Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Distance
14.4 miles with boat shuttle, 18.4 miles without
Difficulty
Moderate-difficult
Elevation Change
2240ft
Start/Finish
Jenny Lake Boat Shuttle (
Click here
)
Nearest Junction
South Jenny Lake Junction
Summary
This ultra-popular hike scales to a mountain lake via a gradual climb.
Thanks to wide patronage, this rewarding trail (particularly its beginning) lacks its name-
sake solitude, but still provides a rewarding challenge. Though a long hike with an eleva-
tion gain of 2240ft, it is not especially tough since the grade is quite gradual. Gear up for
steep sections at the beginning near Inspiration Point and just before Solitude Lake.
Moose and bear frequent the area.
Taking the boat shuttle will shave 4 miles off. The Cascade Canyon (west) dock meets a
network of trails. Head left to pass
Hidden Falls
after 0.2 miles and ascend to
Inspiration
Point
in another 0.5 miles. Climbers complete the scenery - Exum Guides uses this area
for training. Soon afterward, the horse trail from String Lake joins from the right.
The Cascade Canyon Trail continues straight, past a lovely beach and a high cascade,
with fine views. About two hours (4.5 miles) from the dock the valley splits. The left
branch leads to South Fork and Hurricane Pass. Turn right and climb gently for 30
minutes to enter the
Cascade Camping Zone
(12 sites), which stretches for the next 30
minutes. From the zone's end it's 10 minutes up to the lake, past a small cascade and a
hitch rail marking the end of the line for horses. It's about three hours (7.2 miles) from
here back to the dock.
Rimmed by fir and pines and sporting ice until midsummer,
Lake Solitude
(9035ft) is a
great spot to loll around (but probably not to swim). To the northeast, the diagonal slash
leading up the hillside leads to
Paintbrush Divide
. Camping is prohibited at the lake.
Return to the boat dock the way you came. The terrain, shaded most of the afternoon, is
all downhill, affording full views of Mt Owen and Grand Teton.
Surprise & Amphitheater Lakes
Duration
5-6 hours
Distance
9.6 miles (10.2 miles with Glacier Overlook extension) round-trip
