Grand Teton Climbers Ranch

I want to take a trip to the Climbers Ranch in 2020. Has anyone stayed there? What climbing areas are close? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Bryce Mahoney wrote:
I want to take a trip to the Climbers Ranch in 2020. Has anyone stayed there?

Yes, people have stayed there. Myself included.

Allen Sanderson wrote: Yes, people have stayed there. Myself included.

And the award for most helpful comment goes to......

As far as proximity to climbing areas you're right underneath the Tetons so everything in the park is as close as it gets. You can also rent bikes at the ranch which is pretty convenient

Bryce Mahoney wrote:
What climbing areas are close? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

I see you have added to your original post. Uh there are peaks near by that are collectively known as the Tetons. They have some climbing on them.

Bryce Mahoney wrote:
And the award for most helpful comment goes to......

Your post, original and edited are lacking in specifics. Posts lacking specifics always get the most helpful comments.

Loud.  People coming in  late and  packing for  tomorrow morning with lots of  nervous  chatter.  Then  folks are  getting  up and  leaving  noisily from  1am  on at  steady  intervals.. 

We stayed there with a party of six on three non-consecutive nights. We filled one cabin by ourselves.  My only regret was not staying more nights.

Appreciated

* the hot showers, 

* seeing a fox scour the community picnic tables by electric light after most everyone was in bed, 

* chatting at breakfast and dinners with clients of guides to hear about their experiences in the school and summitting, 

* hearing what others were climbing, 

* and - soberly - hearing a first hand report of a double fatality in a party of three soloists.

I guess it depends on the kind of scene you are after.

Stayed there many times over the years.  Usually at least once a summer.  

Avy canyon is pretty walkable from the ranch.  Nice to have a ride to get to Lupine Meadows parking lot, but, its not a super long hike from the ranch to the Garnet canyon trail (via Burned Wagon Gulch).  Makes a gob of stuff available if your sans car.  Also, fairly easy to get a ride too.  Folks are pretty friendly there, and, the message board is a good way to get partners/rides figured out.  Or just hanging out at the cooking/eating structure.

Library is sweet.  Hot shower nice.  Flush toilets.  Covered cooking structure with power.  Meeting folks, some who are 40 year repeat customers, is fun.  Good place for beta and area recommendations for climbing, fishing, hiking.

If you're there for more than a couple nights, then joining the AAC nearly (or fully) pays for itself.

Great hang prior to a longer overnight in the mountains.  Also, great spot to chill following a trip.

I'd recommend it.  Even with the occasional loud late night gear sorters (ha ha).  Being in a cabin with folks who get up at 3am to count every last carabiner prior to their day trip up the Grand, including dropping a few on the hardwood floor...  Or, the wedding party back to the ranch at 1am who come barging in after closing down the bars in Jackson and wake you up prior to you getting up at 3am to sort carabiners, dropping a few on the floor...

Its social.  With a mix of folks.  Some respectful of others, some not so much.  I (and my earplugs) tolerate the scene pretty well.  Overall, pretty darn friendly crowd of folks.  With good psyche for the area.  Gives the place some nice, positive energy.

For an extended stay, can't be beat.  For one night prior to the Grand-in-a-day?  Maybe not so much.

Allen Sanderson wrote:
I see you have added to your original post. Uh there are peaks near by that are collectively known as the Tetons. They have some climbing on them.

Your post, original and edited are lacking in specifics. Posts lacking specifics always get the most helpful comments.

A guy asked me today about a particular climbing route he is thinking about doing in Red Rock. He asked, "What's the hike off like?" I gave him an annoyed look and said it's not a hike, it's a rappel. 

People should do some basic research, about climbing areas and routes, on their own, before they start asking others. Asking others isn't research, it's laziness (unless you didn't understand the guidebook or MP info)

FrankPS wrote:

A guy asked me today about a particular climbing route he is thinking about doing in Red Rock. He asked, "What's the hike off like?" I gave him an annoyed look and said it's not a hike, it's a rappel. 

Would you have been less annoyed if he had asked what the descent was like?

Bill Lawry wrote: Would you have been less annoyed if he had asked what the descent was like?

