The Paintbrush Canyon – Cascade Canyon Loop is likely one of the finest hikes to do in Grand Teton Nationwide Park. In only one hike, you possibly can go to a handful of the park’s prime spots: Jenny Lake, Inspiration Level, Lake Solitude, Cascade Canyon, and Paintbrush Canyon. Throw in panoramic views throughout the Teton mountain vary and some moose, and you’ve got an unforgettable hike in Grand Teton Nationwide Park.
This hike is a giant endeavor. At 20 miles, with over 4,000 ft of elevation acquire, it’s a hefty hike. Many individuals do that as a 2 or 3-day backpacking journey, however in case you are match and quick, the Paintbrush Canyon – Cascade Canyon Loop may be accomplished as a day hike.
We LOVED this hike. Positive, it’s a giant day, however this path is beautiful each step of the best way. Since it’s a loop, you by no means repeat any a part of the path twice. Each few miles the terrain and the views change, so there’s by no means a boring second on this path.
Should you can deal with a tough, lengthy hike, this is likely one of the finest methods to spend a day in Grand Teton Nationwide Park, in our opinion.
Paintbrush Canyon – Cascade Canyon Path Stats
Distance: 20 miles
Issue: Very strenuous
Whole Ascent: 4,700 ft
Beginning Elevation (Trailhead): 6,900 ft
Highest Elevation (Paintbrush Divide): 10,700 ft
Size of Time: 8 to 12 hours
When to Go: Through the summer season and fall months. Within the winter and spring, the paths are snow coated and harmful. Within the early a part of summer season (typically up via July) there may be a lot of snow on the increased elevations, so particular gear is really useful (climbing poles, crampons, and many others.). Late summer season to early fall is one of the best time to do that hike, when a lot of the path is freed from snow.
Please observe the seven rules of Depart No Hint: plan forward, keep on the path, pack out what you deliver to the climbing path, correctly eliminate waste, depart areas as you discovered them, reduce campfire impacts, be thoughtful of different hikers, and don’t method or feed wildlife.
The right way to Hike the Paintbrush Canyon – Cascade Canyon Loop
Which Path Ought to You Go?
Since it is a loop path, it may be hiked in both path.
In case you are backpacking this path, your path will probably be dependent upon the place you get a campsite.
As a day hike, this loop is often hiked counter clockwise. By doing it on this path, you get nearly all of the climbing completed early within the hike. Earlier than you attain the midway level, you’ll be standing on the Paintbrush Divide (at 8.4 miles), so it’s good to realize it’s all downhill from right here. Then, you get to benefit from the views as you hike to Lake Solitude and thru Cascade Canyon to Inspiration Level.
Attending to the Trailhead
Park on the String Lake Trailhead. This car parking zone has room for about 30 automobiles and it could fill early within the morning, so it’s finest to reach by 7:30 am. There are moveable bathrooms close to the trailhead.
The Paintbrush Canyon – Cascade Canyon Loop begins and ends on the String Lake Trailhead.
Paintbrush Canyon
From the String Lake trailhead, cross the bridge over the outlet creek from String Lake. This a part of the path is flat and quick. 1 / 4 mile from the trailhead, observe the indicators to remain on the String Lake Path (go proper on the fork). The path to the left is the Jenny Lake Path.
For the following mile, the path steadily ascends, but it surely’s nothing too strenuous. To your proper will probably be views over String Lake and Leigh Lake.
Simply previous String and Leigh Lakes, the path will take a flip to the left and you’ll now be heading into Paintbrush Canyon.
At first, the path takes you thru forests of evergreen timber. Once more, the path steadily ascends right here, but it surely’s nothing too strenuous.
As you head farther into Paintbrush Canyon, the evergreen timber start to fade away and are changed with shrubs of varied sizes. It’s a fixed uphill stroll via the canyon, with occasional jumps in elevation because the path briefly switchbacks up the path in some spots.
Each every so often, ensure you pause and look again down the canyon. It’s an attractive view, particularly with String and Leigh Lakes, now off within the distance.
