Name: Signal Mountain Trail
Rating: 4.3

“An isolated peak with breathtaking views of the Teton Range, Snake River, and Jackson Hole.”

— Tom Robson

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Description

Signal Mountain is an isolated summit standing 7,720 feet - the next closest peak of that height or higher is over 10 miles away! This isolation provides panoramic views of the Teton Range, much of the northern Jackson Hole area as well as the Snake River.

Signal Mountain Trail goes from Signal Mountain Lodge to the summit of Signal Mountain. The trail splits mid-way at Signal Mountain Cutoff, allowing for alternate routes. The trails eventually rejoin and steepen over the last mile to reach the secondary summit of the mountain, the Jackson Lake Overlook.

From a geologic standpoint, Signal Mountain was formed differently from the Teton Range, even though it is so close in proximity. Geologists agree that the mountain was formed by volcanic ashfall from one of the eruptions of the Yellowstone hotspot. The peak also plays host to a glacial moraine formed by a receding glacier that came south out of the Yellowstone icecap - the same glacial entity that formed Jackson Lake.