Tetons planning

[Joey]

I was reading on-line that in the earlier part of the season an Ice Ax is required. Is this for self arrest or is it needed for certain passes?

No, its never required. Nothing is required in GTNP other than a backpacking permit, and a food canister.

It is definitely something you may want to have, depending on the current conditions. Assuming you know how to self arrest. Every year is different. This June, there was still avalanche danger near both Hurricane Pass and Paintbrush Divide. Last June (2013), there was only marginal snow. You kind of just have to keep up with current conditions.

Generally, Paintbrush Divide is the one dangerous spot that lingers into mid July. Crampons and a trekking pole may be just as helpful as an ice axe. It just depends. Unless your comfortable on snow, and familiar with the rocky mountains, I wouldn't recommend planning a trip for the Crest Trail involving Paintbrush Divide before mid July. You can certainly do it, and it gets done all the time. But if this is new to you, why not shoot for a safer month. Backcountry rangers sometimes will dig out a trail across the slope, but there is no guarantee of that, and the dangers of a fall still exist.

 

[Bob]

Another trip planned for there Joey ??????

 

[Absarokanaut]

Must rent Ice Axes until Thanksgiving. Must rent ice axes until thanksgiving....

Joey and I know that some people some times don't need ice axes some times and other times really everyone going over Paintbrush or something as exposed should have one however comfortable we might be with high degrees slopes of snow and ice. Last summer mirroring the Park Service's recommendations we rented ice axes into August. In 2013 not many any after mid June. I didn't rent axes in 2012 and 2011 but those years were like the last two a mixed bag, no need after major melt off in 2012 but in 2011 we essentially had no Spring and axes were life savers into Labor Day for some folks. It's all what you're comfortable with as long as you know when you shouldn't be comfortable. Some folks without axes last summer hurt themselves. Some [people with ice axes hurt themselves. Most years its about July 10 when axdes really aren't needed anymore on Paintbrush.

Gawd bless the Moulton Barn being the most photographed barn in the world. Far better than an oil and gas well. Love my county where everyone of us owns a share of the more than 96% of the county that is Federal Land. Driggs is full of inbreds and inebriated comuters. Heeh heeh. Glad we all have senses of humor.

 

[Absarokanaut]

Whoops. Technomornm,n makes double post. An excuse to pop the cork on a fine bottle of Teton Porn from everyone. Heading westbound over Hurricane.

 

[Chuck the Mauler]

That's funny, Utah (@Joey ). I've camped at that same lake and there were 2 other people there.

 

[Joey]

Another trip planned for there Joey ??????

Yeah, you want to come? I'm thinking I will try hiking your entrance route down from Lake of the Woods. Sometime in late August, or mid September.

 

[Joey]

That's funny, Utah (@Joey ). I've camped at that same lake and there were 2 other people there.

You should tell that to the patrol ranger

 

[Ben]

for kicks, here's @Absarokanaut 's picture the very end of june. i did the teton crest then, and only saw one other party, but i don't recommend it. september sounds nice.

heading eastbound over hurricane.

 

[Joey]

OK, i'll play. If you look at both John and Ben's pictures, you see a wall on the right, a low saddle (avalanche divide) in the middle, and the south Teton to the left. In the picture below, I'm standing on that saddle (avalanche divide), and taking a picture looking across at where John and Ben took their pictures from. This picture is from mid September. You can see there is still a little snow, but not nearly as much:

 

[Bob]

Yes would go again ..... we went with a lot of smoke. September would be better.

 

[Chuck the Mauler]

Yeah, you want to come? I'm thinking I will try hiking your entrance route down from Lake of the Woods. Sometime in late August, or mid September.

I'm in. Lets set the dates so I can work on flight and shuttle arrangements.

Did you ever talk with the rangers after that particular hike?

 

[backwoodsBob]

My addition to all this wonderfull advice would be to remind ya that when your headed into the Tetons, your stepping into Genuine, high population, unpredictable, BEAR country.... bearspray & become bear aware.

