casey
New Member
Posts: 4
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Post by casey on Apr 25, 2021 15:06:13 GMT -8
Hey All,
A friend and I are flying in and doing part of the Teton Crest trail in August. We have done some research around but have been unable to figure out how to get from one trail head to the other. We would happily pay for a cab or an outfitter for a shuttle, but cannot find anyone offering that service, and understand the park might have rules about Ubers, and we likely won't have cell service to call for a regular taxi.
Curious what others have done and what our options are. Thanks in advance for any help you might have.
Casey
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zeke
Trail Wise!
Peekaboo slot 2023
Posts: 9,877 
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Post by zeke on Apr 25, 2021 15:09:45 GMT -8
Park your vehicle at the exit trail the day before, and hitch hike back to town. There is some service close to town. Where are you starting?
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casey
New Member
Posts: 4
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Post by casey on Apr 26, 2021 13:22:43 GMT -8
We are going in at the Granite Canyon trail head. We have a couple of options of where we will come out. We will know before we go, just haven't nailed it down yet. We got permits for a less than ideal set of camping areas, and are hoping we can make a couple of changes when we pick up our permits the day before.
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zeke
Trail Wise!
Peekaboo slot 2023
Posts: 9,877
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Post by zeke on Apr 26, 2021 13:29:28 GMT -8
casey There is a $3 bus from town to Teton Village, but that isn't quite to your trailhead. Would add a couple of miles of road walking. There are cabs in town, and if they only took you to the Park boundary near Granite TH, that would be closer than the bus would drop you off. Would reduce your road walk to about 3/4 mile. 
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Post by hikerjer on Apr 26, 2021 14:02:02 GMT -8
I'd follow Zeke's advice. Both times I've attempted the Teton Crest (got weathered out both times), we parked at the exit point (String Lake) and hitch-hiked to the tram at Teton village. No problem at all. If you can catch a ride into Jackson, you can take a bus to Teton Village as well. Two comments: always better to leave your vehicle at the end point so you know you have it a ride waiting for you when you get out. And, you may have to split up to get a ride(s). Just show your pack. There are plenty of kindred spirits in the park who will give you a lift. We didn't have to wait more than 15-20 minutes for a ride and it was quite early in the morning with reatively little traffic.
One other comment, to me it’s well worth the $30.00 or so to ride the tram to the top of the mountain where the actual trail begins. Save at least four hours of uphill hiking. That said, be sure to check on the tram to see if it’s operating this summer. I’ve heard it may be closed for maintenance this summer. Can’t confirm that though.
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Post by Chuck the Mauler on May 3, 2021 13:26:50 GMT -8
The tram isn't running this year. Also, the Teton Crest Trail doesn't start at Rendezvous Mountain at the top of the tram.
Side note: There are TONS of camping options along the Crest Trail that aren't listed as "campzones". Feel free to ask, and I'll be sure to respond based on how many days you have and what zones your permit is for.
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Post by absarokanaut on May 5, 2021 7:47:40 GMT -8
I get pretty darn good cell service in most of the Valley. Are you not going to rent a vehicle to leave at your exit point, is that the issue? Articulation would help us greatly.
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casey
New Member
Posts: 4
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Post by casey on May 17, 2021 9:31:28 GMT -8
Hey All,
Thanks for your responses. Yes, we are renting a car and planning to leave it at our exit point. We are hoping this is Jenny Lake, but that is still a bit up in the air. Our plan is to depart at the Granite Canyon trail head. We don't have anything to prove and just want to enjoy the hike and the outdoors, but would like to keep moving and not have to loaf around because our next campsite is just a few miles down the trail. As I said above, due to the popularity of the permits, our itinerary is a bit off.
We have a permit for entering on Aug 4th at Granite Canyon and exiting on Aug 7th at Jenny Lake, but our site is Upper Canyon for the first night and Alaska Basin for the night of the 5th an 6th. Someone might be able to do that hike from Alaska Basin all the way up and around in one day, but we definitely cannot. So I'm hoping we can get a walk up reservation for something further north for the night of the 6th, so we can keep moving on that day and do the whole trail. Otherwise we will have to backtrack back out or something. If there are other camping options that might help out, that would be great.
We are definitely planning to rent a car, but would feel more comfortable having something scheduled rather than trying to hitch hike out. Not only just for piece of mind, but also due to covid concerns. Right now our best plan is to: the morning of, get up early, one of us drive to and park at the trail head, the other grab a cab and meet us in there, then take us to the entry trail head. The night before would be great, but we will have stuff we need to stash in the car while we are on the trail, so we will have to do it the morning of. Also, hearing that there is cell service in the area is good to hear. I was reading reports to not count on it, which limits the options somewhat.
Thanks again for everyone's time and ideas. We are really getting excited for our trip. We have been hiking and backpacking together for a while now, but this will be my most epic backpacking trip since in maybe 20 years.
All the best,
Casey
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casey
New Member
Posts: 4
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Post by casey on May 17, 2021 9:33:33 GMT -8
I just reread all of this again. Jenny lake was the largest body of water, but our exit point is actually "String Lake Trailhead" not Jenny lake.
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Post by absarokanaut on May 22, 2021 17:28:15 GMT -8
Jer is right about taking Zeke's advice. 1 person take the car to Leigh Lake Trailhead [Closest Spot on String Lake] or anywhere in there you can get parking and get back to town. I can't advise anyone to hitchhike but people are pretty darn happy, and nicer where its spectacular outside. I'd call 3 cab companies and I bet you get virtually the same rates.
Take your masks and then take the bus to Teton Village, walk up by the Gondola and find the Valley Trail to Granite Trail. If you leave the vehicle the night before and get an EARLY start I've seen quite a few Elk on that stretch.
Have an awesome time.
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