1. Mt. Sheridan
Easy to find, straight forward, and a great test for our age group.
Head south from Grant Village just under 5 1/2 miles. Lewis Lake will be on your right and Heart Lake tail head parking lot on your left.
You start out on an easy meandering trail for several miles. When you come to crest overlooking Heart Lake, you begin slow decent about 3 miles to the ranger station. There are many thermals along the way. At the lake you are in about 71/2 miles. Remember the hill you just descended. It is a son-of-sailor coming back.
You then go right about ½ miles to the trail head of Mt. Sheridan. Now 4 ½ miles up and you can enjoy fantastic views of Heart Lake and the very seldom traveled southwest part of Yellowstone National Park. You are now 12 ½ miles in. Several switchbacks before following ridge line to top. All well defined trail.I did see a bear peek over an upper switchback at us, and then it high tailed it never to be seen again.
When you get back to the lake make sure you fill with water if needed. The 7 ½ miles back can be rough because of before mentioned 3 mile up. I did it in 8 hours, and I am embarrassed to say ran out of water and felt the pain. Big old lake of H20 and didn’t use my filter as I should have.
There are thermals to check out if you have the time and a nice heated creek to soak in just as you begin your hike back from the lake.
Elevation; 10,305.
2. South Teton
One of the toughest day hikes around. You will be doing a bit of non technical climbing at the end. I cannot imagine a more rewarding day hike anywhere. It has it all. Of course it’s sister mountain right next door is just as good!
The trail head starts at Lupine Meadows. Locate this in daylight, because you should drive there in darkness. The day before stop at the South Jenny Lake Ranger station just north of the trail head turn out. Get all the condition updates and maps you think you need.
Starting very early in the morning and late in the summer. August or maybe early September. Check ahead for early snowfalls. Always listen to the advice of the rangers.
You can spend the night at the Climbers Ranch for only a few dollars, but you need to call to see if you can get a spot. This place is very rustic, and you need padding for your plywood bed. Bring your own food or eat in town. The advantage is the uniqueness and location near the trailhead. The real pros hang out here for the big rock climbs and more.
We started at 3:30 in the morning. Using head lamps, we ascended quickly in the cool air, eating our breakfast on the way.
When you reach the “Y”, a little over 3 miles where right takes you to Amphitheater Lake, go left to Garnet Canyon.
As we hiked up Garnet Canyon, the sun was rising behind us. This was one if not the best outdoor scenes I have ever seen. Spiritual if you know what I mean.
A little over 2 miles and the well maintained trail ends. The boulder fields begin. You enter the camping area through a short large boulder field. You will pass the Meadows campground at about 9,300 ft. At the west end of campground, you begin a very unusual accent through another giant boulder field. A rough trail takes you past the last campground, South Garnet Canyon.
You start up the middle of the of the boulder fields (roughly) then move left, through South Garnet Canyon Look for cairns. In most cases they are your only trail. The trail will appear in and out, so be sharp on sighting cairns.
Do not go to the right. That only will be trouble unless you are going to climb the Grand Teton via the north saddle.
Your first destination here is to reach the “south saddle“ between South and Middle Teton. The boulder field will flatten out some and you can see the saddle. Here is where the hike becomes a climb. Not technical, but steep. Caution and a slower pace here.
The saddle is a good place to lunch, and views both sides of the Tetons: Ice Flow Lake and Idaho to the west and Wyoming to the east. These views are some of the best in the world. Better at top.
After lunch, head almost due south up the loose rock to the jagged peaks. In parts, it would be wise not to have a partner right behind you. You will soon figure this out anyway. The rock is very loose.
At the jagged crest, head south east towards the peak. The climb is not as steep, but you are now on ledges. Footing is good so don’t worry, just go slow. I picked a turnaround time of 1:00 PM. It worked out fine. Consider it, but the choice is yours.
I know some people will take the ridge right from the saddle and just follow it to the top. Again, your choice.
Descend slowly at first back to the saddle, and then back through the boulder field. I know you remembered the route! When you get to the campsites, you can now make a proud and easy walk back to parking lot. Your elevation gain was over 6,000 ft.
