Quick Guide

The Teton Valley is loaded with endless outdoor adventures to explore. There are numerous national forests, parks, rivers, peaks, canyons and lakes that define Eastern Idaho and Western Wyoming. This hiking guide to the Teton Valley is only a small glimpse of what Idaho and Wyoming have to offer. With that said, we have compiled a short list of classic hikes in close proximity to Rexburg, Idaho. Rexburg is a small college town laden with outdoor adventurists; yet many are held back because very few public resources are readily available to point them in the right direction. Consequently, we have gathered information from all over the internet, coupled with personal experience, in order to create a solid reference base for these five hikes. Our information is not all-encompassing, but serves as a basic backbone for information and trail descriptions.


Before heading out on any adventure, however, there are a few things to always keep in mind. Outdoor recreation goes hand in hand with increased safety hazards. Some activities present a greater risk than others. Although the trails listed herein are relatively low key, we still expect hikers to use their common sense and good judgment. As a simple reminder, there are a couple things with which out-of-towners may not be familiar:

• This is Bear Country. While this is not a site to give specific bear information, there are necessary precautions that need to be met. Parks and forests have varying regulations regarding safety procedures. It is your responsibility to be aware of specific rules and to act accordingly.

• Weather is unpredictable. That may seem like common sense, but it is even more so here than many other environments. In a nutshell, the Grand Teton mountain range divides Wyoming and Idaho. There are atmospheric differences between the two sides and those different pressures, temperatures, weather patterns, etc. all collide over the peaks of those mountains. This very region that we are writing about is notorious for its spontaneity. We see sudden onsets of severe thunderstorms, drastic temperature changes, and extreme rain. Be prepared for anything out here!

The following is a brief overview of a few trails that are area favorites. If you click on the trail name on the sidebar to the right, you can find directions, a detailed description of the hike based on first hand experience, and personal photographs taken along the trail. Any image can be enlarged simply by clicking on it. You will find brief captions for the photos at the bottom of each entry. Feel free to leave your feedback, comments or experiences in the comment box at the end of each post. We hope you enjoy!

Trail	R Mountain	Aldous Lake	Wind Caves	Table Rock	Middle Teton
Difficulty	Easy	Easy	Moderate	Difficult	Strenuous
Distance (round trip)	1.5 mi	2.6 mi	5.2 mi	11 mi	14.5 mi
Approx. Hike Time (round trip)	1.5 hrs	2.5 hrs	3-4 hrs	8-11 hrs	12+ hrs
Approx. Distance to Trailhead	9.5 mi	55 mi	60 mi	55 mi	102 mi
Elevation Gain	600 ft.	480 ft.	1870 ft.	4009 ft.	6014 ft.
Trail Condition	Sandy and uphill. Maintained trail. It's a fairly straight trail, no switchbacks. West side of mountain makes for great sunsets.	Constant, but slight incline. Maintained by forest service. Glimpses of wild flowers and the stream dot the trail.	Maintained Trail. Scenic canyons and waterfalls. Varied steepness from flat to vertical. Enter the cave only with proper gear.	Steep parts with switchbacks. Bridgeless streams. Last stretch before summit is rocky with no trail. Wildlife encounters are probable.	Maintained forest trail. Woods turn to rocky canyon. Heavy scrambling. Loose rocks. Snow patches into late summer.
Best Season	Mid-Spring to Mid-Fall	Early-Summer to Mid-Fall	Early-Summer to Mid-Fall	Early-Summer to Mid-Fall	Mid-Summer to Early Fall

R-Mountain

Directions

From Rexburg, head west on Main Street (Hwy 33). Travel about 8.5 miles past the railroad tracks that cross Main Street just beyond BMC Construction (hardware store).

After 8.5 miles, turn left on 3700 East. It isn't labeled, so be on the lookout for landfill signs and a cattle guard on the left. The landfill is on the same road that takes you to the base of the mountain. The cattle guard has several old tires rung around the side posts.

