Tetons

The Tetons, or the Teton Range, are a short, dramatic mountain range in western Wyoming that lies along the eastern edge of Jackson Hole and forms part of the Rocky Mountains. The range runs roughly north–south for about 40 miles (64 kilometers) and is renowned for its steep, cliff‑bound eastern face and exposed high‑contrast peaks. The best known peak is Grand Teton, which rises to 13,775 feet (4,199 meters). Other notable summits include Teewinot Mountain, Mount Owen, and the Cathedral Group near the northern end.

Geology and formation provide one of the range’s defining features. The Tetons are a fault‑block range created by uplift along the Teton Fault during late‑Cenozoic Basin and Range extension, beginning about 9 to 6 million years ago. The mountains rise rapidly with a relatively young erosional surface, and their high elevations expose some of the oldest rocks in the region at their core, while younger sedimentary materials are found in surrounding areas.

Most of the range lies within Grand Teton National Park, established in 1929, with additional adjacent lands managed by national forests. The park sits within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and supports a high‑elevation alpine environment, conifer forests, and diverse wildlife such as grizzly bears, elk, moose, and mountain goats. The Tetons attract visitors for mountaineering, hiking, wildlife watching, and scenic photography, with the surrounding valley of Jackson Hole offering additional access and retreat.

The name "Teton" is commonly said to derive from French about the peaks’ shapes, often linked to the word for breasts or nipples, though exact origins are historical. The range remains a prominent symbol of western Wyoming’s natural landscape.