Elevated Living & Views Atop Jackson Hole’s Buttes

  by Staff Writers

Jackson Hole is renowned for its natural beauty and iconic landscapes, and many of the region’s best views are enhanced from an elevated position. Properties atop the nearby buttes offer a unique living experience in an area where the rugged topography otherwise dictates that the majority of residential properties occupy the valley floor. These gently rolling butte-top properties are among some of the most desirable for homeowners for the views and privacy they afford.

In a region lauded for its vistas and iconic skyline, the properties atop these features provide breathtaking panoramic vistas of the Tetons and Gros Ventre mountain ranges. Position and sightlines from above yield unobstructed views of not only the surrounding mountains, but also often include the the Snake River corridor and the broad valley that gives the region its name.

The sense of privacy and seclusion are unrivaled among these properties. Elevated above the surroundings, they offer a respite from the buzz of the town below. Larger lot sizes and decreased density between residences further enhance these feelings, allowing homeowners to better appreciate the beauty and expansiveness of the landscape. These geographic features can also present an opportunity for stewardship and conservation, in addition to wildlife viewing. They serve as desirable habitat, with many species utilizing the features for wintering, or as a part of their migration routes.

The gated neighborhood of Gros Ventre North occupies the central and higher elevation parcels of West Gros Ventre Butte, which is roughly midway between Jackson and Wilson. Located above some of Jackson Hole’s most storied ranches, these homesites typically include a combination of mountain and pastoral views to either the east or west.

Within this neighborhood, 2235 N Pratt Road epitomizes a contemporary-meets-classic aesthetic as re-envisioned by esteemed local design firm WRJ via a 2017 renovation. Rustic-inspired textures and details such as rough-sawn lumber floors, a stacked stone fireplace and log structural elements provide a balance to the clean and refined styling of custom walnut and white painted cabinetry within the home’s open and flowing primary livings spaces. Each of the main home’s three bedrooms is paired with a private en suite bathroom.

The property’s ten acres site the 4,565-square-foot main home and separate two-bedroom guest home amidst a screening stand of aspen and pine on the butte’s gently sloping topography. Multiple west-facing porches and patios combine with floor-to-ceiling window arrays to capture evening light. Panoramic views from the main home to the northwest take full advantage of alpenglow on the Tetons in the morning and evening sunsets, alike.

Homeowners among the valley’s elevated neighborhoods don’t sacrifice the convenient access to hiking, biking, skiing, and fishing opportunities throughout the year, with some areas offering exclusive recreational access to their residents. Vogel Hill, one of Jackson’s newest large-acreage residential developments, provides its owners and guests a private walking trail and fishing cabin adjacent to the enhanced habitat and braids of Spring Creek. With only one of Vogel Hill’s residential lots currently available on the market, Ranch 8 offers a butte-top 35.6 acres with panoramic views that extend from the Cathedral Group south through to Teton Pass. A private road with gated access connects Vogel Hill to Spring Gulch for quick access to the town of Jackson and the surrounding valley.

The view from a building site at 1025 E Grand View Road captures the Tetons from the northern flank of East Gros Ventre Butte. At just over one acre, the lot provides unimpeded views from a home site contoured into the slope. Architectural plans for an approximately 4,600-square-foot home are included, and combine for an ideal offering between town and Grand Teton National Park.

Each of these elevated properties offers a blend of natural beauty, privacy and convenience, making them a distinctive living experience that embodies the best of Jackson Hole.