Jackson Hole
Encyclopedia
Valley
In geology, a valley or dale is a depression with predominant extent in one direction. A very deep river valley may be called a canyon or gorge.The terms U-shaped and V-shaped are descriptive terms of geography to characterize the form of valleys...
located in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Wyoming
Wyoming
Wyoming is a state in the mountain region of the Western United States. The western two thirds of the state is covered mostly with the mountain ranges and rangelands in the foothills of the Eastern Rocky Mountains, while the eastern third of the state is high elevation prairie known as the High...
, near the western border with Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
. The name "hole" derives from language used by early trappers or mountain men
Mountain man
Mountain men were trappers and explorers who roamed the North American Rocky Mountains from about 1810 through the 1880s where they were instrumental in opening up the various Emigrant Trails allowing Americans in the east to settle the new territories of the far west by organized wagon trains...
, who primarily entered the valley from the north and east and had to descend along relatively steep slopes, giving the sensation of entering a hole. These low-lying valleys are surrounded by mountains and contain rivers and streams, which were good habitat for beaver
Beaver
The beaver is a primarily nocturnal, large, semi-aquatic rodent. Castor includes two extant species, North American Beaver and Eurasian Beaver . Beavers are known for building dams, canals, and lodges . They are the second-largest rodent in the world...
and other fur-bearing animals.
History
The valley is thought to be named after David (Davey) Edward JacksonDavid Edward Jackson
David Edward Jackson was an American pioneer, explorer, trader, and fur trapper.He spent his early life west of the Shenandoah Mountains, in what was then part of Virginia and is now in West Virginia: he was born in Randolph County, and his parents, Edward and Elizabeth Jackson, soon moved the...
and his colleague, Michelangelo Franconi, mountain men who trapped the area for beaver in the early nineteenth century. Though used by Native Americans
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
for hunting and ceremonial purposes, the valley was not known to harbor year round human settlement prior to the 1870s. Descriptions of the valley and its features were recorded in the journals of John Colter
John Colter
John Colter was a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition . Though party to one of the more famous expeditions in history, Colter is best remembered for explorations he made during the winter of 1807–1808, when Colter became the first known person of European descent to enter the region now known...
, who had been a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition
Lewis and Clark Expedition
The Lewis and Clark Expedition, or ″Corps of Discovery Expedition" was the first transcontinental expedition to the Pacific Coast by the United States. Commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson and led by two Virginia-born veterans of Indian wars in the Ohio Valley, Meriwether Lewis and William...
. After returning to the Rocky Mountains
Rocky Mountains
The Rocky Mountains are a major mountain range in western North America. The Rocky Mountains stretch more than from the northernmost part of British Columbia, in western Canada, to New Mexico, in the southwestern United States...
, Colter entered the region in 1807 in the vicinity of Togwotee Pass
Togwotee Pass
Togwotee Pass is a mountain pass located on the continental divide in the Absaroka Mountains of the United States, between the towns of Dubois and Moran Junction, Wyoming in the Jackson Hole valley....
and became the first white American to see the valley. His reports of the valley, the Teton Range
Teton Range
The Teton Range is a mountain range of the Rocky Mountains in North America. A north-south range, it is on the Wyoming side of the state's border with Idaho, just south of Yellowstone National Park. Most of the range is in Grand Teton National Park....
and of the Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park, established by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1, 1872, is a national park located primarily in the U.S. state of Wyoming, although it also extends into Montana and Idaho...
region to the north were viewed by people of the day with skepticism.
The only incorporated town in the valley is Jackson
Jackson, Wyoming
Jackson is a town located in the Jackson Hole valley of Teton County, Wyoming, United States. The population was 8,647 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Teton County....
, sometimes also mistakenly called Jackson Hole itself. Other communities in the valley include Wilson
Wilson, Wyoming
Wilson is a census-designated place in Teton County, Wyoming, United States. The population was 1,294 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Jackson, WY–ID Micropolitan Statistical Area...
, Teton Village
Teton Village, Wyoming
Teton Village is a census-designated place in Teton County, Wyoming, United States. The population was 175 at the 2000 census. The village surrounds the base of the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort...