Than travel a little less than a mile on 3700 East until you arrive at a 4-way intersection with Twin Butte road. Turn Right.

Follow Twin Butte road another mile or so until you come to a parking lot on your left. The parking lot is on the back side (west) of R-Mountain.
For directions with map, click here.
For terrain map, scroll down.


R-Mountain Trail

This incredible structure was formed centuries ago when a then active volcano erupted, expelling hot lava that was met by the cold rushing water of the Snake River. The lava was unable to crystallize but instead became glass that shattered into smaller pieces which then fused together and settled in the hot ash on the ground. The butte, as a result, is rather sandy with very peculiar rock formations around its sides.

While hiking the quick climb to the top, you will gain a few hundred feet in elevation. Its total altitude is only 5,619 feet. Because of the desert location of this hike, you may want to be on the lookout for rattlesnakes along the rocky surfaces. They are rare, but they do appear from time to time.

The trail up the mountain begins at the parking lot. It's a very sandy trail, but easy to follow. For part of the trail there are wood-railed fences to guide hikers along. The trail is simple and strait, but be aware of weather conditions. Extreme temperatures often make it a dry, arid butte. Take plenty of water. Once at the top, conditions are generally windy. Even on warm days, R-mountain tends to be very cool in the evenings due to the wind-chill. Packing an extra jacket for good measure is never a bad idea.

Above: Distant photo of R-Mountain from the north.
Right: A hiking trail map available from the Idaho Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
Below: The "R" on R-Mountain

Information gathered from http://www.visitidaho.org/thingstodo/outdoor-education/north-menan-butte.aspx
For further information, click the link above.

Aldous Lake

Directions

From Rexburg, travel north on 2nd East towards St. Anthony. Pass the railroad tracks and stay left at the fork, where 2nd East becomes North Salem Road. Continue long beyond the sand dunes. Just beyond the dunes the road becomes Red Road. Stay on it until you reach a three-way, triangle intersection. Bend right. Shortly after the bend, Red Road becomes A-2 Clark County Road. Continue on this road several miles until it bends 90 degrees to the right and becomes both Idmond Road and A-2 Clark County Road. Just past this point, Idmond Road breaks left and heads north into Kilgore. Remain on Idmond Road and head north (left).

Once you pass through the tiny town of Kilgore (just one small convenience store), the road arrives at a "T" with Antelope Valley Road. You will see a sign directly in front of you with arrows pointing drivers in various directions. You will want to follow the Ching Creek arrow to the Left.

Note: Google Maps, by default, takes you to the right at the "T" on another route. However, Google is not aware that a large section of that route is private property where trespassing is prohibited. Stay left.

About a quarter mile after you turn left, there will be a right turn onto East Camas Road. Follow East Camas Road until it becomes Cottonwood Creek Road. At this point, you can follow the signs pointing to the Aldous Lake Trailhead where the road ends. There are a few campsites at the trailhead, but only one of the sites has room for a vehicle to park. Three others dot the first few hundred yards of the trail where motorized vehicles are prohibited. If you plan to car camp, be aware of the distance to the sites. With that in mind, you may wish to pack more appropriately.

For directions with map, click here.
Note: This is a link to Google Maps. It is the corrected version in order to avoid trespassing through private property.
For terrain map, click here.


Aldous Lake Trail

The trail is a fairly easy one. Part of the trail doubles up with the Continental Divide trail. There will be a fork after the first hundred yards where there are signs to point you to Aldous Lake or the rest of the Continental Divide trail. If you are hiking in early summer or late spring, there are often many colorful wildflowers in a small meadow to the left.

The trail begins to curve northward, following a small stream which progressively gets larger. The trees open up in various places, allowing hikers to catch a glimpse of the small flowing river. The river itself doesn't cross the trail, but there are several small springs that mud up the path. Fortunately, it is well preserved by the forest service and there are bridges that carry hikers over the muddy runoff.

