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Trip Number: 12310A
Price: $495
Deposit: $50
Capacity: 12
Staff: Bill Glenn
Highlights:
- Look for moose, elk, mule deer and bighorn sheep in the wilderness' forests
and meadows
- Enjoy the Gros Ventre's 20 peaks that top over 10,000 feet in elevation
- Participate in rewarding trail work in the company of good people from around the country
Includes:
- All meals and snacks
- Pack support to our base camp
- Tools and guidance for the work project
The Trip
The 300,000-acre Gros Ventre Wilderness is located in the Bridger-Teton National Forest in western Wyoming. In most areas, the elevation ranges from 7,000 to 10,000 feet, with the highest peak at 11,720 feet. There are craggy peaks, glacial valleys, and rolling foothills with abundant wildflowers in July and August.
Though close to the bustling Grand Teton National Park and the town of Jackson,
the Gros Ventre can be enjoyed in comparative solitude. This area is known for
its wildlife and we may see moose, elk, deer, bighorn sheep, and black bear,
as well as smaller mammals and birds. The Gros Ventre Wilderness is home to
the calving grounds for the National Elk Refuge located in Jackson Hole, the
valley between the Gros Ventre Range and the Tetons. In addition to the beautiful
landscape of the Gros Ventre, many rave about the vistas of the Teton Range.
In the evenings, we'll relax around a campfire with hot drinks and enjoy conversation, stories, games, or just the sounds of the wilderness.
The Project
We will be camping and working in the southeastern Gros Ventre Wilderness near Clear Creek, a couple of miles above its confluence with the Gros Ventre River. Our focus will be to reroute a high trail to address safety concerns -- strenuous but satisfying work.
With the help of USFS personnel, we will learn how to properly construct and restore trail while at the same time gain insight on the hard work and passion that drives the Forest Service trail crews. We'll also learn firsthand about the surrounding ecosystem that makes the Gros Ventre so special and vast.
Itinerary
Photo: Sarah Deardorff
Our trip officially begins the morning of Saturday, August 4, at the Jackson
Ranger Station in Jackson, Wyoming. Folks who are in Jackson on Friday evening
are welcome to camp out in the meadow alongside the ranger station and may well
opt to gather for dinner to get acquainted before heading into the wilderness
the following morning.
The trailhead will be about two hours' drive from the ranger station, and we
will be shuttled in by Forest Service personnel and vehicles. All of our food
and kitchen camp provisions will be carried in by a mule team, while we each
carry in our own personal gear. Once to our base camp -- a two- to three-mile
hike from the trailhead -- our week will consist of five trail work days and
one free day during the week for hiking, fishing, swimming or relaxing. Near
our camp are beautiful hiking trails that wander through meadows of sagebrush
and wildflowers with aspen stands and pine forest. Please plan on hiking in
groups of at least three for safety.
Please note: If you are thinking of fishing, a license for fishing is required. We are likely to find some prime fly-fishing spots on the river.
There are many nearby attractions you can enjoy before or after the trip, including the Wind River Mountains, the National Elk Refuge, Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park, the Grand Targhee ski area, and the bustling town of Jackson, with its many fine art galleries, western stores, restaurants, and guided raft trips. If a cultural event -- the Scottish Highland Days, Shakespeare in the Park, the Teton Symphony Orchestra, or the Targhee Blues Festival -- is more to your liking, be sure to check the Jackson event calendar.
Getting There
The closest airports to our meeting place in Jackson, WY, are Jackson Hole (JAC), Idaho Falls, ID (IDA), and Salt Lake City, UT (SLC). There are rental cars and shuttle services available from Salt Lake City and Idaho Falls. Cheyenne is also an airport to possibly use, but the drive from there is about eight hours to Jackson.
Do keep in mind that the Sierra Club does not provide transportation for you to or from the airport. It's a great idea to communicate with other trip members to discuss carpooling to save energy and travel costs.
Accommodations and Food
We'll set up our base camp for the week in a lovely meadow not far from our
work project at an altitude of 8,000-9,000 feet. Meals will begin with dinner
on Saturday, August 4, and finish with lunch on Saturday, August 11. We will
be in bear country and will take precautions to store food and other attractants
in bear-proof containers.
Come with the attitude that food is part of our adventure. Many participants
say our meals are a highlight of the week -- pleasing the palate, satisfying
appetites, and serving as social gatherings amidst the day's work or play in
the wilderness. The menu will be healthy, nutritious, high-energy backcountry
cuisine. Meals will be largely vegetarian, with some opportunities for meat
during the week, and often include dairy products.
