There is more parking at the Leigh Lake Trailhead, so that’s probably your best bet. The trailheads are just a minute away from each other, and it doesn’t make much difference distance-wise which you choose. The Paintbrush Canyon Cascade Canyon trail can be started from either the String Lake Trailhead or the Leigh Lake Trailhead, both located just north of Jenny Lake. You can then breathe easy knowing the rest of the hike is downhill. Tackle most of the elevation gain earlier, reaching the top of Paintbrush Divide after about 8.8 miles.If you hike clockwise, this view will be at your back, whereas it will be staring you in the face if you hike counterclockwise. The views are better going counterclockwise! Besides Paintbrush Divide, which has unimpeded 360-degree views, the best view on the hike is of the backside of the Grand Teton as you are descending from Paintbrush Divide towards Lake Solitude and Cascade Canyon.If there is snow or ice on the trail (which lingers deep into the summer months), it’s easier to go up this section of the trail, rather than going down it. The sketchiest part of the hike is on the eastern slope climbing up to Paintbrush Divide. It’s easier to cross Paintbrush Divide.We would strongly recommend hiking counterclockwise for a few reasons: The first decision you will need to make when planning your Paintbrush Canyon Cascade Canyon backpacking trip is which direction you’d prefer to hike.īecause the trail is a loop starting at String Lake, you can hike either clockwise or counterclockwise. For current trail conditions, check the Jenny Lake Ranger’s climbing and backcountry information blog. The exact date that Paintbrush Divide becomes passable varies each year based on snowfall and recent weather conditions, but we can say that planning to hike in early July is a gamble. When we hiked in early July, the rangers had just relaxed their recommendation to carry an ice ax the day before we started our trip! There were still several large sections of snow cover, but we managed to cross Paintbrush Divide with microspikes and hiking poles. Typically, the park rangers recommend crampons and an ice-ax to safely pass while the divide is still snow-covered. Before July, you can expect Paintbrush Divide to be snow-covered, making it dangerous to pass. The best time to hike the Paintbrush Canyon Cascade Canyon trail in the Grand Tetons is mid-July through mid-September. Not only will this allow you to take your time and enjoy the scenery, but sleeping deep in the Teton backcountry under a star-filled sky should be on any hiker’s bucket list! When is the best time to hike? The best way to experience the Paintbrush Canyon Cascade Canyon loop is to hike it as a two-day, one-night backpacking trip. There is so much to enjoy and take in that the whole experience would feel rushed, never mind the fact that you’d be absolutely exhausted by the end! It would be a solid 10 to 12 hour day hike moving at a fairly quick pace. If you are feeling very ambitious, you can tackle the Paintbrush Canyon Cascade Canyon trail in one day, but we would advise against it. How much time do you need for the Paintbrush Canyon Cascade Canyon Loop? We have hiked nearly every trail in the park, and, in our opinion, the Paintbrush Canyon Cascade Canyon loop trail is the best hike in the Grand Tetons! Our favorite part of the park is the extensive network of backcountry trails that bring you away from the crowds and deep into alpine paradise. With over 300,000 acres and 200 miles of hiking trails, there is something to do for everyone, from short, easy hikes for the whole family to challenging backcountry treks. Located in western Wyoming, Grand Teton National park is renowned for its iconic rocky peaks, picturesque alpine lakes, diverse wildlife, and endless opportunity for outdoor adventures. In the rest of the article, we will give you all the information you need to plan an epic Grand Teton backpacking trip on the Paintbrush Canyon Cascade Canyon loop trail! About Grand Teton National Park Yes, you can see all of these amazing sites on one trip! The Paintbrush Canyon Cascade Canyon loop trail covers almost 22 miles and over 4,200 feet of elevation gain, so it’s a beast!īut do not be deterred because the hike features some of the best views in the Grand Tetons including Jenny Lake, Holly Lake, Paintbrush Divide, Lake Solitude, Cascade Canyon, Inspiration Point, and Hidden Falls. Paintbrush Canyon Cascade Canyon Loop Trail
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