As you approach the lake, the trail gets slightly steeper. There are many downed trees and large rocks that allow for great resting stops if needed. This particular trail is a family friendly path with small children, dogs and even active seniors. However, due to the easy nature of the hike, avid hikers may not need to stop.

Hiking along, the lake sneaks up suddenly. The trees open quickly and over the span of 10 yards or so, the trail drops quickly to the lake's side. You've arrived! There is a trail that surrounds the entire lake, allowing families or other groups to enjoy their own plot of lakeside view. At the lake fisherman, hikers, campers (there are a few sites), boy scouts, families, pets and wildlife can be found. There are beautifully colored birds, giant frogs, and if the season is right, lush, green grass spotted with wildflowers! Aldous Lake offers amazing scenery and the quiet tranquility of an alpine lake, despite the number of visitors.

For those who seek a little more adventure, you can continue up the trail even further to Hancock Lake. For information regarding Hancock Lake, visit the Dubois Ranger District website under the Caribou-Targhee National Forest homepage, or click here.


Photos
(click any photo for larger image)
At Top: Aldous Lake on a sunny day
Top Right: Colorful wildflowers decorate the trail
Above: The growing stream that intermittently accompanies the trail
Right: A large frog. Aldous Lake is home to various types of wildlife.

Darby Wind Caves

Directions

From Rexburg, head north on Hwy 20 until you arrive at the Driggs, Jackson exit. Take the exit and follow Hwy 33. You will pass through several small towns and eventually you will come to Driggs, Idaho. If you need a rest stop, this is a good place to do it. Driggs has many small shops, gas stations and a large grocery store.

After leaving Driggs, be on the watch out for East 3000 South. It will sneak up on your left. Turn here. The pavement ends shortly after and you will be on a smooth dirt road all the way to the trail head. This road will span maybe a mile or a little more and come to a "T". Take a right at the "T" onto South 275 East. Follow it around a bend to the left where it becomes Darby Canyon Road, leading to the trailhead. There is a steep road that peels to the right a little way down, but stay left on the main road. Although there are no more turns to make, be cautious as the road is narrow with an abrupt shoulder and drop off. Also, be aware that livestock have open access to the road. They don't always move quickly, but with a little urging, they may move a little faster.
For directions with map, click here.
For terrain map, click here.


Darby Wind Cave Trail
(Note: if you plan to enter the cave at the end of the trail remember to take proper gear: mainly flashlights and additional layers. Some caves require ropes, harnesses and technical knowledge of cave climbing. Do your research before entering any cave.)This hike starts out fairly smooth, flat and just a couple streams to hop over at the beginning. Between the narrow distance between banks, logs link the sides allowing hikers to cross over them quite easily. Some are dried riverbeds during parts of the year so there is no need to fear treacherous crossings...yet!As you continue hiking, the trail touches occasionally along the river bank from a height that offers beautiful scenery. Large boulders and entire cliff-sides that have fallen off the mountain line the river, offering an awe inspiring view that helps hikers remember just how little we are! The hike progresses slowly. There is some elevation gain here and there, with some subtle switchbacks few and far between, but don't let that fool you. As you enter the main canyon, the trail steepens, climbing up the left side of the canyon. This follows some high cliffs that line the canyon offering amazing views of the entire canyon, mountain meadows, wildflowers and the river. Have your camera with you because you will have an opportunity to take some excellent pictures.

