Teton Crest Trail
Tetons, WY
Elevation Profile
Current Conditions
Bottom Line
March backpacking in the Tetons means winter conditions — expect 3+ feet of snow on trail, snowshoes mandatory above 7,000 ft. Clean avalanche bulletin with Moderate danger gives you good options if you stick to established summer routes.
25°/8°F · Mostly Sunny
Moderate (2/5)
45" depth
Normal flows · 5 gauges
No active fires within 50 miles
11h 53m daylight · Sunrise 7:36 AM · Sunset 7:30 PM
Full Briefing
This is a winter trip, not a traditional backpacking experience. With 33 inches at Annie Springs (6,021 ft) and snow depths increasing with elevation, the Teton Crest Trail will be completely snow-covered and require route-finding skills. The clean avalanche bulletin with Moderate danger across all elevations and no identified problems is encouraging — the snowpack is behaving predictably without active instabilities. Stream crossings are a non-issue with flows well below normal (41-88% of median) and most water sources frozen. The brief snow event Monday (52% chance, light accumulations) shouldn't significantly impact travel but will reduce visibility for navigation. Temperatures staying in the teens to mid-20s mean no melt-freeze cycles or wet snow concerns. Your bigger challenges will be trail-finding in deep snow and the physical demands of snowshoeing with a full pack. The 12-hour daylight window gives you reasonable operating time, but March weather can change quickly in the high country. Plan camp locations that offer wind protection and easy escape routes to lower elevations if conditions deteriorate. Water sources will be limited to melting snow, so factor extra fuel for melting and longer cooking times in cold temperatures.
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
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Plan This Route