Details: Cascade Canyon

The hike up Cascade Canyon features a scenic boat ride, beautiful waterfall and nice overlook with views of Jenny Lake, surrounding peaks and the Gros Ventre Mountains. Beyond the viewpoint the hike gently ascends gorgeous Cascade Canyon beneath towering peaks.

Trailhead to Inspiration Point

Distance from Trailhead: 1.8 miles (round trip)

Ending/Highest Elevation: 7,200-ft.

Elevation Gain: 400-ft.

This hide starts by taking the shuttle boat (fee required) across Jenny Lake to the boat dock at the mouth of Cascade Canyon on the west side of the lake. The boat ride is quite scenic, featuring great views of Nez Perce (11,901-ft.), Teewinot Peak and Cascade Canyon. The shuttle boat, which runs every 10-15 minutes, reduces the hike distance to 2.0 miles one-way (4.0 miles round-trip). Check the current boat schedule before setting out.

If you decide not to take the shuttle boat, the walk starts near the boat dock on the southeast side of Jenny Lake and then follows the Jenny Lake Trail around the south and west sides of the lake, reaching a junction with the Cascade Canyon trail at 2.1 miles.

This hiking description assumes you start the hike at the boat dock on the west side of Jenny Lake. Add 2.0 miles to the hiking mileage listed below if you walk around the lake.

From the boat dock at the mouth of Cascade Canyon the trail initially heads south, ascending on easy grades through spruce-fir forest. Soon the trail curves to the west, passes a junction (stay left) and then crosses a wood bridge over Cascade Creek at 0.2 miles. Beyond the bridge the trail climbs on moderate grades, passing junctions with the Jenny Lake trail. Stay on the Cascade Canyon trail toward Hidden Falls, Inspiration Point and Cascade Canyon.

At 0.5 miles reach the junction with the spur trail to Hidden Falls, branching left. Take a detour and visit the viewing area at the base of the impressive falls, dropping over 200-ft. down a series of tiers. Return to the main trail after seeing the falls.

Past the Hidden Falls junction the trail quickly crosses a wood bridge to the north side of Cascade Creek and then climbs rugged switchbacks up a granite knoll to Inspiration Point (7,220-ft.), 0.9 miles from the boat dock. As you climb enjoy views of the summits of Teewinot Mountain, Mount Owen and Grand Teton to the southwest.

From Inspiration Point vistas extend across Jenny Lake to the Gros Ventre Mountains and the Gros Ventre Slide, a massive 1925 landslide. Turn around for views of Storm Point and Symmetry Spire to the west. Teewinot Mountain towers over Cascade Canyon to the southwest. As you stand at the viewpoint imagine the massive glacier that flowed out of Cascade Canyon. When the glacier receded it deposited the moraines (low ridges) that dam Jenny Lake. (Note: Views from the overlook are best in the afternoon.)

Inspiration Point to the Forks of Cascade Canyon

Distance from Trailhead: 9.3 miles (round trip)

Ending/Highest Elevation: 7,860-ft.

Elevation Gain: 1,060-ft.

Beyond Inspiration Point the path curves to the west, ascending on easy grades through trees and lush vegetation along the north side of Cascade Canyon. The rugged crags of Cube Point rise to the north of the trail. Over the next 3.7 miles the trail will gain about 650-ft. on its way to the Forks of Cascade Canyon.

At 1.3 miles pass the junction with the horse trail dropping down to the lake. A short distance beyond the trail reaches an overlook with nice views of the creek spilling over large rock slabs.

At 1.6 miles the trail starts a traverse through a series of rock slide beneath Storm Point. Soon views open to jagged profiles of Teewinot Mountain, Mount Owen (12,928-ft.) and the summit of Grand Teton (13,770-ft.) towering above the south side of the canyon. This trio of the highest peaks in the park is referred to as the Cathedral group because the jagged summits resemble church spires. Yosemite Peak, Peak 10650 and The Wigwams rise along the head of the valley to the west. Beneath the trail Cascade Creek meanders down the willow choked valley floor.

As you hike up Cascade Canyon, keep an eye out for moose, which are often seen grazing in the dense willows along the canyon bottom. You will also see beaver dams along sections of the creek.

At 2.3 miles the trail travels along another rock slide. Here the creek broadens into a small pond, known locally as Perch’s Pond. Here views again open to Teewinot Mountain, Mount Owen and Grand Teton along with the summits at the head of the canyon. Early in the morning the peaks of the canyon are reflected in the pond’s still waters. This is a lovely little spot and a good turnaround point for people seeking a short hike up the canyon.

As you continue up the canyon the trees start to thin and small meadows appear, offering up views of the canyon’s high peaks. At 2.8 miles lovely views open to a waterfall spilling down the rugged slope between Teewinot and Mount Owen. A short distance beyond a traverse through another rock slide serves up great views of the rugged crags of the Rock of Ages looming above the north side of the trail.

At 3.4- and 3.7-miles the path travels along avalanche chutes beneath the steep slope of the Jaw and Buckingham Palace, summits along the ridge rimming the north side of the valley. The open slopes offer views of the rugged crags. Across the valley to the south a waterfall is soon seen cascading down the gorge below Valhalla Canyon, a hanging valley extending from the northwest flanks of Mount Owen and Grand Teton. A short distance beyond the summit of Grand Teton is seen rising beyond Mount Owen.

At 4.0 mile the trail reenters the trees and a half mile beyond crosses a wood bridge over the rushing waters of Cascade Creek. The bridge is located just above the confluence of Cascade Creek with the South Fork of Cascade Creek. Beyond the bridge the trail climbs on moderate grades, reaching the Forks of Cascade Canyon at 4.65 miles. (Note: Our mileage includes the side trip to Hidden Falls.)

The Forks, a forested junction where the North and South Fork of Cascade Canyon meet, is the turnaround spot for this hike. During the middle of the day the forks is a busy place, with both day hikers and backpackers using nearby logs to rest, eat lunch or just enjoy the creek rushing down the valley floor to the south of the trail.

At the Forks, the South Fork of Cascade Canyon trail branches left (south/southwest), climbing to Hurricane Pass (10,400-ft.) while gaining 2,525-ft. in 5.1 miles. To the right (northwest) is the trail to Lake Solitude (9,035-ft.) and Paintbrush Divide (10,720-ft.).

Note: If time and energy permit, I strongly recommend continuing beyond the Forks for 0.9 miles. The trail initially travels through forest, crossing to the west side of Cascade Canyon at 5.0 mile. As you ascend the trees give way to open meadows revealing an interesting granite knob rising to the west. A waterfall tumbles down the brushy slopes to the south of the knob.

At 5.6 miles the trail crosses back to the west side of the creek on a small wood bridge. From the area around the bridge enjoy terrific views of the Cathedral Group -- Teewinot Mountain, Mount Owen and Grand Teton. Ahead are views of the North Fork, a classic glacial valley rimmed by rugged granite peaks. In season the meadows support a variety of pretty wildflowers.

Beyond the crossing the trail continues to beautiful Lake Solitude at 7.3 miles. For more information see the Lake Solitude hike.

Whatever your destination, after enjoying the views turn around and retrace your steps back to the boat dock. Keep an eye on the time so you don’t miss the last boat back and have to walk an additional 2.0 miles back to your vehicle.