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Views abound on this initially difficult, then quite easy trail.


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Map Key

4.5

Miles

7.2

KM

94%

Runnable

7,841' 2,390 m

High

6,850' 2,088 m

Low

992' 302 m

Up

0' 0 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

25%

Max Grade (14°)

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.

Runner Notes

There are many rocks and roots on this awesome trail.

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 run, we saw three!

Contacts

Shared By:

Tom Robson with improvements by E Hart

Trail Ratings

  4.8 from 86 votes

#1

in West

#2

Overall
  4.8 from 86 votes
5 Star
85%
4 Star
15%
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

0%
8%
73%
9%
9%
0%

Photos

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.
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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
The trail follows Cascade Creek.
Aug 20, 2018 near Alta, WY

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