Hiking To Inspiration Point And Cascade Canyon In Grand Teton National Park
Last Year during our trip to Grand Teton National Park, Jamey was eager to hike Inspiration Point and Cascade Canyon. Unfortunately, our packed schedule left us without time for those hikes.
This year we had a much more relaxing trip and made sure to make the trek to the canyon.
If you take the Shuttle Boat the trail to the Forks of Cascade Canyon is a moderately strenuous, 9.4 mile out and back hike with approximately 1,480 feet of elevation gain.
If you don’t take the shuttle boat the hike clocks in at around 14 miles.
The shuttle boat is a paid service that ferries you across Jenny Lake. It operates every 10-15 minutes from 7 am to 7 pm, and you pay upon boarding. Adult tickets cost $20 round-trip or $12 one-way.
Learn more about the shuttle service here.
A little tip for the early bird hikers like us if you catch one of the first two or three boats and pay in cash, they offer a 50% discount!
We took the shuttle boat to cut off the extra four miles because we knew it was gonna be a long day.
After disembarking, you’ll start with a climb gaining around 200 feet in elevation, leading to a short spur trail to Hidden Falls—a stunning 100-foot cascading waterfall fed by snowmelt that should not be skipped.
After admiring the waterfall follow the signs for Inspiration Point. This 1/2-mile hike involves nearly 500 feet of elevation gain with rocky switchbacks and sections with drop-offs, so exercise caution.
At the top, you’re rewarded with breathtaking views of Jenny Lake, the Jackson Hole Valley, Cascade Canyon, and the Cathedral Group: Mount Owen, Teewinot, and the Grand Teton.
Unfortunately, our views were limited due to morning haze.
Next, you’ll enter the glacially carved u-shaped Cascade Canyon, following Cascade Creek through woods and rocky outcroppings. The trail offers spectacular views of the surrounding peaks, including the Grand Teton, Mount Owen, and Teewinot.
This area is popular for wildlife viewing, including bears and moose. Moose are often photographed near the creek but unfortunately, we didn’t see any.
Pika is an alpine species located in the park and we did get to see a few of these little guys playing in the rocks which was fun.
Cascade Canyon is gorgeous and it’s an awe-inspiring moment when you first enter. The creek running through the forest is magical and we paused multiple times to soak in the views
Be sure to check the cliffs in the distance to spot waterfalls created by snowmelt.
It takes you almost 5 miles from the boat to reach the fork which greets you with another waterfall. We did not make it that far though.
It was a very dreary day and we ended up getting rained on for at least an hour and after 3 miles I was not having the best of times so we decided to turn around.
I wish we would have made it the whole way, but we still loved every mile of our hike.
If you are physically able and have the time the hike to Inspiration Point and Cascade Canyon is a must for any Grand Teton National Park itinerary.
Hopefully, next time, the weather will be better, and we’ll have more luck with wildlife but we still thoroughly enjoyed our trek this year.
Cascade Canyon is also a popular starting point for a network of overnight backpacking routes, including the trek to Lake Solitude, for those looking to extend their adventure.