Near the half-way point, you can finally see the cave high in the cliff wall. It's hard to believe you'll be that far away eventually, but it's well worth the climb! Conveniently enough, there are a few smaller checkpoints that make great refreshing rest points. One of which is a small trickle of a water fall. A mountain spring just up the canyon produces a small creek that falls over a large undercut rock. The resulting scenery is awe inspiring. The cool water is extremely satisfying on a hot day. Depending on how many hikers there are, you may need to fight for some time near the fall for a picture or two. Fortunately, the others around will not only let you get close without jumping in your shot, many will offer to take the picture for you!Moving on, the trail gets steeper. It begins to climb with short and choppy switchbacks. A little beyond the last small trickle of a fall is a larger waterfall. This one, however, is not quite as gentle. You'll want to keep your distance, but then again, those of you who want adventure won't be held back. Be careful. The water falls hard and fast. It even stings a little, but it can be worth the rush if that's what you're after.The next major point is the cave opening itself. Just upstream a small, steep distance lies the raging glacier river, violently spewing from the cave's mouth. You may want to take a few empty bottles with you. The water coming from the cave is cold, pure and the best tasting mountain water you will ever drink. We bottled as much as we could carry and stashed it in the fridge for later when we got home. Hang on tight to the bottles, though. The raging water can rip it right from your hand. Water at that speed and force is quite stunning. In fact, the next stage is the part that separates the men from the boys. Depending on the time of year, the river can be quite violent. Other times it can be much more tranquil. Either way, crossing the river without a bridge is the only way to enter the cave. When crossing, the water is fairly shallow; there is a bed of rocks that have been arranged to be relatively flat, but footing can slip quickly on the slick rocks. To further illustrate the danger, downstream is a very fast, raging river just shy of being a waterfall. About a hundred yards away it becomes the waterfall mentioned in the last paragraph. One slip and it will be near impossible to regain balance and footing. To make matters worse, there is no way to cross without getting soaked. This isn't just regular soaking wet, mind you. We're talking near freezing glacier water rushing into your shoes, numbing your feet and arms as it splashes against you. The wind from the water, the noise, sense of danger and the cold can quickly overwhelm all your senses, take your breath away, and distract you while trying to step in just the right spots that you can't see under the white water.While the situation is not exaggerated, the rush is worth the risk. If you stay calm and focused, you should be able to cross without too much trouble. Just exercise extreme caution (you may want to keep small children from crossing. Their weight may be too light to stay balanced in the rushing water). Once on the other side, you must follow the river up into the cave. There is no real trail here, as this territory is not staked out for average hikers. Those who venture into the cave are those who leave the beaten path and make their own adventure. With that in mind, you will need to scramble a little bit up stream, soaking wet, wading through more water (not nearly as dangerous), while hugging the side of the cave opening. Eventually, fallen rocks cover the entire river and all of the water flow comes from beneath the bed of rocks. Dry ground covers the cave at this point. You will want a head lamp if you intend to enter the cave further. Once inside, the pathway widens and narrows drastically until you come to a small hole just a few feet in diameter. The cave has another opening elsewhere, creating a wind tunnel. All the air pressure differences create the wind and channel it through this tiny hole. This means a lot of frigid air on wet clothes. My party and I weren't prepared to continue, so that was the end of our adventure. But others have traveled further into the cave. Be prepared; take lights and do some research. Caves aren't playgrounds, especially ones with which you are not familiar.For the more daring and adventurous, just one mile up the trial lies the Darby Ice Caves. Upon arrival at the entrance, there is a warning sign cautioning of the dangers that lie within and the equipment required. The ice cave is over three miles long with multiple climbs, rappels down ice-covered cliffs, hiking, wading through freezing glacier water and scissoring between crevasses over 30 feet high. This cave is not to be taken lightly. Climbing gear is a must! As you near the end, the cave begins to narrow until only a small crawlspace is all that remains. As you squeeze through, you enter a pit that sits at the very back end of the wind cave. This is your exit!



Photos
Top: View of the cave opening from across the canyon
Second from top: Wildflowers cover the open mountain meadows
Third from the top: A light, trickling waterfall. A great resting point.
Third from the bottom: A large waterfall that makes for a refreshing shower
Above: The opening to the cave with its rushing water. Near the base of the photo, you can see the flat arrangement of rocks on which hikers may cross.
Right: An ice climber in the upper ice cave. Again, special equipment is needed!

