Teton Crest Trail

The Teton Crest Trail is a 39-mile, one-way backpacking route from Phillips Pass to String Lake. It crosses open alpine basins, high passes and canyon shelves, with more than 9,000 feet of cumulative climbing. Much of the route sits above treeline, so the payoff is a long run of Teton views rather than one destination. The mapped line stored with this trail measures about 35.7 miles; route descriptions and mapped distance differ, so use the full 39-mile itinerary for planning instead of measuring the line on the map.

Most hikers allow four or five days. This is a strenuous high-altitude trip with no quick road exit, and you will need to arrange transportation between the two ends. An overnight in park backcountry requires a permit; camping zones are often full from late July into early September. The trail crosses neighboring forest land too, where separate rules apply. A Granite Canyon or aerial-tram start is a shorter alternative, but it is a different route.

The route begins at the pass, outside the park. The nearest signed access is Phillips Trailhead on Teton Pass: the marked approach to the pass is listed as five trail miles, separate from the 39-mile traverse. Follow the signed route at trail junctions, especially around the Ski Lake and Phillips Canyon branches. The parking field gives the road approach; the stored route line starts at the pass itself.

From Phillips Pass the trail heads north through the high country around Marion Lake, Fox Creek Pass, Death Canyon Shelf and Alaska Basin. Long stretches traverse open slopes and shelves, with broad views across the range. Wildflowers can fill the meadows in summer; marmots and pikas favor the rocky slopes, and bear and moose country calls for careful food storage and wildlife awareness.

The traverse continues over Hurricane Pass and through the Cascade Canyon forks, past Lake Solitude, then turns toward Paintbrush Canyon. Water is not evenly spaced: one trip account noted longer dry stretches after Lake Solitude toward Upper Paintbrush and between Marion Lake and Alaska Basin. Carry enough capacity, check current water conditions, and treat any natural water before drinking.

Paintbrush Divide, about 10,700 feet, is the route’s high crossing. Snow can linger on its north-facing slope into July or August in some years, so check current conditions shortly before departure and bring traction when conditions call for it. The exposed crossing can be slow in snow or poor weather; leave enough time and avoid pressing on if the pass is unsafe.

From the divide, descend Paintbrush Canyon to String Lake, where your arranged pickup or vehicle should be waiting. There is no food service along the remote traverse, and potable water is not available at the Phillips Trailhead. Pets are not allowed on park trails, so this is not a pet-friendly route.