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Cascade Canyon Trail

Intermediate Intermediate
 4.8 (88)
  1. Areas
  2. WY
  3. …Northwestern Wyoming
  4. …Grand Teton National Park
  5. West
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“Views abound on this initially difficult, then quite easy trail. ”

Tom Robson
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4.5

Miles

7.3

KM

Point to Point

7,855' 2,394 m

High

6,870' 2,094 m

Low

1,020' 311 m

Up

35' 11 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (3°)

27%

Max Grade (15°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · River/Creek · Views · Wildlife

Summer 2015 - The trail from Hidden Falls to Inspiration Point will be closed. In order to access Jenny Lake, one must use the Jenny Lake - Cascade Canyon Connector.

Description

Starting from the Jenny Lake Trail, Cascade Canyon Trail ascends very steeply heading west towards Lake Solitude. Prior to the trail turning north, enjoy the gorgeous views of Hidden Falls, an approximately 100' water fall.

After the falls, the trail heads straight up, and ascends multiple switchbacks until you reach Inspiration Point - a viewpoint providing outstanding views of Jenny Lake and the surrounding Teton Mountains. From Inspiration Point, the trail becomes very mellow, and works its way west through deep woods.

Cascade Canyon was formed during the last glacial maximum by a retreating glacier. Evidence of the historic glacier can be found through polished glacial erratics, hanging cirques, and its general U-shape.

Flora & Fauna

Mammals:
  • Pika
  • Marmot
  • Moose
  • Black Bears
  • Grizzly Bears

Birds:
  • American Dippers
  • Harlequin Ducks
  • Western Tanagers
  • Ruby-Crowned Kinglets
  • Yellow-Rumped Warblers
  • Golden Eagles
  • Steller’s Jays
  • Gray Jays
  • Golden-Crowned Kinglets
  • Dark-Eyed Juncos
  • Townsend’s Warblers

Flora:
  • Dense conifer forest
  • Open meadows of wildflowers
  • As elevation increases, wildflowers abound while trees become stunted and eventually shrub-like.


Be on the lookout for moose on this hike, we saw three!

Contacts

Land Manager: National Park Service - Grand Teton National Park

Shared By:

Tom Robson with improvements by E Hart
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.8 from 88 votes

#1

in West

#2

Overall
  4.8 from 88 votes
5 Star
84%
4 Star
16%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#1

in West

#1

in Wyoming

#2

Overall
25 Views Last Month
13,036 Since Dec 19, 2014
Intermediate Intermediate
1%
8%
72%
10%
9%
0%
Add a Photo

Photos

Beautiful views abound in Grand Teton National Park.
Apr 19, 2017 near Alta, WY
There were several nice waterfalls visible along the south side of the canyon.
Aug 20, 2018 near Alta, WY
View of Cascade Canyon and trail with Cathedral Group in background. <br> <br> Image by the National Park Service (NPS).
Dec 23, 2014 near Jackson, WY
Hidden Falls (it looks a lot bigger in person)
Feb 17, 2022 near Alta, WY
Cascade Canyon on the way to Lake Solitude
Mar 30, 2020 near Alta, WY
Cascades over Hidden Falls
Aug 18, 2015 near Jackson, WY

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

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Check-Ins

Sep 22, 2025
Anonymous
Went as far as the bridge. Saw a bear
Sep 21, 2025
Brooke Walczak
Went as far as the bridge. Didn't quite get to the fork. Fun waterfalls and views. Saw a black bear and two moose.
Sep 16, 2025
Trent Caldwell
Sep 14, 2025
Kevin Armour
Tonya knee bothered on way down. Saw 4 moose, one a bull with antlers. beat hike in park for views and animals. 9.5mi — 5h 34m
Aug 31, 2025
Jena Turner
Morning hike, saw mule deer. Maybe smelled a bear? 4.5mi — 2h 33m
Dec 13, 2024
Rose Hinson
Aug 14, 2024
Ari Moskowitz
Aug 9, 2024
Anonymous
Heading back now, entire route is easy after you lose sight of the lake. Almost entirely flat or downhill. Only down from here! 1.3mi — 1h 33m

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