Gros Ventre River drainage, Wyoming

Copyright © Ralph Maughan

Meadow near the source of the Gros Ventre River, deep in the Gros Ventre Wilderness.

The Gros Ventre River runs into the Snake River at the base of the Tetons, but the Gros Ventre's origin is far to the east of Jackson Hole, Wyoming in the top of the Gros Ventre Range.
Pronounced "Grow VANHT".

The Red Hills, a prominent feature along the Gros Ventre just upstream from Jackson Hole.

The Gros Ventre Drainage became the main home of the Gros Ventre wolf pack in the summer of 2000, however, in the winter of 2001-2, the Teton Pack took over the drainage. As late as 2005, the Teton Pack moved into the Gros Ventre River as autumn came and spent much of the winter there feeding on the abundant elk.

Since the demise of the Teton Pack, the Buffalo Pack, the Flat Creek Pack and scattered other wolves use the big drainage.

The presence of too many cattle, 3 disease-ridden, Wyoming state elk winter feed grounds, and a growing concentration of grizzly bears has made the Gros Ventre drainage and mountains a flash point for controversy.