These large crowds are no doubt the reason why camping is no longer permitted at the lake. We arrived on a Sunday and it was packed with people which was a surprise to us as it is more than a 7-mile hike (one-way) from the ferry dock on Jenny Lake, much less any of the parking lots. This lake, Lake Solitude, (9,035’) has very little solace. Lake Solitude Lake Solitude in Grand Teton National Park. Sign up today to get emails sent directly to your inbox when your campsite becomes available. They track cancelations so no permit goes unused. This is a real-time permit availability tracker provided by our friends at Outdoor Status. Grand Teton National Park requires backcountry permits. This would make for a great campsite and is our recommendation for the 4th night’s destination. The last established campsite in the Cascade North Fork camping zone is right on the edge of the camping border (there is a sign) and is located about a 1/4 of a mile before the lake. 4th Recommended Campsite – Cascade North Fork ZoneĪs the trail nears Lake Solitude it leaves the permitted camping zone and then steepens as it climbs up and over a waterfall which is the outflow of the lake. There is an especially beautiful scene where the trail crosses over a well-placed and picturesque bridge. The north canyon is beautiful and one of our favorite sections of the Teton Crest Trail.

Others on the trail had spotted two moose but we never saw either. We started the journey in a thick forest that quickly fell away and soon found ourselves in a wildflower-covered meadow following the flow of the creek and looking for moose. The climb to Lake Solitude is seemingly straight up the North Fork Cascade canyon regaining nearly 1,200’ in less than 3 miles. The North Fork Cascade Jennifer crosses over the creek on our journey up the Cascade North Fork Canyon. We took the left up the North Fork Cascade towards Lake Solitude. Obviously a funny joke in such warm weather in late August. He then informed us in an half-hazard gesture that it would be snowing tomorrow and chuckled. The gentleman in the group said the weather was supposed to remain very nice and warm throughout the day. When we set out on the journey, this day and the next had a slim chance of bad weather and we needed an update. It had been 4 days since our last report. So before proceeding, we asked one of the groups milling about for an updated weather report as there is no cell service on the TCT. The Cascade Canyon Trail is the bail point if the weather were to turn bad. However, the Teton Crest Trail over Paintbrush Divide meant we still had nearly 15 amazingly beautiful but tough miles ahead of us. The parking lot where our truck was parked was a mere 6 miles away if we had taken that direction. The Cascade Canyon Trail continues east towards Jenny & String Lakes. Cascade Canyon Junction The view of the Cascade Canyon Junction just before the trail drops quickly to meet it.Īt 3.5 miles on the day (29 miles from Phillip’s Pass TH) we came to the juncture for the North Fork Cascade section of the Teton Crest Trail. It is a nice stroll with the ever-present sound of water crashing down the canyon. The path is well maintained and grated so it never felt overly steep. A Steep Descentīelow this waterfall, the path and creek steepen their descents and drop 700’ in just over a mile. It is on the north side of the mountain so it is almost always in shadow. It is beautiful! There are several nice established campsites in this area that provide great views of the wonder. Waterfall in the Shadow of the GrandĪt about 2 miles there is a huge waterfall located on the right careening down Grand Teton Peak. Our 4th day’s elevation profile on the Teton Crest Trail. Through the middle section of the camping zone the path and creek have a moderate descent and it is a tranquil walk through the woods for almost 2 miles. The trail follows the flow of the creek on its way towards Jenny Lake.

From our campsite, in the middle of the Cascade South Fork camping zone, we continued our descent down the canyon. Our next challenge? Hiking Paintbrush Divide. Despite being tired we were excited to continue our journey on the Teton Crest Trail. Day 4 on the TCT – Hiking Paintbrush Divide The sun peaks over the edge of the Teton Mountains.Īfter a rough night’s sleep from worries related to the unrelenting wind, we arose early and tired.

Paintbrush divide elevation