Morning clouds below world renowned Grand Teton.
30 Grand View Point
Description: A short, steep hike with a view to dream for
Start: Grand View Point Trailhead
Total distance: 2.2-miles out and back, with loop option
Best season: July through Sept
Maps: Earthwalk Press Grand Teton map; National Park Service handout map; Grand Teton Association’s Colter Bay brochure
Finding the trailhead: Drive 0.9 mile north of the Jackson Lake Lodge turnoff on US 89 and turn right (east) on an unpaved road. When I hiked this trip, this turnoff was unmarked (and still no sign when I checked it out again in 2010), but it’s easy to find. It’s the first right turn north of Jackson Lake Lodge. This is a rough jeep road, and a high-clearance vehicle is recommended. Drive 0.8 mile up this jeep road until it ends at the trailhead. If you have a high-clearance vehicle, park right at the trailhead. If not, park in one of the turnouts along the first part of the jeep road and walk up the road to the trailhead. There are no trailhead facilities. Trailhead GPS: 43.898301 /-110.560961
The Hike
This is a wonderful short hike, but you have a serious hill to climb to earn the spectacular view from Grand View Point.
Just uphill from the trailhead (0.2 mile), you come to a junction with a trail heading south toward Emma Matilda Lake. Go left (north) here and start a gradual climb up to the top of Grand View Point. Just before you reach Grand View Point, you level off at a high point that could be confused with the real thing. Walk slightly farther down the trail for the real Grand View Point.
Morning clouds below world renowned Grand Teton.
From the top of 7,586-foot Grand View Point, you have the view you expect, an outstanding look at Mount Moran and the rest of the mighty Teton Range off to the west, although this is partially obscured by trees. However, to my surprise, you also get a terrific sweeping vista of Two Ocean Lake, the lush meadows surrounding this huge mountain lake, and the Teton Wilderness in the background.
After a short rest, enjoy the downhill walk back to the trailhead.
Camping: No camping allowed on this route.
Option: You can make a short loop out of this trip by continuing on the trail down the north side of Grand View Point for 0.9 mile to a junction with the Pilgrim Creek Trail. Go left (west) here and hike 1 mile until you get into a large meadow. Here the trail turns into an abandoned jeep road. Walk down the jeep road a few hundred yards until you see another road heading off to the south. Go left here, and in 0.8 mile you join the jeep road you drove up to the trailhead. Turn left (east) here and walk up the road to your vehicle. Total distance of loop: 4.4 miles.
Side trip: You could hike down to the west end of Two Ocean Lake (2.6 miles round-trip from Grand View Point) before heading back to the trailhead.
Miles and Directions
0.0Grand View Point Trailhead
0.2Junction with trail to Emma Matilda Lake; turn left
1.1Grand View Point; turn around and retrace your route
2.2Grand View Point Trailhead