REFERENCE GUIDE

Teton Crest Trail

Phillips Pass → Hurricane Pass → Paintbrush Divide → String Lake. 39.9-mile reference route with a sample itinerary, season guidance, water and logistics to review.

Reference distance: 39.9 mi
Sample itinerary: 1 day
Planning season: August–early September

Content updated 2026-10-02 · Reference sources reviewed 2026-09-24

Route overview

Phillips Pass → Hurricane Pass → Paintbrush Divide → String Lake

A full traverse with two major high-pass decisions. Study the water gap, regroup locations and Cascade Canyon exit before choosing your own date and schedule.

Wyoming · USA. Reference route distance: 39.9 miles. Sample itinerary: 1 day with 14 assumed moving hours.

39.9 mi measured along your supplied GPX. Intermediate checkpoints matched to OpenStreetMap features (reviewed Sep 24, 2026); these are map matches, not field verification. Sunset Lake precedes Hurricane Pass. The 14-hour moving budget and 04:30 start are study assumptions, not a recommended schedule.

Sources, dates and assumptions

Reference sources reviewed: 2026-09-24. Guidance reviewed: 2026-10-05.

Saved route provenance reviewed: Not supplied. Reference route basis: 39.9 mi measured along your supplied GPX. Intermediate checkpoints matched to OpenStreetMap features (reviewed Sep 24, 2026); these are map matches, not field verification. Sunset Lake precedes Hurricane Pass. The 14-hour moving budget and 04:30 start are study assumptions, not a recommended schedule. Check any changes in your chosen copy.

Reference review dates describe the catalog sources. An edited copy needs its own route review. Dates do not establish current access.

This reference summary includes no trip-date weather. Check the dated forecast separately.

Moving hours, breaks, daylight times, water rates and alternatives are planning inputs. Calculated arrivals are estimates.

The app has not verified current fire, smoke, closures, trail access, permits, water availability or transport.

Preparation and refill confirmations are owner reports for this itinerary, not independent verification.

Owner approval saves the chosen plan or change. It does not verify terrain, current access, conditions or readiness.

When to plan this route

Planning season: August–early September.

A later summer window gives high passes more time to melt out. Snow can linger into August, and early autumn storms can change conditions quickly.

Seasonal guidance does not establish current trail access. Confirm conditions for your dates with the linked source.

Stops and proposed itinerary

Stop mileages and sample schedules are planning references. Verify approximate locations against your chosen track. Camps and water candidates are unconfirmed.

Phillips Pass TH · 0.0 mi. Start together. Arrange the end-of-day vehicle at String Lake.
Phillips Pass · 4.1 mi. First high-country checkpoint. Check progress and layers.
Marion Lake · 10.9 mi · water to verify. Regroup. The source card identifies a water stop before the long shelf section; confirm supply and treatment.
Fox Creek Pass · 13.0 mi. The card treats nearby Pass Lake as uncertain; do not pre-confirm a refill.
Death Canyon Shelf · group camp access · 14.6 mi. Checkpoint near the mapped group-camp access. NPS lists Death Canyon trailhead as closed for 2026 construction; do not count it as an available pickup.
Mount Meek Pass · 16.4 mi. Take care on the descent toward Alaska Basin.
Alaska Basin · trail junction · 19.5 mi · water to verify. Regroup and check water options before Hurricane Pass.
Sunset Lake · 19.9 mi · water to verify. Water candidate from the source card; verify access.
Hurricane Pass · 21.4 mi. Make a weather and pace decision before committing to the next section.
South Fork Cascade Creek · creekside · 25.0 mi · water to verify. Creekside regroup checkpoint, not a verified stream crossing or dependable refill. Assess access and treatment.
Cascade Canyon Junction · 26.8 mi. Decision point: continue toward Paintbrush or take the Jenny Lake exit. Transport must be arranged.
Lake Solitude · 29.3 mi · water to verify. Assess water and the remaining climb before the divide.
Paintbrush Divide · 31.7 mi. Exposed high point. Set a cutoff from your own forecast and daylight, not the old report.
Holly Lake junction · optional detour · 32.9 mi · water to verify. The supplied GPX bypasses Holly Lake. Water at the lake requires a separate detour, extra time and access confirmation.
String Lake TH · 39.9 mi. Finish head count and check in with your off-trail contact.

Terrain skills, exposure and practical exits

Review high-pass travel, navigation and the skills needed for snow if present.

Review exposed passes, weather changes and the condition of the selected line.

Investigate Cascade Canyon / Jenny Lake distance, boat or walk-out and pickup. Dated closure notes need a fresh check.

Editorial planning prompts from the reference itinerary and linked guidance; not a technical grade or current access check. Guidance reviewed 2026-10-05.

Respect this place

Review bear-country practices, food storage and wilderness group/camping rules.

Check current rules with the route’s land manager.

Follow local access rules and closures; check tribal boundaries and permissions.
Pass courteously, announce your presence and follow posted yielding rules. Give uphill users room; ask stock riders where to move.
Use established trails and durable surfaces; avoid shortcuts and widening trails. Follow local wet-trail restrictions.
Pack out litter, small packaging and food scraps. Check local human-waste requirements; clean up after permitted pets.
Keep noise down, give wildlife space and protect water sources.

Water planning

About 8.6 route miles separate Marion Lake and the Alaska Basin junction. Confirm supply and access before setting carry intervals. Holly Lake is off this GPX; all water candidates remain unconfirmed.

Transport and logistics

Stage vehicles at String Lake and arrange the drive to Phillips Pass. Name a trip lead, regroup points and an off-trail contact.

Decisions and current conditions

Cascade Canyon / Jenny Lake is an exit option to investigate, with distance, boat operation or walk-out and pickup arranged beforehand. Death Canyon trailhead is listed closed for 2026 construction in the NPS page reviewed Sep 24. Historical cutoff times are not reused.

The supplied weather PDF describes Sep 10, 2026, not your trip date. The sample budget runs beyond the default daylight window; review the start and pace. NPS advises avoiding dawn, dusk and night travel in bear country.

Reference sources reviewed: 2026-09-24. This is dated planning context; consult the linked agencies for updates.

Packing to review

The starter list needs adapting to your route, season and group. Check the interactive guide for item-level reasoning and provenance.

Water containers and treatment
Weather shell
Warm hat and gloves
Headlamp
Spare battery
Phone with offline route
Paper map and compass
Food for the full trip
Satellite communicator
Trekking poles
Emergency bivy
Warm layer
Bear spray