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5 Shocking Ways Grand Teton's Iconic Second Tower Collapse Has Forever Changed The Skyline And Climbing Routes

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The Grand Teton, a crown jewel of the Teton Range, has once again been fundamentally altered by the relentless forces of nature. As of today, December 23, 2025, the climbing community and geologists are still assessing the fallout from the latest major structural failure on the mountain's iconic Second Tower, which partially collapsed on July 5, 2025, over the Fourth of July weekend. This dramatic event, visible from the valley floor of Jackson Hole, marks the second significant rockfall in recent years, permanently changing the profile of one of North America's most recognizable alpine features and raising critical safety questions for climbers.

The partial collapse of the Second Tower is more than just a geological event; it is a permanent change to the historical landscape of Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) and a stark reminder of the dynamic nature of the mountains. The Jenny Lake Rangers, GTNP's elite search and rescue team, have issued urgent warnings, noting a rising trend in the frequency and scale of spontaneous rockfalls across the massif, directly impacting established climbing routes and access points.

The Timeline of the Collapse: 2022 to Today

The recent July 5, 2025, collapse was not an isolated incident but the latest in a series of major structural failures that have diminished the Second Tower. This formation, a prominent feature on the East Ridge of the 13,775-foot Grand Teton, has shown increasing instability.

A Repeat Offender: The September 2022 Event

The first major event occurred in September 2022, when a significantly larger portion of the Second Tower collapsed. This initial rockfall was so extensive that it fundamentally changed the feature's profile, transforming its former even-sided pyramid shape into something noticeably different. The sheer volume of material lost in 2022 greatly diminished the tower, setting the stage for subsequent failures.

The Latest Failure: July 5, 2025

The most recent collapse over the 2025 Fourth of July weekend saw another large chunk of rock fall away. The Jenny Lake Rangers reported observing "multiple major spontaneous rockfalls" in the area, with the Second Tower's failure being the most notable. This consistent, intermittent collapsing highlights a worrying trend for alpinists and park officials alike, suggesting accelerated erosion and instability within the Teton Range.

A Changing Skyline: Geological Forces and the Iconic Cathedral Group

The Second Tower is an integral part of the Grand Teton's majestic profile, which itself is the highest peak in the Teton Range and a centerpiece of the famed Cathedral Group. The Cathedral Group also includes the formidable spires of Teewinot Mountain and Mount Owen, all of which tower more than 7,000 feet above the Jackson Hole valley.

The Geology of Instability

Geologists studying the Teton Range confirm that the mountains are subject to natural, long-term processes of loosening and erosion. The rockfalls are a consequence of the Teton's rocks "trying to get back down to lower levels," a process that normally takes hundreds of millions of years. However, the noticeable increase in the frequency and scale of these events suggests that factors like freeze-thaw cycles, water infiltration, and potentially changing climate patterns are accelerating the rate of decay.

The Second Tower, described as a "repeat offender" by the Jenny Lake Rangers, is a clear example of this accelerated geological change. The mountain is literally crumbling at a faster rate than usual, making the once-stable features unpredictable.

Impact on Climbers: Routes, Risks, and Ranger Warnings

The rockfall events have had a direct and critical impact on mountaineering in the Grand Teton massif, particularly on routes located on the East side of the mountain. The debris field from the collapse poses a significant hazard, and the stability of the remaining rock is now in question.

Critical Routes Under Threat

The Second Tower collapse specifically affects the area near the start of several classic and challenging routes. Climbers are now facing increased risk on:

  • The Pownall-Gilkey Route: This less-traveled, more challenging three-pitch variation is a popular alternative to the more crowded Owen-Spalding Route. The rockfall has introduced new objective hazards to the approach and lower sections of this historical route, first established in 1948 by Dick Pownall and Art Gilkey.
  • The Upper Exum Ridge: While not directly on the Second Tower, the increased instability and spontaneous rockfalls in the general area mean that all climbers on the upper massif, including those on the Upper Exum Ridge, must exercise extreme caution.

Jenny Lake Rangers' Urgent Advisory

Following the July 2025 collapse, the Jenny Lake Rangers issued a clear advisory to all park visitors and climbers. Their primary message is one of heightened awareness and caution. Given the spontaneous and intermittent nature of the rockfalls, the risk is not limited to the immediate aftermath of the main event.

The search and rescue team urges climbers to be mindful of the potential for falling rock, especially when approaching or traversing beneath the East Ridge and the Cathedral Group. This permanent change means that historical beta and route descriptions may no longer accurately reflect the current conditions of the mountain.

The Future of Mountaineering in the Teton Range

The collapse of the Second Tower is a poignant moment in the history of Grand Teton National Park. It serves as a powerful symbol of the transient nature of the mountains we climb. For the climbing community—including guides from companies like Jackson Hole Mountain Guides and Exum Mountain Guides—the event necessitates a re-evaluation of safety protocols and route selection.

As the Teton Range continues to shed its granite armor, alpinists must adapt to a new reality: the mountains are changing faster than ever. The legacy of the Second Tower will not be one of permanence, but one of impermanence, forcing a new generation of climbers to respect the dynamic, unpredictable, and powerful forces that shape this magnificent landscape. The views from Cascade Canyon and the valley are forever altered, a stark monument to the power of Teton geology.

5 Shocking Ways Grand Teton's Iconic Second Tower Collapse Has Forever Changed the Skyline and Climbing Routes
grand teton's iconic second tower partially collapses
grand teton's iconic second tower partially collapses

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