shout : into : the : wilderness
Grand Tetons
National Park
Teton Crest
Trai
trail details
Type of Trip: Backpacking Thru
Where: Grand Teton National Park
Permits Required: Yes
Miles: 35
Net Elevation Change: 6848 ft
Trailhead: Teton Village Aerial Tram
Cal Topo: https://caltopo.com/m/N29A6
Description: Thru hike along the Teton Crest Trail
logistics & itinerary
Wilderness Area : Grand Teton National Park
When to apply? Backpacking permits the year release in the first week or two January of each year
Permit Style: First-Come-First-Serve on Recreation.gov. Backpacking zones need to be reserved individually
Permit Application: Recreation.gov
Real Time Permit Availability
Day
Miles
Camp
1
2
3
10.95
13.05
10.71
Death Canyon Shelf
Cascade North Fork
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When did we do this hike? September 2025
Transportation: Parked at Jenny Lake Visitor's Center, reserved a shuttle with Teton Mountain Taxi to pick us up from Jenny Lake and take us to the Aerial Tram in Teton Village to start the hike. Starting from the top of the Teton Village Aerial Tram is a legitimate start point for the permit. Buy tickets to the tram in advance so you can be on the first lift when it opens. It unfortunately doesn't open until 9am so plan your first day's mileage accordingly. If you can spare some time, I highly recommend grabbing breakfast at the Corbet's Cabin at the top of the tram. Their waffles are amazing.
Itinerary:
Water: Be aware of which water sources are seasonal vs perennial. There were very few water sources on the way to and at Death Canyon Shelf. We didn't start seeing more frequent water until we got to Alaska Basin and then Cascade South Fork which was on the other side of Hurricane Pass. The various ponds and lakes you pass along the way looked pretty stagnant in September.
Leave-No-Trace: Follow Leave No Trace principles. Only camp at the established backpacking sites along the trail. Carry out all trash. Do not burn or bury toilet paper or trash.
Flora Considerations: Very dense vegetation.
Fauna Considerations: This is black bear, grizzly, and moose territory so proper food storage is a must. Be aware of where you are and what to do in case you come across one of these animals. Carry bear spray, have it readily accessible and know how to use it.
Trail Specific Considerations: Temperatures and weather can range drastically in this area depending on the time of year. The trail along the river is quite shaded but once you get above the treeline you have full exposure. This trail broaches 10,000 ft altitude at several points. Understand the symptoms of altitude sickness and how to deal with it. Temperatures can get to be below freezing. The trail can have snow or ice on it depending on the time of the year.
#Wyoming #Grand Tetons #Thru Hike #Mountains