, so as to not further contaminate and add to the stench of the van.

Cool tree knot

Posted via DraftCraft app