Close to the highest of the canyon you’ll attain a fork within the path. You possibly can go both approach right here; each trails meet up once more very shortly and are roughly the identical distance. Take the path to the correct to go to Holly Lake. Should you take the path to the left, you should have gorgeous views via the canyon. We selected the path to left and right here is the view.
Should you take the path to the left, you should have a view over Holly Lake on the level the place the 2 trails rejoin.
Paintbrush Divide
Simply previous Holly Lake, the hike will get to be harder. Now, the elevation is increased (you’re at about 9700 ft simply previous Holly Lake), so it’s simpler to get out of breath now. The path nonetheless slowly and steadily positive aspects elevation, nothing too troublesome, however the increased elevation makes it really feel more difficult.
At this level, nearly the entire vegetation has disappeared. Now, it’s only a rocky, nearly barren, alpine wilderness. The upper you climb, the higher the views get of the razor-sharp mountain peaks that encompass Paintbrush Canyon.
The path zig-zags as much as Paintbrush Divide. The ultimate half-mile to Paintbrush Divide is essentially the most difficult part of the hike, however at the very least whenever you pause to catch your breath, you’re handled to superior views of the mountains.
On the ultimate climb, the path clings to the aspect of the mountain. When you have a concern of heights, you may discover this a part of the path unnerving, however the path is comparatively large (about 5 ft) so if you happen to keep up in opposition to the rock wall you ought to be OK.
As soon as on prime of the Paintbrush Divide, benefit from the spectacular view and take a lot of pictures. You earned it!
PRO TRAVEL TIP: It may be VERY windy right here. On the day we did this, the winds have been ferocious. It was actually the strongest wind gusts I’ve felt in my life and at instances, it nearly felt like I may get blown off of the mountain. We didn’t linger lengthy right here, due to the wind and the chilly temperatures.
Lake Solitude
From the Paintbrush Divide, it’s a steep descent to Lake Solitude. In about 2 miles, you’ll descend 1,600 ft to Lake Solitude, so that you lose an excellent chunk of the elevation you simply climbed to get to Paintbrush Divide.
As you hike down this rugged, rocky path, benefit from the wonderful views over Lake Solitude and down via the canyon.
Lake Solitude is an attractive alpine lake and it’s a great place to take a break and relaxation your ft. Discover a cozy rock on fringe of the lake and benefit from the view and a picnic lunch.
Cascade Canyon
For two.5 miles, the path follows alongside Cascade Creek till it veers left into Cascade Canyon. This part of the hike is beautiful, since Grand Teton sits smack in entrance of you. Plus, it’s a straightforward downhill stroll now so this a part of the hike may be very pleasurable.
On the South Fork of Cascade Canyon, observe the path indicators to show left into Cascade Canyon. Cascade Canyon is nearly 4 miles lengthy and a very simple downhill stroll. The path is generally within the timber, however as you method Jenny Lake, the huge canyon partitions get shorter and the views open up over Cascade Creek.
Hold an eye fixed out for moose as they’re generally noticed right here. Black bear additionally make common appearances.
Inspiration Level and Jenny Lake
Earlier than attending to Inspiration Level you’ve gotten a option to make. You possibly can both take Cascade Canyon Path to Inspiration Level or take the Horse Path, which is a shortcut to String Lake.
Horse Path: It is a 0.7-mile path via the woods that ends on the Jenny Lake Path.
Inspiration Level: Should you select to hike to Inspiration Level, this path is about 1 mile lengthy, till you meet up with the Horse Path at Jenny Lake (so this path is .3 miles longer than Horse Path). Nevertheless, you get to see the view from Inspiration Level, which is price including on to this hike if you happen to nonetheless have the power. You too can take the very brief spur path to Hidden Falls.
Right here’s the view from Inspiration Level.
Jenny Lake Path
From the Horse Path, it’s simply 1.7 miles till you attain the String Lake car parking zone. For many of this distance you stroll alongside the west financial institution of Jenny Lake. It’s a flat stroll with a number of small hills thrown in often. It is a nice path, however this remaining a part of the hike can really feel prefer it takes eternally, particularly in case you are exhausted.
