Teton Death Loop

Dogs No Dogs

Features Fall Colors · Fishing · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This loop starts at Death Canyon Trail TH and does a tour of the south Tetons, including Static Peak Divide, the Alaska basin, Death Canyon Shelf, the meadow above Death Canyon, before returning back through Death Canyon, providing amazing views of Phelps Lake.

This is a busy trailhead, as are most in the Tetons. Though there seems to be plenty of parking and it is not quite as busy as some of the lakes, it is worth getting here early (

Start at the Death Canyon Trail TH and climb gently on the well-maintained trail. After about 1.5 miles, you'll reach the Phelps Lake Overlook. Over the next .5-1 mile you'll get beautiful views as you descend gently above the lake.

At about 2 miles you'll hit the Phelps Lake Trail. Stay to the right and begin climbing again as you head into Death Canyon. The trail becomes more steep and rocky during this section and after another two miles it'll pop out of the top side of the canyon at a well-maintained wooded structure (perhaps still used by Park staff).

At this point the trail splits with the Death Canyon Trail staying to the left and the Static Peak Divide trail heading to the right. This route follows the Static Peak Divide trail and returns via the Death Canyon Trail. I recommend this counter-clockwise direction for aesthetic purposes. I definitely think the views are more consistently beautiful moving in this direction. However, the Static Peak Divide climb is more steep and consistent than going up the Death Canyon Trail (though not problematically steep).

The Static Peak Divide will be much less busy than the rest of your route. Enjoy the solitude as you climb through forest, across creeks, past waterfalls, and to ever improving high alpine views.

Once you reach the divide/pass, you'll see the direction of the route as it disappears over another pass to drop into the Alaska basin.

The Alaska basin is an under-appreciated gem, likely because it is not in the national park. It does have a very different feel. It is less lush, despite the abundance of water in the form of lakes and streams. There is a lot of exposed rock. It is a wonderful juxtaposition to the Death Canyon Trail high meadow, which is thick and lush with wildflowers.

Make progress through the Alaska basin and connect with the Teton Crest trail. This trail will go over a pass before hitting the Death Canyon Shelf, and impressive bluff that towers over the trail for miles.

The Death Canyon Shelf stretch goes on for 3.5 miles before connecting back to the Death Canyon Trail. Take a left (all is well-marked) and descend into the basin.

The trail will have amazing views across the meadow full of wildflowers with the canyon walls in the distance, the shelf above, and the Teton peaks rising above all else.

Follow the trail, keeping an eye out for wildlife (including grizzlies. I spotted scat so fresh the pee spot was still wet and a group ahead of me came within 35 yards of the offender). The trail will gently descend and eventually will return to that wooden structure you were at earlier.

At this point, retrace your steps for 4 miles back the the TH.

All the wildflowers you would expect in the Tetons, along with elk, deer, marmots, moose, and black and brown bears.

Though the basis of the name is uncertain, it is generally accepted that the morbid name derives from a member of the 1899 Thomas Bannon survey party, who wandered into the canyon and was never seen again.