Wyoming
Off the Map: Exploring the Heart of the Tetons by Boot and Boat
Program No. 22447RJ
Explore Grand Teton National Park through hikes, a float trip and a ferry as you learn about the park’s history and natural wonders, while staying at the historic, rustic Murie Ranch.
Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date.
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While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
6 days
5 nights
What's Included
14 meals (
5B, 5L, 4D
)
3 expert-led lectures
9 expert-led field trips
1 hands-on experience
An experienced Group Leader
5 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check In, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Location:
Moose, WY
Meals:
D
Stay:
The Murie Ranch
Activity Note
Lodge check-in from 3:00 p.m.
Afternoon:
Upon arrival at the Murie Ranch of Teton Science Schools, please come to the main office to register with the program staff, get your cabin assignment, and receive your welcome packet containing your name-tag, up-to-date schedule that reflects any last-minute changes, and other important information. If your arrival is delayed, please ask for your packet when you check in. Snacks, coffee, tea will be available in the main office.
Dinner:
At The Murie Ranch Homestead Cabin, enjoy a buffet and family style meal featuring a variety of healthy and balanced options, plus coffee, tea (hot/iced), lemonade, water.
Evening:
Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone with a warm welcome and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions you may have. All transportation is via Teton Science Schools' vans. All activities will be led by a combination of Teton Science Schools staff, Murie Ranch Staff, local experts, and experienced docents. All hikes will be on official trails in Grand Teton National park or the surrounding national forest land over uneven terrain with an elevation change of 500 to 1500 feet. Free time is reserved for your personal independent exploration. Please be aware that program activities, schedules, and personnel may need to change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Day
2
Rockefeller Preserve Hike, Ranger Talk, The Murie Legacy
Location:
Moose, WY
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
The Murie Ranch
Activity Note
Hike up to 6.5 miles over uneven terrain with elevation gains up to 700 ft. Drive time 30 minutes.
Breakfast:
At The Murie Ranch Homestead Cabin, enjoy a hot breakfast buffet with granola, oatmeal, fresh fruit, and more, plus water, coffee, juice, and tea.
Morning:
Today, we will explore the trails at the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve. Opened to the public in 2008, the preserve is the most recent addition to Grand Teton National Park. It sits at the base of Phelps Lake at the southern end of the Teton Range. Laurance S. Rockefeller donated this parcel to the National Park with the requirement that it be preserved as a contemplative place where visitors can develop a connection with the beauty of the lake and the Tetons. Before heading out on the trail we will visit the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Visitor Center. This center is the first environmentally sustainable and LEED Platinum Certified structure in a National Park. The displays inside entice the visitor to quiet reflection and contemplation. This could be a great time to bring out your journal! During the hike, we will arrive at the stunning, glacially-carved Phelps Lake at the base of Death Canyon.
Lunch:
Enjoy a packed field lunch in a scenic location during our hike. Remember to bring plenty of water!
Afternoon:
Continue the hike from Phelps Lake back to the trailhead, learning about the ecology and geology along the way from the Group Leaders and Instructors.
Dinner:
At The Murie Ranch Homestead Cabin.
Evening:
Murie Ranch staff will share the story of Wilderness and the Murie Legacy. Olaus and Mardy Murie left a legacy of conservation and preserving wilderness. Their work was integral to the passing of the Wilderness Act in 1964 and the creation of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in 1960. Mardy continued pioneering conservation work until her passing in 2003 at the age of 101.
Day
3
Colter Bay Hike
Location:
Moose, WY
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
The Murie Ranch
Activity Note
Hike up to 6 miles with an elevation gain of 800 ft. Drive time 30 minutes.
Breakfast:
At The Murie Ranch Homestead Cabin.
Morning:
This morning we will embark on our second hike at the base of the Teton Mountains. We will travel through a series of habitats, exploring the wildlife and geology present while enjoying magnificent views of this iconic mountain range.
Lunch:
Packed field lunch.
Afternoon:
Continue the hike back to the trailhead, learning about the ecology and geology along the way from the Group Leaders and Instructors.
Dinner:
At the Murie Homestead Cabin.
Evening:
Gather on the Murie family’s porch for an evening of engaging in conversation topics or a musical performance exploring our connections to place, nature, and wilderness. This evening’s event is open to the public, as a part of the Murie Ranch’s summer Front Porch Concerts & Conversations series.
