Ranger Peak (Wyoming) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ranger Peak |
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Ranger Peak is the snow covered mountain at right while Eagles Rest Peak is at left. Waterfalls Canyon lies between the two mountains.
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Highest point | |
Elevation | 11,360 ft (3,460 m) |
Prominence | 1,595 ft (486 m) |
Geography | |
Location | Grand Teton National Park, Teton County, Wyoming, U.S. |
Parent range | Teton Range |
Topo map | USGS Ranger Peak |
Ranger Peak is a tall mountain in the northern part of the Teton Range. This mountain range is located within Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, USA. Ranger Peak stands about 11,360 feet (3,460 m) (3,463 meters) high. It is a striking feature in the park's landscape.
The peak is found slightly northwest of Jackson Lake. It is also across the lake from a place called Colter Bay Village.
Where is Ranger Peak?
Ranger Peak is a part of the famous Teton Range. This range is known for its rugged and beautiful peaks. The mountain is inside Grand Teton National Park. This park is a popular place for nature lovers.
To the north of Ranger Peak is Colter Canyon. To its southeast is Waterfalls Canyon. These canyons are deep valleys carved by nature. The top of Ranger Peak rises more than 4,500 feet (1,400 m) (1,370 meters) above Jackson Lake.
Exploring Ranger Peak
There are no official trails that lead directly to the summit of Ranger Peak. Reaching the top involves hiking off-trail. It also requires some scrambling over rocks. This makes it a challenging climb for experienced hikers. The area around the peak is wild and untouched.
Avalanches and Mountain Safety
Mountains like Ranger Peak can be beautiful but also dangerous. One natural hazard is an avalanche. An avalanche happens when a large amount of snow slides down a mountain.
On March 7, 2012, an avalanche occurred on Ranger Peak. It happened on the north side of Waterfalls Canyon. The snow slide started at about 10,300 ft (3,100 m) (3,139 meters) elevation. It traveled more than 3,000 ft (910 m) (914 meters) down the mountain. Two expert skiers, Chris Onufer and Steve Romeo, were involved in this tragic event. This incident reminds us of the importance of safety in mountain environments. It shows why people need to be careful when exploring snowy mountains.