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The Enclosure: The Ancient Structure on the Grand Teton

The Tetons.

Ancient Structure Found:

On July 29, 1872, a group from the Hayden Expedition believed they were going to be the first to ever climb the Grand Teton. Though it’s a bit controversial whether or not they made it to the top, what they did find was of great significance. During a storm they found themselves on the west buttress (an adjoined peak to the Grand), where they found a prehistoric structure in which they took refuge, calling it the “Enclosure”.

How Old is it?

As it’s been known since, the Enclosure is formed by granite slabs standing almost on end, in an oval-shape, nearly north-to-south directionally. There are, unfortunately, little to indicate exactly what or how old this structure is. As native peoples have lived in the area for ten thousand years, it could be extremely old. Regardless of its age, the Enclosure must have been of particular significance to someone, having been built at 12,000 ft (about 3,600 meters) using stones of a shape which aren’t found that high.

Who Created it?

Probably the best theory is that it was a Crow or Shoshone fasting bed. These were isolated locations that native men would linger while they fasted for up to 3 or 4 days, whether as a form of initiation or to have a revelatory experience. One story says a Crow man climbed into the Tetons to fast, returning with a vision of horses, something the Crow would obtain some years later.

Whatever the reality, whenever one finds or comes across anything prehistoric, they ought to bask in the knowledge that they are sharing the same ground as the ancients. And then--preserve it so future generations can do the same.

Dillon grew up near Jackson Hole, being taken by his family to nearby national parks so often he took it for granted. It took the rigors of life to teach him how good he had it, and he now spends as much time in the mountains as possible.

***This post is brought to you by Flat Creek Inn.

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