The first day of the Teton Crest Trail — from the aerial tram at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort across high alpine passes with the Grand Teton towering overhead.

Stops on This Tour (12)

1. 1
   Jackson Hole Aerial Tram Summit The aerial tram lifts you 1,260 metres to the top of Rendezvous Mountain — the most scenic trailhead in the Rockies. The Teton Crest Trail traverses the spine of the range at high elevation. Bear spray is essential; grizzlies roam these alpine meadows. Carry a water filter; natural sources are abundant but untreated. Cell signal fades within the first hour.
2. 2
   Rendezvous Mountain Ridge The trail follows the ridge with views into both Jackson Hole to the east and the Idaho side to the west. The Teton Range rose along a fault line just nine million years ago — geologically, these are infant mountains, still gaining height.
3. 3
   Granite Canyon Trail Junction The Crest Trail turns northward into Granite Canyon. Wildflowers blanket the alpine meadows in July — Indian paintbrush, lupine, and arrowleaf balsamroot create a tapestry of colour against grey granite.
4. 4
   Marion Lake Overlook Below the trail, Marion Lake sits in a glacial cirque — a turquoise gem at 2,840 metres. The surrounding peaks form a natural amphitheatre. Pikas — small relatives of rabbits — call from the boulder fields with their distinctive high-pitched bark.
5. 5
   Fox Creek Pass The first major pass of the traverse at 3,020 metres. The Continental Divide is visible to the east. Looking north, the Grand Teton appears for the first time — 4,199 metres of dark gneiss and granite, the undisputed monarch of the range.
6. 6
   Death Canyon Shelf The trail traverses the Death Canyon Shelf — a broad bench at 3,000 metres with wildflower meadows extending to the cliff edge. Despite the ominous name, the shelf is one of the most beautiful sections of trail in the entire range.
7. 7
   Death Canyon Shelf Overlook From the shelf edge, Death Canyon drops 600 metres to the valley floor. The Phelps Lake is visible far below. Practice Leave No Trace principles — this fragile alpine meadow is damaged by even a single tent pitched off-trail.
8. 8
   Mount Meek Pass The second pass at 3,050 metres. The trail skirts snowfields that may persist into August. If crossing snow, kick steps carefully — a fall on steep snow without an ice axe can be uncontrollable.
9. 9
   Alaska Basin The trail drops into Alaska Basin — despite the name, it is in Wyoming on the Idaho border. Alpine tarns dot the basin floor, surrounded by scattered whitebark pines. This is prime grizzly habitat; make noise and keep food secured.
10. 10
    Sunset Lake Camp Area Sunset Lake marks the end of a spectacular first day. The lake reflects the western sky as daylight fades. Designated camping areas protect the fragile alpine turf. The silence at this elevation is profound — no roads, no engines, only wind and water.
11. 11
    South Fork Teton Creek Viewpoint From above Sunset Lake, the view south encompasses the entire route walked today — passes, ridges, and meadows stretching back to Rendezvous Mountain. Tomorrow's trail continues north toward Hurricane Pass and the Grand Teton.
12. 12
    Alaska Basin Tarn The final waypoint sits beside a small tarn reflecting the emerging stars. At 3,000 metres, the night sky is spectacular — the Milky Way arches overhead with a clarity impossible at lower elevations. The Tetons are a dark-sky park; light pollution is virtually absent.

Tour content is for entertainment and general information only. Verify practical details independently. Not a substitute for official guidance.