For much of the road-tripping summer tourist crowd, the Tetons are but a bonus stop on the way to the geysers and wildlife traffic jams of Yellowstone—but for backcountry travelers in the know, the Teton Crest Trail trek up the spine of America’s youngest and craggiest range hosts some of the most epic alpine terrain and scenery this side of the Alps. Thanks to Grand Teton National Park’s trail system, you can start, stop, and intersect the Teton Crest Trail at multiple points along the range, which makes customizing your trip easy; spend just two days or a full week. The classic stretch begins at the Granite Canyon Trailhead and ends 32.5 miles later at the Jenny Lake Visitor’s Center. You’ll go from the sprawling, castle-like peaks of the southern Tetons to the jagged spires of the main range via wildflower-filled meadows and high alpine benches.
Overview
After loading up on huevos rancheros at Nora’s Fish Creek Inn in Wilson, begin the scenic upward trek through Granite Canyon. Coming from the flatlands? Shave a few miles off the start and bypass the initial uphill (cheater) by taking the spanking-new Jackson Hole Resort tram to the trailhead at the top of Rendezvous Mountain. Spend the first night near Marion Lake, or just past it inside the Bridger-Teton National Forest for expansive views of Idaho to the west.
The next day you’ll drop over Fox Creek Pass onto the Death Canyon Shelf, where you’ll get both your first glimpse of the Grand Teton as well as an intoxicating stroll through Technicolor fields of wildflowers.
Another alpine pass brings you to the Alaska Basin, where a handful of tiny lakes make for an easy stopping point for those doing the trip in four days. If you’re pressing on, power up to Hurricane Pass (name not to be taken lightly) for an epic panorama that takes in all the major peaks. Check out the Schoolroom Glacier and its frigid, turquoise lake, then drop down into the beginning of Cascade Canyon and make camp for the night.
It’s all downhill from here—enjoy the moderate drop and massive walls of Cascade Canyon as you descend the next day. Stop for a moment of reflection at Inspiration Point, then cruise around Jenny Lake and let the high-fives commence. If you’re beat, ride the shuttle to trim the final two miles around the lake. From there it’s a short drive back into Jackson for a massive burger and a cold beer at Billy’s Burgers on the square.
Essential Gear
Bear Vault BV500 Food Canister 
This is bear country: both blacks and grizzlies call the Tetons home, so you best come prepared with this light and transparent screw-top can.
Don’t be fooled by warm nights in the valley—when the sun sets on the Crest Trail, be prepared for the chill with this 800-fill jacket that’s both warmer and lighter than a fleece.
Phillips Environmental WAG BAG
The Crest Trail is a popular trek and much of the trail runs above treeline, so when you have to go boom boom, be a champ and pack it out with this double-bag disposal system.
Logistics
Teton Crest Trail in red
Days: 3-4
Distance: 32.5 miles
Difficulty: Strenuous
Maps: Trails Illustrated #202: Grand Teton National Park
Permits: Grand Teton operates a permit application period from January 1-May 15 for a third of available backcountry permits for the upcoming summer season. The other two thirds are available on a first-come, first-served basis one day before the start of your trip. Each backcountry permit carries a $25 processing fee.
Getting There: Grand Teton National Park is located outside Jackson, WY in the northwest corner of the state. The Jackson Hole Airport has daily flights from many major cities.
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Tags: backpacking, hiking national parks, Teton Crest Trail, Tetons, Trip of the Month, trip reports
I am very intrigued by your suggested hike. My wife and I are avid Appalachian back packers and are fast approaching our 40th Birthday only two days apart in mid September. We have been researching a backpacking trip ideally 40 mile in the Rockies. Would mid September be too late in the year to attempt a 40 mile trek in the Grand Teton National Park? Also, logistically speaking, would we be able to arrange shuttle or are their loop 40 mile trails since we would be flying from the east coast.
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Along with a couple of friends, I packed parts of this trail in 1978. We saw but a couple of people on the entire route until we were almost back at the car. More importantly, in July there were myriad wildflowers, small snow patches to glissade, and one particularly large moose in camp one morning. The trip remains as one of my favorite experiences.
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I would like to know more about the water resources along the trails. Is the water drinkable? How much purification is required? (In northern Canada we just dip our cups in the lakes. No purification required.)
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I grew up hiking all around the Tetons, in fact our family is notorious for saying, “Yellowstone, where?” Anyway, I’ve done this trip and it is absolutely amazing! There is tons of water, but we used Iodine tablets in ours. September is tricky, you could get snow, you could get 70 degree days but with low to mid 30′s at night. Thanks for giving the Tetons some props Backcountry Beacon!
