Type: Trail, Out-and-back
Difficulty: 6 / 10
Altitude: 6,732 ft
Elev. Gain/Loss: 2,228 ft / 2,228 ft
Dog Friendly: No
Jog-Stroller Friendly: No
Filed Under: Hiking, Running
From Lupine Meadows Trailhead (6732 ft) follow the trail up through Garnet Canyon. At 1.7 miles the trail forks (the left branch is the Valley Trail to Taggart and Bradley Lakes). Stay right and continue for 1.5 miles where the trail forks again, allowing access to Ampitheatre and Surprise Lakes. Go left, following the signs to Garnet Canyon. After 1.1 miles, the Platforms (8960 ft) campsites are reached. The last .3 miles of this run are talus-trail, but not bad on the ankles due to the amount of traffic by alpinists in the summers.
For a great view of the Tetons you can extend this run by continuing 1.0 miles and 240 vertical feet through a short boulder field and then a good trail following the creek to the Meadows (9200 ft) camping area - well worth the extra distance after the strenuous climb.
Expect a lot of hiker and backpacker traffic on this trail, particularly the first mile or two, and particularly on summer and holiday weekends. Runners are usually given right of way if the 'packers notice you (they like to take their little breaks and you're giving them a great excuse by running past!) No horses are allowed on the trail.
Garnet Canyon, a major approach to mountaineering routes on the South, Middle, and Grand Tetons, is located in the northwest corner of Wyoming inside Grand Teton National Park.
From the north entrance of the park, drive south 28.5 miles to Moran Junction on highway 191. From Moran Junction, continue south on highway 191 for 18 miles to Moose Junction where you turn right (west). From Jackson, Wyoming, drive north 12 miles on highway 191 to Moose Junction and turn left (west).
At Moose Junction, drive about seven miles to the sign for Lupine Meadows Trailhead (the first left turn after the AAC climber's ranch turnoff, immediately past the Teton Glacier Turnout). Turn left and follow the road about a mile to the trailhead. If you miss the turn, the next is the South Jenny Lake campground and ranger station, about a quarter mile north of the Lupine Meadows turnoff. Expect a lot of cars at this trailhead and be prepared to park up to 1/2 mile down the road on summer and holiday weekends. This is the most popular trail to the Grand Teton's trade routes.
The road through GTNP is closed in winter when snow conditions require plowing. There is a $20 fee to enter the park, valid for seven days; a National Parks Pass allows free entry to this and all other National Parks for the year it is valid ($50 or so).
Posted by: tradkelly and last modified on Feb 02, 2006 by thoos
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