GRAND TETONS MOUNTAIN BIKE TOUR

Overview

It is the striking visage of the Grand Tetons that sets it apart from the rest of the Rocky Mountains. Only 40-miles long by ten-miles wide, this relatively small segment of the Rockies is also the youngest. Unlike other ranges in the Rockies, the Tetons have not been around long enough to acquire the foothills, or softer lines shaped by centuries of erosion. The Grand Teton National Park and adjoining National Forest protect this unique geographical feature, which peaks out at 13,770 feet; not to mention the wildlife, wildly lush subalpine meadows, and rich recreation opportunities we savor.

Our mountain bike tour hugs four distinct regions around cowboy-artsy Jackson Hole and the surrounding Teton Range. On the valley floor, in the “hole” surrounded by mountains, we ride the rolling prairie trails of Antelope Flats. To the east, we loop around through the Red Hills/Gros Ventre area on the Ditch Creek Trail. From here, directly across the valley and south of the Teton Mountains, we can see the Munger Trails. And to the west, on the Idaho side of the Tetons, we enjoy the 600-acre Grand Targhee Resort in Alta, Wyoming, descending purpose-built singletrack for an afternoon. The first DH-specific destination in the Tetons, the Grand Targhee’s 70-miles of multi-use trails spans gentle-banked cruising to tighter, XC singletrack to more challenging trails. Lift access delivers 2200-vertical feet of downhill riding.

Each glorious morning, set against the dramatic Tetons, we’ll traverse peaks, cirques, U-shaped canyons and glacial lakes. Sweeping through big mountain ecosystems, we’ll pass crossing moose, elk, Pika and Yellow Bellied Marmot habitat, among others. More experienced mountain bikers will be well-equipped for the Tetons inspiring elevations and dynamic trails!

 

Day 1 | Shadow Mountain and Teton National Park

Meet-up late morning in Jackson, at The Lodge at Jackson Hole. Departing from the base of the Jackson Hole resort, we’ll shuttle approximately 20-miles north into the 3.4-million acre Bridger-Teton National Forest, America’s third largest national forest (outside Alaska). At the trailside, we’ll enjoy lunch, indulge in informal introductions; then it’s ride time. Our introductory ride in the Tetons unfolds on Shadow Mountain. A 12-mile loop system, Shadow Mountain is rated a four-star/intermediate trail. In terms of profile, Shadow Mountain peaks out at 8213-ft. elevation; we’ll climb 1493-ft, and drop an equal degree. But what you can’t quantify are the unparalleled views of the Tetons, looming just across the Snake River from our route: a phenomenally gorgeous sweep, the shark’s teeth of the Tetons soaring into enormous azure-colored skies Incredibly, Lewis and Clark missed these by turns formidable and frigid mountains, conspicuous for their absence from the famous voyager’s notes and journals. Our treads suffer no such oversight, digging into full figured bank turns and perfectly buffed singletrack on the far end, leading up to a van pickup at the trailhead. With today’s ride complete, we’ll shuttle into the eastern section of 310,044-acre Teton National Park. The latter is home to not only the 2000-lb bison, but also North America’s smallest bird: the Calliope Hummingbird, its weight equivalent to two paper clips. Besides plucky birds to bison herds, if luck is with us we might also sight moose.

If you’re among our camping tour contingent, we’ll shuttle nine-miles to the Atherton campground along Lower Slide Lake, a wildly scenic if superb habitat for Spotted cutthroat trout and Mountain Whitefish within the Bridger-Teton National Forest. For the next two nights, we’ll base at 7,000-ft, alongside the two-mile long by half-mile wide lake. A landslide on the Gros Ventre River created the latter in June 1925, when 50-million cubic yards of earth gave way. Only 15-minutes from the Grand Targhee resort, Atherton not only affords great wildlife viewing—predominantly elk and moose—but the kind of solitude that’s rare at National Park campgrounds.

Day 2 | Ditch Creek

From camp, we’ll lock directly onto this loop, primarily an all-mountain/x-country course. Even during spring’s enormous runoffs, the creek we’ll cross and parallel never reaches more than two feet deep. Starting out at 8148-ft, the small ring work delivers our kind of compensation package: all manner of spectacular views of the Tetons, a geologic virtuosity. Today’s route climbs along the west side of the Red Hills, which look directly onto 13,770-ft. Grand Teton, the high point in the massif. Segueing onto a dirt road, we summit Ditch Creek; then descend via the Middlefork Trail. Linking onto the Jackson Hole ski/bike resort, Middlefork sweeps past Rendezvous Mountain, the 10,927-ft. ridge on the northwest face of the Tetons, half of which shades Grand Teton National Park; the other half contained within Bridger-Teton National Forest. With great gusto, the last leg of this loop plays out on Horsetail Creek. From a peak of 8813-ft., Horsetail descends 1986-ft. Picture a smooth fun span of switchbacks set to a Swiss Alps-like backdrop. We “tail” it all the way back to camp, trying to keep count of the “wows” .

