Grand Teton National Park, established in 1929, is located in Wyoming and is adjacent to Yellowstone National Park. The park spans 310,000 acres and 485 square miles and is most famous for its mountain scenery, natural wildlife and hiking with breathtaking views. Hikers can enjoy day hiking or backcountry hiking and camping excursions for an entrance fee of $25 for one week's stay. Moose, bears, elk, coyotes and bison live within Grand Teton Park.
Easy Trails
Low-impact hiking and strolls are best for one of Grand Teton's easy skill level trails. The Jenny Lake Loop trail is a 6.6- mile mostly level trail that travels along the Jenny Lake shoreline. Jenny Lake Loop provides views of the Teton Range from the eastern shore of Jenny Lake. Chapel of the Transfiguration is an easy half-mile trail in the Menor's Ferry area. You can get a map at the trailhead for a self-guided hike that includes sights of turn-of-the-century buildings along the Snake River. Colter Bay, an 8.8-mile, gently rolling trail has views of forests, meadows, ponds and streams. Cunningham Cabin trail will take you past the Jackson Hole homestead in a hike that takes about one hour. A hike along the five-mile Flagg Ranch trail has spectacular views of Snake River flowing through the volcanic rock of Flagg Canyon. Close to the Flagg Ranch is the Polecat Creek Loop Trail, which takes hikers through a waterfowl and wildlife habitat, as well as conifer forests. Jackson Lake Lodge and Leigh Lake trails are easy trails with spectacular views of Teton Range and Mount Moran, respectively.
Moderate Trails
Hikers who want to challenge themselves a little should hike a trail with moderate intensity. The Forks of Cascade Canyon trail is a 13-mile hike that connects to the Cascade Canyon trail and offers views of Grand Teton, Mount Owen and Teewinot along the way. The five-mile Hidden Falls trail follows the easy trail along Jenny Lake's shore, followed by a moderate climb to a view of Hidden Falls, a 200-foot cascade. From Hidden Falls, you can access the Inspiration Point trail, which takes you to an overlook of Jenny Lake and Jackson Hole. Phelps Lake Overlook, a 1.8-mile trail, takes you through glacial rocks and boulders to an overlook of Phelps Lake. The four-mile Taggart Lake trail takes you through an area that had been burned down and then down to Bradley Lake through a series of glacial boulders. The Two Ocean Lake area has three moderate trails that will take you around Emma Matilda Lake and Two Ocean Lake.
Strenuous Trails
The strenuous trails at Grand Teton National Park are best suited for physically fit, experienced hikers who have the endurance for day-long hikes. The trail near Lake Solitude is an 18.4-mile trail that leads to Lake Solitude, views of Grand Teton and Mount Owen. The South Fork of Cascade Canyon branches off the easy Cascade Canyon trail for a 23.2-mile hike to Hurricane Pass and views of Schoolroom Glacier. The trails in the Death Canyon area, including Death Canyon-Static Peak Trail Junction, Phelps Lake and Static Peak Divide, climb up and down to Phelps Lake, descend into Death Canyon and are steep hikes with impressive views of the Teton Range and Death Canyon. The Granite Canyon- Marion Lake trail is a 20.8-mile hike along granite creek and the meadows around Marion Lake.
Equipment
The amount and type of equipment you will need to pack varies depending on the difficulty and length of your hiking trip. Grand Teton National Park recommends that hikers bring plenty of water and food that is lightweight with minimal packaging. Water purification tablets are a good idea in case you have to get water from a natural source along the way. Waterproof matches or flints are recommended, especially for overnight trips in which fires are necessary. Thirty feet of parachute cord is helpful in practical and emergency situations. A fixed-blade knife will be useful in emergencies or for clearing overcrowded paths. Insect repellent is a must-have for any hiking excursion. Hikers should wear sturdy boots with ankle support. A waterproofing spray may help to keep boots dry in wet conditions. Rain gear is recommended for hiking during all seasons because thunderstorms happen quickly and often.
Considerations
Bears are a common problem within the vast wilderness of Grand Teton National Park. To prevent danger, be aware of indications of bears, keep food in air-tight containers and avoid foods such as meats that will attract bears. Use cord to tie your food high in a tree so bears can't get to them. If an emergency occurs, it may take a while for rescue teams to reach you, so you must depend on your own efforts at times. It is recommended to hike with a partner or a team so they can help you if an accident occurs. Some hikers carry whistles, strobe lights and other signalling devices to help teams locate them in emergency situations. Accidents can best be avoided through common sense and caution. Never climb or attempt a trail that is beyond your level of skill or comfort. Avoid trails that appear to be washed out or that may be dangerous in case of heavy rainfall. Obey all signs and park rules and always let park officials know where you plan to hike so that you can be found in emergencies.
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