The U-shape of glacially carved canyons was on display as we descended into Cascade Canyon. That trip required losing a ton of elevation through a wonderful boulder-strewn slope. It was the latter that we were going to head down to. The green, glacier-fed, Mica Lake, was perched high above the blue Lake Solitude. South of us, the Grand Teton proudly poked up with it’s iconic look. North and south held peak after craggy peak.Īfter lunch and spotting a cow moose with two calves bedded down near a lake below us, we traversed the ridge, then began dropping into Cascade Canyon. We could look east down Paintbrush Canyon from which we came up as well as into the neighboring canyons. We were standing on the spine of the Tetons and it did not disappoint. This helps with trail integrity, erosion, and others finding it in the future.įrom the divide, incredible views stretched out before us in all directions. This section can be tricky finding the trail, but the rule is, if you are having to climb with your hands, you missed the switchback. We crossed a late summer snowfield and came across some loose scree and some final switchbacks leading to the pass. As we got higher, other drainages began to come into view. The landscape transitioned from lush vegetation to a lunar landscape.

All around, mountains were becoming more and more visible. A view through the binoculars showed us folks walking along the ridgeline at the divide. It joined up with the previous trail and began working to the divide. Holly Lake is a destination in and of itself and we stopped and enjoyed some food before the big climb up to Paintbrush Divide.įrom here, the trail got incredible steep before settling down into a steady grade. We took a right towards the lake and passed a quaint pond before coming to the picturesque lake. We reached a junction with a trail that, while shorter, misses the beautiful Holly Lake. Waterfalls also showed up as we climbed up the canyon and the forest gave way to shrubs and bare rock. Jackson Lake and Leigh Lake became visible as we climbed. A few switchbacks were encountered and the views were opening up. The trail climbed, getting steeper in a few spots. We continued up, crossing the creek a few times over a footbridge. It quickly stepped off the trail and went around us through the brush, only to come back on the trail and continue his journey down the canyon. Moran and other fantastic summits teased us with what was to come.Īs we hiked up, I looked up to a Black Bear coming down the path.

We joined up with an unnamed creek that cascaded down from the heights. Sections of boulder fields contained “eeping” pikas which we stopped to watch. We passed the trail that extends down towards Leigh Lake and continued left up and around, entering into Paintbrush Canyon.Īfter a brief climb, the trail leveled out. Eventually, we entered into the forest where we’d remain for some time. Stands of aspens shuttered their leaves in the wind. As we gradually gained elevation, small pockets of trees interrupted the views.

The trail traveled across the avalanche chute looking down at String Lake and out to the Jackson Hole area. All the way along this section, the views of the craggy Tetons such as Rockchuck Peak contrast with the smooth blue sky. The lake gets briefly obscured by a fire scoured ridge, but comes back into view quickly near an avalanche chute. Some argue that the uphill is better through Cascade Canyon, but either way, the climb up to Paintbrush Divide will make you breathe hard.Īfter crossing the outlet of String Lake, we stayed right at the junction that we’d come back to hours later. We decided to loop counterclockwise through Paintbrush Canyon first, then take the long more level trail out through Cascade Canyon.

Paintbrush divide weather