Memorial Day Miles: South Landing Loop & The Historic R.K.O. Road

Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

Trip Report 5/25/26

Memorial Day dash in Grand Teton was well rewarded with familiar but world class views. In a constant effort to run new mileage and explore new places I set out to do a loop combining part of the Signal Mountain road with the full South Landing Trail.

This short 4.5 mile loop was scenic, shady and picturesque along Jackson Lake which appears to be nearly full. Upon completion of the loop I opted to go the extra distance down an unknown(to myself) track. The name of the road is R.K.O and it takes you east toward the Snake River where I chose turn around on a bluff overlooking the river.

The name comes directly from RKO Pictures (Radio-Keith-Orpheum) which was a classic Hollywood Studio company. The company used the road heavily during the 1950's while shooting the western movie "The Big Sky" featuring Kirk Douglas. Running it today, it’s a quiet, scenic bluff, but 70 years ago it was a bustling studio set.