Teton Wilderness

Wyoming's second largest Wilderness area straddles the Continental Divide deep in the heart of the state's Yellowstone Ecosystem. It is bordered on the north by Yellowstone National Park, on the east by the Washakie Wilderness, on the west by Grand Teton National Park, and on the south by the Mt Leidy Highlands and the Gros Ventre Wilderness. West of the Great Divide the land is dominated by timbered ridges, grassy slopes, and broad willow and sedge meadows, with elevations from 7,000 feet to 9,675 feet. East of the Divide are high alpine plateaus broken by ridges and extensive mountain meadows, with elevations from 8,000 feet to 12,165 feet at Younts Peak. On Two Ocean Pass, the famous Two Ocean Creek splits to send water to both the Atlantic and the Pacific. The headwaters of the Yellowstone and Snake Rivers arise here in alpine meadows of willow and sedge. You'll see evidence of the great fires of the summer of 1988 that burned here and in Yellowstone. In 1987 the highest-elevation tornado ever recorded mowed a 20-mile-long, two-mile-wide swath through an area near Enos Lake. But in general this area is vast, spectacular, and relatively unspoiled. The Teton ranks among this nation's best wildlife areas. Summer brings trumpeter swans, sandhill cranes, ducks, geese, falcons, and songbirds. Grizzly bears, grey wolves, moose, and elk wander across meadows. Golden and bald eagles, hawks, grouse, coyotes, beavers, martens, bobcats, porcupines, otters, and mink live here year-round. Approximately 450 miles of trails provide access to this popular area, and about half of its visitors come expressly to hunt and fish. It is home to numerous large predators — grizzly and black bears, grey wolves, and mountain lion — and all visitors are strongly advised to take precautions and come prepared. The Wilderness is managed by the Forest Service and was designated in 1964.