The majestic Middle Teton in Wyoming’s Teton Range poses intriguing riddles for those looking to understand its geological history and natural beauty. Let’s explore 59 of those riddles, discovering fascinating facts and insights along the way.
Geological Riddles
Formation Riddles
Riddle: How did the Teton Range, including Middle Teton, form?
Answer: The Teton Range rose through faulting and uplift around 6-9 million years ago. The 45 mile long range reveals some of the youngest mountains in North America.
Riddle: What forces collided and cracked to create the Teton fault and range?
Answer: The west-moving North American tectonic plate pushed against and lifted the older rocks on the eastern edge of the basin and range geology that dominates the American west. This created the dramatic Teton and Snake River ranges.
Riddle: What type of rock is Middle Teton composed of?
Answer: Middle Teton contains some of the oldest rock in the Tetons. The peak reveals dark metamorphic gneiss and schist over 2.5 billion years old, twisted and transformed under extreme pressure.
Glaciation Riddles
Riddle: What force carved, sharpened and sculpted the jagged, precipitous peaks we see today?
Answer: Massive glaciers, thousands of feet thick, advanced and retreated over the landscape during multiple ice ages, grinding down the mountains as recently as 10,000 years ago.
Riddle: Why are the western slopes of the Tetons much steeper than the eastern slopes?
Answer: Ice bulldozed over the range mainly from the west, sharpening spectacular razor edges on that side versus the more gradual eastern grades.
Riddle: Where did the small Forks of Garnet Canyon and other glaciers develop?
Answer: Snow and ice became packed into crevasses and deeply cut streams on the heights of Middle Teton itself, flowing down all sides of the peak.
Height Riddles
Riddle: At 12,804 feet, Middle Teton serves as the highest point in Grand Teton National Park. What is its exact height?
Answer: 12,804 feet, or 3,903 meters above sea level.
Riddle: Is Middle Teton the tallest mountain in the Teton Range?
Answer: No, while lofty, Middle Teton is only the second highest summit in the Tetons. The highest point is the Grand Teton at 13,775 feet, just to the north.
Riddle: What is the lowest point in Grand Teton National Park and how far below Middle Teton does it sit?
Answer: The lowest part of the park plunges down over a vertical mile to 5,680 feet, the shoreline of Jackson Lake. That means Jackson Lake yawns 7,124 feet – over 1.3 miles – straight down from the heights of Middle Teton.
Views and Comparisons
Riddle: How far can you see from the summit of Middle Teton and what landmarks are visible?
Answer: On a clear day the views span over 100 miles and across three states. You can see Idaho’s Big Hole mountains to the northwest and Yellowstone’s central peaks due north. The stunning profile of the Grand Teton also looms just two miles away.
Riddle: How does Middle Teton compare in height to famous global peaks?
Answer: Middle Teton stands much shorter than famous peaks worldwide – it’s only around 1/3 the height of Mount Everest. But it towers roughly three times higher than Pikes Peak in Colorado.
Climbing Riddles
Routes and Difficulty
Riddle: When was the first recorded ascent of Middle Teton?
Answer: Famed climbers Paul Petzoldt and Jack Durrance, along with Chuck Thomsen, completed the first known ascent in August 1923 along the Southwest Couloir route.
Riddle: What is generally considered the standard climbing route today?
Answer: The Southwest Couloir route first descended by Petzoldt’s party remains the preferred path up Middle Teton a century later.
Riddle: How long does it typically take experienced climbers to ascend and descend the peak?
Answer: Fit climbing teams generally take between 9 to 12 hours round trip following the Southwest Couloir track to summit Middle Teton.
Riddle: On a scale from Class 1 to 5, what is the Southwest Couloir route rated for technical difficulty?
Answer: It rates at Class 3, meaning it requires scrambling over steep rock with the occasional use of ropes, climbing gear and ice axes for balance and safety.
Dangers
Riddle: What hazards do climbers face on Middle Teton?
Answer: Sudden lightning storms strike during afternoons in summer. Rock fall and loose debris also cascade down the Couloir. Early season ice that later melts to reveal steep slabs presents more risk.
Riddle: When do rangers advise NOT attempting to climb Middle Teton?
Answer: Rangers warn against climbs in questionable weather any time of year, but specifically caution against attempts too early when ice and snow still grip trails, or later in fall when days shorten and storms increase.
Riddle: How many mountaineering deaths have occurred on Middle Teton?
Answer: At least a recorded 11 climbers have perished on the mountain, mainly from falls stemming from poor route finding, climbing errors, slipping on ice or lightning strikes.
Wildlife Riddles
Animals
Riddle: What is the only mammal native to the alpine heights of the Tetons and Middle Teton?
Answer: Only the nimble mountain goat manages to cross the sheer faces and icy slopes at dizzying heights, foraging on grass and plants.
Riddle: A bird about the size of a crow, with blue-gray plumage and a raspy croak, frequents the cliffs. What is it?
Answer: The clever Clark’s nutcracker thrives in high elevations, caches thousands of pine nuts in summer, then remembers winter storage sites.
Riddle: What reptile lives among the rocks at altitude, dining on mountain goats?
Answer: The cold-tolerant bullsnake, growing over 6 feet long, makes a meal of small mountain goats and other high country prey like ground squirrels and chipmunks.
