The Cascade Canyon Trail is the best hike in the Grand Teton National Park. A hike that all first-timers should do. Here are the most important tips you will need to plan your hike.
There are so many fun hikes to choose from in the Grand Teton National Park. We feel the Cascade Canyon Trail is the best after visiting several times over the years, we t. Most of the cool things can be seen at the beginning, so you don’t really have to hike the full 9.1 miles out-and-back if you don’t want to.
You will learn how to get to the trailhead, what animals to watch for, where to find the waterfall and other interesting points.
After reading about this hike, you will be prepared with everything you need to know to about the Cascade Canyon Trail. Be sure to bookmark and screen shot this post because cell service is RARE to find in the park and you don’t want to get lost.
This Post is all about the 7 most important tips to hike the Cascade Canyon Trail.
7 Tips for the Cascade Canyon Trail
1. Take the Jenny Lake Boat Shuttle –
2. Hike the Jenny Lake Trail –
3. Take Pictures at Hidden Falls –
4. Stop at Inspiration Point –
5. Soak your feet in the Cascade Creek –
6. Look for big Animals like Moose, Bears, Muskrats –
7. Play in the Snow (if Hiking before July) –
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1. Take the Jenny Lake Boat Shuttle –
If you start from the Jenny Lake visitor center, you have two options to get to the Cascade Canyon Trailhead. The first and easiest option is to take the boat shuttle across Jenny Lake (this is best if you have children or anyone who cannot hike far). The Boat Shuttle times vary throughout the year so make sure to confirm your first and last departure shuttle time in advance. It is super important to know what time the last Shuttle leaves the West Shore dock because if you miss it, then you will have a little over 2 miles to hike back around the lake (there’s no other option to get back across the lake). The shuttle runs every 10-15 minutes throughout the day.
2. Hike the Jenny Lake Trail –
This is the second option to get to the Cascade Canyon Trailhead. Instead of taking the boat, you can hike 2+ miles around Jenny lake. The shorter distance around the lake is to the left, If standing at the Jenny Lake Visitors center and facing the Teton mountain range. My 11 year old daughter has hiked the 2 miles twice barefoot, she cracks me up! Above is the Jenny Lake to Cascade Canyon Trailhead Map:
3. Take Pictures at Hidden Falls –
Now that you have arrived at the Cascade Canyon Trailhead, you can actually START the hike! Luckily, there is a really cool waterfall to see right in the first 0.5miles of the hike. It is a big beautiful waterfall and makes a gorgeous backdrop for your group photo. The best part is that you can take a cool group photo in the beginning of your hike before you get all sweaty and nasty. Also, if you have small children or elderly people in your group, they can take the boat across the lake and make the easy hike to the waterfall and be done for the day! We sometimes send the rest of the group on to finish the hike while some stay behind with the kids and play at the waterfall.
4. Stop at Inspiration Point –
Continue on the trail for 0.3 miles to get to Inspiration point, the next stop on the hike. This quick climb uphill on a rocky staircase-looking-thing on the side of a mountain can be done by most people, but it is a little tricky for those with mobility issues. If it’s too intense you can always turn around and take a rest at the waterfall. When at the top of Inspiration Point you may randomly have cell service (basically the only place in the park with cell service). The views are gorgeous looking out over Jenny Lake. We usually eat a snack here and watch the fat-belly Chipmunks walk up to the tourists with zero fear asking for a handout. This is a good time to teach the little ones a quick lesson on why its bad for the wildlife to eat human food… because they are gonna want to do it!
5. Soak your feet in the Cascade Creek –
Now you will set out to hike in towards the middle of the mountain range. After hiking on dirt, rocks, grass, and sometimes snow patches, you will see an opening on the left where you can soak your feet in the Cascade Creek. This is our favorite resting spot. We usually see lots of little wildlife around the creek.
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6. Look for big Animals; Moose, Bear, Muskrats –
Muskrats are some of the small-to-medium size animals you might see while soaking your feet in the creek. They are funny looking animals! Some people see bears on this hike (Grizzly or Black), but we almost always see a Moose or two. Be sure to bring Bear Spray with you on this hike! If you’re not quite sure what to do when you encounter a moose, go with your instinct and get out of their way and don’t disturb them . I saw a video where a startled moose trampled some large men that were dog sledding in Alaska because they were in its way on a narrow trail. So when we see moose, we leave them alone and get off THEIR trail!
7. Play in the Snow (if Hiking before July) –
If hiking before July, you may encounter snow on the trail! Check with the ranger station beforehand and see if any special gear is required for the hike. In mid June we always see patches of snow, but the Cascade Canyon Trail in May could have much more snow and might require Crampons. One time we tied our windbreakers around our waists and slid down a little snowy side of the mountain. It was super fun!