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Table Rock

Directions

From Rexburg, travel north on Hwy 20 until you reach the Driggs, Jackson exit. Take the exit and follow Hwy 33 until you come to Driggs. Once in Driggs, keep your eyes peeled for East Little Ave. Turn left. Follow that road until it becomes Targhee Ski Hill Road. This road will take you across the Idaho/Wyoming border, through Alta, and on towards Grand Targhee Ski Resort. The road becomes East Alta Road, then East Ski Hill Road. While the road is still East Alta, you will come to a fork. To the right is Teton Canyon Road, and to the left East Ski Hill Road continues. You will want to bear right onto Teton Canyon Road. If you miss the fork, you can still take the next right turn (a 90 degree right that creates a "T" with Ski Hill Road). Teton Canyon Road will lead you straight to the trailhead for Table Rock.
For directions with map, click here.
For terrain map, click here


Table Rock Trail

Table Rock (also called Table Mountain) sits right in the shadow of Grand Teton; just a stone's throw away, or so it seems. Table Rock offers a hike not for the faint of heart. It's no ultra-marathon of a hike, but it is long, drawn out and passes through fairly steep segments. There are parts with very short, choppy switchbacks, overall gaining over 4,000 feet of elevation. The lower regions are covered in forest and streams as you work your way through a mountain canyon. Wild flowers, alpine birds, and even moose cover the hillsides. Keep your camera handy in case that picture perfect moment presents itself.

Aside from the wildlife, there are babbling brooks throughout the canyon, many of which cross the trail. This particular trail, although maintained, has no formal bridges to assist crossing. You will need to be sure footed and steady as you cross on tipsy rocks, slick logs and sometimes even through ankle deep water. Bring some quality shoes with good grip and waterproof sealing. It will pay off. As you continue to climb, sturdy shoes or boots will also allow a more comfortable ascent as you leave the canyon forest where the trail disappears and improvise on the rocky ridge that leads to the "table".

After the forested canyon, the trail opens up into a giant bowl. The south wall (you enter from an opening on the west) is a long ridge that slowly approaches the "table". There are switchbacks that climb the west wall to the rim of the bowl. Here you'll find the last bit of trail that spans around the rim, heading to the south. Once to this point, it is a straight, visible shot to the top (top picture). As mentioned before, there is no distinct trail, but again, the direction is clear. As you approach the base of the "table", a slight trail cut into the side jets back and forth up the rock. At this point it is just a matter of yards to the top! The view is spectacular! My last attempt was a foggy, snowy, Labor Day, sandwiched between clear, 80 degree days, which yielded no visual reward worth seeing. A blanket of fog veiled the majestic peaks from our view. Again, this is a specific example illustrating the drastic changes that can take place in these parts. However, the adventure is still worth the trip, but even more so, it builds motivation and anticipation for another attempt in hope of clearer day.

Photos (click any photo for larger image)
Top: Table Rock from just below the approaching ridge
Top middle: A small stream with a makeshift bridge. Most streams do not even have a log.
Bottom middle: The large bowl from the south rim. Same position as the top photo, just a 90 degree turn to the left. The faint zigzag straight ahead is the trail climbing its way up the bowl. The canyon from which hikers enter the bowl is in the distance.
Bottom: The top of Table Rock on a foggy day. Grand Teton is literally breathing down your neck at the top. Let the lack of scenery demonstrate just how dense the fog can be.

Below: Video clip on our way down Table Rock's ridge.

Middle Teton

Directions

From Rexburg, head north on Hwy 20. After just a few miles, take the Driggs, Jackson exit onto Hwy 33. Stay on Hwy 33 for the majority of the distance. After passing through Driggs and Victor, ID it will turn into Hwy 22 at the Wyoming border, a steep mountain pass highway that cuts over the Teton Range to the south of the peaks. There is a nice rest stop at the peak of the mountain pass where there is a spectacular view of the Jackson Hole Valley. Continue on this road until you come to a "T" with Jackson's main strip, West Broadway. Turn Left.

Follow West Broadway a mile or so until you come to West Cache Dr. Turn Left. This road will take you past the Jackson Hole Airport. Continue a ways further and turn Left on Teton Park Road. This is the road that leads into Grand Teton National Park. Be prepared to pay a $25 entrance fee ($50 for a year pass into Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks). Follow Teton Park Road for several miles. Turn Left on Lupine Meadows Road until you meet the trailhead where the road ends. Remember, Grand Teton is a National Park. Consequently, camping is only allowed in designated camping areas. Camping outside of those areas will require a backcountry camping permit obtainable from the ranger station, usually at no additional cost.
For directions with map, click here.
For terrain map, click here.


Middle Teton

Grand Teton National Park has a reputation for marvelous peaks, pristine lakes, and beautiful alpine hikes. Each of the three major peaks, Grand Teton, Middle Teton and South Teton, are star attractions, each beginning from the same trailhead. When setting out on any hike in these parts, it is essential to know that, due to the mountain positioning, the differences in Wyoming atmospheric conditions and those of Idaho meet at these peaks, causing extremely unpredictable weather. Severe thunderstorms, flash-flood like rain and even extreme heat can suddenly broad-side any hiker without warning.
Be prepared for anything.

With that in mind, Middle Teton is a thrilling climb. Some special gear, although not required, is highly recommended. Climbers will want to carry an ice axe and crampons at the very least. Even during summer months, large snow fields cover the parts of the canyon leading to the summit, creating potentially dangerous conditions. You may not need them, but if you do, you'll be glad you packed them. Having said that, the trail begins at the Lupine Meadows Trailhead. The trail is fairly slow to climb at first. Hikers enjoy thick forest, lush with green vegetation. Small streams cross the trail, but there are maintained bridges to facilitate crossing. Make a mental note where these streams are. It can get hot up there, and cool glacial streams can provide a refreshing cool down.

The trail continues to get slightly steeper and the switchbacks become more frequent. After two or three miles into the trail, the trees open up for a spectacular view of vast Wyoming and some beautiful lakes that lie just below. Keep your eyes peeled. If you get the right weather conditions, it is really quite breathtaking. As you gain elevation, the veiw only gets better! The next major point is around 3.5 miles. The trees begin to thin; the trail becomes sandwiched between rocky, fallen shale. To one side a sharp ravine, to the other, a steep bed of rocks, shed by the cliffs high above.

The next stage is where the hike gets tough. As hikers enter Garnet Canyon, large boulders block both your foresight and the trail. Scrambling over and around these monstrous boulders is a must, but worth the trouble. The canyon only moves in one direction, so getting lost through the rock forest isn't an issue. However, once through the boulder field, a beautiful mountain meadow follows, as well as many small streams, and a few designated backcountry camping sites. Unless you're a gung-ho, tip-top shape hiker, staying overnight to rest is recommended. The steepest is yet to come, and the size of the canyon cliff walls make hours worth of hiking seem like you've gone nowhere at all. Psychologically, camping over night is relieving. Plus, the east entrance to the canyon channels all of the morning light of the indescribable sunrise. The horizon and surrounding peaks light up in a way that only an early bird can fully appreaciate. If camping sounds like what you'd like to do, be sure to give the ranger station a call, no more than 24 hours in advance, and arrange to pick up a backcountry camping permit. They are free, but in order to preserve the stunted, arduous growth at those elevations, the park service tightly regulates how many parties can camp at one time. There are several different locations where camping is permitted throughout the canyon. Contact the ranger station for a list of available sites.

Now the real ascent begins. There is no distinct trail once you reach Garnet Canyon. However, as you head up the canyon, it splits to the right and to the left with a large peak (Middle Teton) in the center. The trail to Grand Teton follows the right canyon (requiring a good deal of technical equipment: ropes, helmets, harnesses, etc. Only experienced parties should attempt Grand Teton). Middle Teton's approach takes the left canyon, ascending the peak from the southeast, wrapping around and summiting from the southwest. Since there is no trail, the climb is improvised the entire way. Keep in mind, there is only one pathway possible at this point, so getting lost is not an issue.