Plants
Riddle: Only one species of conifer, a pine named after a Native American tribe, toughs it out at elevations near tree line on Middle Teton. What type?
Answer: Incredibly hardy whitebark pines can scrape out an existence in scoured, windswept sites too harsh for other forest trees.
Riddle: What wildflower sends up a tall spike covered in eye catching orange blooms?
Answer: Brilliant paintbrush dazzles summer hikers with fiery orange flair accented by green leaves to soak up spare moisture.
Riddle: Whatpretty pink mountain flower sprouts a fluffy, cottony head?
Answer: Penstemon shoots up a fuzzy head standing out brightly against gray granite boulders and outcrops.
Native Tribes Riddles
History and Culture
Riddle: Evidence indicates Native Americans first inhabited the Tetons as far back as when?
Answer: Tools and artifacts show peoples derived from Asian migrants lived in and traversed the range 11,000 years back.
Riddle: What Native American tribe most recently and prominently lived, hunted and traveled in the Teton and Yellowstone country?
Answer: The Shoshone and related groups like the Sheepeater band called these mountains home for centuries before European settlers arrived.
Riddle: What does the name Teton or Teewinot mean in Shoshone language?
Answer: It loosely translates to “many pinnacles” and aptly describes the dozens of craggy peaks piercing the sky.
Legends
Riddle: One Shoshone legend recounts a chief named Teewinot who boasted of immortal strength and was punished by the Great Spirit. What happened?
Answer: The Great Spirit smote the proud chief, turning his body to stone – thus creating the Teton Range we know today.
Riddle: Some believe the Native name Teewinot refers to this punished chief. What does Teewinot directly translate to?
Answer: In Shoshone Teewinot means “sun’s abiding place,” referring to a warm south-facing ledge perfect for basking in light and warmth.
Riddle: What modern peak allegedly takes its name from this mythical frozen chief?
Answer: Today’s craggy Mount Teewinot just northeast of Middle Teton likely references this colorful legend.
Park History Riddles
Creation
Riddle: What pivotal expedition of 1870 brought national recognition and momentum towards protecting the Teton’s treasures?
Answer: Famed explorer Ferdinand Hayden led a federally funded survey that revealed an untouched Yellowstone and Grand Teton wonderland to the public.
Riddle: When did Teton lands finally gain National Park protection after initial campaigns?
Answer: Congress voted to establish Grand Teton National Park in 1929, over 40 years after initial preservation efforts started.
Riddle: Why did John D. Rockefeller Jr. start secretly buying private inholdings and ranch lands in the 1920s?
Answer: Hewanted to donate the spectacular valley lands to the government for park inclusion and save them from development.
Expansion and Visitation
Riddle: When did Rockefeller and the government combine efforts to fully expand Grand Teton National Park?
Answer: Rockefeller successfully lobbied Congress in 1950 to add his 33,000 donated acres to almost quadruple the protected park landscape as we know it today.
Riddle: About how many visitors now explore Grand Teton National Park yearly?
Answer: Over 3.8 million adventurers gaze at soaring Teton views, seek wildlife, and bask in wide mountain vistas annually.
Riddle: What early 20th century dude ranch first hosted tourist expeditions setting off to climb Middle Teton?
Answer: Jack Washburn’s JY Ranch near Teton pass run by him and wife Clare act as basecamp for many early Middle Teton climbing endeavors.
Outdoor Fun Riddles
Warm Weather Activities
Riddle: Hikers seek out what alpine Middle Teton lake ringed by evergreens and rocky bluffs?
Answer: After a strenuous miles high trek they’ll find serene Leigh Lake reflecting the heavens beautifully.
Riddle: What activities can adventure seekers enjoy around Leigh Lake in summer?
Answer: Options include canoe paddling, swimming in bracing waters, angling the inlet streams, and camping on broad sandy beaches under starry nighttime skies.
Riddle: What hiking route starting from String Lake weaves up into a high glacial canyon below Middle Teton?
Answer: Paintbrush Divide Trail leads experienced hikers through wildflower meadows and past mini alpine glaciers before meeting the Teton Crest path.
Cold Weather Activities
Riddle: What winter route near Taggart Lake accesses closed off backcountry terrain for serious skiers and snowshoers?
Answer: Beard Mountain Trail serves as a less crowded gateway to high powder turns down runs like Suicide Chute plunging over 3,000 feet.
Riddle: Where do snowmobilers bounce over deep snowdrifts on marked pathways taking in views of Middle Teton?
Answer: Grassy flats by Phelps Lake and Death Canyon make perfect snowy highways for riders to zip through sublime winter scenery.
Riddle: When ski touring into the peaks, what signature Grand Teton line do experts get to eye up close and personal on their ascent?
Answer: Iconic Otter Slide’s steep, exposed couloir poses a breathless challenge for skiers shouldering skins up the 2,500 foot run under Middle Teton’s watch.
Conclusion
We’ve covered 59 of the many geographical, historical and cultural riddles wrapped around majestic Middle Teton. From tribal legends to pioneering climbs, Middle Teton stands as an enduring icon within mighty Grand Teton National Park. Anchoring trails, views, and imaginations, it poses many more mysteries still left to explore and understand.
