Middle Teton and South Teton in Grand Teton National Park, WY

Hike Middle Teton and South Teton Grand Teton National Park, WY

Class 3 14.9 miles 7300 gain 8-11 hrs Out + Back Aug 13, 2018
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

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Grand Teton National Park has always felt inaccessible, but after hiking Teewinot a few days ago, and realizing both Middle Teton and South Teton were Class 3 mountains, the Tetons are feeling a bit more reasonable. Now my sideye is set on Grand Teton (one day!). From the Lupine Meadows Trailhead, follow the pleasantly graded Valley Trail to the Garnet Canyon Trail, which weaves up into the lovely Garnet Canyon and then officially ends at a boulder field. A social trail takes you through this boulder field and into a wide area (where we encountered the remainder of the year's snow) and overnighters had tents set up. A social trail continues up Garnet Canyon, through sections of snow, boulders, etc., without getting too steep, and to the saddle of Middle Teton and South Teton. We did Middle Teton first. I highly recommend helmets – this couloir to the summit is very loose and there are relatively a lot of people doing it. I'd say the gully goes at Class 2+, but class 3 because of the risk associated with kicking rocks and whatnot. The summit view is obviously incredible.

Back at the saddle between Middle and South Teton, we peered up at South Teton's scree-filled ridge, debating. Ultimately, we went for it and I highly recommend doing it, because why not? You're already way the hell up here. It's a Class 2 ridgeline that is far less awful than it appears from the saddle. We were expecting slippery scree the whole way up, but it was mostly solid boulders with a light social trail. The summit has some really nice views of Snowdrift Lake to the south, and of Middle Teton, of course.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Middle Teton
12804 ft
1124 rise
2
South Teton
12514 ft
1074 rise

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From the Lupine Meadows Trailhead, follow the pleasantly graded Valley Trail.
From the Lupine Meadows Trailhead, follow the pleasantly graded Valley Trail.
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Garnet Canyon Trail.
Garnet Canyon Trail.
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Garnet Canyon Trail officially ends at the boulder field ahead. A social trail leads through it.
Garnet Canyon Trail officially ends at the boulder field ahead. A social trail leads through it.
Boulder field. You can see Middle Teton on the right there.
Boulder field. You can see Middle Teton on the right there.
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Looking back down the boulder field.
Looking back down the boulder field.
Across a small section of packed snow. Middle Teton right.
Across a small section of packed snow. Middle Teton right.
Looking back down Garnet Canyon.
Looking back down Garnet Canyon.
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Looking back down Garnet Canyon.
Looking back down Garnet Canyon.
There's a social trail, but if you miss it, you get pretty water cascades and canyon. It might be a little easier to navigate while on the social trail, but as long as you're still headed up Garnet Canyon, you're fine.
There's a social trail, but if you miss it, you get pretty water cascades and canyon. It might be a little easier to navigate while on the social trail, but as long as you're still headed up Garnet Canyon, you're fine.
Looking down Garnet Canyon.
Looking down Garnet Canyon.
Almost at the saddle of Middle Teton and South Teton.
Almost at the saddle of Middle Teton and South Teton.
Saddle of Middle Teton and South Teton, looking down at Icefloe Lake to the northwest.
Saddle of Middle Teton and South Teton, looking down at Icefloe Lake to the northwest.
Starting up Middle Teton.
Starting up Middle Teton.
Starting up Middle Teton, looking back toward South Teton (left), and the saddle above Jordan's head.
Starting up Middle Teton, looking back toward South Teton (left), and the saddle above Jordan's head.
Middle Teton ahead.
Middle Teton ahead.
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Close-up of the saddle (left), and Icefloe Lake (right).
Close-up of the saddle (left), and Icefloe Lake (right).
Entering the gully. Lots of loose rock. And people. Therefore, a helmet is a good idea.
Entering the gully. Lots of loose rock. And people. Therefore, a helmet is a good idea.
Looking back toward South Teton, some climbers coming down.
Looking back toward South Teton, some climbers coming down.
The South Couloir gets more narrow, and you can avoid a bit of the terrible loose rock by sticking to the solid rock walls on the left.
The South Couloir gets more narrow, and you can avoid a bit of the terrible loose rock by sticking to the solid rock walls on the left.
Looking down the Middle Teton South Couloir, Icefloe Lake slightly visible.
Looking down the Middle Teton South Couloir, Icefloe Lake slightly visible.
Last bit of scrambling.
Last bit of scrambling.
Summit of Middle Teton, looking toward South Teton (left), and Icefloe Lake (right).
Summit of Middle Teton, looking toward South Teton (left), and Icefloe Lake (right).
Summit of Middle Teton, looking toward Grand Teton, the obvious center one. Teewinot Mountain is obscured on the right there, still a formidable-looking mountain.
Summit of Middle Teton, looking toward Grand Teton, the obvious center one. Teewinot Mountain is obscured on the right there, still a formidable-looking mountain.
Close-up of Grand Teton.
Close-up of Grand Teton.
Yep, I couldn't help myself.
Yep, I couldn't help myself.
Jordan chose to be less basic.
Jordan chose to be less basic.
Close-up looking down into Garnet Canyon.
Close-up looking down into Garnet Canyon.
Back at the saddle, headed toward South Teton.
Back at the saddle, headed toward South Teton.
Along the ridge of South Teton, looking back toward Middle Teton (left) and Garnet Canyon.
Along the ridge of South Teton, looking back toward Middle Teton (left) and Garnet Canyon.
South Teton ahead. There's a social trail that we kept losing.
South Teton ahead. There's a social trail that we kept losing.
Looking back toward Middle Teton (right) and Icefloe Lake (left).
Looking back toward Middle Teton (right) and Icefloe Lake (left).
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Along the ridge of South Teton. Keep to the social trail here to make it easier. The rock is very loose. Be really careful. We watched a couple of pieces fall without anyone touching them.
Along the ridge of South Teton. Keep to the social trail here to make it easier. The rock is very loose. Be really careful. We watched a couple of pieces fall without anyone touching them.
Almost at the summit, looking back.
Almost at the summit, looking back.
A gully before the summit.
A gully before the summit.
South Teton summit, looking toward Middle Teton and Grand Teton.
South Teton summit, looking toward Middle Teton and Grand Teton.
South Teton summit, looking southwest toward Snowdrift Lake and Buck Mountain in the distance.
South Teton summit, looking southwest toward Snowdrift Lake and Buck Mountain in the distance.

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Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!