, Moran Junction, Hoback
Hoback, Wyoming
Hoback is a census-designated place in Teton County, Wyoming, United States. The population was 1,453 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Jackson, WY–ID Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Hoback is located at ....
, Moose
Moose, Wyoming
Moose is an unincorporated community in Teton County, Wyoming, United States, in the Jackson Hole valley. It has a US Post Office, with the zip code of 83012. The town is located within Grand Teton National Park along the banks of the Snake River...
(Moose Wilson Road, Wyoming
Moose Wilson Road, Wyoming
Moose Wilson Road is a census-designated place in Teton County, Wyoming, United States. The population was 1,439 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Jackson, WY–ID Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
), and Kelly
Kelly, Wyoming
Kelly is an unincorporated community in Teton County in the U.S. state of Wyoming. Kelly is .situated along the Gros Ventre River on the eastern side of the Jackson Hole valley, is part of the Jackson, WY–ID Micropolitan Statistical Area and has a US Post Office with zip code 83011.The settlement...
. On the west side of the valley, Teton Pass
Teton Pass
Teton Pass is a high mountain pass located in the Teton Range in western Wyoming, between the towns of Jackson, Wyoming and Victor, Idaho. The pass provides access from the Jackson Hole valley to Teton Valley of southeastern Idaho, which includes the Grand Targhee Resort and the town of...
crosses the Teton Range
Teton Range
The Teton Range is a mountain range of the Rocky Mountains in North America. A north-south range, it is on the Wyoming side of the state's border with Idaho, just south of Yellowstone National Park. Most of the range is in Grand Teton National Park....
providing access to Victor
Victor, Idaho
Victor is a city in Teton County, Idaho, United States. The population was 840 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Jackson, WY-ID Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Victor is located at...
and Driggs
Driggs, Idaho
Driggs is a city in Teton County, Idaho, United States. It is part of the Jackson, WY-ID Micropolitan Statistical Area, and is located in Teton Valley. The population was 1,100 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Teton County...
in eastern Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
and Alta, Wyoming
Alta, Wyoming
Alta is a census-designated place in Teton County, Wyoming, United States. The population was 400 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Jackson, WY–ID Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
on the western side of the Tetons. Numerous elk
Elk
The Elk is the large deer, also called Cervus canadensis or wapiti, of North America and eastern Asia.Elk may also refer to:Other antlered mammals:...
use the valley as grazing
Grazing
Grazing generally describes a type of feeding, in which a herbivore feeds on plants , and also on other multicellular autotrophs...
range during the winter, and sleigh rides are offered to tourists. The Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
The Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is a ski resort at Teton Village, Wyoming. Located northwest of Jackson and due south of Grand Teton National Park in Teton County, it is named after the historically significant Jackson Hole valley. The region is served by the Jackson Hole Airport.-Ski area...
, Snow King
Snow King
Snow King Resort is a ski area in Jackson, Wyoming. "The King" offers three-hour and night skiing. Snow King is Jackson's original ski hill, located on the southeast edge of the city. Locals sometimes refer to Snow King as "The Town Hill."...
and Grand Targhee Resort
Grand Targhee Resort
Grand Targhee Resort is a ski resort located in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest in Alta, Wyoming. It is northwest of Jackson, Wyoming, accessible by road only by way of Driggs, Idaho. The resort has lodging, a spa, retail stores, and conference facilities...
ski areas, and nearby Grand Teton
Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park is a United States National Park located in northwestern Wyoming, U.S. The Park consists of approximately and includes the major peaks of the long Teton Range as well as most of the northern sections of the valley known as Jackson Hole. Only south of Yellowstone...
and Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park, established by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1, 1872, is a national park located primarily in the U.S. state of Wyoming, although it also extends into Montana and Idaho...
national parks are major tourist attractions throughout all seasons of the year.
