What’s the value of a grizzly bear? For far more people than not, few things in this age of avatars surpass the thrill of seeing a grizzly bear family in its native element. The story of Jackson Hole grizzly No. 399, who emerged from the den this year with her second troop of triplet cubs in half a decade, speaks to another kind of worth. It says something about us.

While the bountiful winter is recharging both reservoirs and lakes in the Rockies and High Sierra, it also has lengthened the avalanche season for potential slides. In Grand Teton National Park the especially huge snowpack has officials warning backcountry travelers to be cognizant of avalanche conditions.

They'll be rounding them up and heading them out at Grand Teton National Park this Saturday, which means motorists might encounter both a stronger taste of the West and some short delays along U.S. 26/89/191, according to park officials.

Looking for information to help you plan your national park vacation? Today the Traveler is rolling out the first in a series of "park profile" pages to help you with your homework.