2023-09-09 Teton-001 Grand Teton National Park

<<< Summary >>>

Come join the like-minded adventurers for a weeklong exploration of the Grand Teton National Park. Venture out to see and enjoy Glacier Mountains, cerulean lakes, meadows bursting with wildflowers, and the Grand Teton’s famous wildlife.

This trip will explore Grand Teton National Park in 8 days and 7 nights. It is designed for members with positive, adaptive, and flexible spirits. Good physical fitness and endurance, and solid AOC D5 records are required.

I had a great time hiking Grand Teton National Park a few years ago. I want to go back and visit Grand Teton and Yellowstone again next year.

<<< Logistics >>>

We’ll meet first thing in the morning from Day 2 to Day 7 at various trailheads. I’ll set up a group chat in WhatsApp to communicate our logistics. I’ll send out the logistics to confirm our meeting place and meeting time the night before. Past experience shows weather forecast and trail conditions often dictate these logistics as we go through the week. The lesson learned is clear “Have a solid plan. Be prepared. Be flexible.”

<<< Itinerary >>>

Day 1: 2023-09-09 Saturday.

Arrive at Jackson Hole Airport (JAC); and check in lodging. This is a good day to drive around and stock up your grocery and all the supplies for the week.

Day 2: Meeting Time: 8:00 am.

Cascade Canyon trail (D5: 15 miles/ 2,500 feet ascent). We’ll meet and begin from the Jenny Lake Trailhead. To reach the trailhead turn west off Teton Park Road at the South Jenny Lake Junction, located roughly 7.7 miles north of Moose Junction. From the junction drive another half-mile to the boat dock parking area. We’ve seen two fully grown humongous Moose each over 1,500 pounds on this hike at a very close distance by luck, and we called them Moose Brothers.

Day 3: Meeting Time: 8:45 am.

Marion Lake (D5: 12 miles/ 3,050 feet ascent). We’ll take the Aerial Tram up to the summit of Rendezvous Mt. standing at 10,455 feet where the actual hiking begins, thus avoiding 4,139 feet of vertical climbing. We’ll enjoy panoramic views before we even start our hiking. We need to buy the Aerial Tram ticket for this 12-minute ride. The Aerial Tram ride starts at Aerial Tram, 3395 Cody Ln, Teton Village, WY 83025. This trail is one of my all-time favorites. We’ve seen the entire valley over valley of wild flowers from this trail in early September 2018 that's beyond anyone’s wildest imagination. Hope we can catch that magical timing again one day.

Day 4: Meeting Time: 8:00 am.

Garnet Canyon (D4: 8.4 miles/ 2,300 feet ascent). We’ll meet and begin from the Lupine Meadows Trailhead, located just south of Jenny Lake. To reach the trailhead turn west off Teton Park Road at Lupine Meadows junction, located 7 miles north of Moose Junction. The trailhead is located at the end of the gravel road, roughly 1.6 miles from the junction.

Schwabacher Landing (2 miles/ flat). This trail is short and scenic. It is a flat and easy hike to the Snake River. The turn-off for the Schwabacher Landing trailhead is located four miles north of Moose Junction on Highway 191 in the Park. At the junction, turn west on Schwabacher Road and drive roughly one mile to the end of the gravel road to a large parking area.

Mormon Row's Moulton Barn (0.25 miles/ flat). We'll follow this short loop trail to the iconic historical area. The trailhead is located about two miles north of Moose Junction on Highway 191 in the Park.

Day 5: Meeting Time: We’ll decide later depending on where we go.

Today is designed to be a free day of any choices. It can be used as a rest day, or anything you like such as horseback riding, white water rafting, drive around car sightseeing etc. The near-by Yellowstone National Park is a top choice for sightseeing. There are plenty of trails around the Old Faithful area of Yellowstone for some easy walks. There are more geysers and hot springs here than any other place on earth. Wonders abound at this truly unique place.

Day 6: Meeting Time: 8:00 am.

Paintbrush Canyon/ Cascade Canyon Loop (D6: 20 miles/ 4,200 feet ascent). This is an epic hike, in terms of both scenery and total mileage. We’ll pass the highest point at Paintbrush Divide at 10,700 feet with astonishing 360 degree views. This is a highlight in the Grand Teton. We’ve seen the same Moose Brothers again on this hike over a far distance.