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Some friends and I met out there last year for a hike – It was great, however, fires are not allowed and I think it rains every night (it sure did when we were there. I had a great time – but would much rather do the North Cascades again. There are very few people in the Tetons and plenty of filterable water that is nice and clear. Also there are some metal bear proof containers – I do think that it is nice to take a bear container anyway (I use the Garcia) to use as a stool while you are out there.
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I live in Jackson and have hiked the full length of the Teton Crest Trail several times.
I would say the best time is mid-July (after the snows melt) to late-September (when the snows can return). I prefer a south -> north path, entering up Granite Canyon (or Jackson Hole Mountain Resort tram, if you wish). That way, you have the Cathedral Group, including Grand Teton, in front of you as you move up the TCT. You can easily create 2-5 day trip options.
Water is plentiful throughout the TCT, but it must be purified.
Bear canisters are mandatory and can be borrowed (free) from the rangers when you pick up your backcountry permit (also required). Bears can be regular visitors below about 9,000 feet. Bear spray is optional, but most folks carry it.
Mosquitoes can be annoying at lower elevations in mid-summer.
There are several good outfitters in the town of Jackson (Teton Mountaineering, Jack Dennis, Sports Authority) where you can buy fuel, bear spray and other supplies. There are two excellent grocery stores (Albertson’s and Smith’s) with extensive food offerings.
Although public transportation is good, I strongly recommend you have access to a car (own or rent). It is easy to hitch a ride between entering and exiting trailheads.
Hope you find this information helpful and come hike the Teton Crest Trail.
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By far the most concise and up to date information I found on this topic. Sure glad that I navigated to your page by accident. I’ll be subscribing to your feed so that I can get the latest updates. Appreciate all the information here
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hey what a great set up! I did notice that you suggested the use of the “wag bag” system for packing it out. Although this system works I would like to point out a better product for this use. Its called the Biffy Bag. It comes with everything you need to pack it out so you don’t need to carry equipment around and its very comfortable and there is never any mess. check them out it gives me a lot for my peace of mind
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Hi, my husband and I are looking to do a 3 night backcountry trip in the grand tetons. We will be there early June. Is this too early in the summer for a lot of the snow to melt? Are we going to be able to do a backcountry loop, or will a lot of the higher elevations be snowed out? We are coming from California, and are not prepared for snow-camping and ice-picking our way through.
Also, what do you expect the average day/night temperatures to be?
Thanks for any help you can give!
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The last time I did an overnighter in the Tetons in June, I hit snow at higher elevations. I don’t remember exactly how high … maybe 9,000 feet? I remember doing most of that hike in shorts and a tee (70+ degrees?). But we camped in snow, so obviously temps were at or below freezing that evening and night. Hope that helps a little bit, Naomi.
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from death canyon to fox creek first day (10miles) dump water on the ground to be sure it rolls west…..you can have a fire in Idaho but not teton park. next morning into alaska basin and up onto hurricane pass…….hard to believe there are people all thier lives in jackson and never been up there……..its like going to heaven. Stand right at the actual beginning water fall for cascade creek. Yep…. just 10 feet away from the awesome raging watermass!! then down the tail behind the teton cathedral group and to the left fork to Lake Solitude to camp. If the sky is clear, you won’t be able to count the shooting stars. up paint brush in the morning (10000+ feet) and down and out to strng lake. thats the real deal…….. 3 days.
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Seconding the Nora’s huevos call, but don’t forget to celebrate with pizza and beers at Dornan’s (in the park) at trip’s end.
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We are planning a trip to do the Teton Crest Trail July 2011. I was wondering if anyone has any information on early snowfall? We did about 80 miles of the John Muir Trail last year in 3-5 foot snow above 8000 feet. Wanted something a little easier.
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Do you know if it is possible to climb south teton from the teton crest trail. On the topo map, it looks like it would not be a bad traverse to it. Anything we should be aware of. Thanks for your help.
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We will be flying in from Singapore (South East Asia) to do the Teton Crest Trail. We plan to end at Jenny Lake. My question is: How do I get back to either Teton Village or the airport from Jenny Lake after our hike?
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keith> when are you doing the teton crest trail
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Hi everyone
Doing the trail in mid June. Any suggestions as to what to expect weather and snow wise? Would crampons or snowshoes be more appropriate this time of year? Also, how about getting from Jenny lake back to the trail head?
Thanks!
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