Bill, 

I would have preferred he showed that he had read about it and knew it was several rappels.  

For me, Frank, it depends. Someone asking on MP. Don’t really care one way or another.

I’ve enjoyed the ranch. Definitely get earplugs though. 

Cool place but don't expect to get a solid night's sleep. 

I agree with most of the post. I stayed there two different trips. First time it was crowded and I slept out side. The next trip we had the cabin to our selves. Which made it nice. I really hate that group shared cabin thing. I Can’t stand the snoring, farting, coughing and climber spray. But, it is close to the trail heads into the Tetons and the bike rental or loaners when I was there was cool.

I am a light sleeper and though thoroughly enjoy the social scene @ dinner I don't sleep well in the same room with strangers.... never have...    If you can handle group living I am Shure its awesome. 

Bryce Mahoney wrote:What climbing areas are close? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

You’re fucking joking, right?

Marc801 C wrote:

You’re fucking joking, right?

Blacktail Butte no? Can't think of another.

I liked the concept of the ranch but I agree that the cabins were way too noisy with snoring and people up at all hours. I also didn't have any luck talking to people, it seemed like everyone just wanted to stick to their group.

I found it to be a terrific resource.  Lots of ability to meet other climbers and socialize at the outdoor cooking and eating facility.  Great library for some of those stormy days.  Washing machines and hot showers right there.  All kinds of outlets for charging your electronics.  Free pots and pans if you don't have much or any.  A charcoal grill you can borrow. Free junker bicycles to use on the extensive bike paths.  This makes it a hundred times better than any of the campgrounds, assuming you could manage to find a spot.

 Okay, sharing a room with (in my case) three other people doesn't necessarily promote deep sleep if they snore or are just plain inconsiderate. I did encounter an astonishing (to me) lack of consideration by some people.  All my gear gets packed and ready the night before and my clothes stacked where I can find them in the dark.  I get out of the room in the dark without jangling anything or turning on a headlamp.  Sheesh---its easy as hell to do this.  The most charitable thing to think is that some folks are just clueless.  I wish the staff would post something about communal bunk etiquette.

I didn't experience any noisy late arrivals. Coming back late from a climb is one issue, coming back late from the fleshpots of Jackson is quite another.  It's not a frat house, its a place for climbers to stay and climb from.  Have a little respect for the the purpose of the place and the majority of people who stay there!

I stayed nearly three weeks in 2017 and by the end of it was feeling the sleep deprivation.  I did bring earplugs but they kept falling out of my ears and so were not effective.  Getting good earplugs is, I think, a critical prerequisite, as it is for any hut in the alps, for instance.

Bryce Mahoney wrote: I want to take a trip to the Climbers Ranch in 2020. 

The Climbers' Ranch. 

It is a good place for a shower, beta, library, gossip, & grill if that's what you need.

I'd rather pitch a tent at the ranch or sleep in a van. Assuming you're not interested in GTNP's backcountry, or a motel/hotel/campground/airbnb/glamping, then you'll enjoy a poor night's sleep with strangers in a small cabin if that's what you're into.

Some people do indeed take a trip to the Climbers' Ranch including folks who won't spend a single day climbing. Cranky writers used to hang out there. Dirtbags who are just dirtbags. Yvon Chouinard lived there for the first two summers, climbing and repairing much of the plumbing. You might find one of Yvon's original pitons still stuck in the Teton granite.

You can also get showers in the Town of Jackson and in GTNP at Flagg Ranch, Colter Bay & Signal Mtn. Laundry, too. And Jackson has a nice library with climbing books. Beta is available in many places: guides, rangers, climbers, Teton Mountaineering, Moosely Mountaineering, online, etc. Might find a partner for climbing anywhere.

Really, no reason to stay at the ranch unless you love that scene. Some people do. Sounds so (NSFW) western & romantic (NSFW), right?  The majority of climbers don't stay anywhere near the ranch.

T h e  C l i m b e r s'  R a n c h.......



  Yvon Chouinard liked his ranches

RE: "What climbing areas are close"

The Central Teton Range has many climbing opportunities. It depends upon the type of climbing you're looking for when it comes to what's close. For example, the Grand is about 8 miles away but smaller objectives are much closer.