Hi Julia,

Thanks for the question. I cover that Paintbrush-Cascade loop in my e-book “The Best Short Backpacking Trip in Grand Teton National Park,” including detailed instructions and tips on navigating the permit process. And I can help you plan that trip. See my Custom Trip Planning page to learn how.

You might also be interested in my stories “The 5 Best Backpacking Trip in Grand Teton National Park” and “https://thebigoutsideblog.com/how-to-get-a-permit-to-backpack-the-teton-crest-trail/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>How to Get a Permit to Backpack the Teton Crest Trail,” which applies to getting a backcountry permit for any trip in the park.

Thanks for the question and keep in touch.

Michael

Hi Peter,

I have gotten a walk-in/first-come permit at GTNP in the past. Since the park only allows one-third of available permits to be reserved in advance, two-thirds are available first-come, for walk-in backpackers, no more than one day before your trip begins. That gives you pretty good odds of getting a walk-in permit—especially if you show up at a park visitor center backcountry desk at least two or three hours before it opens, to get a spot near the front of the long line that will form. You are likely to at least get a permit for some hike, even if not your first choice, and I doubt you’ll be disappointed.

Good luck!

Our daughter is getting married in Jackson in September, and we want to do this hike the weekend before. Unfortunately I assumed trail permit reservations would open up six months in advance, not all dates on Jan 10. So of course all the advance permits are gone.

What’s your experience with getting day-of permits? Be at the ranger station super early and chances are good? No way, no how?

Hi Dillon,

No, deep snow will be covering the ground throughout the Teton Range in early May. Go backpacking there generally between mid-July and mid-September.

Good luck.

Would this trip be doable in early May? If not, what would you recommend?

Thanks!

-Dillon

Thanks, Jason.

Hi Amy,

Thanks for the question and kind words about my e-guides. I have plans to create and publish more of them, so keep an eye out for them. I’ve also recently created some e-guide bundles, so you can buy more than one at a discount off the individual prices.

Bummer that the tram is closed, that is a popular approach to the Teton Crest Trail for backpackers. If your kids can manage a first day of 8-9 miles (depending on where you stop to camp), Granite Canyon is pretty, has water, and mostly rises gradually uphill. You’ll finish with a bit of steeper uphill to reach the Middle/South Fork Granite camping zone, but with an early start, enough rest breaks for eating and drinking, it may not be as bad as you think. The early start also gets you on the trail in cooler temps, and the heat can be more tiring. That camping zone is in the mid-8,000 feet elevation range, which can make you feel a bit short of breath but doesn’t usually affect most people too badly.

Granite Canyon Trailhead is the most direct approach to that camping zone. If you’re on Death Canyon Shelf on your second night, then day two’s hiking will be shorter and easier. If you are in Death Canyon on your second night, that will involve a significant downhill and then climbing back uphill on day three.

I’ve always found it helps to talk to my kids prior to a trip, let them understand how challenging any of the days will be, and get their buy-in, and they’ve often risen to a challenge and been proud that they could surmount it.

If you’d like me to take a deep dive into helping you figure out the best itinerary plan for this trip, check out my Custom Trip Planning page.

Good luck and have a great trip in the Tetons! You really are going to a beautiful area of the park that’s not as busy as some areas.

Hi Clarissa,

Good question, because there was a large snowpack this past winter and spring. In fact, I just saw photos that friends of mine took while backpacking the Teton Crest Trail in the first days of July this year. As I had figured, the ground was bare in the canyon bottoms, but almost entirely snow-covered above around 8,500 feet, which means much of the route from upper Granite Canyon to Death Canyon Shelf, Alaska Basin, Hurricane Pass, and upper South Fork Cascade Canyon, plus the upper North Fork Cascade, Paintbrush Divide, and upper Paintbrush Canyon.

However, by the end of July, I expect you’ll see much of that snow gone, and I doubt you’ll have any problems with snow impeding your trip. I’m backpacking the TCT again at the end of August and very excited about it, too.

Thanks for the comment. Have a great trip!

Michael

Thanks for any advice!

Clarissa

Hi Khozem,

Last I checked, shuttle service to various points in Grand Teton National Park was provided by jacksonholealltrans.com. I haven’t used Uber or Lyft specifically in Jackson Hole or GTNP, but I wouldn’t be surprised if you can use them there.

Good luck.

Are there any taxi/Uber options to get from town to Death Canyon Trailhead and from Leigh Lake Trailhead to town?

Thanks in advance.