We’ll meet and begin from the String Lake Trailhead, located just north of Jenny Lake. To reach the trailhead turn west off Teton Park Road at the North Jenny Lake Junction, located roughly 10.6 miles north of Moose Junction, and 10 miles south of Jackson Lake Junction. Drive another 1.5 miles to the turn-off for the String Lake and Leigh Lake trailheads. After turning right, you'll reach the String Lake Trailhead.

Day 7: Meeting Time: 8:00 am.

Jenny Lake, String Lake, and Leigh Lake Trails. (D2: 10 miles/ 600 feet ascent). We’ll meet and begin from the Jenny Lake Trailhead the same as described above. This is one of the most popular destinations in Grand Teton National Park.

Day 8: Our group event ends today.

<<< Difficulty Level >>>

Our event will be at the AOC D6 difficulty level. The continuous nature of daily outings requires all participants to be physically prepared and trained before taking this trip.

<<< How to prepare >>>

We all have to be physically prepared and trained well before taking on such an epic trip. Best physical conditions enable us to take in everything surrounding us and fully enjoy the amazing natural beauty rather than being out of breath and feeling tired every time going uphill. We must do fitness training a couple of times a week for a minimum 6 to 9 months, and also hiking the steepest mountain hills available to us. My favorite is Kennesaw Mt. which is local, beautiful, and very convenient.

<<< Bear Safety >>>

Bear safety by National Park Service: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/bears/safety.htm

Bear safety is common skill that every outdoor person should learn and master, e.g. carrying bear spray in the group, making noise in bear areas, and do not go solo, etc. Following a college student trail guide employed by the outfitter company on my previous guided trip with AOC to Glacier NP in 2018 makes us no more safer than applying our own bear safety skill. Going in the later summer when berries are mostly gone on the trails should help reduce the probability of bear encounter.

Let’s also put it into right perspective with published data showing most years, there are 3 fatal bear attack incidents on the continent, per year. But on average, this number decreases to 2.56 fatal incidents, per year. So don’t let any rare incidents making headlines stop you from exploring the majestic Glacier the way we like and enjoy.

<<< How to get there >>>

The nearest airport is Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) in Jackson, WY. This is the recommended airport to fly in without driving very long distance to the lodging area of the Grand Teton National Park.

<<< How to sign up >>>

This web page is designed so that you can only put yourself on the waiting list. Once you’re verified to be suitable for this trip, you will be moved to the participant list.

<<< How to qualify >>>

You can easily finish my Kennesaw 10 hike in 4 hours; or personally I know your hiking ability and fitness condition is qualified.

The payment of $25 only covers AOC Service Fee. All costs (transportation, lodging, meals & drinks, and etc.) are paid by members on their own.

Itinerary is subject to change at the discretion of the trip leader.

Transportation

Everyone is responsible for his/her own transportation the entire trip, i.e. flights and rental cars. Sharing rental car is a commitment to coordinating and staying together the entire trip including flight schedule. Please be thoughtful when making such commitment.

Lodging

We will stay in the area not too far from the entrance of the Grand Teton NP as our home base. There are some popular places in the area such as Teton Village, The Aspens, Wilson, Jackson, and Moran etc. to choose from with plenty of lodging options.

VRBO, Airbnb, Booking.com, Expedia.com, and Hotels.com are popular sites among many others to compare, search, and book for lodging. There are also camping and lodging options inside the park provided by National Park Service including Colter Bay Village cabins (2 bed rooms, 4 beds, 1 bathroom in a cabin).

I’ll set up a group chat in WhatsApp for our group conversation once our roster is set. You can use it to facilitate sharing lodging and rental car conversation.

Weather

Summer daytime temperatures in the Grand Teton National Park are averaging from 60 to 75F. It can be as high as near 90. Evening temperatures generally drop to 40s, and occasionally even low 30s. Weather in the Glacier Mountains can change quickly, so we must be prepared for variable weather conditions including sunny and rainy days, and even an occasional light snow. There are many areas with snow covered even in the middle of summer.

Meals

There are numerous restaurants and grocery stores in the area to choose from. Just Google search them on internet.

Albertsons, 105 Buffalo Way, Jackson, WY 83001. I bought grocery supplies here. It has convenient location and reasonable prices.

Aspens Market, 4015 N Lake Creek Dr #29, Wilson, WY 83014. This grocery store is closer to Teton Village with deli shop for ready-to-eat meals. Prices are much higher here.

A non-refundable AOC Service Fee $25 required by AOC.

If you miss the payment date, you will be removed from the list.

There is no refund for cancellation.