Teton Crest Trail
Tetons, WY
Elevation Profile
Current Conditions
Bottom Line
Late April in the Tetons means cold, snow showers, and 33 inches of snow on the ground — this is a winter trip in spring clothing. The stream crossing and fire data loaded are from California gauges, which are irrelevant here. Go, but pack accordingly for full winter camp conditions through Thursday.
30°/16°F · Chance Snow Showers
No Rating (0/5)
33" depth
Normal flows · 5 gauges
No active fires within 50 miles
14h 2m daylight · Sunrise 6:21 AM · Sunset 8:22 PM
Full Briefing
The Teton Crest Trail at the end of April is buried under 33 inches of snowpack. Highs are topping out at 30-34°F across your entire trip window, with lows dropping to 16-17°F each night. Wednesday carries the most precipitation risk — 43% chance of snow showers with W-NNE winds at 6-13 mph. That's not a storm, but it's enough to cut visibility on the exposed ridge sections and add fresh snow to already loaded terrain. Thursday looks like the best day: mostly sunny, 34°F high, light NNE winds. Plan your most ambitious mileage then.
The Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center hasn't issued a rating — this is typical for late spring when the season is winding down, not a signal that the snowpack is safe. The advisory language specifically calls out watching for recent avalanches, whumpfing, and shooting cracks. At 33 inches of depth with overnight temps consistently in the mid-teens, the snowpack is still cold and reactive. Marion Lake basin, the exposed traverses near Hurricane Pass, and any wind-loaded northeast aspects above 9,000 ft deserve respect — if you see cracking or hear collapsing, get off the slope. Stick to ridgelines and gentler terrain when you have the option.
The stream flow data in this briefing is from California gauges and does not apply to the Teton Crest. Expect snowmelt-driven creek crossings, particularly in the afternoon on Thursday when the 34°F high will push melt rates up. Start your day early to hit crossings in the morning before daytime warming peaks. Granite Canyon and the drainages below Death Canyon Shelf are the most likely trouble spots — probe before committing, and have trekking poles out and hip belt unclipped.
With 14 hours of daylight and sunset at 8:22 PM you have plenty of operational window each day, but night comes fast when clouds roll in and temps are already marginal. Have camp set up well before dark. The Wednesday snow showers and overnight lows of 16-17°F mean your sleeping system needs to be rated for genuine winter use — this isn't a shoulder-season softie trip. No fires within 50 miles, weather window is manageable, and flows are likely normal — this is doable, just go in with eyes open about the conditions.
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.
Plan This Route
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Plan This Route