Western Regional NASA Space Grant Meeting 2008

Hosted by the Wyoming Space Grant Consortium

Dates: September 25-27, 2008

Location: Jackson Lake Lodge, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

Jackson Lake Lodge on Google Maps

Jackson Lake Lodge (operated by the Grand Teton Lodge Company) is situated on a bluff with spectacular views across the water of Jackson Lake to the skyline of the Tetons. There are 348 guest cottage rooms located on either side of the lodge as well as 37 guest rooms in the main lodge building. The upper lobby features 60 foot picture windows framing the Teton Mountain range as well as a collection of Native American artifacts and Western art.
Guest facilities include gift and apparel shops, a large heated outdoor swimming pool, horseback riding, scenic Snake River float trips, lake cruises on Jackson Lake, bus tours of Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, lake and river fishing, a service station and a medical clinic. In keeping with the National Park location, rooms do not have televisions or radios, but do have telephones, voicemail and data ports.

The elevation at Jackson Lake is approximately 6500 feet (that's about a quarter of a mile higher than the "mile high city", Denver, CO). At high elevations it is easy to get sunburnt, so bring sunscreen, a hat, or both if you plan to take part in any outdoor activities. It will also be important to drink plenty of water since it is easy to get dehydrated (dehydration can contribute significantly to altitude sickness).
Around the end of September in the Jackson Lake (and Moran, WY) area, the highs are typically in the low-mid 60s F, and the lows can be in the low-30s or upper-20s F - so bring layers.

Reservations

Special room rate: $169/night for a single or a double room (this rate is good Sept. 21-29 - a block of rooms is currently being held the nights of Sept. 24-26, the other nights are based on availability).
Please make all reservations at Jackson Lake Lodge by phone! This is extremely important because the online reservation system does not recognize group blocks and will not show availability within the block; additionally, there is no opportunity to enter a code for the group (so you won't get our group room rate). If you book online you will not have accurate availability and rates, and will not be counted as part of the Space Grant group.
The number you should call is 800-628-9988, and identify that you are with the Space Grant Western Region Meeting.

Activities

• Thursday, September 25: Day Tour of Yellowstone National Park (optional - additional fee)
• Friday, September 26: Space Grant meetings, dinner at The Wort Hotel Silver Dollar Bar & Grill in downtown Jackson
• Saturday, September 27: half-day of Space Grant meetings

Included in Registration

We are still working out the final details and registration cost (we expect the registration will be around $350-360). Due to the remote location of the Lodge, we are including as many meals as possible in the registration fee. In the basic registration fee we will include: dinner on Thursday evening; breakfast, lunch and dinner on Friday; breakfast and lunch on Saturday. Additionally, those electing to take the optional Yellowstone tour on Thursday will receive both breakfast and lunch in the cost of the trip. On Friday evening we will have dinner at the Wort Hotel in downtown Jackson - we will provide transportation to Jackson, and there will be additional time scheduled to tour (or shop) downtown Jackson (we plan to arrive early in Jackson to give everyone a chance to tour the town a little before meeting for dinner at the Wort Hotel).

Transportation

By Air

Daily air service into the Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) is available on a variety of carriers (American, Delta, Northwest, Skywest, United/United Express, Frontier). Most flights make connections via Salt Lake City (Utah) or Denver (Colorado). The Jackson Hole Airport is located about 28 miles from the Lodge. Other "nearby" airports include: Idaho Falls (approximately 125 miles from the lodge - Google Directions), Salt Lake City (340 miles - Google Directions), and Denver (500 miles - Google Directions). (Area map and other driving directions).
The Grand Teton Lodge Company operates a shuttle service between the Jackson Hole Airport and the Jackson Lake Lodge, please inquire when making room reservations to ensure service is scheduled for your flight time (NOTE: This is the only transportation company permitted to pick-up or drop-off guests within the Grand Teton National Park staying at Jackson Lake Lodge). Round trip from Jackson Hole Airport is $62/person plus tax (2008 rate and includes the $12 National Park entry fee which is valid for seven days for both Grand Teton and Yellowstone Parks). Grand Teton Lodge Company's statement about the airport shuttle: "When making hotel reservations, 800-628-9988, guests can request a shuttle transfer by providing flight number, arrival and departure times. Arrangements must be made at least 24 hours in advance as we do not meet every flight! Prices include the National Park entrance fee of $12 per person, which is valid for travel within Grand Teton & Yellowstone National Parks for seven days." (Round trip $62; Airport to Lodge, one way $42; Lodge to Airport, one way $30.)
Rental cars are available at the Jackson Hole Airport, however you will have to pay the National Park entry fee* ($25 per vehicle in 2007 - current park entry fees) which is good for seven days and valid for entry to both the Grand Teton and Yellowstone Parks.

By Car

There are four major highways serving the Jackson Hole Valley: US Highways 26, 89, 187, or 287 (more driving directions). All vehicles will have to pay the National Park entry fee* ($25 per vehicle in 2007 - check current park entry fees) which is good for seven days and valid for entry to both the Grand Teton and Yellowstone Parks.

*If you have a valid "Interagency Annual Pass" (also called "America The Beautiful - The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass"), "Interagency Senior Pass", or "Interagency Access Pass" then you will not have to pay the entrance fees.

Around the Lodge Properties

Grand Teton Lodge Company provides complimentary guest transportation between all lodging properties, South Jenny Lake and the town of Jackson. This schedule varies seasonally and is posted at the activities desk at Jackson Lake Lodge and the activities booth at Colter Bay Village. This service is provided on a first come first served basis.

Useful Websites

• Grand Teton National Park
• Yellowstone National Park
• Grand Teton Lodge Company
• Jackson Lake Lodge