Menor’s Ferry Finally In Water

Grand Teton National Park has finally launched the replica of Menor’s Ferry, and the popular vessel is again in operation on the Snake River. Skaggs says due to the swift river flow early in the season combined with repairs needed on the ferry, the launch of the craft was delayed until at mid-August. Park Spokesperson Jackie Skaggs says the ferry serves as a central feature of the Menor/Noble historic district and is located just north of the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center. Park ranger naturalists offer free ferry rides daily between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm from Bill Menor’s general store to Dornan’s on the east bank and back.  Skaggs says that’s considerably more economical for passengers than it was during its commercial operation.  Skaggs says Bill Menor charged 25¢ for a rider and a horse and 50¢ for a wagon and a team.  Once Maud Noble purchased the ferry, she increased the fare to $1.00 for the automobiles now in use, and $2.00 if they had out of state plates.  Menor’s Ferry consists of a platform deck which is set upon two pontoons for flotation. The ferry is tethered to a cable system that spans the river and operates by directing the pontoons toward the opposite riverbank, allowing the power of the current to push the craft across the river channel, using river power rather than motor power to push the ferry across the water. This type of river system was widely used throughout the United States during the era Menor’s Ferry was operating.