The astonishing sight of the Tetons must have stopped the region's earliest explorers in their tracks. The 40-mile wave of granite rises abruptly 7,000 feet above the valley floor without the warning of foothills. Grand Teton National Park protects the iconic peaks, with the 13,770-foot Grand Teton as the centerpiece. Hiking in Grand Teton National Park reveals more than 200 miles of maintained backcountry trails inaccessible to vehicles. Terrain ranges from flat and easy around several valley-floor lakes to strenuous near-climbs up a few of the smaller mountains.
Easy Day Hikes
Starting from the park's few developed areas, the easiest hikes cover up to a few miles with elevation gains so minimal you probably won't even notice. The two-mile Colter Bay trail climbs 200 feet and will take you about an hour start to finish. It follows the shoreline, so you'll have views of Jackson Lake and the peaks most of the way. The seven-mile loop around Jenny Lake rises and dips 700 feet in elevation. During June and July, abundant wildflowers outnumber the people but this may be the park's most popular trail, with its reputation for consistent wildlife viewing. You can also hike less than a mile to the historic Cunningham Cabin or visit the Chapel of the Transfiguration on the Menors Ferry Historic District .3-mile trail.
Moderate Day Hikes
The Hidden Falls trail in Cascade Canyon rounds the southern end of Jenny Lake, then climbs a short but steep pitch to a view of a 200-foot waterfall. If you continue another three-quarters of a mile beyond Hidden Falls, you'll reach Inspiration Point, overlooking Jenny Lake. It's 3.4 miles through thick forest to the Signal Mountain viewpoint and a fairly challenging two miles up a moraine to overlook Phelps Lake. You can hike around Two Ocean Lake in about three hours, around Phelps Lake in about four hours or around Emma Matilda Lake in six. If you want to combine the neighboring Two Ocean and Emma Matilda lakes into one hike, you can cross between the two at Grand View Point.
Strenuous Day Hikes
The trail to Table Mountain starts in Teton Canyon, accessible via Driggs, Idaho, on the west side of the Tetons. Plan on seven to 10 hours for the 12-mile round trip, which gains 4,150 feet in elevation. You'll feel like you're close enough to the Grand Teton to touch it. Reaching the summit of the South or Middle Teton (or both) in one day gives new residents the guts to call themselves a local. You don't have to rope up but the trails do pass exposed areas. Trails in Granite and Death canyons and Lupine Meadows challenge experienced hikers with steep elevation gains, long distances and loose rocks.
Overnight Excursions
You can turn your hike into a multi-day adventure but the park does require permits for overnight camping. You can cross the Tetons from the west side with an overnight at Sunset Lake in Alaska Basin or hike all or part of the 32-mile Teton Crest Trail, much of which runs above tree line.
Practical Considerations
Snow can linger in the higher elevation until late July and the temperatures drop at night regardless of daytime weather. Bring warm layers of fleece, down or wool and extra socks. If you can't or don't want to carry enough water, use purification tablets or a filter to avoid ingesting giardia, a parasite that will wreak havoc on your digestive system. You'll have to pay a fee to enter Grand Teton National Park, $25 per vehicle for a seven-day pass in 2010.
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