Gros Ventre Wilderness

When the sun sets in Jackson Hole, WY, the top of the Sleeping Indian mountain holds the last of the dwindling evening alpenglow. The Indian is lying down, gazing at the sky, wearing a full war bonnet, and effectively hiding from view a world that is relatively unknown- the Gros Ventre Wilderness.

Hundreds of thousands of people visit the Jackson Hole area every year, yet only a minute fraction of this number ever venture into the wilds of the Gros Ventre Wilderness. Even fewer- including those who live in the area- can claim any real familiarity with it.

Highlights:

So how do you describe such a place to those who haven't experienced it? It is wild and steep and rugged, a paradox of softly rolling, luxuriant meadows and unforging badlands. It is peaceful, meandering streams and narrowing chasms roaring with snow melt. It is 20 peaks over 10,000 ft and several over 11,000 feet. It's forests and meadows full of elk, moose, mule deer, bighorn sheep, and black bear, just to name a few. It's 287,000 acres of challenges, secrets, beauty, and solitude.

The Gros Ventre Wilderness can be considered a youngster. Geologically speaking, the mountains are relatively new, and several active slumps are present. One of them slid into the Gros Ventre river in 1925, forming a dam and creating a lake. A major flood washed out part of this natural dam two years later, destroying the town of Kelly and lowering the lake level considerably. The site of this major landslide is now part of the Gros Ventre Slide Geological Area.

The 287,000acre Gros Ventre Wilderness lies just east of Jackson in western WY within Teton and Sublette counties. It is roughly bounded by the Gros Ventre River to the North, the Green River to the east, the Hoback River to the south and the National Elk Refuge and Snake River to the west. The Wilderness is administered by the Jackson, Big Piney, and Pinedale Ranger Districts with the majority of the area on the Jackson District.

The Gros Ventre Wilderness lies within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, an area known nationally for its wild lands, wildlife, geological features, scenic beauty, and recreation opportunities. The Gros Ventre Wilderness is part of the network of designated Wilderness which currently comprises roughly 34% of the greater Yellowstone. The Gros Ventre Wilderness contributes significantly to this network by:

• Its outstanding habitat for important game species including big horn sheep, elk, deer, and bear. The WY Game and Fish Department noted that this area was "perhaps the finest remaining unprotected wildlife habitat in WY".
• Its spectacular geological features including the Gros Ventre Slide and a collage of colorful rocks- bright reds, pinks, purples, grays and brown.
• Its location between the Wind River Range and the National Elk Refuge and Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks.
• Its watershed values are considered to be of utmost importance.
• It is considered to be an excellent area for hunting, outfitting, and backpacking.

Experience this "little known" marvel of the west with an America Outdoors outfitter, who provide fishing, hunting, hiking, backpacking, llama trekking, heli-skiing, horseback riding and dude ranch lodging!