Annual Snow Plowing to Begin on Teton Park Road

March 4, 2008
08-05

Weather depending, the annual snow plowing of the Teton Park Road in Grand Teton National Park may begin as early as Monday, March 10. Consequently, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing along this designated winter use trail will cease for the 2007/08 winter season. Although winter recreation on the unplowed portion of the Teton Park Road comes to an end as plowing operations get underway, park visitors may continue to use other winter trails—and/or areas adjacent to the Teton Park Road—for cross-country skiing, skate skiing, and snowshoeing.

For safety reasons, visitors may not access the Teton Park Road while rotary snow removal equipment and plows are working; the road is closed to ALL users during this time. Skiers and snowshoers using trails adjacent to the Teton Park Road are cautioned to avoid the arc of snow being blown from the rotary equipment because pieces of ice and gravel may be mixed in with this spray of snow. Park rangers will enforce the temporary road closure to ensure safe conditions for plow operators and park visitors alike.

Depending on weather, snow conditions and plowing progress, the roadway should become accessible to traditional springtime, non-motorized activities by April 1st.

Pet owners are reminded that dogs are not allowed in the park’s backcountry, which includes all areas 50 feet away from park roadways and turnouts. Pet owners are required to have their dogs leashed whenever they are outside of a private vehicle. Pet owners must also clean up their dog waste. A “mutt-mitt” station is conveniently located near the road closure gate, providing bags for this purpose.

The Continental Divide Snowmobile Trail running from Moran Junction to Flagg Ranch within Grand Teton National Park and the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway is scheduled to close for the winter season on Sunday evening, March 9, at 9 p.m. The Grassy Lake Road in the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway also closes to snowmobile use on Sunday evening, March 9, in conjunction with other winter closures in nearby Yellowstone National Park. This road will remain closed to all motorized vehicles from April 1 to May 31, due to springtime grizzly bear activity.

Depending upon snow conditions, ranger-led snowshoe hikes originating from the new Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center in Moose, Wyoming are scheduled to end on Saturday, March 15. To make a reservation for this activity, or to inquire whether snowshoe hikes are still being offered, please phone
307.739.3399. The Discovery Center will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. throughout March, April and May.

The opening of the Teton Park Road to bikers, hikers and inline skaters will be announced once the road has been plowed and snow removal equipment is no longer operating. The Teton Park Road will open to vehicle traffic for the 2008 summer season on Thursday, May 1.