Teton Crest Trail
Tetons, WY
Elevation Profile
Current Conditions
Bottom Line
Winter Weather Advisory through tonight — 4-8 inches new snow with 30+ mph winds creating dangerous whiteout conditions on the exposed Teton Crest. This is a March winter storm, not spring backpacking weather.
30°/25°F · Chance Snow Showers And Patchy Blowing Snow then Areas Of Blowing Snow · 1 alert(s)
Considerable (3/5)
48" depth
Normal flows · 5 gauges
No active fires within 50 miles
11h 44m daylight · Sunrise 7:42 AM · Sunset 7:26 PM
Full Briefing
The Teton Crest Trail is completely unsuitable for backpacking right now. You're looking at a multi-day winter storm with sustained winds 25-35 mph, temperatures staying in the 20s, and continuous snowfall through Saturday night dropping to 2°F. The avalanche bulletin shows Considerable danger at all elevations — while no specific problems are identified (which is actually good), the general warning of 'dangerous avalanche conditions' combined with fresh snow loading means the entire high route is off-limits without winter mountaineering skills and avalanche gear.
The snowpack data shows significant accumulation with depths ranging from 10 inches at lower elevations to nearly 8 feet at Long Lake. Stream crossings aren't the issue here — it's the fact that the trail is buried under feet of snow and completely impassable without snowshoes or skis. The Teton Crest sits almost entirely above treeline where you'll be fully exposed to the storm.
This system brings whiteout conditions with blowing snow that will make navigation extremely difficult even with GPS. Hypothermia risk is severe with wet snow, high winds, and no opportunity to warm up in a summer tent. The temperature drop to 2°F Saturday night would be life-threatening in standard backpacking gear.
Postpone this trip until late June at the earliest when the snow melts out and weather stabilizes. If you're set on a March adventure, consider lower-elevation desert areas or wait for this storm cycle to pass and plan a winter mountaineering trip with appropriate cold-weather gear and avalanche training.
Waypoints
Teton Village Tram Top
Ride the Jackson Hole aerial tram to the summit of Rendezvous Mountain.
10,449 ft
Marion Lake Camp
First night camp at Marion Lake. Established sites with bear boxes.
9,501 ft
Hurricane Pass
Dramatic pass with direct views of the Grand Teton and South Teton.
10,400 ft
South Fork Cascade Camp
Sheltered camping along the South Fork of Cascade Creek. Bear boxes available.
8,999 ft
Lake Solitude
Stunning alpine lake in the North Fork of Cascade Canyon.
9,692 ft
Paintbrush Divide
Highest point on the trail at 10,700 ft. Steep descent into Paintbrush Canyon.
10,699 ft
String Lake Trailhead
Northern terminus at String Lake. Arrange shuttle back to Teton Village.
6,759 ft
Route Details
Distance
40.0 mi
Elevation Gain
11,001 ft
Elevation Loss
11,998 ft
Max Elevation
10,699 ft
Estimated Days
4
Trailhead
Teton Village Aerial Tram
Best Season
Typically snow-free mid-July through September. Peak wildflowers in late July.
Permit Required
Backcountry camping permit required. Apply in January lottery at recreation.gov. Walk-up permits available but limited.
About This Route
The Teton Crest Trail is the premier backpacking route in Grand Teton National Park, traversing the spine of the Teton Range for approximately 40 miles. The trail passes through some of the most dramatic alpine scenery in the lower 48, with jagged granite spires, wildflower-filled meadows, and pristine mountain lakes at every turn. The classic route begins at Teton Village (via the aerial tram) and ends at Paintbrush Canyon trailhead. Highlights include Hurricane Pass with its views of the Grand Teton, the Teton Shelf—a high plateau with unmatched panoramas—and the ascent over Paintbrush Divide at 10,700 feet. Permits are required and highly competitive. Apply in the January lottery for summer dates. Water is available at most camps but should be treated. Bear canisters are required for food storage. The trail is typically snow-free from mid-July through September.
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