How Tall Is Grand Teton?
Just how tall is Grand Teton? Part of a sub-range within the Rockies, it spikes at a sharp angle from the tectonic fault line below. Grand Teton’s summit reaches 13,775 feet. But it’s a hard 13,775.
It’s among the highest in the Rockies, is known for mercurial weather, and has a notoriously challenging final ascent. The historic but young peak is also home to some sturdy creatures and has an interesting story behind its current height.
Key Facts
Grand Teton, the tallest Teton, gained five feet after developments in geophysics determined gravity can vary by location on earth. It stands at 13,775 feet, adjusted.
Grand Teton’s height is 13,775 feetThe peak sits within the Teton Range of mountains in Wyoming and is part of the Grand Teton National ParkRegarded as possibly the youngest mountain along the Rockies, Grand Teton simply hasn’t had as much wind, snow, rain, weather and sun to shear it down to a straighter shape; hence, its stark, semi-pyramid designThe steep rise from its surrounding area is also from its creation along a tectonic fault lineTectonic activity is the main reason for its comparatively fast continuing growth: the peak is gaining around a millimeter per year
Recalculating . . .
A new measurement was reckoned in 2013 after decades of scientific advancements. There was a bit of a growth spurt as the mountain had grown five feet since its first national park surveying in the 1920s!
What actually happened is that geophysicists have determined that there are slight variations in gravity around the globe. Mountains can have notably greater effects on this, though it’s still a minuscule overall effect when considering the scale.
But, Bob Smith, a professor at the University of Utah, told the Jackson Hole News & Guide it’s basically gravity adding five feet of drop if we tried to dig a flat canal across the US up to Grand Teton.
And just like that, the Grand Teton’s height rose five feet.
Tallest in the Range, but Not the State
Wind River Range lies just east of Grand Teton and is the site of the tallest peak in the Equality State. Gannet Peak is 13,810 feet, making it a scant 35 feet higher than Grand Teton. It’s part of the Bridger-Teton National Forest. Still, Grand Teton is the tallest in the Teton Range, particularly among the three Tetons: Grand Teton, Middle Teton and South Teton. Eight peaks in the Teton rise over 12,000 feet.
