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Teton Mountain Range
The Teton Mountain Range is one of the most dazzling , awe - inspire natural property still found on the North American continent . The glorious mountains are located in the state of Wyoming and encompass most of the Jackson Hole vale . The reach is a part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem , which is the largest nearly intact natural area in the contiguous United States . Today , many species of beast such as bison , elk , bear , eagles and moose can still be found and enjoy in the two national parkland , seven national forests and two national wildlife preserves that make up the ecosystem .
From above
The Teton Range is a new raft kitchen range that was uplifted only about 9 million years ago . The tallest peak , the Grand Teton , rises some 13,775 feet ( 4,200 meters ) . The origin of the naming of the Tetons is shrouded in contention . Some historiographer think that Gallic explorers named the mountain range " Les Trois Tetons " ( which translates to " the three breast " ) to honour the female anatomy . Other historians contend that the mount receive their name from the local Teton Sioux tribe , one of the seven indigenous radical of Lakota citizenry found on the Great Plains of North America .
Long and tall
The Teton Range extends some 40 Swedish mile ( 64 kilometer ) in distance while rising some 7,000 feet ( 2,130 m ) above the Jackson Hole valley . The sphere has many lakes let in the 15 - mile - long ( 24 kilometer ) Jackson Lake , as experience here in thisNASALandsat picture . The main downstream segment of the Snake River also meander across the Jackson Hole valley .
From sea to mountains
The geological history of the Teton Range began some 2.7 billion class ago along the edge of an ancient ship route bang as the Cordilleran trough . The constant ebbing and flowing seafloor was being filled daily with thick bed of clay , sand and volcanic sediment that would over the age reach miles in profundity . Some 60 million years ago , the Farallon Plate under the Pacific Ocean began to subduct below the North American Plate , result in the creation of today ’s Rocky Mountains . Then , 10 million years ago , massive earthquakes triggered by the shifting of the Teton break lead off tilting the sight blocks upward , resulting today in an commencement along the valley floor of nigh 30,000 foot ( 9,140 m ) .
Young and old
Even though the Teton Range contains some of the oldest rock regain in North America , the Lakota themselves are one of the youngest ( 9 million eld sure-enough ) of North American mountain compass . The 2.7 - billion - class - erstwhile metamorphous rock , known as gneiss , make up the huge majority of the Teton Range . Before the collision of the two tectonic plate , these rocks of the Tetons were buried some 18 miles ( 30 km ) below the Earth ’s surface .
Erosion over time
The dramatic show of the Teton Range is due to both their relatively new age and the ever - present and never-ending forces of erosion . monolithic Pleistocene Ice Age glacier are responsible for for sculpturing the rugged high peak with their mystifying U - mould canyons . These Pleistocene glaciers disappear some 10,000 days ago , but smaller glacier reform in the Teton Range during the Little Ice Age ( 1400 CE - 1850 CE ) . Today , there are 11 active glaciers within the Teton mountains , 10 of which are large enough to be key out on U.S. Geological Survey maps . The Teton Glacier is point here just to the right of the Grand Teton peak .
Slice and dice
The movement of glaciers through the Teton Range resulted in the cutting of many deep depressions in the valley floor . Six , jewel - same morainal lake are now found at the base of the Teton Range . Jackson Lake , shown here , is the largest of the glacier lakes covering 40 square miles ( 104 square kilometers ) with a maximum depth of 438 feet ( 134 K ) . More than 100 additional backcountry and alpine lake and ponds are also find disperse throughout the Teton Range .
Opportunities to wade
The many opportunities to enjoy water throughout the Teton Range let in world - class sportfishing along the Snake River , which meanders along the base of the mountain . With its headwaters on the Two Ocean Plateau inside of Yellowstone National Park , the Snake River is a major river of the Pacific Northwest region of North America . The Snake River , shown here flowing near the Grand Teton , is 1,078 miles ( 1,735 km ) long and is the largest tributary of the Columbia River .
Splendor in all directions
With such rude dish everywhere , it is fiddling admiration that the Grand Teton National Park was establish in February 1929 . The car park comprehend some 484 square miles ( 1,250 square kilometers ) . Park meridian cast from 6,320 foot , ( 1,926 chiliad ) to 13,775 foot ( 4,200 m ) . Archeological grounds suggest that early huntsman - gatherer Paleo - Indians first entered this land some 11,000 years ago . The Shoshoni clan claim this area when French and American pelt trapper entered the beautiful river valley early in the 19th century in search of dress hat pelt . A ruck of American bison is record here grazing in one of the meadows in front of Mt. Moran .
Perfect for plants
The floor of the Jackson Hole valley , as well as the many mountain valley , are predominately compose of a loose rocky territory that is idealistic for water to percolate through it . With such idealistic weather of wet and ground , more than 1,000 species of vascular plant life turn within the parking lot ’s boundaries . Big leaf sage brush , Artemisia tridentata , eclipse the valley storey , intermix with a immense diversity of wildflower . coniferous tree master the mountain side and canyon regions . A eyepatch of lupine flowers , Lupinus perennis , is depict here and is one of many mintage of wild flower that add seasonal beauty to the national green .
Home to many
With such a lush and diverse natural environment , wildlife abounds throughout the Teton Range . Sixty - one species of mammals , including bear , moose , badgers and more , are found in the area ’s alpine , timber , sagebrush flavourless and wetland zones . The national park is renowned for its splendid trout fishing . More than 341 species of birds , include the yellow - headed ouzel ( Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus ) have been documented within the park ’s boundaries . Both golden eagles , Aquila chrysaetos , and denudate eagle , Haliaeetus leucocephalus , are ordinarily picture soaring above the vast meadows along the Snake River in hunt of a delicious rabbit , carrion or trout dinner .
