5/8/2023 0 Comments Paintbrush divide elevation![]() In recent years I've been working hard to become somewhat of an amateur ultra-runner. Talk about a juggling act trying to weigh everything in the balance. We also were factoring in the weather report calling for rain all day on Saturday. We knew we wanted to do the whole loop but we could change directions and starting points to figure out a way to make it work. We kinda felt like all options were on the table. If there were walk-in permits available for a camp zone that would help us we would use it. When the trip arrived and we were on the drive from Salt Lake up to Jackson Hole on Thursday night we resolved to attempt to break things into three days. We planned to hike the TCT on and Sunday, but we also had Friday wide open to handle logistics and sightsee. Could we really do the roughly 53 miles in two days? We had done that in the Grand Canyon, could we do it again here? Would it be harder? Easier? What options existed to possibly shorten? As the trip neared its date we really began to plan various possibilities of what to do with our extra day. I spent months researching various alternatives and bail-out plans for our hiking itinerary so I could feel as though we had considered all the options for pulling this off and in a safe and manageable manner. When COVID-19 hit the world we were even more glad we hadn't locked into a permit and retained all of our options for how to handle the trip. Part of it was we had confidence in our original itinerary of doing this in two days and camping in Alaska Basin which is outside the park and doesn't require a permit. We debated this back and forth and opted to forgo that option of obtaining a permit ahead of time. There is a window from January to May where permits can be reserved ahead of time for an itinerary and the various camping zones. While there can be many challenges to planning a backcountry hike through Grand Teton National Park we kept things about as simple as can be. It would be on par with our 2017 Grand Canyon adventure and offer up all new and exciting challenges. We figured this would add up to at least 53 miles in total. We would start from Jenny Lake and hike the east side of the range before eventually hiking up the Granite Canyon trail to join the usual path. Our goal was to both start and stop at the same location while hitting the traditional Teton Crest Trail. Plus, it seemed a bit more epic to complete the whole loop in one push. We only had a single vehicle and in the era of COVID-19 didn't wish to hitchhike or figure out extra transportation. We also opted for a method which would cut out the middle man. We decided on what we felt would be a more elegant loop of the whole range. Those starting in the Village will ride the Tram to knock out the initial elevation and then hike down the Rendezvous Mountain trail to get to the Teton Crest trail. Most will start either at Granite Canyon or in Teton Village. Some will start at the very south end of the Teton Range at what I believed is called Philips Pass. There are a number of variations to this route. This would start at the Granite Canyon Trailhead, follow the Crest north through Paintbrush Divide, and then descend down to the String Lake Trailhead. Most users will read about a 39-mile version of the Teton Crest Trail. ![]() A place to enjoy a National Park, see some wildlife, and tally up a big number on miles was what we were looking for. We're no strangers to this kind of place and we've now long had a love for it.Īs a follow-up to our memorable 2017 double crossing of the Grand Canyon we decided it was time for another big adventure. To adventure deep into the backcountry, into the territory of grizzly bears and moose is where my brother wanted to head. ![]() Not too many tourists into the National Park get further than a mile from the trailhead. Its another to hike around to their backside and to take in all new views of these majestic peaks. ![]() Its one thing to see the Tetons from their typical side on the east. The next step is to get into the backcountry. There are ample trails and wonderful campgrounds to get one up close and person to nature and to this beautiful National Park. Opportunities abound to see unique wildlife, at reasonable distances of course. They are undoubtedly a source of immense beauty. We've seen the pictures from various vantage points of this jagged row of unmistakable peaks. Most Americans are familiar with the Grand Tetons. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |