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Post by cweston on Jul 2, 2021 7:06:02 GMT -8
Picking the collective brain here...
I love epic high-mountain country, and the Tetons are one of the most spectacular ranges in the US, to be sure.
I don't love crowds, permits, and bear spray/canisters. (I could live without Griz, generally, to be blunt.)
I don't love that it's twice as far from home as my usual haunts in Colorado.
What do you think--should I have it on my list despite the downsides? Is it that good?
If so, where would you add one or more zero days for off-trail exploration (class 3 max)?
Thanks.
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zeke
Trail Wise!
Peekaboo slot 2023
Posts: 9,876 
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Post by zeke on Jul 2, 2021 8:53:30 GMT -8
I did this in 2009, and we saw about 6 people total until we hit the land of day hikers. I'd suggest spending a zero day or 2 in Alaska Basin, possibly exploring uphill from Sunset Lake. (We did avoid camping at Sunset because of the rumors of it being a popular camping destination.) Then, there's Mica Lake, above Lake Solitude but before crossing Paintbrush Divide. Mica has a great view of the surrounding ridges, and wasn't a mecca for tourist hikers. Maybe that has changed. We should probably enlist absarokanaut and Chuck the Mauler for their wisdom, as that is home base for them. |
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Post by bumknees on Jul 3, 2021 19:43:41 GMT -8
Seeing the Tetons from the backside, makes the trip, a must do. We did it in 2005, 5 days, staying at Upper Death Canyon, Alaska Basin, Lower South Fork Cascade & Holly Lake. Saw moose in Death Canyon & below Holly, and a black bear in Alaska Basin. We saw people, but nothing too bad.
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Post by absarokanaut on Jul 20, 2021 8:29:42 GMT -8
I love the southern end of the "Complete" Crest Trail that almost everyone now skips to start at the tram. Going northbound is best for views but prioritize campsites above that. Great zero day from Mirror Lake in AK Bain is Static Peak.
Another sweet zero day would be if you do Coal Creek hike Taylor Mt. Pretty airy up there.
We are indeed crowded here in The Hole so permitting is your friend on this one. Let me know if I can help with shuttle, etc.
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Post by Chuck the Mauler on Jul 27, 2021 16:13:26 GMT -8
How many days and how comfortable are you with off-trail travel? There are some incredible routes north of Moran, but the Crest is something I think all backpackers should experience once.
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Post by absarokanaut on Jul 29, 2021 13:43:16 GMT -8
How many days and how comfortable are you with off-trail travel? There are some incredible routes north of Moran, but the Crest is something I think all backpackers should experience once. Chuck is right on about the north end of the range [Shhhh] but expect much higher chances of seeing grizzlies up there. Friend of mine dayhiked Elk from Glade Creek Trailhead a couple of weeks ago and saw an apparently "unknown" sow with two cubs. |
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Post by hikerjer on Nov 1, 2021 18:42:43 GMT -8
I've attempted this hike twice in recent years. Both times we got weathered out by some of the worst backpacking weather I've experienced. The first trip I made it into the Alaska Basin on the second night and what I saw was spectacular but then the weather went south and I mean way south, so we had to abort. The second time, the storm turned us back the first day. Crowds wern't a particular problem but we did see people. It wasn't bad though. I guess my advice would be to do it if you can but keep a close eye on the weather.
BTW, I'd still like to give it another shot - perhaps this September.
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Post by hikinggods on Nov 1, 2021 20:04:26 GMT -8
We were up there in July--I hadn't been there in over 20 years. We were RV camping on this trip and day hiking, but the scenery is truly spectacular. Enough so that it was worth braving the crowds. But it did give me a real hunger to come back before too long for a backpacking trip that would allow for getting out of the day hiker zone.
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Post by absarokanaut on Nov 3, 2021 14:55:49 GMT -8
Alright so a kind of unorthodox way to end a southbound hike. Use Coal Creek Trailhead as southern terminus and on the way out last day do Taylor Mt. Do this mid July to earlier August and flowers in Coal Creek Meadows will likely be magical.From all along Taylor's ridgeline you'll see the Cathedral Group to Moran and more like here. Great way to end the trip and friends could dayhike Taylor and share the end with you.  |
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Post by cweston on Nov 3, 2021 15:40:47 GMT -8
Great way to end the trip and friends could dayhike Taylor and share the end with you. Any friends you have in mind?  |
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Post by absarokanaut on Dec 6, 2021 11:37:17 GMT -8
CW I'm not sure where I'm gonna base myself this summer but be sure and let me know on facebook or wherever if you're coming and I'll do my best to meet you on Taylor with a Six Pack of Piels Real Draft. Heeh heeh. In all seriousness we have some stuff brewed around here even a beer snob like you would like. As much I'd love to do this going Northbound really is best for the views.
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