Things You'll Need:
- Traveling vehicle
- A full tank of gas
- Extra water and oil for vehicle
- Emergency equipment
- First aid kit
- Food and snacks
- Drinks
-
Step 1
Enjoy and explore on the Teton Scenic Byway in the Upper Snake River Valley. This beautiful valley is still one of Idaho’s richest farmlands. The early pioneers praised its fertile soil. When they homesteaded in the valley during the 1880s there wasn't very much "bad air" anywhere. The kind of air which is created by auto emissions and factories is not good for anyone's health and welfare. Despite this fact, the valley has become the largest potato seed producer in the world. The wondrous views include the Tetons to the east and the Centennial Mountains to the north.
-
Step 2
Visit the Teton valley. This area was discovered in 1808. Early fur trappers were known to gather in a place called Pierre’s Hole to have an annual "get-together." The Valley area is 30 miles long with the eastern side bordered by the Teton Mountain Range. This "range" has been around for nearly 10 million years and is part of the Rocky Mountains.
-
Step 3
Drive to Driggs, Idaho. This was another "gathering place" of the fur trappers. The mountain men came into town from the Teton River, where they trapped and traded their wares with the Nez Perce and the Flatheads to celebrate. In the early Spring of 1889, some Mormon settlers arrived and settled in Driggs. It became the first farm town in the valley. Visit the Teton Valley Museum, in Driggs, Idaho.
-
Step 4
Visit Sam, an old coal mining town that can be traced back to 1901 when coal was discovered near Horseshoe Creek. By 1920, about 30,000 tons of it was mined. In 1924, Henry Floyd Samuels established the town of Sam. In the late 1920s, difficulties arose from the cost of shipping and Idaho’s only coal mine closed down. The historic site became the starting point of the South Horseshoe Trail and a recreation area.
-
Step 5
Take in the gorgeous views from Teton Scenic Overlook. The Overlook provides the outlook of the three “Tetons.” They were once a large, single granite mountain. Freezing water broke off slabs of rock which developed the sharp ridges. Glaciers formed on the canyons developing into U-shaped valleys. The many early explorers named the mountains the Pilot Peaks. Later, a more dramatic name was devised from the French explorers, who called it “Les Trois Teton” or “The Three Breasts.”
-
Step 6
Grand Targhee Resort is the next adventure in the Tetons. It is known as an all-season recreational resort. The summits offer wonderful views of Idaho, Wyoming, Montana and of course, the Tetons. There is also a Grand Targhee’s Activity and Nature Center if you are interested in discovering the scenic outdoor adventures which are offered in the Tetons.
-
Step 7
Visit the Big Hole Mountains. The Big Holes provide miles of nature's ridge trails and views. These trails are the scenic tickets to the all-season sports offered here. There is more information to get at the Teton Basin Ranger District Office in Driggs, Idaho.
