REVEALED: The secret mountain pass to dodge the traffic into wealthy enclave of Jackson - but it's not for the faint hearted
A secret mountain route known only to locals in Idaho's Teton Valley has become the talk of the town - but it is not for the faint hearted.
The path, Reclamation Road, offers a detour over the Teton mountains, allowing residents to dodge the traffic into the wealthy enclave of Jackson Wyoming
The obscure mountain road gained attention after the primary route for workers, Highway 22, traveling between Idaho and Jackson literally fell off the side of a mountain earlier this month.
This left many commuters forced to take the long way around through Star Valley.
But with news spreading of the little-known road between Idaho and Jackson, the National Park Service is now concerned about an influx of frustrated drivers attempting to use it, The Cowboy State Daily reported.
A secret route known only to locals in Idaho's Teton Valley is becoming the talk of the town as residents seek alternatives to the congested main roads leading to Jackson, Wyoming
The obscure mountain road gained attention after the primary route for workers commuting between Idaho and Jackson literally fell off the mountain
Many people who work in Jackson cannot afford to live there so typically commute from towns using Highway 22 over Teton Pass.
But this route became impassible last week when a massive landslide caused a large section of the road to collapse in a 'catastrophic failure'.
Reclamation Road, also known as Grassy Lake Road, is a dirt and gravel path that starts about 25 miles north of Tetonia. To find it, drivers must look for the Squirrel cemetery near Ashton before heading east.
While half the journey allows speeds of up to 70 mph, the remaining stretch requires a much slower pace.
Despite the incredibly rough terrain, there is typically no traffic - just miles of potato farms and silos.
But Grand Teton National Park spokesman Jeremy Barnum warned commuters about taking this road.
He told Cowboy State Daily that with still three to four inches of snow, he is worried commuters may get stuck in snow banks and recommended people wait until the snow melts.
'It still has 3 to 4 foot snowbanks in the shady areas, and we're going to start busting through those over the next few days. The road is scheduled to be open on Monday,' he said.
'I'd just hate for people to start jumping in their Jeeps thinking it's a viable way around.'
The road is also tough at times and slow so with many commuters it is prone to bumper-to-bumper traffic jams more like something you would see in LA than what small-town Wyoming and Idaho are used to, according to the outlet.
This path, Reclamation Road, offers a detour over the Teton mountains, but it's not for the faint hearted
Part of Reclamation Road goes by beautiful Grassy Lake Reservoir
'Reclamation is nicknamed "Jeep Trail" because it's a little rough in spots,' Tetonia resident Jim Beard told The Cowboy State Daily.
The rugged trail eventually connects to US Route 191, roughly a dozen miles north of Jackson.
However, Google Maps offers little help in navigating this remote section of the Potato Belt.
But with the primary route from Jackson to its working-class communities in Idaho out of commission, locals don't have many other options.
Losing Highway 22 was a significant setback for Idaho residents.
Tourism also has since slowed, and gas prices increased.
At the Sinclair station in Tetonia, gas prices have climbed to $3.54 per gallon.
Losing Highway 22 was a significant setback for Idaho residents. Tourism also has since slowed, and gas prices increased. At the Sinclair station in Tetonia, gas prices have climbed to $3.54 per gallon
'I miss having tourists around here,' Erica Black, manager of the gas station told the outlet.
'People living here have been impacted a lot by the Teton Pass closure,' Zach Bennett, who runs a resort in town called the Teton Peaks Resort in Tetonia told the outlet. 'We've seen a lot of cancellations because everyone thinks there's nothing to do here.'