Jackson Hole Airport
Jackson Hole Airport
Jackson Hole Airport is a public airport located seven miles north of the central business district of Jackson, a town in Teton County, Wyoming, United States...
is the largest and busiest commercial airport in Wyoming and is only one of two airports located in a National Park in the United States. Strict noise abatements and the terminal building's low profile allow for the airport to operate within Federal guidelines inside Grand Teton National Park. Flying into and out of the valley is extremely beautiful; however, it becomes thorny in the winter months. Major airlines serve the valley with jet service however some of the service is seasonal (summer and winter).
The annual Federal Reserve symposium has been held in Jackson Hole since 1978.
Geography
The valley is formed by the Teton RangeTeton Range
The Teton Range is a mountain range of the Rocky Mountains in North America. A north-south range, it is on the Wyoming side of the state's border with Idaho, just south of Yellowstone National Park. Most of the range is in Grand Teton National Park....
on the western side and the Gros Ventre Range on the eastern side. Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park is a United States National Park located in northwestern Wyoming, U.S. The Park consists of approximately and includes the major peaks of the long Teton Range as well as most of the northern sections of the valley known as Jackson Hole. Only south of Yellowstone...
occupies the north-western part of the valley encompassing much of the Teton Range
Teton Range
The Teton Range is a mountain range of the Rocky Mountains in North America. A north-south range, it is on the Wyoming side of the state's border with Idaho, just south of Yellowstone National Park. Most of the range is in Grand Teton National Park....
as well as Jackson Lake
Jackson Lake
Jackson Lake is a lake located in north western Wyoming in Grand Teton National Park. The lake is natural, except for the top 33 feet , which is due to the construction of Jackson Lake Dam, built in 1911. This top level of the lake is utilized by farmers in Idaho for irrigation purposes...
. The town of Jackson, Wyoming
Jackson, Wyoming
Jackson is a town located in the Jackson Hole valley of Teton County, Wyoming, United States. The population was 8,647 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Teton County....
, is at the southern end. Between them lies the National Elk Refuge
National Elk Refuge
The National Elk Refuge is located in the U.S. state of Wyoming and was created in 1912 to protect habitat and provide sanctuary for the largest elk herd on Earth. The refuge borders the town of Jackson, Wyoming on the northeast while Bridger-Teton National Forest is to the east and Grand Teton...
, home of the largest elk herd on earth. The Snake River
Snake River
The Snake is a major river of the greater Pacific Northwest in the United States. At long, it is the largest tributary of the Columbia River, the largest North American river that empties into the Pacific Ocean...
threads through the entire valley from its headwater in Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park, established by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1, 1872, is a national park located primarily in the U.S. state of Wyoming, although it also extends into Montana and Idaho...
in the north to the mouth of the Snake River Canyon at the southern tip of the valley. Blacktail Butte
Blacktail Butte
Blacktail Butte is a butte mountain landform rising from Jackson Hole valley in Grand Teton National Park in the U.S. state of Wyoming. Blacktail Butte was originally named Upper Gros Ventre Butte in an early historical survey conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey...
is a prominent landform
Landform
A landform or physical feature in the earth sciences and geology sub-fields, comprises a geomorphological unit, and is largely defined by its surface form and location in the landscape, as part of the terrain, and as such, is typically an element of topography...
rising from the valley floor. The average altitude of the valley is over 6500 feet (1,981.2 m).
High altitude and steep mountain slopes on all sides of the valley often cause calm winter nights to be very cold, as radiational cooling from snow
Snow
Snow is a form of precipitation within the Earth's atmosphere in the form of crystalline water ice, consisting of a multitude of snowflakes that fall from clouds. Since snow is composed of small ice particles, it is a granular material. It has an open and therefore soft structure, unless packed by...
-covered ground creates cold air near the surface, which then slides down into the valley due to its higher density
Density
The mass density or density of a material is defined as its mass per unit volume. The symbol most often used for density is ρ . In some cases , density is also defined as its weight per unit volume; although, this quantity is more properly called specific weight...
. In 1993, this effect during an already severe cold snap plunged the morning low temperature down to -56 °F in the valley, officially recorded by the National Weather Service
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , pronounced , like "noah", is a scientific agency within the United States Department of Commerce focused on the conditions of the oceans and the atmosphere...
. The state record low temperature was also recorded in the valley at Moran at -66 °F in 1933. Summers are mild.