Blacktail Butte facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blacktail Butte |
|
|---|---|
View from the west
|
|
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 7,688 ft (2,343 m) |
| Prominence | 1,078 ft (329 m) |
| Geography | |
 Blacktail Butte
Location in Wyoming
|
|
| Parent range | Gros Ventre Range |
| Topo map | USGS Moose |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Walk |
Blacktail Butte is a cool mountain landmark in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, USA. It stands tall at 7,688 feet (2,343 meters) above the Jackson Hole valley. This butte was once called Upper Gros Ventre Butte by early explorers.
Most of Blacktail Butte is covered in thick forests. You can find trees like lodgepole pine, Douglas fir, and Engelmann spruce here. There are also some areas with aspen trees.
Contents
What is a Butte?
A butte is a type of hill that stands alone. It has steep sides and a flat top. Blacktail Butte is a great example of this kind of landform. It's a key feature in the Jackson Hole area. From its slopes, you can see much of the valley and parts of the Teton Mountains.
Animals of Blacktail Butte
Blacktail Butte is named after black-tailed deer, also known as mule deer. These deer are often seen in the area. Many other animals also call this place home.
- Large Mammals: You might spot bighorn sheep, white-tailed deer, pronghorn antelope, and bison.
- Predators: Grizzly bears and gray wolves also live here.
- Elk Migration: Thousands of elk travel through this area every year. They are moving to and from their winter feeding grounds. This happens on the nearby National Elk Refuge.
Rock Climbing and Scenery
Blacktail Butte has several large rock formations. These are made of sedimentary rock. Rock climbers enjoy using these outcrops for their sport.
There's a local story about the butte's name. It says the north side looks dark because it's so heavily wooded. This makes it appear black compared to the other slopes. These other slopes have fewer trees and more sagebrush. There's also a scenic spot nearby called Blacktail Pond.
Mormon Row
At the bottom of Blacktail Butte is a famous place called Mormon Row. This area is very popular with photographers and tourists. It has the well-known T. A. Moulton Barn. You can often see herds of bison grazing nearby, making for amazing pictures.
Images for kids
-
View of Blacktail Butte from the northeast
-
View of Blacktail Butte from the south