Day
4
Scenic Float, Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center
Location:
Moose, WY
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
The Murie Ranch
Activity Note
Early start. Getting in/out of vans, driving 1/4 hour to raft launch point. Getting in and out of an inflatable raft. Rafting for about 3 hours depending on river conditions. Hike up to 3 mi in the afternoon, moderate elevation gains.
Breakfast:
Early breakfast at the Murie Ranch Homestead Cabin.
Morning:
We’ll depart early this morning to the Snake River for a scenic float trip, where we will experience a pristine riparian habitat, exquisite views of the Teton Range, and natural history commentary from a local expert. Chances abound to see moose, eagles, osprey, and beavers. Afterwards, we’ll dock, then ride about one mile to the Murie Ranch for lunch. Once we’ve reached the summit, our Group Leaders will offer choices for hikes that explore of the alpine environment and the unique flora and fauna found there. Our groups can choose a hike ranging from as little as 1/2 mile to as much as 5.5 miles. For those who may choose not to hike, the views from the top of the tram are worth it all the same!
Lunch:
Packed field lunch.
Afternoon:
We will venture out on an afternoon hike, exploring the lesser known trails of Grand Teton National Park. After we finish our hike, we'll ride to the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center in Grand Teton National Park, where displays provide a self-led introduction to the cultural and natural history of the park. Choose to walk 1/2 mile or ride in a van back to The Murie Ranch from the visitor center.
Dinner:
On your own at a local restaurant
Evening:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost, as you enjoy dinner with a view in Grand Teton National Park. A TSS shuttle will take you to the town of Moose or downtown Jackson.
Day
5
Rendezvous Mountain Aerial Tram & Hike, Celebration Dinner
Location:
Moose, WY
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
The Murie Ranch
Activity Note
Hike will start at 10,400 feet, and will include elevation changes of 500-1,500 feet over the course of a 2-6 mile hike. Total drive time of one hour.
Breakfast:
At The Murie Ranch Homestead Cabin.
Morning:
Start the morning with a short lecture on alpine ecology. After the talk, we'll head to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort to ride the aerial tram to 10,450 feet. On a clear day, the summit of Rendezvous Mountain provides participants with a fantastic view of the Jackson Hole valley. Glacial processes, historical meanderings of the mighty Snake River and human settlement patterns are all seen from a bird’s eye view. Once we’ve reached the summit, our Group Leaders will offer choices for hikes that explore the alpine environment and the unique flora and fauna found there. Our groups can choose a hike ranging from as little as 1/2 mile to as much as 5.5 miles. For those who may choose not to hike, the views from the top of the tram are worth it all the same!
Lunch:
Packed field lunch.
Afternoon:
We’ll continue hiking one of the trails at the summit of Rendezvous Mountain, and return to the valley floor via the Aerial Tram or Bridger Gondola. Once there, we will enjoy some free time to explore the charming mountain village before returning to the ranch.
Dinner:
At the Murie Ranch Homestead Cabin.
Evening:
Relive a simpler time with an evening sharing stories and relaxing on the porch. Enjoy this last evening together, share stories and highlights from the week as you reminisce about this time in the Tetons with friends, new and old.
Day
6
National Museum of Wildlife Art, Program Concludes
Location:
Jackson, WY
Meals:
B,L
Activity Note
To complete our program, we’ll head to the National Museum of Wildlife Art to explore the museum with an experienced docent. Resting upon a cliff above the National Elk Refuge, the NMWA serves to inspire the relationship between humans and nature. The museum contains over 5,000 works of art, with exhibitions that focus on wildlife of the world. Following lunch at the museum, you may continue on your own adventure, or get a ride into town or the airport from a Group Leader.
Breakfast:
At The Murie Ranch Homestead Cabin.
Morning:
After checking out of the Ranch, load your luggage in a Teton Science Schools van and head to the National Museum of Wildlife Art (NWMA) to explore the museum with an experienced docent. Constructed to fit seamlessly into the landscape, the building was inspired by the ruins of Slains Castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The museum contains approximately 5,000 works of art. Reflect upon the connection between humans, art, nature, and our natural parks as you explore this world-class museum. At the end of our field trip, there will be free time to explore the museum on your own.
Lunch:
At the Palate restaurant at the National Museum of Wildlife Art, choose from a seasonal menu selected by the executive chef.
Afternoon:
This concludes our program. We hope you enjoy all your Road Scholar learning adventures and we look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. We encourage you to join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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