Day 3 | Jackson and Teton National Park

Today’s adventure begins with a shuttle into Teton National Park. Our day unfolds with visits to a few of our favorite sites in the National Park, including the Old Church and Jenny Lake. Subsequently, we’ll sit down to lunch in Jackson. Thereafter the afternoon is all yours: either to sample the local shops and artisan crafts; or venture out on your own, choosing any number of select epic trails. Bear in mind, there are four bike shops serving the 4000 locals, not to mention the untold thousands of visitors to Teton Valley. Here in Wydaho—what locals call the border-sharing region—mountain biking isn’t as much a sport as it is culture, central to their very outdoorsy Intermountain West lifestyle. From Driggs to Victor, Idaho, wonderfully understated backcountry towns, the BBQ, burger and smoothie joints put out the welcome mat for mountain bikers. That vibe or mindset carries over to the many miles of truly fetching, purpose built single track. Confer with local guides to dial in the best trail for an afternoon out ‘n back. Closing out the day, we shuttle over the Idaho border to Driggs, hometown of the Grand Targhee Resort, on the west side of the Tetons. There we’ll layover the following two nights.

Day 4 | Grand Targhee Idaho

Day Four sees us surging beneath the grand shadows of Teton National Park, on the west side of the mountain range. More specifically: to Alta, Wyoming (42-miles northwest of Jackson), home to the Grand Targhee Bike Park. Once the 400 to 500-inch snowpack fades, Grand Targhee’s 70-miles of x-country trails reemerge, transforming into yawning wildflower meadows. While the resort’s more vertical propositions assume the shape of long, lift-serviced downhill bombs. At its core, the Grand Targhee Resort narrative is that of a pioneer: the first downhill mountain bike destination in the Tetons. But that’s only one side of an emergent, multifaceted gemstone. Once you factor in the incredible trail networks between Teton Pass and the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, the larger Wydaho region begins to come on like the next Moab: a do-everything, smartly outfitted mountain bike mecca. Inasmuch, if Grand Targhee and the Tetons have an ace-in-the-hole, it’s optimum summer months borne of enviable high latitudes. When weather maps show a red-orange heat sink enveloping the Western third of North America, Wydaho arguably serves up the most rider-friendly climes in the lower 48. Today, those desirable conditions greet you on Grand Targhee’s multi-use trails. Whatever your riding style or level of competency, Targhee checks all the boxes: gentle, banked cruisers; tight, twisty sidewinders; Flintstone’s like downhill courses; supremo hero drops; as well as long-winded, x-country routes. Today we’ll sample from the Grand Targhee version of a prix fixe multicourse;

 

I. Action Jackson, four-to-five miles of quick transitions; big-wide berms that give way to rocky segments that flow into flat rip ‘n grip stretches. Action Jackson ultimately peaks out at 8312-ft.

II. .38-Special. Rated 4.6/5 stars, viewed profile-wise, 38-Special looks like an X-ray or CT scan of one’s intestine: a lengthy stretch of tightly wound turns and wicked sharp switchbacks. A three-mile point-to-point, 38-Special peaks out at 8950-ft, its average grade a rather agreeable 7%. Moreover, if you’re in need of an epic selfie, or new Facebook portrait, this is your go-to. Think shot back over the trail, evergreens to either side of frame, Tetons absolutely tearing at the sky behind you.

III. Ain’t Life Grand, the resort’s highest elevation x-country trail, ALG peaks out at 9153-ft. Called a “Lollypop loop”, this route suits beginners to intermediate types, rolling through tight Aspen groves only to ascend high, raw ridgebacks. In terms of pitch, ALG’s maximum grade reaches 21.4%, ascending a hair short of 200-ft while descending 204-ft. Beyond this jaunty trio lies some of the most-imaginatively named, if not wicked tasty singletrack in all the Interior West: Fuzzy Bunny to Candyland, Rush Hour to Lithium, from Jimmy’s Mom and Spooky, to Putt-Putt and Bullwinkle.

Day 5 | Munger Mountain

Our final ride could be defined as something of a victory lap: a triumphal celebration of an epic Teton tour, though via the throttle back, super enjoyable Munger Mountain loop. Rated between 4.2 and a full 5/5, Munger Mountain, reduced to a schematic unfolds akin to a figure eight. Topo-wise, Munger is spiked by two climbs. Peaking out at 7100-ft., we’ll gain 1500-ft. of climbing, while dropping 1400-ft. before resolving into some short, more techie stretches. This network looms south of Jackson and Wilson, offering an a la carte selection of additional loops. Emerging from big, dense Pine and Aspen groves between a beautiful blur of high meadows, we’ll enjoy lunch alongside the trail. Then its closeout time, shuttling back to Jackson, a van full of dirt heroes: all ear-to-ear smiles, softening lines around the eyes, trading and sharing their respective “best” moments.

Read more about mountain biking the Grand Tetons.

Authorized Permittee of the National Park Service.

Activities

This Trip is Rated Fitness Levels 3-5 and Technical Levels 3-5

Daily Activities

Day	Activity	Easy		Moderate		Seasoned
		Miles	Feet Gain	Miles	Feet Gain	Miles	Feet Gain
Day 1	Mountain Biking			Moderate: 8 Miles	1334 Ft. Gain
Day 2	Mountain Biking					Seasoned: 24.7 Miles	3545 Ft. Gain
Day 3	Hiking
	Mountain Biking			Moderate: 16.7 Miles	2709 Ft. Gain
Day 4	Mountain Biking	Easy: 10 Miles	50 Ft. Gain	Moderate: 18 Miles	195 Ft. Gain	Seasoned: 19.9 Miles	2785 Ft. Gain
Day 5	Mountain Biking			Moderate: 8 Miles	1325 Ft. Gain