I have done the boulder field from the south saddle to the meadows campground twice, and still cannot give you much help on finding the trail. I have asked around and it seems everyone but the people who do it many many times, have trouble. Stay off the sides of canyon, head between snow fields. And basically down the middle. Shape eyes again help very much locating the trail.
I made this hike in 12 hours.
Elevation; 12,514 ft.
3. Mount Holmes
One bad, and I mean bad, day hike. A true physical challenge. Again, the rewards at the top are great. No clinbing lke in the Teton hikes.
Located in the northwest section of Yellowstone National Park, the trailhead is about 12 miles south of Mammoth. The parking lot is on the west side.
Again, I advise an early start. Easier for parking, viewing animals and your turn around time will be less of a pressure.
Bring extra socks, you may get your feet wet crossing Willow Creek, depending on the time of year. Late August or September you should be OK.
You will be hiking through old burnt out and open meadow areas until you pass Grizzly Lake cut off. Stay right and head for the big mountain. You will come to a ranger cabin and campsites near the Trilobite Lake cut off. Brace yourself, and I hope you are warmed up.
At this point, the trail begins to get steeper. Your lungs are going to burn, but if you got here early, you can pace yourself. The views and camera opportunities become excellent most of the way up. The trail has many switchbacks that just keep coming and coming. The trail is in excellent condition, so coming down won’t be too painful.
At the top, you will be looking at one of the best viewing areas around for seeing the whole park and even the Grand Teton. Unlike many trails, Mount Holmes never seems to be crowed. That tells you something about how tough it is.
At this point, you are about 11 miles in. Stay true to your turn around time and enjoy as much time at the top as you can. I hope you didn’t forget to bring camera.
For some reason, the views going down are more enjoyable to me or maybe it’s just knowing I did another “Big One”. Water at the creeks should be filtered or at least tablets.
The hike from trail and back is just under 22 hard miles and I did it in 8 ½ hours not counting time at the top. My turn around time for this hike was noon and I started at 5:00 AM. That gave me over an hour up top to enjoy. The elevation increase is over 3,500 ft.
Elevation; 10,336 ft.
4. Middle Teton
I know this is an article about day hikes, so I could not put this great hike in without a condition. I did this hike after camping out at the platforms campground abt. 7 miles in. The next day we did the Middle Teton, and packed back out.
Many people do this hike in one day, just like I did the South Teton. They say the Middle Teton should take you only about 1 to 2 hours more than South Teton. So there you go. A good option. If I did it again, and I might, doing it in one day is better than one night camping. What crazy would want to lug heavy camping gear down 7 miles after climbing a mountain!
Another popular option is a two night camping trip, but this is an article on day hikes. If I had to choose between South Teto or Middle Teton for my day hike , I would take Middle.
Follow the instructions above about the hike to the South Teton until you reach the south saddle of South Garnet Canyon.
From here you head north along the northwest side of the snow field. About 2/3 the way along the snow field, turn left up the hill. There is a trail to look for. At the top of this small hill you come to an open alpine meadow with a clear trail headed to the southwest couloir. You can clearly see the couloir and I stayed left around a little hill that has a trail on both sides.
You now enter the couloir for the tough part of your day. At this point, you should have your helmet on. The rangers at South Jenny Lake station will also advise you of this. There is no law that I know of, but it is your head. The whole couloir has loose rock and is very narrow. The climb is long, and you will be pulling yourself up over rocks several times. My partner and I took turns moving to play it safe with loose rocks being pushed down.
At the top of the couloir saddle, it is easy to make the top of the Middle Teton peak. The trail is clear and easy.
Give yourself a high five and enjoy the 360 degree view. Doesn’t get any better. Picking your line down through the couloir is easier. I wish I could help you find the trail back to the Meadows Campgrounds from the south saddle, but as I said before in hike to the South Teton, Sharpe eyes are needed.
Once back to the Meadows campgrounds, your home free.
Elevation; 12,804 ft.