Wyoming Late in October and early in November, when snow comes to the high passes, elk begin their traditional migration from high summer range in the Tetons and South Yellowstone to lower winter range in the valley.
Heavy snows force the animals to lower elevations in search of food.
Many of the elk make their way to the National Elk Refuge, which provides a winter home for an average of 7,500 elk, over half of the Jackson Hole population. The Refuge protects approximately one-quarter of the original elk winter range in the valley. That this happens to part of the most wonderfully scenic areas in the United States is an added bonus. The Refuge has grassy meadows and marshes along the valley floor, timbered areas along the Gros Ventre River, and sagebrush and rock outcroppings along the foothills. Up from the valley floor rise 13,000 foot jagged peaks.