Below is a listing of images and standard GIF images of our visit to Grand Teton/ National Park in August of 2002. The trek began at the Jenny Lake Ferry, which we used to cross the lake (save about 2.5 miles of hiking). The climb is steep to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point, and the trail continues this steep ascent for the first mile, then transition to a gradual ascent along the cascading stream. The trail is very woody, and we met a moose that was only 10 yards off the trail. The steep canyon walls give many outstanding views after another almost all the way to Lake Solitude. We had to take the South Cascade Canyon trail and camp out in the South Cascade Camping Zone because the North Cascade sites were fully booked. We continue up the South trail for about 2 miles to the beginning of the Camping Zone. The site we selected was very good, with water close by, and a good view of the mountain peaks.
The next morning we headed back down the South Canyon paralleling the stream, and began the trek up the North Canyon Trail. From the trail junction, it is a gradual 2.7 mile climb to 9,035-foot Lake Solitude. This part of the trail breaks away from the wooded forest into meadows of wildflowers along the stream. We could see many small water falls in the canyon walls. Granite walls surround Lake solitude on two sides and on the north side by Paintbrush Divide. The climb up Paintbrush Divide is a long 4 legs switchback that climbs from 9035 to 10,700 feet. It took me almost two hours for this climb.
The decent on the North side is harder with loose rocks and very steep steps. We crossed one snow bank on our decent to Holly Lake. We were disappointed with the condition of the campsites on the lower side of Holly. After debating whether to go back up to the upper end of the camping zone, we opted out to hike the additional 7 miles back down to Jenny Lake to our pickup spot at Jenny Lake Lodge. So on this day, we make a 17-mile hike with full packs, but still enjoyed the views, the previous night camping and the wildlife we saw on the trail.
By clicking on them you will bring up a larger JPEG view of them.