Granite Canyon/Open Canyon Loop via Valley Trail

Granite Canyon/Open Canyon Loop via Valley Trail is a strenuous loop of about 20 miles from Granite Canyon Trailhead. It climbs Granite Canyon, crosses Mount Hunt Divide at about 9,700 feet, drops through Open Canyon, then returns by Open Canyon Cutoff and Valley Trail. You get a long forest-and-meadow climb, a high alpine crossing and a quieter, switchbacking descent. The park lists this as a one-night backcountry itinerary; strong hikers can push it into a very long day. Plan around 10 to 12 hours if you do it in one go. Published mileage varies by about a mile, so use 20 miles as the planning figure. If you want the same high point with less distance, the Mount Hunt Divide out-and-back is listed at 13.6 miles round trip and about six and a half hours.

The trail leaves the small lot through open meadow and aspen, drops into forest and crosses Granite Creek on a footbridge. Around 1.4 miles in, a short steep climb gains a glacial moraine; after another creek crossing, turn onto Granite Canyon Trail. The grade starts gradually, then steepens through boulder fields with glimpses of the opposite canyon cliffs and the creek below. The route passes through an open avalanche slope, climbs away from the water, and reaches upper subalpine meadows below Housetop Mountain. Two creek crossings come before the Open Canyon junction, roughly 7.75 miles from the start.

At the junction, take the route toward Open Canyon and climb steeply to the Mount Hunt Divide camping zone. The grade eases for stretches through older forest and small meadows, with views opening toward Rendezvous Mountain, Cody Peak and Jackson Hole. The last climb is steeper and rocky, with switchbacks below the divide. At roughly 9,700 feet, the ridge gives a wide look back toward Granite Canyon and out over Open Canyon. This is the point to pause and take in how much country sits between the two drainages.

The descent starts with repeated switchbacks through rocky upper terrain, then opens into meadows above a small, deep gorge. After the open slopes, the route spends nearly two miles in forest before reaching the creek near the bottom of Open Canyon. The canyon opens toward Jackson Hole and the Gros Ventre Mountains. Around mile 16, take Open Canyon Cutoff across a glacial moraine to Valley Trail. The return is gentler, with occasional short hills and meadow views, then rejoins the Granite Canyon approach to close the loop. Stream crossings can be difficult in high water; this is remote backcountry, not a casual trail run.

The Granite Canyon Trailhead is one mile north of Granite Entrance Station on Moose-Wilson Road. Its lot is small, and the road cannot be used by vehicles longer than 23.3 feet or by trailers. There is a toilet but no water at the trailhead. Fill up before you arrive. Overnight camping requires a backcountry permit, and pets are prohibited on park trails.