2.3 miles
Kelly Parcel to Kelly Warm Springs
Grand Teton National Park
Fee: $0.00 - donations appreciated
Access:
Drive north from Jackson on Hwy 89 to Gros Ventre Junction, turn east (right) toward Kelly. Drive east past Kelly, where the road curves north – continue for 1.2 miles. Turn right onto Gros Ventre Road, and drive east ½ mile to the Kelly Warm Springs. Leave a car in the parking area on the north side of the road (if you have 2 cars). The Kelly Parcel Loop trailhead is one mile further east up the hill on the Gros Ventre Road. Look for the 2nd horse corral on the north side. We recommend driving another mile further to turn around safely (at the Bridger Teton Forest Service pullout), then drive back and pull off the road to park at the trailhead (horse corral).
Description:
Trail Description:
The “Kelly Parcel” is a square mile (640 acres) of wilderness land within the eastern boundaries of Grand Teton National Park, in the foothills of the Gros Ventre Mountains. It was previously owned by the State of Wyoming, and as of late 2024 is now part of GTNP and open to the public to explore. Thanks go to generous Federal grants, much hard work and donations via Grand Teton National Park and GTNP Foundation and its supporters to raise the funds to purchase, preserve and incorporate this key piece of critical habitat into GTNP.
This trail is part of a key wildlife migration corridor that is now protected by being in GTNP. Look for wildlife and tracks as you ski: elk, deer, wolf, coyote, fox, birds, ermine, squirrels, and other smaller mammals are present in the winter and early spring.
This backcountry Nordic ski and snowshoe trail starts at the higher section of the Kelly Parcel where the road is close enough to allow for easy access to open space on a ridge. The trail then follows a gentle half circle descent down to the Kelly Hayfield trail. From the trailhead/corral, ski north (perpendicular to the road) past the corral and follow the gently rising ridge. Progressively follow the contour left, staying high, to the northwest to eventually reach an overlook of the full Teton Range, Antelope Flats and the Jackson Hole central valley below. Because the spectacular views are a highlight of this trail, we recommend skiing here on a clear day.
From the overlook, you can backtrack about 200 yards to pick the easiest way down off the bluff, following the less angled slope into a stand of aspen trees. When mapping, we headed west (toward the Tetons) and slowly skied through the aspens to the next wide-open clearing. The terrain flattens out here and is wide open, flat to gently sloping. From here, continue down into an open basin and you will begin to see the Kelly Hayfield trail in front of you, running north-south (on an angle that is nearly perpendicular to your approach).
Continue down into the open gulley to the trail, and head left (south) in the skier tracks toward the occasional cottonwood tree. Continue south along this trail for another 1.2 mile to the Kelly Warm Springs parking area. If you left a car here, the one-way outing is complete. Or turn around and ski back in your tracks to your car.
Many other variations exist to explore the full square mile of the Kelly Parcel, starting at the same trailhead and heading further north and uphill or east out to the boundary with the Bridger Teton National Forest.
Skiing Experience:
Intermediate level, based on the possibility of breaking trail, and some gentle downhill in untracked snow. Skiing or snowshoeing is over snow-covered sage brush meadows, through stands of willows, with solitude and extensive open views of the Tetons.
If you go in mid-winter, you may be breaking trail in deep untracked snow, or find a previous skier's track. If you go in late winter or early spring, you may encounter a firm crust, and be able to ski on top of the crust.
We recommend using BC Nordic ski gear (wider cross-country skis with metal edges, fish scales) for better support and stability. Skins may be useful for those who ski out and back to the horse corral - but are not required.
Extended Exploration:
Nearby Nordic ski trails that are ungroomed but likely skier tracked in Grand Teton National Park and Bridger Teton National Forest:
-Kelly Hayfield
-Hunter Ranch
-Shadow Mountain
-Coyote Rock
-Gros Ventre Road East
-Ditch Creek
-Antelope Flats
Grooming:
See JHNordic.com/Grooming for full list of groomed trails, daily status, and schedules.
Closest groomed trail: Taggart to Signal Mountain - GTNP.
Dog and Bike Access:
No dogs or fat bikes allowed, this trail is in Grand Teton National Park.
Trail Sponsorship:
Thanks to the Grand Teton National Park Foundation and Grand Teton National Park for preserving and incorporating this special land into GTNP.
