As the odometer moves past 3.0 miles, the climb intensifies and you will slowly, but doggedly, make your way deeper into the canyon.
The first three miles of the hike are fairly flat as you meander through the dense forest of lodgepole pines, past Leigh Lake and String Lake and into the mouth of Paintbrush Canyon. You don’t want to start your backpacking trip by circling the parking lot looking for a parking spot! Starting the hike Plan to start your hike as early as possible.
The parking lots by both trailheads tend to get very crowded and fill up early during the peak season. There is more parking at the Leigh Lake Trailhead, so that’s probably your best bet. The trailheads are just a minute away from each other, and it doesn’t make much difference distance-wise which you choose. The Paintbrush Canyon Cascade Canyon trail can be started from either the String Lake Trailhead or the Leigh Lake Trailhead, both located just north of Jenny Lake. You can then breathe easy knowing the rest of the hike is downhill. Tackle most of the elevation gain earlier, reaching the top of Paintbrush Divide after about 8.8 miles.If you hike clockwise, this view will be at your back, whereas it will be staring you in the face if you hike counterclockwise. The views are better going counterclockwise! Besides Paintbrush Divide, which has unimpeded 360-degree views, the best view on the hike is of the backside of the Grand Teton as you are descending from Paintbrush Divide towards Lake Solitude and Cascade Canyon.If there is snow or ice on the trail (which lingers deep into the summer months), it’s easier to go up this section of the trail, rather than going down it. The sketchiest part of the hike is on the eastern slope climbing up to Paintbrush Divide. It’s easier to cross Paintbrush Divide.
We would strongly recommend hiking counterclockwise for a few reasons: Because the trail is a loop starting at String Lake, you can hike either clockwise or counterclockwise. The first decision you will need to make when planning your Paintbrush Canyon Cascade Canyon backpacking trip is which direction you’d prefer to hike. In the rest of the article, we will give you all the information you need to plan an epic backpacking trip on the Paintbrush Canyon Cascade Canyon loop trail in the Grand Tetons!
Yes, you can see all of these amazing sites on one trip! The Paintbrush Canyon Cascade Canyon loop trail covers almost 22 miles and over 4,200 feet of elevation gain, so it’s a beast!īut do not be deterred because the hike features some of the best views in the Grand Tetons including Jenny Lake, Holly Lake, Paintbrush Divide, Lake Solitude, Cascade Canyon, Inspiration Point, and Hidden Falls. We have hiked nearly every trail in the park, and, in our opinion, the Paintbrush Canyon Cascade Canyon loop trail is the best hike in the Grand Tetons! Paintbrush Canyon Cascade Canyon Loop Trail Our favorite part of the park is the extensive network of backcountry trails that bring you away from the crowds and deep into alpine paradise. With over 300,000 acres and 200 miles of hiking trails, there is something to do for everyone, from short, easy hikes for the whole family to challenging backcountry treks. Located in western Wyoming, Grand Teton National park is renowned for its iconic rocky peaks, picturesque alpine lakes, diverse wildlife, and endless opportunity for outdoor adventures.
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