MID-WINTER UPDATE - FEBRUARY 2, 2021
The Teton Range looking good with a fresh blanket of snow - 2.2.21
Well, it's Groundhog Day...again, and Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, so it looks like we're in for six more weeks of winter! That is good news considering that we were sitting a little below normal for snow this season until the storm last week caught us back up. The season has been characterized by several fairly long stretches of drought, which has created a variable snow pack that has been hard to predict from an avalanche hazard standpoint.
- For up to date information on avalanche hazard and the state of the snowpack inside Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) please visit the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center website for the current Teton Area Avalanche Forecast and the outstanding GTNP Snowpack Discussions.
- All Park Visitor Centers and Campgrounds are closed for the winter season. Camping is strictly prohibited in parking areas and pullouts. Primitive dry camping with no available services is allowed for a small fee in the Colter Bay parking lot near the Colter Bay Visitor Center.
- Backcountry camping permits are required year-round for all overnight trips into the backcountry of Grand Teton National Park. To obtain a permit to camp in the off-season please call the backcountry office at (307) 739-3309.
- Please continue to be mindful of your choices while recreating this winter. Staffing and resources throughout the area are limited and heavily taxed with the ongoing pandemic. We ask everyone to do an honest self assessment of their knowledge, skills, and abilities before they venture out in the backcountry.
- Does your group have the skills, knowledge and training to travel in avalanche terrain?
- Are you carrying transceivers, shovels and probes?
- Can you self-rescue? Do you have a plan?
- Do you know the emergency number?
- Have you checked the current avalanche forecast and weather forecast?
- Have you checked out with someone?
- Do you have any other route options?
