Everything You Need to Know About the Teton Crest Loop
As I climbed to the top of Hurricane Pass, my jaw dropped. The beautiful Teton mountain range was directly in front of me. How was this place real? If backpacking the Teton Crest Loop isn’t already on your bucket list, it is now. This 52-mile loop is filled with stunning alpine lakes, glacier-carved valleys, and colorful meadows.
DETAILS
Where: Jackson, Wyoming
Distance: 52-mile loop (or if you get lost a lot like me, closer to 60 miles lol)
Elevation: ~10,000 ft. gain; peak elevation at 10,700ft.
Time of Year: Mid-June to September
Weather: Average summer temperatures are 70’s during the day and 30’s-40’s at night; afternoon thunderstorms are common
Permit: Yes
PERMIT
One third of the backcountry permits for the year become available at the beginning of January (date varies each year so make sure to check the nps.gov website for detailed info). You can book everything in real time but have to pay a $45 non-refundable fee. The backcountry permits require you to choose a backcountry camping zone for each night of your trip. Check out my Five Day Itinerary for the Teton Crest Loop to learn more about each camping zone option. If you’re in a group of 1 to 6 people, you can apply for any camping zone. If you’re in a group of 7 to 12 people, you can only apply for group campsites. Each zone is marked with signs – once you’re inside the correct zone for the night, you can choose anywhere to camp. Some zones have pre-marked campsites, some have group campsites, and some have no marked sites (you’re free to camp wherever).
The other two thirds of the backcountry permits are available by “walk-up” the day before the start your trip. Permits are available at either the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center or the Jenny Lake Ranger Station. They both open at 9AM, but I’d get there early since the permits are first-come first-serve. I arrived at the visitor center at 6:45AM and was already sixth in line! It was a freezing September morning so we sat outside wrapped in blankets and enjoying a hot coffee, made with our JetBoil, until they finally let us in. If you’re lucky enough to get a walk-up permit, it costs $35.
GEAR
Check out this gear list for a complete list of what I take on a long trek. Additionally, here are some things to note:
Bear canisters are required
Bring bear spray! (you’re in grizzly territory)
Water filter is a must – water is plentiful throughout the entire trail
If you go in the summer, mosquitoes are bad. Make sure to not only bring bug spray, but treat your gear and clothes with permethrin prior to your trip
Afternoon thunderstorms are common in the summer – don’t forget your rain gear!
Trekking poles are a must. There are a lot of steep inclines and declines. You’ll be happy you have them.
PARKING
Overnight parking is available at each trailhead parking lot. You’ll want to arrive as early as possible as the parking lots tend to fill up, especially in the summer.
TRAIL
There are many different backpacking routes along the Teton Crest, depending on the number of nights and miles per day you wish to do. I chose to do a five-day route that covered 52 miles. I break down this itinerary, as well as alternative routes on my Five Day Itinerary for the Teton Crest Loop blog post.
The trail itself ranges from moderately difficult to strenuous. There’s both stretches of flat valleys and challenging climbs over steep passes. The trail does require a good amount of planning as you must reach your designated “camping zone” each night. Depending on the time of the year, you may have to carry extra dirty water as few water sources may be available. Make sure to check on water availability with the ranger before you start your hike.
The Grand Tetons really are grand. This is a backpacking trip you won’t want to miss. Shoot me a comment with any questions and definitely let me know how it goes after checking it out!