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| Post Number: 1
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Three 
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Posted on: Nov. 19 2012, 7:03 am |
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Would like to get advice or tips for a 4-5 day trip to Grand Teton NP or surrounding NF areas.
Timeframe would be 1-15 July. I'm in decent shape but probably would want to avoid anything requiring ice axes or crampons.
Thanks
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| Post Number: 2
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double cabin
Group: Members
Posts: 15401
Joined: Nov. 2005
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Posted on: Nov. 19 2012, 10:43 am |
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If you can have 2 days or so of flexibility I'd recommend getting a walk up permit to have options. Walkups in Grand Teton are much easier than other places. Normally Paintbrush Divide looses the ice axe requirement [need] around the tenth of July. I would not consider the wilder part of the Range North of Moran that early.
In 2011 July was kind of tough with a historically cold/snowy spring. Really didn't have Spring. Last year you probably would have been good the 3rd or 4th week of June. KEEP UP ON SNOTEL in April and May, and even June. Be prepared with various options.
My first suggestion is the COMPLETE Teton Crest from Hwy 22 to String Lake. Views are better Northbound, but Southbound is exquisite too. The Southern part of the Range is usually bypassed and I think that's a big mistake personally. If you do 5 nights a night on Avalanche Divide would be awesome.
The Bechler is an awesome trip but July is often too buggy so keep it on a list of options. I did it in July once and it was awesome. Include a night near Dunanda Falls if you go, the most exotic place in all of the Rockies I've ever found. Camping at 3 Rivers Jct. is magical with Mr. Bubbles.
There will likely be AWESOME backpacking in the Southwestern Absaroka at that time. The Gos Ventre is just as special and the southern approaches are an excellent early season option. Also in the Dubois Area is the Northeastern Winds. Unlike going in from Elkhart Park starting at Trail Lake with the Glacier Trail can get you to a really special place in just a day, Ross Lakes. From there GREAT dayhiking options.
I might try and post a few photos here but if you message me I'll give you a couple of photo links of everything I've mentioned here and more. The best thing to understand all of your options is to get the Bridger-Teton National Forest [BTNF] Map of the Jackson and Buffalo Ranger Districts and give someone like me a call when you have it. This map has GTNP and southern Yellowstone on it.
I do a whole lot of dayhiking so if you want someone for a warm up hike let know. I also have a good supply of Bearspray courtesey of several including another forum member.
John
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We have nothing to fear but an industry of fear...and man skirts.
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| Post Number: 3
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| Post Number: 4
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Rics
Group: Members
Posts: 172
Joined: Mar. 2006
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Posted on: Nov. 19 2012, 6:41 pm |
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The first two weeks in July are traditionally the WORST time for mosguitoes in the Greater Yelllowstone Area
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Rics
www.trekkerman.com
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| Post Number: 5
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AlanA
Group: Members
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Joined: Nov. 2005
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Posted on: Nov. 21 2012, 9:33 pm |
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John
I'm thinking about doing the Teton Crest Trail in mid July and was wondering how many days to allow for the hike and any good side trips. Will I need a shuttle or is there transportation inside the park to get around? Thanks for any help.
Alan
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| Post Number: 6
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bbobb169
Group: Members
Posts: 668
Joined: May 2009
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Posted on: Nov. 21 2012, 10:08 pm |
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Here is the Teton Highline Trail trip from this summer I posted in another section. It's from Yellowstone NP to Teton Pass. Text description and a few pics. Making a slide show eventually.
Teton Highline Trail - Complete
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| Post Number: 7
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AlanA
Group: Members
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Posted on: Nov. 22 2012, 5:54 pm |
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Thanks for the information. What about transportation inside the park. Will we need a shuttle or 2 cars? I didn't know if they had busses that ran inside the park. I did the Belcher Trail a couple of years ago and it was an nice trip.
Thanks
Alan
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| Post Number: 8
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double cabin
Group: Members
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Posted on: Nov. 23 2012, 10:30 am |
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There are no public shuttles in Grand Teton Park but there is talk of extending the Start Bus from Jackson to the Airport. I'm guessing taxi companies will fight that off as long as they can. Alltrans does some private shuttling, and most taxi companies do as well.Not cheap at all. When you get closer to your dates ask me and I might be able to help you out or find someone that would just appreciate gas money, beer, maybe a meal. MUCH cehaper than $200 or more for a shuttle.
If you're really going to hike the "Complete" Crest, not including the Northern Section Bbobb gave us that great report on, and not one of these little abreviated hikes most people call "The" Crest, then I suggest a minimum of 4 nights if not 5 or six to do more side trips. Dayhiking Static Peak would be at the top of my list for an "off" day with Avalanche Divide and The Wall right behind it. Mica and even Grizzly Bear Lakes are good choices for stronger hikers.
