Teton Crest Trail
Tetons, WY
Elevation Profile
Current Conditions
Bottom Line
Cold but clear trip — temps will drop to 17-19°F every night so sleep system matters, but skies are mostly sunny and trails are dry. The stream flow data in the raw conditions appears to be from California gauges, not the Tetons, so treat it as unreliable; Snake River tributaries in November are typically low and non-threatening. Daylight is your real constraint at 10h 10m — plan camps and miles accordingly.
31°/17°F · Mostly Sunny
No Rating (0/5)
0" depth
Elevated flows · 5 gauges
No active fires within 50 miles
10h 10m daylight · Sunrise 7:02 AM · Sunset 5:13 PM
Full Briefing
The weather window is solid for early November in the Tetons. Highs around 28-31°F and mostly sunny Tuesday through Wednesday with very light winds under 5 mph — classic late-season bluebird conditions. Thursday brings a 20% chance of snow showers, nothing significant, but it could dust the trail by your last night out. Nights are going to be cold: 17-19°F at valley level means colder at elevation on the Crest. This isn't dangerous if your sleep system is rated for it, but don't underestimate it — clear nights in November in the Tetons radiate hard.
No snow on the ground and no avalanche rating issued, which is normal this early in the season. The avalanche center's boilerplate note about watching for unstable snow is just their standard pre-season language — with 0 inches on the ground, it's not a meaningful concern for your dates. What you will encounter above treeline is likely wind-scoured frozen dirt and early-season ice patches on shaded north-facing sections, particularly above 9,000 feet on the Divide. The Death Canyon Shelf and upper Marion Lake areas can hold ice in shadowed spots even with no measurable snowpack — worth having microspikes accessible rather than buried in your pack.
The stream crossing data in this briefing pulled from California gauges and doesn't reflect Teton conditions. In early November, Snake River tributaries and trail crossings on the Crest are typically well within range — snowmelt is done, fall rain season is winding down, and flows are generally at their annual low. Expect crossings to be straightforward. The one caveat: if Thursday's snow showers deliver more than forecast and temperatures tick up Friday, meltwater could nudge flows slightly, but that's a minor concern at this time of year.
Daylight at 10 hours 10 minutes is the real logistics driver. Sunrise 7:02 AM, sunset 5:13 PM — you're losing about 3 minutes per day right now. Plan to be at camp by 4:30 PM at the latest, especially if you're above treeline late in the day. The Marion Lake to Fox Creek Pass section is exposed and you don't want to be navigating it in the dark on frozen ground. Start moving by 7:30 AM each day to make your miles in the light. This is a beautiful window to have the Crest essentially to yourself — just run your schedule tight.
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
Get a personalized conditions briefing with detailed analysis for your trip dates.
Plan This Route