Hurricane Pass via South Fork Cascade Canyon

Hurricane Pass via South Fork Cascade Canyon is a 20-mile out-and-back from the West Shore Boat Dock to a 10,400-foot saddle, with 4,120 feet of climbing. Take the Jenny Lake shuttle across to reach the west-shore start; the hike itself is still a long haul. Expect 12 to 16 hours, with about 13.5 hours as a typical estimate. This is a very strenuous day hike, and the altitude makes the last miles feel bigger. Go for the glacier basin and the huge view over Grand, Middle and South Teton, not for an easy summit stroll.

Park at South Jenny Lake, then take the shuttle from the East Shore Boat Dock to the West Shore Boat Dock. Walking around the south end of Jenny Lake instead gives you the same destination as a 23.9-mile round trip, with about 250 more feet of climbing. The South Jenny Lake lot often fills in midsummer, so arrive before 9 a.m. At South Jenny Lake, before boarding, you’ll find restrooms, drinking water, a visitor center and ranger station. Check in with a backcountry ranger before setting out, especially if snow may still be on the high route.

From the west dock, the route climbs through the popular Inspiration Point approach before settling into a long walk up Cascade Canyon. The canyon stretch is comparatively gentle and follows Cascade Creek between steep mountain walls. Keep a steady pace here; it is a lot of miles before the hardest climbing begins. At the Forks, turn left into South Fork Cascade Canyon. The creekside trail rises gradually at first, with views opening toward Table Mountain and Mount Owen. Above the Avalanche Divide junction, the grade steepens into long switchbacks.

Schoolroom Glacier comes into view on the upper approach, beyond rocky lateral and terminal moraines. A small turquoise lake sits below the ice, and the rock ridges show how the glacier shaped this basin. Treat the glacier as something to look at, not a route extension: crevasses make walking onto it hazardous. Moose are sometimes seen in the willows beside Cascade Creek, though wildlife is never guaranteed and this is bear country; carry bear spray and give animals room.

At the pass, you are looking down on Schoolroom Glacier with Grand, Middle and South Teton spread across the skyline. The view is worth taking a proper break for after the climb. For a photo, keep the turquoise tarn and moraine in the foreground, then include the three peaks so the image holds both the scale of the basin and the height you have gained.

Snow can linger at the pass until mid-July. The dependable hiking season is after snowmelt and before the first fall snow; do not travel over snow here without prior snow experience and proper equipment. The last climb is steep and rocky, with narrow sections and switchbacks, at an elevation where effort comes harder. Pets are not allowed on this route. A backcountry permit is required if you plan to camp overnight; this description is for the full day hike.