Year in Review: Buckrail’s top stories of 2024

JACKSON, Wyo. — It turned out to be a mighty busy year, didn’t it?

When we look back at the year 2024, our minds might be a crowded jumble of images: grizzly bears, dazzling night skies, crumbled roadways and more. Below are the 10 news events that dominated Buckrail this year.

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Teton Pass ‘fails catastrophically’

On a sunny Saturday in June, the roadway connecting western Wyoming with eastern Idaho was destroyed in a landslide, sending shockwaves through the community. After three weeks of round-the-clock construction work to reconnect commuters, family and friends, Teton Pass reopened with a temporary road segment. Expect more roadwork on the Pass in 2025 as crews complete a more permanent fix.

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Death of Grizzly 399

Legendary grizzly bear 399, long-standing animal mascot of the Tetons, was killed in a vehicle collision in October, inspiring a massive outpouring of emotional responses. At 28, the Queen of the Tetons was believed to be the oldest reproducing female grizzly in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The ashes of 399 were laid to rest in Pilgrim Creek. Keep an eye out for 399’s last offspring, known to some as Spirit, next spring.

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Northern Lights dance over Tetons

The night sky over Jackson Hole is regularly a jaw-dropping sight, but this year it hit the next level with frequent appearances by the aurora borealis. Two major geomagnetic events, one in May and another in October, dazzled us all.

Reader-submitted photos of the aurora were some of the best we’ve ever seen. Remember to send any great pics to tips@buckrail.com.

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Wolf tormented, killed in Daniel

A man in Daniel, Wyo., was investigated for live wolf possession in April after reportedly running it down with a snowmobile and bringing it to a business before killing it. International outrage ensued, along with threats of violence. Wolf management was a major discussion topic for state politicians; in October, they ruled that killing a predator with a snowmobile is legal.

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Twin wildfires burn on Bridger-Teton

Fire season in Bridger-Teton National Forest was one for the books. The lightning-caused Fish Creek Fire exploded in size through August, and the Pack Trail Fire came along in mid-September to double the workload for firefighters. When the two fires merged in October, the combined blaze became BTNF’s largest fire since 1988. Residents dealt with pervasive smoke and evacuations until winter weather dampened the flames in late fall.

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Ski instructor killed in accident

It was a sad end to ski season at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort when two skiers collided on the mountain in April. Peter Wuerslin, a 71-year-old part-time ski instructor, was skiing with a group of peers when a 34-year-old male skier collided with him from uphill, causing a fatal intracranial hemorrhage. The incident inspired locals to call for safer skiing practices on the mountain this season.

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Biscuit Basin blows sky-high

A geothermal explosion rocked Yellowstone National Park in July, but miraculously no one was injured in the incident. Black Diamond Pool sent boiling water and debris skyward, damaging the boardwalk through the hydrothermal area and closing that portion of the park to visitors for the rest of the season. Remember to always remain on the boardwalk when visiting Yellowstone.

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Teton County votes

Teton County voters cast ballots in primary and general election races at the local and national levels this year. On Election Day, voters expressed anxiety over the presidential race. Locally, voters elected a new Mayor and two new members of Town Council, along with a fresh face on the Board of County Commissioners. Early voter turnout broke records.

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Local judge strikes down abortion bans

In November, Ninth District Court Judge Melissa Owens struck down two pieces of legislation that sought to make abortion illegal in Wyoming, the latest action in a long saga concerning the legality of abortion in the Equality State. Owens ruled that the bans violate the state constitution’s assertion that every competent adult should have control over their own health care decisions. Prior to the election, locals gathered for a Women’s March on Town Square.

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Kelly Parcel sold to GTNP

Just before the year-end deadline, the state of Wyoming and the Department of the Interior reached an agreement to incorporate the 640-acre Kelly Parcel into Grand Teton National Park for a $100 million price tag. Arriving at the agreement was a process that began long ago; this year, major strides happened in February (when state legislators agreed to the sale with conditions) and in November (when they officially voted).

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Thank you for your readership! We are so grateful to the dedicated Buckrail community. Thank you for the news tips, SNAPPED pictures and for always pushing us to be better. Cheers to keeping the ball rolling into 2025 with more compelling storytelling, breathtaking photos and the news you need. Keep reading, keep asking questions and definitely keep those tips coming in 2025.

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