Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Garnet Canyon
Duration
9 hours
Distance
12 miles
Difficulty
difficult
Elevation Change
4800ft
Start/Finish
Lupine Meadows Trailhead (
Click here
)
Nearest Junction
South Jenny Lake Junction (
Click here
)
Summary
This climbers' route hauls hikers into the world of rock and ice. You must be
fit and well acclimatized.
It's possible to hike this trail in a day, but it's best done as an overnighter, camping at
either the Meadows or South Fork sites. Set off at first light since afternoon weather is no-
toriously fickle up here.
For the first 3 miles follow the Sunrise & Amphitheater Lakes hike description (
Click
around the hillside to dramatic views of Garnet Canyon and Middle Teton (12,804ft). Just
over a mile from the junction the maintained trail stops and the sometimes indistinct
climbers' path
continues over boulder fields for 20 minutes to the Meadows campsite. If
you aren't confident with bouldering and trail finding, this spot makes a good terminus
(8.4 miles round-trip, five hours).
The path splits right to Spalding Falls and the base camp for
Grand Teton
and left
through indistinct boulder fields to switchback up to a small saddle, where you'll find a
couple of campsites. From here the trail traverses a small snowfield (present until August)
and heads up the valley over a series of false saddles.
With several indistinct trails at your disposal, finding the right one involves some
guesswork and bouldering. About 2 miles from the meadows you'll finally reach the
saddle
between Middle and South Teton, with fabulous views down to Iceflow Lake and
across to the Wall and Hurricane Pass. You will likely meet groups of climbers heading to
Middle Teton.
From the saddle it's a 3½- to four-hour return the way you came. Take great care on the
rocks and snowfields as you return, as you'll be tired; this is no place to sprain an ankle or
worse.
