Ahead, the path transitions to pebbly, yellowish-orange granite stone as you traverse a scree field.Ĭarefully follow a narrow goat trail across a loose scree field. Pass through open fields dotted with clumps of pines, boulders, and rock ledges. Turn hard left 4-way junction and begin a steady climb out of Holly Lake area on dirt-packed trail. After passing through Wooded Horse Campsite, cut across open fields with short scrub and grass. Follow dirt-packed trail up hillside with rocky gully on right, then hike through another rubble field (you may need to add extra layers it can get breezy here). Turn right Y-junction, and head toward Holly Lake and Paintbrush Canyon Trail cool breezes waft up the canyon. Next, continue up steep switchbacks and follow rocky trail through an area littered with boulders and rock debris to a spot resembling a couloir (towering rock walls rise on 3 sides). Outlier Campsite: This campsite offers stunning views down the valley and up to jagged peaks filter water in the stream that runs across the trail. The trail also crosses a moraine field scattered with giant boulders (look for the waterfall that plunges down another rock slide on the left). The forest opens as the trail enters Lower Paintbrush Camping Zone hike over a stream (good water source) via a wooden bridge with views of the valley straight ahead. You’ll see a small waterfall on the right, as you hike along this now-rocky trail.Īs you turn the corner, incredible views of an unnamed lake are revealed on the left. Look for quartz veins in the granite rock. Glacial erratics (good for bouldering) flank the trail. The ascent continues along a well-maintained, dirt singletrack covered with pine needles it’s rocky in spots.Ī rocky slide area borders the trail on the left. Wind through a small aspen grove before crossing a creek and starting the steady ascent into the canyon.īear left Y-junction, heading toward Paintbrush Canyon. Ahead, the trail curves north across open hillsides dotted with boulders, sage, and scrub. Cut through a wooded area with a spicy pine scent, then cross a grassy area next to String Lake. Head south from the parking area to reach the String Lake Trailhead.Īt the String Lake Trailhead, turn right (heading southwest) and cross the wooden bridge between String and Jenny lakes.īear right Y-junction toward Paintbrush Canyon. nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/back.htmĬONTACT Grand Teton National Park, (307) 739-3300 nps.gov/grte/ Reservations accepted ($20 administrative fee for permits during peak season). PERMIT A wilderness permit is required for all overnight camping in the backcountry. INFO For information on permits, current trail and camp conditions, and wilderness guidelines, go to nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/things2know.htm. Turn left and cruise 1.3 miles along Jenny Lake back to String Lake trailhead.

Turn left onto a lesser-used horse trail and drop. Descend gradually past glacial erratics and small caves along Cascade Creek 3.4 miles to a Y-junction. The next day, hike 2.8 miles southeast on the Lake Solitude Trail to a left turn onto Cascade Canyon Trail. Blue and purple alpine forget-me-nots, the park’s official flower, dot the landscape through late summer. Owen, and Teewinot Mountain) to the south. Cross the 10,720-foot divide, often snow-covered until August, then descend 2.3 miles to Lake Solitude (9,035 feet).Ĭhoose a campsite, just beyond, in one of the North Fork Cascade Camping Zone’s 14 sites, most with spectacular views of the Cathedral Group (Grand Teton, Mt. But don’t let bears distract you from the view: The jagged Tetons dominate the skyline. Pack a bear bell or sing through this stretch grizzlies and black bears forage here. Woodring before tackling a 1,310-foot, 1.5-mile pull to the crest of Paintbrush Divide. You’ll cross a marshy area west of String Lake (look for moose), then curve north across sage-covered foothills before climbing 4.6 miles through subalpine forest to Holly Lake at 9,410 feet.Įat lunch in the shadow of 11,539-foot Mt. 2 mile, bear right at a Y-junction onto the Paintbrush Canyon Trail. 1 mile to a bridge between String and Jenny Lakes. See a Tetons highlight reel of big views, lumbering moose, and sweet solitude on this 18.1-mile counterclockwise loop starting at String Lake trailhead. Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members!

2 night camping paintbrush divide trail