Teton Crest Trail
Tetons, WY
Elevation Profile
Current Conditions
Bottom Line
Late-season Teton Crest in November — no snow on the ground now, but Friday night brings a 42% chance of snow showers. Temps drop to 23°F every night, so you're winter camping regardless of the snowpack. The stream flow data in this briefing is from California gauges and doesn't apply to Teton drainages — treat any crossings as unknown. Manageable trip with good prep.
38°/23°F · Sunny
No Rating (0/5)
0" depth
Elevated flows · 5 gauges
No active fires within 50 miles
9h 50m daylight · Sunrise 7:13 AM · Sunset 5:03 PM
Full Briefing
The biggest thing to flag upfront: the stream flow data provided is entirely from California gauges (Salinas River, Alameda Creek, Llagas Creek) and has zero relevance to Snake River tributaries, Death Canyon Creek, or any Teton Crest drainages. Treat water crossings as an unknown — late October and early November typically see low flow in Teton drainages as snowmelt has long since ended and winter hasn't loaded the snowpack yet, so conditions are likely straightforward, but verify locally before committing to your route.
Weather is the real story. Highs of 36–38°F and lows of 23°F every single night — you're winter camping the full three nights. Winds are light (7–14 mph WNW today, calming Thursday and Friday), so wind chill is manageable, but overnight temps will aggressively test your sleep system. Nights are long: sunset hits at 5:03 PM, giving you just under 10 hours of daylight. Plan your daily miles around reaching camp by 4:30 PM at the latest, especially on the exposed ridgeline sections above treeline where post-sunset navigation gets cold fast.
Friday night is the watch point — 42% chance of snow showers with SE winds at 5–10 mph. That puts potential accumulation on your last full night out (November 14 exit day). It likely won't be significant, but it could make high passes slick by Saturday morning. If you're planning to exit via Alaska Basin or the Death Canyon trail head, factor in that any fresh snow on the switchbacks above 9,500 ft will want traction — microspikes are worth packing.
No active fires within 50 miles, no avalanche bulletin (snowpack is essentially absent at all SNOTEL stations), and no winter storm warning in effect. The route is in classic November shoulder-season condition: dry, cold, short days, and an incoming weather system at the end. Front-load your biggest mileage days Tuesday and Wednesday while conditions are pristine and clear, keep Thursday mellow, and be positioned low or at a sheltered camp by Friday evening.
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.
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