| NATIONAL PARKS QUICKLINKS |
Blog Search
Daily Dirt
- Backpacker Photo School: Capture Your Favorite Trees
- RECALL: 2011 Editors' Choice Winner
- Make (Gobs of) Money from Hiking
- Medical Update On Backpacker Editor
- Backpacker editor hospitalized
- Video: Hike the Entire Appalachian Trail—in Five Minutes
- Eastern Cougars Declared Extinct
- Believe It: Albino Redwoods
- National Trail Days Announced
- Friday Video: Falling Off A Cliff
- All posts...
Categories
Share your tales of travel & adventure with our step-by-step guide. Upload trail descriptions, photos, video, and more.
Grand Teton Gets Largest Addition Since 1950
This weekend, the National Park Service will commemorate the biggest addition to Grand Teton National Park since 1950 by annexing 2 square miles of property near the south end of the park.
That doesn't sound like much, but the 1,100-acre parcel is historically significant: It's last part of the JY Ranch, which the Rockefeller family steadily donated to the park in portions over the last 70 years. This final portion contains Phelps Lake, assorted buildings for park service housing, and a brand new 7,500-square-foot visitor center kitted out with the latest in green technology, including composting toilets and solar power.
The National Park Service estimates the land donation alone is worth at least $160 million, and it ranks among the most valuable donations in the park system's history.
John D. Rockefeller, Jr. bought large portions of Jackson Hole in the 1920s and 30s and became instrumental in the park's formation, donating over 35,000 acres to help found Grand Teton National Park. Since then, his heirs have continued to add portions of their famous JY Ranch to park property.
— Ted Alvarez
Park marks biggest addition since 1950 (Jackson Hole Star-Tribune)
My Profile
Join Now
Most recent threads
Trailhead Register
El Pico de Orizaba, Iztaccihuatl, and Popocatepetl
Posted On: Feb 08, 2012
Submitted By: Dennis The Menace
Submitted By: Dennis The Menace
International Travel
From Nepal to New Zealand, we have stories and tips to help you plan the perfect 'life list' trek abroad.
Navigation Center
Learn how to orient a map, navigate any terrain, and the ins-and-outs of GPS devices.
BACKPACKER's Free Smartphone GPS App
Record and share you adventures with our new, free navigation app. Plus, discover thousands of GPS-enabled hikes in national parks and major cities.
Green Guide
A backpacker's guide to environmental issues and "green" gear.
ADD A COMMENT