![]() In several hundred yards, turn right for a 0.1-mile detour to a rocky point on Lake Solitude-you’ll get great shots of the Tetons and the lake. Descend boulders and rocky hillside on a scree trail. As you begin the descent into Cascade Canyon, Lake Solitude (a jade-colored glacial lake) can be seen in the cirque below. Before you drop down the ridge, take in breathtaking views of the Tetons to the south. In several hundred feet, you’ll come to an old wooden sign marking the intersection of Paintbrush and Cascade canyons. Snow fields can cover the slopes on the right even in summertime and fall. Traverse Paintbrush Divide, an exposed, treeless, and rocky ridge. Put on an extra layer just before reaching the top of Paintbrush Divide there’s no shelter on the ridge. Thick, diagonal bands of quartz can be seen in the mountains on the left. Ahead, the path transitions to pebbly, yellowish-orange granite stone as you traverse a scree field.Ĭarefully follow a narrow goat trail across a loose scree field. ![]() Pass through open fields dotted with clumps of pines, boulders, and rock ledges. Turn hard left 4-way junction and begin a steady climb out of Holly Lake area on dirt-packed trail. ![]() After passing through Wooded Horse Campsite, cut across open fields with short scrub and grass. Follow dirt-packed trail up hillside with rocky gully on right, then hike through another rubble field (you may need to add extra layers it can get breezy here). Turn right Y-junction, and head toward Holly Lake and Paintbrush Canyon Trail cool breezes waft up the canyon. Next, continue up steep switchbacks and follow rocky trail through an area littered with boulders and rock debris to a spot resembling a couloir (towering rock walls rise on 3 sides). Outlier Campsite: This campsite offers stunning views down the valley and up to jagged peaks filter water in the stream that runs across the trail. The trail also crosses a moraine field scattered with giant boulders (look for the waterfall that plunges down another rock slide on the left). The forest opens as the trail enters Lower Paintbrush Camping Zone hike over a stream (good water source) via a wooden bridge with views of the valley straight ahead. You’ll see a small waterfall on the right, as you hike along this now-rocky trail.Īs you turn the corner, incredible views of an unnamed lake are revealed on the left. Look for quartz veins in the granite rock. Glacial erratics (good for bouldering) flank the trail. The ascent continues along a well-maintained, dirt singletrack covered with pine needles it’s rocky in spots.Ī rocky slide area borders the trail on the left. Wind through a small aspen grove before crossing a creek and starting the steady ascent into the canyon.īear left Y-junction, heading toward Paintbrush Canyon. Ahead, the trail curves north across open hillsides dotted with boulders, sage, and scrub. Cut through a wooded area with a spicy pine scent, then cross a grassy area next to String Lake. Head south from the parking area to reach the String Lake Trailhead.Īt the String Lake Trailhead, turn right (heading southwest) and cross the wooden bridge between String and Jenny lakes.īear right Y-junction toward Paintbrush Canyon. nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/back.htmĬONTACT Grand Teton National Park, (307) 739-3300 nps.gov/grte/ Reservations accepted ($20 administrative fee for permits during peak season). PERMIT A wilderness permit is required for all overnight camping in the backcountry. INFO For information on permits, current trail and camp conditions, and wilderness guidelines, go to nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/things2know.htm. Note: To turn this out-and-back into a loop, go to Paintbrush Canyon to Cascade Canyon Loop. The next day, turn around and retrace your route back to the trailhead. Finish off the first day with a tour of Lake Solitude before setting up camp in the North Fork Cascade camping area (you’ll fall asleep to the sounds of Cascade Creek). ![]() Keep your camera handy as you hike past alpine lakes and scree fields, with stunning views of the jagged Tetons.Īfter 7.3 miles, the route crests the exposed and rocky Paintbrush Divide at 10,720 feet, then drops into Cascade Canyon. ![]() The trail wraps around the base of Rockchuck Peak and enters Paintbrush Canyon. From the String Lake Trailhead, head southwest briefly to connect Jenny Lake and String Lake, then turn right at the Y-junction. Set aside a weekend for this ultra-scenic, 21.7-mile loop in Grand Teton National Park. Get full access to Outside Learn, our online education hub featuring in-depth fitness, nutrition, and adventure courses and more than 2,000 instructional videos when you sign up for Outside+ ![]()
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