 

[Bob]

Yep, Wineagar Hole just a few miles West from Grassy Lake is THE highest concentration of grizzly around....
Although on our previous week trip all we saw was squirrels and hawks in the way of wildlife... disappointing to say the least.

Joey, guess I had better get together in SLC for planning.

 

[Absarokanaut]

Let's not get 'em too scared Bob. The vast majority of folks hiking "The Crest" encounter blackies, very few grizzlies. However the note to be cautious is a good one I'm sure the OP had already assumed for the Winds. Just as they have in the Winds grizzlies have made their way down both Teton Fronts for several years. and blackies deserve the same respect any way.

The transition from the Northern Tetons to Squirrel Meadows, the Winegar Hole, the Bechler, its all amazing; with the most precipitation the lushest place in the State. Lots of short sight distance places. Not the place to be hiking with a poke chawp raund yohr neck. I've been thinking of 3 days in that area, Union Falls overnight and boondock near Fish Lake Trailhead another night. Later August.

Back to Teton Crest Porn

 

[Joey]

I'm in. Lets set the dates so I can work on flight and shuttle arrangements.

Did you ever talk with the rangers after that particular hike?

Have you talked this over with Mrs. Wolfe? I'm going to need to see written permission.

 

[Absarokanaut]

I have heard that grizz have been displaced by Velociraptors on all the forks of Boone Creek.

 

[isleroyaleguy]

We are planning a Tetons trip for next September. We have never been so we are looking for advice from people who have went thru the permit process, either online or mail in. What works best,.what not to do. All input is helpful and appreciated.
Thanks
IRG

Just went through the online permit system for Tetons. Got just what I wanted. Some areas where filling up. Easy system to use.
Aug 30 Marion lake
31 Death Canyon shelf
Sept 1 South Cascade Canyon
2 North Cascade Canyon
3 Holly lake.
We will do this trip a couple days after we do a 5 day Wind's trip.
Should be an epic adventure.
Cheers
IRG

 

[Joey]

Just went through the online permit system for Tetons. Got just what I wanted. Some areas where filling up. Easy system to use.
Aug 30 Marion lake
31 Death Canyon shelf
Sept 1 South Cascade Canyon
2 North Cascade Canyon
3 Holly lake.
We will do this trip a couple days after we do a 5 day Wind's trip.
Should be an epic adventure.
Cheers
IRG

Nice! Hope you guys have a great trip!

Let me know if you guys need a shuttle. I may be able to help. I'll definitely be in Jackson on August 30th

 

[Chuck the Mauler]

You may want to continue past the shelf and stay in the Alaska Basin on day 2. It is a short hike from Marion to the DC shelf. If you do, you will have time to day hike up to Static Peak from the Basin before gearing up and heading into the South Fork Cascade Canyon the next day. No permit needed there so feel free to continue across the shelf.

Looks like you will have time for a side trip up to Mica Lake on September 2nd too. That will be a short easy day.

@Joey , won't you be in the back country in the North part of the park with Bob and I then?

 

[isleroyaleguy]

Nice! Hope you guys have a great trip!

Let me know if you guys need a shuttle. I may be able to help. I'll definitely be in Jackson on August 30th

I
I just might hold you to that.
What are the shuttle options?

Nice! Hope you guys have a great trip!

Let me know if you guys need a shuttle. I may be able to help. I'll definitely be in Jackson on August 30th

You may want to continue past the shelf and stay in the Alaska Basin on day 2. It is a short hike from Marion to the DC shelf. If you do, you will have time to day hike up to Static Peak from the Basin before gearing up and heading into the South Fork Cascade Canyon the next day. No permit needed there so feel free to continue across the shelf.

Looks like you will have time for a side trip up to Mica Lake on September 2nd too. That will be a short easy day.

@Joey , won't you be in the back country in the North part of the park with Bob and I then?

Great suggestions!
I haven't even thought of side trips yet. I can really plan now that I got the route set. This will be our first time in the Tetons backcountry. I always love the first time anywhere.
Cheers
IRG