About Our Expertise
We did this hike over the last week of September in 2020. Tim and I accomplished the hike in 8 hours (we began at 7 am and completed at 3 pm), together with time for breaks and lunch.
The tip of September is a tremendous time to go to Grand Teton Nationwide Park, since it’s peak season for fall colours. Nevertheless, you must also count on a lot of visitors on the paths. Crowds have been bigger this week than throughout our go to in mid-August, one 12 months earlier than, which shocked us.
Shorter Variations of This Hike
Should you like the concept of doing this hike however don’t have the will or the power for a 20-mile loop, listed below are 3 shorter variations of the Paintbrush Canyon – Cascade Canyon Loop.
Paintbrush Canyon: You possibly can hike Paintbrush Canyon out-and-back. This beautiful canyon sometimes has fewer hikers than Cascade Canyon, so in case you are in search of solitude, it is a good possibility. You possibly can flip round at any time when you’re prepared, however the farther you go, the higher the view. Should you select to hike the entire approach Paintbrush Divide, it is a 16.8 mile hike with 4,550 ft of elevation acquire. Park on the String Lake Trailhead.
Cascade Canyon: For beautiful views alongside Cascade Creek and an excellent likelihood to identify wildlife, put Cascade Canyon in your listing. Like Paintbrush Canyon, flip round at any time when you’re prepared. You actually don’t need to stroll too far previous Inspiration Level for among the finest views of the canyon, to not point out an excellent likelihood for wildlife sightings. Should you hike to the top of Cascade Canyon from the west shore boat dock on Jenny Lake, the hike is 10 miles with 1,100 ft of elevation acquire. To get right here, take the Jenny Lake shuttle to the west shore boat dock and begin your hike right here.
Lake Solitude: Hike the entire approach via Cascade Canyon and finish at Lake Solitude. This hike is 15 miles lengthy with 2,500 ft of elevation acquire. Begin and finish on the west shore boat dock.
Tricks to Have the Greatest Expertise
Begin the hike early, ideally by 7 am. This ensures that you simply get a parking house and offers you loads of time to finish the hike.
Depart no hint. When you find yourself within the park, observe the seven rules of Depart No Hint. This contains packing out what you deliver into the park, be thoughtful of different hikers, keep on the path, and don’t take away something from the park.
Don’t count on your cellular phone to work. For many of this hike we had zero mobile service. There have been a number of spots in clearings or at increased elevations the place we received a number of bars of LTE or 3G, barely sufficient to ship a textual content message. However don’t rely in your cellphone to name for assist, speak to associates, or ship pictures to family and friends.
In case you are not acclimated to the altitude, this isn’t an excellent first hike in Grand Teton Nationwide Park. The lengthy distance, elevation acquire, and altitude make this a troublesome hike. When you have not already frolicked within the park adjusting to the altitude, I like to recommend that you simply spend a day or two acclimating to the upper elevation.
What to Carry on the Hike
Climbing sneakers. Don’t do that hike in something apart from climbing sneakers or climbing boots. There’s an excellent likelihood you’ll hike via snow, even in the summertime.
Climbing poles. Climbing poles take the stress off of your legs and assist to ease leg ache and fatigue.
Bear Spray. Black bears and grizzly bears make common appearances in each Paintbrush and Cascade Canyons.
Water and snacks. Not less than 3 liters of water in the summertime.
Sunscreen, hat, and sun shades. For greater than half of this hike you can be uncovered to the solar, with little or no shade.
Digital camera. Even a smartphone will do. The Paintbrush Divide is a superb place to make use of the panorama function.
Rain jacket or fleece. It’s chilly at Paintbrush Divide. Be ready for all climate situations, even snow in the summertime months. Pack a rain jacket and/or fleece and even one other layer of clothes.
In case you are new to climbing or are interested in what you need to deliver on a hike, try our Climbing Gear Information. Discover out what we supply in our day packs and what we put on on the paths.
