Length:  36 miles
Trailhead(s):  Death Canyon Trailhead
Elevation Gain:  6,059’
Trail Type:  Point to Point
Dogs:  Not Allowed
Difficulty:  Moderate
Permit Required?  Yes
Considerations:  Bear Canisters Required, Shuttle Required, National Park Fee, Jenny Lake Boat Shuttle Fee
Season:  Late Spring – Early Fall

Overview

The Teton Crest Trail is a true bucket list hike. It has amazing scenery throughout, and one spot that ranks in the top 10 most amazing views I’ve ever experienced.

Although the Trail is iconic, it is actually not a single trail at all. It is a set of trails which together create the route known as the Teton Crest Trail, with numerous ways to access the Teton Crest itself.

We chose to hike from the Death Canyon Trailhead around Phelps Lake, through Granite Canyon to the Crest, and ending at Jenny Lake to maximize our distance at 36 miles. Other starting trailheads would shorten the hike.

We also chose to do this hike in 3 nights, 4 days to keep the pace slow and enjoy the views. It’s a route that rewards the effort with scenery, and scenery with more scenery, until you stop trying to rank the views and you just enjoy the ride.

Day 1 on the Teton Crest Trail: Death Canyon Trailhead to Granite Canyon

The day started with a Teton Mountain Taxi ride from the Jenny Lake Visitor Center to a drop‑off point on White Grass Trailhead Road. From there, we walked 0.85 miles to the actual Death Canyon Trailhead, where our Teton Crest Trail trip officially began.

The trail wasted no time. It climbed immediately, switchbacking through forest and canyon walls. There is a direct route to the Teton Crest from here by taking the Death Canyon Trail, but we chose the longer semi-loop around Phelps Lake on the Valley Trail and up the Granite Canyon Trail to get to the Crest. The lake is pleasant and worth the hike, and you get the benefit of warming up your legs for the bigger climbs ahead.

Once we turned onto the Granite Canyon Trail, the character of the hike changed. Granite Canyon is heavily wooded, the creek steady but not dramatic, and the miles feel quiet and tucked away. At 6.3 miles from the trailhead, we reached one of the well‑spaced designated sites in the Lower Granite camping zone.

The campsite wasn’t the most dramatic campsite of the trip, but it was peaceful, sheltered, and a solid place to settle in for the night. As a bonus, a moose passed right next to our site working its way uphill and stopped for a couple of minutes to check us out.  Although his lingering made us a little uneasy at first, he was just curious and he afforded us a few pictures.

All in all the first day was a good hike, but nothing compared to what lay ahead.  What it did do was give us a mellow short hike to acclimate to the wilderness after the hubbub of the crowded Jenny Lake Visitor Center where we left our truck, the shuttle ride, and the typical first day slog on the trail as our bodies adjusted to carrying full packs at altitude.

Day 2 on the Teton Crest Trail: Granite Canyon to Fox Creek Pass

We broke camp early and continued up Granite Canyon, passing the Upper Granite Horse Camp and following the creek deeper into the canyon. The scenery here is subtle – forest, water, and the steady rhythm of climbing – but it sets up the contrast for what comes next.

The trail steepened as we turned toward Fox Creek Pass, and the scenery finally opened up. The climb to Marion Lake, with its numerous campsites, was the first real “wow” moment of the trip. The lake sits in a granite bowl, calm and clear, and feels like a natural pause button before the big reveal.

From Marion Lake, the trail climbs to the actual Teton Crest, and this is where the Tetons start showing off. The views widen, the air thins, and the sense of being in the high country becomes unmistakable.

We camped near Fox Creek Pass, dropping slightly down the Fox Creek Trail into the National Forest to find a quiet site with reliable water. It was one of those campsites that feels earned – not flashy but perfectly placed after a day of climbing.

Day 3 on the Teton Crest Trail: Fox Creek Pass to Alaska Basin

Morning on the Teton Crest is something special. We climbed back to the pass and continued north, stepping onto the Death Canyon Shelf – one of the most coveted camping zones in the Tetons. Even if you’re not staying there, walking along the shelf is worth the effort. The views stretch out in every direction, and the trail feels like it’s floating above the canyon.

After crossing Meeks Pass, we climbed the Sheep Steps, a short but steep section that delivers you into the wide‑open Alaska Basin. This is classic high‑country terrain: lakes, meadows, rock slabs, and sky.

We camped in the Alaska Basin, just before the climb to Sunset Lake. It was quiet, scenic, and exactly the kind of place that reminds you why you carry a backpack in the first place. The basin has a way of settling you down – big views, soft light, and the sense that you’re tucked into a corner of the Tetons that most visitors never see.

Day 4 on the Teton Crest Trail:  Alaska Basin to Jenny Lake

Our final day on the Teton Crest started with the climb toward Hurricane Pass, and this section is where the Teton Crest Trail really hits its stride. Schoolroom Glacier sits off to the right – a pocket of ice and blue shadows – and the views from the pass are some of the best on the entire route.

The descent into the South Fork of Cascade Canyon is one of the most beautiful stretches of trail I’ve ever hiked. Peaks, waterfalls, ridges, and a creek that seems to change personality every mile. It’s the kind of terrain that keeps your head up and your camera out.

Eventually, the South Fork Cascade Canyon Trail meets the Cascade Canyon Trail, and that’s where the crowds begin. After days of quiet backcountry, the shift is noticeable. By the time we reached Inspiration Point, we were sharing the trail with dozens of day hikers.  That said, the view is well worth the company.

From Inspiration Point, it was a short descent to Jenny Lake, where we caught a shuttle across the lake and walked straight back to our car at the visitor center – and just like that, our trip on the Teton Crest Trail was complete.

Final Thoughts About Backpacking the Teton Crest Trail

Backpacking the Teton Crest Trail is a bigger trip than the mileage suggests.  Our four‑day, three‑night trip covered only 36 miles, and while the mileage is easily manageable, the scenery felt oversized – delivering more impact per mile than many other backpacking locations.

Our route on the Teton Crest Trail delivered high‑country views, classic Teton terrain, and a satisfying mix of solitude and iconic landmarks. If you’re looking for a route that earns its reputation without requiring a week off work, this is it. A true bucket‑list hike, and one we’d happily do again.  Hike on!

Scroll down to learn about the GEAR WE USE and OTHER OUTVENTURES in this area.

Additional Information (Click below to follow links.)

• Grand Teton National Park Backcountry Information Link
• Teton Mountain Taxi Link