Our meals require special planning, as food weight and quantity must be carefully calculated and all waste carried out at the end of the trip. We will have a group commissary with everyone taking turns in meal preparation and cleanup afterwards. Before applying for the trip, folks with food allergies and/or strong preferences are encouraged to contact the leader and cook to see if reasonable accommodations are possible within our limitations in the backcountry.
Trip Difficulty
The backpack to our base camp is a two- to three-mile hike and will be moderately
strenuous due to high altitude. Keep in mind, too, that you will be carrying
your tent and camping gear for the week, so it's very important to pack light
and be in good physical condition for the journey. There may be a stream crossing
or two along the way.
Trail work involves easily teachable skills and the most difficult work is always done in teams. The work will be supervised, and everyone will receive clear instruction on tool safety. Since we're in wilderness, we will not be using any power tools. You will need to be in good physical condition for the backpack to our base camp, the work required for our project, and the hikes we might enjoy to nearby sites.
Your enjoyment of this trip depends in large part on your preparation. Be sure to include both cardiovascular and strength workouts in your training. Participants in good shape are less likely to have accidents and will enjoy the trip more.
Equipment and Clothing
The leader will send an equipment list to registered participants. It's important to be well-equipped; one person's lack of adequate warmth or protection can put the whole group at risk. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask the leader.
Summer temperatures could range from the upper 80s during the day to freezing
or below at night. Expect occasional thunderstorms and cold, rainy weather.
Snow is possible. Be prepared to hike, work, play, eat and sleep in heat, rain,
and cold.
You are welcome to bring a musical instrument that you'd like to pack with you, such as a guitar or flute -- or any other comforts or amusements that you're up for carrying. ("Backpacker-style" guitars are very much encouraged given the difficulty of hiking with a full-sized instrument!)
References
Books:
- Jenkins, Matt, A People's History of Wilderness. This book is for those interested in learning more about wilderness protection including the area where we will be.
- Stone, Irving, Men to Match My Mountains. Set in "Jaskson Hole," the novel covers a short, romantic period in the history of the American West.
- Van Tilburg Clark, Walter, The Ox-Bow Incident.
Website:
Maps:
- We will be in an area covered by USGS 7.5-minute series maps. If desired, the Ouzel Falls and Tosi Peak quads are the most appropriate maps to obtain from the U.S. Geological Survey.
Conservation
The Bridger-Teton National Forest (BTNF) has recently approved oil and gas development in the Wyoming Range. Additionally, the use of forest products is one of the goals of the BTNF. The Forest Service is responsible for managing multiple uses, including grazing, mining, recreation, and logging. They are often confused with the Park Service, whose overall goal is preservation of resources. These will continue to be contentious issues as the energy and resource demands of our country expand and the need for additional energy sources and other resources grows.
Tourism is a major industry in Wyoming, and wildlife viewing and hunting are some of the major attractions. Wyoming Game and Fish (G&F) is charged with overseeing the management of this valuable resource. Currently, G&F is considering alternatives to the existing 23 elk feeding rounds with the goal of spreading these animals back our on native ranges and returning them to their native feeding areas. This would have the desirable effect of dispersing the population to reduce the spread of any disease in the herd that results when the herd is congregated in small areas.
Additionally, the G&F is looking at issues that will be facing the Wyoming wolf population when the wolf is taken off the protected list and the responsibility is passed from federal to state jurisdiction. Currently, issues concerning the wolf are under federal control through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS). USFWS manages endangered species through the federal Endangered Species Act.
Another big issue affecting this wilderness area and surrounding region is the spread of the Pine Bark Beetle. It is easy to see the devastation that the spread of these beetles have caused as they have damaged over 3.6 million acres of forest in this part of the country. There is much debate over what has actually caused the beetles to flourish, whether it be the warmer winters or the management of wild forest fires that's allowing the larvae to sustain through winter.
Trip Price
See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details
about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy.
The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.
Staff
Leader:
Bill Glenn has led Sierra Club service outings in California, Idaho and six other states since 1992, and keeps coming back for the incredible surroundings, terrific people, and satisfaction of doing good, physical work on our public lands. He lives with his wife and daughter in San Francisco, where he works in environmental communications and enjoys dabbling in movies, wine and history.
Email: wcglenn@aol.com
Cook:
Anne Slaughter Perrote lives in Madison, WI, where she works at a family practice medical clinic. She has been enjoying Sierra Club service trips for six years, for their combination of beautiful natural areas, great company, opportunity for learning, and challenges. She looks forward to returning to the beautiful valley meadows and rocky ridges of the Gros Ventre.
E-mail: asperrote3@juno.com
General Notes About Sierra Club Trips