HAVING A WONDERFUL TIME IN WYOMING, MR. PRESIDENT?

Byline: Jay Clarke Knight-Ridder Tribune News Wire

This is the place that comes to my mind when I think of America the Beautiful. There can't be any mountains more majestic than the Tetons, and the skies are so spacious the outdoors seems to go on forever.

No matter where I stand in this remarkable valley, my eyes are drawn to the jagged, starkly beautiful Teton Mountains that paint a spectacular backdrop for every Jackson Hole vista.

Pretty lakes at the base of the mountains make perfect reflecting pools for the 13,770 foot Grand Teton and the other awesome peaks in the range.

What better place for an American president to take a vacation!

But even a president doesn't live by inspiring vistas alone. Bill Clinton is an active president, and he'll likely spend a lot of time exploring Jackson Hole's vast outdoors during his current stay.

``We were asked by the White House to provide a list of suggested activities,'' said Joan Anzelmo at Grand Teton National Park headquarters.

Whatever the President does during his visit, he wants to be as ``unobtrusive as possible,'' said Anzelmo. ``We are not planning to close any trails or roads (because of his presence).''

OK, it may not be possible for a president to go about vacationing like an ordinary tourist, but once he's on the golf course, or on a raft on the Snake River, he'll be just like any other visitor. So, Mr. President, as an ordinary visitor just back from Jackson Hole, I offer the following suggestions:

Golf: The home of West Virginia Sen. John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, where you're staying, sits on the 18th fairway of the Jackson Hole Golf and Tennis Club course. All you have to do is walk or ride down the path from the house, cross the wooden bridge over the little creek and go through the wooden gate to the fairway pathway. Then it's just a couple hundred yards to the clubhouse.

You'll really like this course's 13th hole. It's a par 3 over a small lake, with a view of the Tetons behind it. Greens fees are $75, including cart, but I suspect they'll let you on the course for free.

Hiking: I've hiked over three different trails - all suitable for a pleasant family outing - and there are plenty more. One of the hikes I took is the most popular one in the park, the trail to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. Just board the boat at the South Jenny Lake dock ($4 round trip, boats operate every 20 minutes), cross over to the west side of Jenny Lake and you're right at the trailhead.

Continue up the trail another half mile to Inspiration Point, where you get a panoramic view of the Jackson Hole valley as well as a splendid view of Cascade Canyon.

Another trail you might like, Mr. President, was a favorite of John D. Rockefeller Jr. (your host's grandfather), the man who in the 1920s started the movement to make this spectacular place a national park. It's an easy hike from Jackson Lake Lodge to the spot where Rockefeller used to picnic, overlooking Willow Flats.

Float trips: Unlike whitewater trips, float trips drift peacefully with the current in more placid sections of the Snake River. Expect to see a moose or two, some elk, beavers, ospreys and other wildlife. Lately, by the way, the water has been high and the current strong, so you may get a pretty fast ride. I heard some people say their two-hour float trips lasted only 45 minutes. Ten-mile float trips usually take two to three hours and cost $25 to $30. Five-mile floats take about an hour and cost $15 to $20.

Whitewater rafting trips are run on another part of the river. They run about eight miles through several sets of rapids and cost about $30.

Horseback riding: I know that last year, Mr. President, you and your family went horseback riding during your New England vacation. So I guess you'll saddle up here as well. Trail rides can be as short as an hour (about $15) or last all day (about $60). Rides can include a chuck-wagon breakfast or evening steak cookouts, and can be guided or unguided. Some trails wander through the flats, others ascend into the mountain country.

Biking: You can bike almost anywhere, Mr. President, including around the Rockefeller home where you're staying. Two interesting guided bike tours are offered by Teton Mountain Bike Tours. One, which runs through Antelope Flats, is an easy run, lasting about four hours ($40). The other follows an old service road along the Snake River and lasts five hours ($45).

Seeing wildlife: You'll encounter wildlife on most outdoor adventures. You'll likely see moose, mule deer and some elk. Bison are not nearly as common in Jackson Hole as they are in adjacent Yellowstone National Park, although I did see one loner clumping along next to the road. Watch for telltale white balls in trees - these are bald eagles. The pronghorn antelope feed on the valley sagebrush as well as grass, but look quickly - they're America's fastest mammal, moving up to 45 mph.

Also outdoors: Several companies offer hot air balloon flights. Others provide guides and equipment for fishing; the Snake River cutthroat trout, found only here, is a good game fish. If it's not too windy, take the tram 4,000 feet up to the top of the mountain at Teton Village for a remarkable view of the Tetons and of the 400-square-mile floor of Jackson Hole. You can also take scenic boat trips on Lake Jackson, some of them including a picnic on Elk Island.

On Location

For more information, contact the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box E, Jackson, Wyo. 83001; [phone], or Grand Teton National Park, P.O. Drawer 170, Moose, Wyo. 83012; [phone].

CAPTION(S):

2 Photos, Box

Photo: (1) The majestic Teton Range dominates Wyomi ng's back country, where rafters float down the Snake River. Elk, moose, beaver, osprey and baby eagles make their homes in the wild land.

(2) President Clinton and his family enjoy Wyoming's wilderness with a park official.

Box: On Location (See Text)