Most people travel South to North because of the views, but don't discount Southbound if that proves to be most convenient in terms of permitting. My favorite camps: Phillips Pass has a nice site amidst a few knarled Spruce not far from good water. There are some sites just outside the park to consider. Death Canyon Shelf is magical. I'd spend two nights at Mirror Lake in Alaska Basin with Static Peak dayhike. IMO Sunset Lake is overrated. In the Southfork the higher in the zone the better IMO for aestheitics and bugs. KC Wins likes farther down. If you can I'd skip the Northfork and get Holly Lake. As I implied I'd be more concerned with the sites you get than the direction you take. Keep up on Snotel, but usually Paintbrush is good to go without an Ice Axe by July 10 or so.
I'd try and have a couple of warmup days to get acclimated. I love Hermitage Point for a relatively flat 10 plus mile first day hike. Then for a second day Surprise and Ampitheatre Lakes. If you are in really good shape the shorter but far steeper Lung Buster up Hanging Canyon is my favorite dayhike in the Teets.
If anyone is interested in any of the Exquisite hiking in the National Forests of the Area let me know.
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We have nothing to fear but an industry of fear...and man skirts.
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| Post Number: 9
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AlanA
Group: Members
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Joined: Nov. 2005
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Posted on: Nov. 24 2012, 7:54 am |
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Great information and I'll keep you in mind as we get closer to the hike. I was looking at the map last night and it looks like you can do a loop if you take the valley trail? Is it worth the hike on the valley trail?
I hiked the JMT last summer in 21 days so I'm not overly concerned about some long days. Thanks so much for the information.
Alan
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| Post Number: 10
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double cabin
Group: Members
Posts: 15401
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Posted on: Nov. 24 2012, 2:38 pm |
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I'd go with Bbobb's route before looping an abreviated portion of the Crest with the Valley Trail. Or stay at the Climbers Ranch and do some dayhiking, overnight Surprise, spend a couple of days near Brooks Lake. LOT of stuff to do.
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We have nothing to fear but an industry of fear...and man skirts.
http://www.facebook.com/media/albums/?id=129511480442251
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| Post Number: 11
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kcwins
I refuse to grow up!
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Posted on: Nov. 24 2012, 10:32 pm |
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I second a South to North route. Don't care for Sunset Lake in the basin much either. I've done most their is to do South of Moran if I can be of any help. As far as side trips, I like Avalanche Canyon (Kit and Snowdrift Lakes), Static Peak, Mica Lake, etc..
PS: I would love to see some pics bbobb North of Solitude and Grizzly Bear Lake. I did sneak in and out of the area late Summer and explored Moose Basin a bit. Sorry I missed you DC.
FYI: DC is a wealth of info anywhere in the GYE! I second Hanging Canyon as a day hike or over nighter if you have the time.
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Signature removed for lack of payment
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| Post Number: 12
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bbobb169
Group: Members
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Posted on: Nov. 25 2012, 12:36 am |
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Sunset Lake is overrated and crowded.....stay in the Basin Lakes area. Working on a slide show and will upload all pics to photobook.
Basin Lakes:
Sunset Lake:
Pictures tell all.
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| Post Number: 13
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bbobb169
Group: Members
Posts: 668
Joined: May 2009
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Posted on: Nov. 28 2012, 12:35 am |
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Here is the slide show......in HD so adjust your settings
Teton Highline Trail HD
Also started a new post for it ...
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| Post Number: 14
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AlanA
Group: Members
Posts: 25
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Posted on: Dec. 02 2012, 2:11 pm |
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Great slide show. Thanks for sharing.
Alan
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| Post Number: 15
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bbobb169
Group: Members
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Posted on: Dec. 03 2012, 12:05 am |
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Starting either direction doesn't matter much. We mostly did it for logistics of getting picked up at the end. However, we were glad we were going down to Lake Solitude instead of up.....its a good pitch, loose rocks. Besides all you have to do is turn around and look over your shoulder, which I do a lot. Plenty of places accessing from West or East side to do loops.
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| Post Number: 16
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Squaretop
Group: Members
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Posted on: Dec. 10 2012, 1:43 pm |
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Very nice slide show!
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You can't buy time or memories.
"How'd I get involved".
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| Post Number: 17
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| Post Number: 18
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double cabin
Group: Members
Posts: 15401
Joined: Nov. 2005
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Posted on: Mar. 12 2013, 8:07 pm |
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The forcast is warmer and rier than normal. Have had a fair amount of snow pile up in mid and upper elevations. I can't roll the dice on this for another two months. I've seen more than 50" hot the Southern Absaroka in later May not that long ago.
That aside odds are stacking up for an early season.
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We have nothing to fear but an industry of fear...and man skirts.
http://www.facebook.com/media/albums/?id=129511480442251
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