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Cascade Canyon Trail

Intermediate Intermediate
 4.8 (87)
  1. Areas
  2. WY
  3. …Northwestern Wyoming
  4. …Grand Teton National Park
  5. West
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“Views abound on this initially difficult, then quite easy trail. ”

Tom Robson
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Map Key

4.5

Miles

7.3

KM

Point to Point

7,855' 2,394 m

High

6,870' 2,094 m

Low

1,020' 311 m

Up

35' 11 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (3°)

27%

Max Grade (15°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · River/Creek · Views · Wildlife

Summer 2015 - The trail from Hidden Falls to Inspiration Point will be closed. In order to access Jenny Lake, one must use the Jenny Lake - Cascade Canyon Connector.

Description

Starting from the Jenny Lake Trail, Cascade Canyon Trail ascends very steeply heading west towards Lake Solitude. Prior to the trail turning north, enjoy the gorgeous views of Hidden Falls, an approximately 100' water fall.

After the falls, the trail heads straight up, and ascends multiple switchbacks until you reach Inspiration Point - a viewpoint providing outstanding views of Jenny Lake and the surrounding Teton Mountains. From Inspiration Point, the trail becomes very mellow, and works its way west through deep woods.

Cascade Canyon was formed during the last glacial maximum by a retreating glacier. Evidence of the historic glacier can be found through polished glacial erratics, hanging cirques, and its general U-shape.

Flora & Fauna

Mammals:
  • Pika
  • Marmot
  • Moose
  • Black Bears
  • Grizzly Bears

Birds:
  • American Dippers
  • Harlequin Ducks
  • Western Tanagers
  • Ruby-Crowned Kinglets
  • Yellow-Rumped Warblers
  • Golden Eagles
  • Steller’s Jays
  • Gray Jays
  • Golden-Crowned Kinglets
  • Dark-Eyed Juncos
  • Townsend’s Warblers

Flora:
  • Dense conifer forest
  • Open meadows of wildflowers
  • As elevation increases, wildflowers abound while trees become stunted and eventually shrub-like.


Be on the lookout for moose on this hike, we saw three!

Contacts

Land Manager: National Park Service - Grand Teton National Park

Shared By:

Tom Robson with improvements by E Hart
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.8 from 87 votes

#1

in West

#2

Overall
  4.8 from 87 votes
5 Star
84%
4 Star
16%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#1

in West

#1

in Wyoming

#2

Overall
25 Views Last Month
13,036 Since Dec 19, 2014
Intermediate Intermediate
1%
8%
71%
10%
9%
0%
Add a Photo

Photos

Beautiful views abound in Grand Teton National Park.
Apr 19, 2017 near Alta, WY
There were several nice waterfalls visible along the south side of the canyon.
Aug 20, 2018 near Alta, WY
View of Cascade Canyon and trail with Cathedral Group in background. <br> <br> Image by the National Park Service (NPS).
Dec 23, 2014 near Jackson, WY
Hidden Falls (it looks a lot bigger in person)
Feb 17, 2022 near Alta, WY
Cascade Canyon on the way to Lake Solitude
Mar 30, 2020 near Alta, WY
Cascades over Hidden Falls
Aug 18, 2015 near Jackson, WY

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Current Trail Conditions

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Check-Ins

Dec 13, 2024
Rose Hinson
Aug 14, 2024
Ari Moskowitz
Aug 9, 2024
Anonymous
Heading back now, entire route is easy after you lose sight of the lake. Almost entirely flat or downhill. Only down from here! 1.3mi — 1h 33m
Jul 10, 2024
Kristy Pomeroy
Jun 21, 2024
Erica Ames
May 17, 2024
Tom Herr
Awe inspiring canyon with trail following Cascade Creek. Packed snow on much of the trail. Saw 2 moose. Wonderful experience! 9mi
Sep 23, 2023
Susan Domash
Sep 19, 2023
Private User

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