2003-07-19 Cascade Canyon 2003-07-20 Jackson 2003-07-21 South Yellowstone 2003-07-22 Bridger Teton NF 2003-07-23 North Yellowstone 2003-07-24 Rendezvous Mountain 2003-07-25 Jackson Lake 2003-07-26 AM Amphitheatre Lake 2003-07-26 PM Alpine Slide

Day 1 (Saturday, 7/19/2003)

The Cascade Canyon and Lake Solitude trails follow Cascade Creek upstream from its effluent at Jenny Lake, past the ever-popular Hidden Falls, through Cascade Canyon, and up the canyon's north fork to Lake Solitude and the headwaters of the creek. The trail climbs 2200 feet over 7.2 miles from the Jenny Lake boat dock to Lake Solitude, and the round trip is doable as a strenuous day hike (Note: this is assuming that you take the boat across the lake and start hiking at the far side. Otherwise, the total distance is 9.2 miles each way.) With breathtaking views of The Grand, Teewinot, Mount Owen, and Rockchuck Peak, Cascade Canyon is the quintessence of hiking in the Tetons.

We started out early that morning but (in retrospect) should have started out a bit earlier. We took our time at Hidden Falls and ended up having to rush up to Lake Solitude and back, and we nearly missed the last boat on the way down ("nearly" as in 20 seconds-- some trail running was involved ;) The weather was mostly cooperative, but a few light showers set in on us as we ascended the canyon, and the sky was subsequently overcast until we were about halfway down.

After licking our wounds, we headed to Teton Village for a requisite dinner at The Mangy Moose.