Grand Teton National Park

[esbo]

Has anyone done and hiking/climbing in GTNP? I'm planning a trip for the coming "spring" - I know nobody wants that word uttered yet - and would appreciate any beta, minor or major, that you could share.

Thanks in advance!

[el-bagr]

I've spent some time there over the past few years. Lots of recreational opportunities, and spring is a good time to go if you like snow. (Go in August if you prefer to inhale dust.)

What are you looking to do? Hike? Mountaineer? Ski? Whitewater? Backpack?

Camp / hotel? We usually stay at Gros Ventre CG because it's easy, open in winter, and we've gone on the spur of the moment, but if you can get one of the closer-in CGs, you have easier access to the trailheads. In winter, if it's too cold to camp, I can recommend the Antler Inn in Jackson (cheap).

[djangoski]

I totally fell in love with the Tetons a couple of summers ago. Here's my photo journal (http://www.djangobliss.com/photogallery.html?picid=45) for that trip.

We hiked up past Jenny Lake, over the Paintbrush Divide and then down towards Lake Solitude and Grand Teton.

Hey, maybe you can hit up some spring skiing at Jackson Hole while you're there.

http://www.djangobliss.com/viewimage.html?imgid=331&rsize=1 (http://www.djangobliss.com/photogallery.html?picid=45)

[el-bagr]

Nice pics, django. We've done that hike in reverse order a few times. Lake Solitude and back is a fine bc ski, actually. Death Canyon too -- you can shortcut a lot of switchbacks if the snow is in.

The high traverse is good if you have 3+ days.

Other good day hikes include Surprise and Amphitheatre Lakes. Mt Moran is a fairly straightforward mountaineering destination, if you know how to handle yourself in those conditions.

If you will ever be able to spend much time in the park, or are the kind of adventurer who loves to read up on where you are going (and then some), I absolutely recommend A Climber's Guide to the Teton Range by Leigh Ortenburger. A veritable bible, covering hiking, mountaineering, rock & ice, and some skiing. Read this and plot your destiny!

[elwood]

Great pix django! Tetons are awesome. I haven't done much hiking in that area, but my brother climbed the Grand Teton a couple of summers back. He said it was the gnarliest climb he's done. I'll see if I can get a beta on it from him.

[esbo]

Thanks, all, for the advice and pics. Our month of :teardrop: is still a :confused: , so we could be :snowboarding: or climbing - or :happyhiker: if the snow keeps up out there.

Keep me posted if you think of anything else.

Thanks again! :D