Up, up, up you go until you reach the saddle between South Teton and Middle Teton. You'll know it when you get there because the canyon comes to a T. Straight ahead is a sheer cliff that drops into a glacial lake lined with the most amazing shade of blue you'll ever see. No photography will do it justice. To the right is Middle Teton and to the left is the route to South Teton. Go right. (By way of psychological warning, there are several ridges or horizons that appear to meet the sky from down the canyon. They appear to be the last saddle. As you reach each "saddle" you will quickly see a new one, higher and further than the last. This can be discouraging if you are expecting each false saddle to be the last. There are probably 4 or 5 of which you should be aware).

This intersection is where the climbing gets tricky. Fatigue is beginning to set in. Your quality of food and water preparation begins to show here. Each step is harder than the last, creating rock slides that reverse your progress as you slip back with each forward movement. Be cautious of where your party members are and warn them of falling rocks when you knock them loose. The way becomes steeper, the air gets thinner, and your footing gets lazier as you approach 13,000 feet. Keep in mind that the peak is not the end. Climbers still need to descend, so be sure you reserve enough energy to safely descend. The majority of climbing injuries occur on the descent.

The peak lies a half mile to a mile from the saddle (the climbing speed and energy level at that altitude make it difficult to judge exactly). At this point, there are numerous ways to approach the peak. Keep your eyes ahead so you can see which routes might lead to dead ends. The last thing you want to do at this point is backtrack. It is difficult to give specific directions during this segment because each year new rock has fallen as the snow clears. You have to play this stretch by ear and work your way up. Be extremely careful. Abrupt cliffs, sliding rocks under foot and over head, and your physical/mental state make this part extremely dangerous and difficult. If you take proper precautions, you should be fine. But don't let all this talk of fatigue and danger scare you off. The peak lies just a little further. It is only about the size of a minivan, but the view is absolutely inspiring. Grand Teton sits to the north, standing as majestically beautiful as ever. Turning to the east you can see miles and miles into Wyoming. Southwards gives a view splashed with peaks, canyons and ridges just beyond South Teton's subtle peak. To the west looks deep into Eastern Idaho. If you get the right weather, you can see forever it seems (see video below). Take your pictures and begin the descent.

The descent is much faster than the climb. If you've taken your ice axe along (highly recommended for safety purposes), glissading is the fastest and most thrilling way to get down. When you come to the steep snow patches, simply sit on your hind quarters, lift your feet and your built in sled will take care of the rest. Use your ice axe to regulate your speed and to brake when necessary. Be careful, though. Before you know it, uncontrollable speeds can take over. Stay in control at all times; use the ice axe. WARNING: NEVER SLIDE BEYOND YOUR FIELD OF VIEW. DO NOT EVEN APPROACH WHERE YOU CANNOT SEE! There are countless cliffs throughout the canyon. It helps to keep mental notes as you ascend so you know where the cliffs are on the descent. (Note: remove crampons when glissading. Crampons are designed for extremely responsive traction in snow. It doesn't take much for a single spike to graze the surface, planting itself. Your foot then becomes just as a pole vaulter's sticking point, flinging you forward while remaining connected to the ground. The result is just short of ripping your foot clear off, and it hurts twice as bad.)

As you descend, again, be careful. Fatigue makes for easy stumbling over all the rocky surfaces. Ankles go out in a hurry with one wrong step. With that in mind, enjoy your hike. It is a beautiful canyon, a spectacular view and a real challenge for those who want it. Be safe.


Photos (click any photo for larger image)
Top: Middle Teton from Garnet Canyon
Second from Top: Busy bee along the trail
Third from top: Informational plaque welcoming hikers to the Meadows camping area
Third from bottom: South Teton peak from Middle Teton summit
Second from bottom: Grand Teton peak from Middle Teton summit
Bottom: One of Garnet Canyon's many snow fields. There are visible tracks from those who have glissaded down. In the distance is the northeast face of South Teton.
Below: Video clip from the summit of Middle Teton