GRAND TETON NATURE NOTES

THE SHADOW RANGE

by Dr. F. M. Fryxell

Late in the afternoon as the sun sinks behind the Teton Range a great shadow moves eastward across the floor of Jackson Hole. Probably few of the thousands who pass through the valley or spend their lives there give thought to this episode, other than to note, perhaps, how the rampart range to the west shortens the length of day in the valley; yet in the perspective one may gain from the Teton heights this afternoon shadow is seen to be a marvelous feature, reproducing in silhouetts the profile of the range itself. Unseen, this spectacle has teen reenacted daily through the ages; even now few witness it because it takes place at an hour when most hikers and climbers are well on their homeward trek, and already have descended too low. Also, in its swift and soundless course across the valley it may pass unnoticed. Some day the Teton Shadow Range will be celebrated, and many will gladly climb to the heights to see it, as now they seek them for the sunrise.

I first saw this spectacle in 1929 from near Ramshead Lake, after a late descent of Symmetry Spire. Chancing to glance downward my attention was rivetted by the scene on the valley floor. The shadow peaks of St. John, Rockchuck and Symmetry Spire were already formed, and from a point a little lower down and less obstructed, those of Teewinot, the Grand Teton, and Nez Perce came into view (The shadows of Mount Owen and South Teton merging with those of their forepeaks). At first low and blunt, the shadow peaks lengthened until each had attained its proper relative height, and the full profile was recognizable as that of the familiar Teton skyline. Only for a moment was this so: to have held this picture one would, like Joshua, have had to bid the sun stand still. With increased distortion and accelerated speed as cast more and more obliquely, the shadow peaks pushed onward, crossed the Snake, and, grown to slender, needle-sharp points, grotesque exaggerations even of peaks slender as these, raced across the final stretch of Antelope Flats to the far edge of the sagebrush. The Grand Teton shadow was the first to reach it. With all the valley in shade, the peak shadows could still be seen mounting the wooded slopes beyond, but at last these, too, were all obscured, and the phantom range was gone, to be created anew on the morrow.