![]() ![]() Go right (east) here and pass the String Lake Trail Connector and eventually turn right onto the Leigh Lake Trailhead Connector. This trail follows along the western shore of Jenny Lake to a junction with String Lake Trail. Go left, cross a bridge, then take another left onto Jenny Lake Trail. Take this trail for an up close and personal view of the massive waterfall.Īfter a short descent from the falls you'll reach a trail heading to the Jenny Lake boat dock. Not too long after you'll pass by Hidden Falls Spur. Just prior to reaching Jenny Lake, take in the awesome views at Inspiration Point, an amazing overlook with sweeping views over the lake. Once at the fork of North and South Cascade, turn left (east) and head down Cascade Cascade Canyon Trail to the Jenny Lake boat dock. Grand Teton is constantly looming overhead on this trail, an awesome view you might miss if you do this route the other direction. Over time Lake Solitude has become one of the most heavily trafficked routes in the park, so don't expect total solitude here.Īfter taking in the views from the lake, head down North Fork Cascade Canyon. For the majority of this descent you can see both Lake Solitude, Mica Lake and Grand Teton. The trail is well-contoured up to the divide somewhat offsetting the presence of snow.Īfter some great views from the divide, head down an equally, if not more scenic route down to Lake Solitude. The divide is north-facing, so plan for snow (an ice axe may be necessary through July here). Paintbrush Canyon climbs for ~1 more mile, rises above treeline, and gains Paintbrush Divide (10,700'). After a nice break, continue up this trail and rejoin Paintbrush Canyon. Continue up this steep climb to this crystal clear lake set in the shadow of Mount Woodring (11,591'). ![]() When you hit the junction for Holly Lake trail, you can continue up the canyon, but it's recommended that you head to Holly Lake to get some great lakefront views. In addition to great views, this canyon is teeming with wildflowers, specifically Indian Paintbrush - this canyon's namesake. The higher you ascend, the more the forest starts to thin out and the more colorful your surroundings will become. ![]() Turn right (northwest) and start your ascent of Paintbrush Canyon. Continue through this mature forest until you reach an intersection with Paintbrush Canyon trail. Immediately after this junction you'll cross a long, trussed footbridge and enter some deep forest. Initially String Lake Trail is doubletrack, but after turning left (west) at the junction of Leigh Lake Trail, the trail becomes singletrack. These views are best during the morning hours when the skies tend to be clearer. From here, soak up the awesome views of the surrounding Teton Range just across String Lake. Your experience may be different, but I think that going out to GTNP a few times and getting a sense for the backcountry of the park and the surrounding area during early summer was a good introduction to the area for us, and it allowed us to then set aside a few trips for purely hiking and backpacking in late August to check off those other boxes.Starting from Leigh Lake Trailhead, head west on Leigh Lake Trailhead Connector, then head immediately north onto String Lake Trail. You shouldn't have trouble with Amphitheater Lake in July either. We tried for the Paintbrush/Cascade loop one year and had to settle for a Holly Lake out and back, and tried for Static Peak divide another time and had to settle for Albright Peak, but they were still incredible hiking days and none of us felt too upset about not having to turn. The first few years that I went out to GTNP we went over the 4th of July week and, while we couldn't "finish" certain hikes, they were still great days of hiking. However, there's a ton of great hiking and there's nothing stopping you from starting those hikes and stopping when you reach an impasse. If checking those boxes is a must, then later in the summer is a better bet. The Paintbrush Divide-Cascade Canyon Loop visits spectacular alpine terrain in the heart of Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park, with jaw-dropping views of soaring mountains and explosive displays of wildflowers in midsummer that make this one of the better hikes on the continent. The only down side is that, especially early in July, you're going to have to use crampons/ice axe if you want to hit the normally easy-to-hike-to spots like Static Peak, Paintbrush Divide, Hurricane Pass, etc. ![]() You're spot on about lower elevation wildflowers. In fact, it's probably my favorite time of year out there if you're going to primarily day hike and explore the area. ![]()
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