#PAINTBRUSH DIVIDE TRAIL CONDITIONS PLUS#

At the portage (String to Leigh) it is a nice side trip to visit Leigh Lake. The alternate route goes around the lake following the east shore. The route uses alternate trails to avoid two very crowded areas and to shorten the overall distance.ġ) Instead of following the String Lake Trail across the outlet and then west around the Lake, an alternate route starts from the Leigh Lake Trailhead (String Lake Picnic Area). Last year, in July the mosquitoes were unforgettable in the String Lake area. There are plenty of places to collect water, but all water should be treated or filtered.

#PAINTBRUSH DIVIDE TRAIL CONDITIONS PLUS#

Especially if hiking the Loop as a day hike, use footwear that still feels good after 18 plus miles. Good shoes and socks help cushion your feet from the rocky path. Trekking poles help with balance and power on the steeper slopes. A good lamp makes the hiking almost as easy as in the daylight.īears do like to mosey around in the early mornings. Headlamps have seen more improvements over the past 15 years than any other outdoor gear. We started our hike before 6 so that we would cross the divide before noon. To safely hike the route (either direction) an early (alpine) start is needed. The disadvantage of backpacking is that you are backpacking, carrying all of that weight in the mountains (over the divide.) The advantage of backpacking is that you are backpacking, sleeping and living in the mountains. The scenery is great in either direction.įor backpacking, most folks seem to camp around Holly Lake in the Upper Paintbrush Canyon Camping Zone and the North Fork of Cascade Canyon Camping Zone. When traveling in either direction, if the slopes were dangerous, we would look for alternative routes or turn around. With limited equipment (poles), we prefer climbing the snow slopes rather than descending them. If we brought ice axes, boots, and crampons the slopes would have been easily managed, but in running shoes, they were a bit dicey. There was steep snow on the upper slopes of Paintbrush Divide. We would rather hike up than down steeper slopes. We want to be over the Divide before the storms. We are always very concerned about the weather and the summer afternoon thunderstorms. The distance to the Divide up Paintbrush Canyon is shorter (8.25 miles) than Cascade Canyon (10.10 miles).Our favorite direction is hiking up Paintbrush Divide. At the head of String Lake, the Leigh Lake begins. The trail starting at the Leigh Lake Trailhead is the String Lake Trail (Loop). Oddly enough the Leigh Lake Trailhead is at the end of the String Lake Rd at the String Lake Picnic Area. Restrooms and water are at the end of String Lake Rd. The String Lake Trailhead Parking Area is easy to locate. See below for details.Trail along the Paintbrush Divide Route Notes There will be potential delays on Paintbrush Divide starting July 21st while trail crew works to improve the badly damaged trail below the divide. Recent reports indicate that the snow is melting fast and there is very little left to negotiate along the Teton Crest Trail! However, the small, steep snow drift below Paintbrush Divide still remains and an ice axe is recommended to traverse Paintbrush Divide. It is recommended to have one for the approach to the Lower Saddle. Depending on temperature and time of day the Lower Saddle Approach still involves snow travel that may necessitate an ice axe for some parties to navigate safely.

There are still some snow crossings to negotiate above the Caves. Pay close attention to changing conditions and move through this zone quickly if you can.Īs snow continues to melt, the summer route is now the preferred way to gain access to the Lower Saddle. Melting snow may continue to pose a hazard in this area. Climbers: On July 3rd, significant hazardous rockfall occurred at the fixed line on the approach to the Lower Saddle of the Grand Teton.

Paintbrush divide trail conditions