The Adventure

After several days of exploring Teton National Park, Kylie and I met up with Luis and Connor for one final alpine adventure before heading home. Coming from sea level, we'd been a bit concerned about altitude throughout the trip, but our regular running and hiking routine had served us well. For our last day, we wanted a big day out in the Tetons without having to do the typical 3,000+ feet of elevation gain that most hikes require from the valley floor.

Enter the Jackson Hole Summer Tram ($58 currently, but I feel like we found a discount somehow jacksonhole.com) our ticket to starting at ~10,400 feet instead of grinding our way up from Teton Village. This was completely new territory for all of us, but sometimes the best adventures come from trying something different.

High Alpine Start

The tram ride up was full with summer visitors, everyone there for their own reasons. Some were heading out for paragliding, others were starting 7-day backpacking trips, and some were just there for the incredible views from the lookout. The metal walkway lookout built over the cliff behind the tram station offered stunning views, and I found myself enjoying the vistas to the east and wondering what this place would ski like in winter. I'd never skied Jackson Hole but always wanted to.

We started hiking at 9:36 AM from the top, and stepping off the lookout area onto the Rendezvous Mountain Trail immediately opened up incredible views of the surrounding peaks, with Cody Peak standing prominently in front of us. The high alpine terrain near treeline was exactly what we'd hoped for to kick off our day.

Wildflower Discovery

About three miles into our hike, as we transitioned onto the Middle Fork Granite Canyon Trail and started descending slightly, the mountain began revealing its secrets. First came scattered wildflowers: paintbrush, purple mountain daisy, larkspur, and red columbine dotting the alpine meadows with vibrant colors.

But nothing prepared us for what came next.

We rounded a corner into a small, shaded valley, and all stopped dead in our tracks. The entire meadow was drowning in larkspur, a sea of purple blooms stretching out over the hill rolling down to the valley below. The visual was incredible, but it was the fragrance that completely overwhelmed everyone. The scent hit like someone had shoved a bouquet of lilacs directly into my face, but magnified by thousands of blooms across the hillside.

I've hiked in a lot of beautiful places, but this was hands down the most incredible smell I've ever experienced in the mountains. We all just stood there, breathing it in, trying to capture something that photos and words could never fully convey.

Marion Lake

We continued through more wildflower fields and across several streams, the terrain offering gradual elevation gain with some ups and downs until the final push of about 300 feet uphill to the lake.

Coming up on the south shore, Marion Lake appeared like a perfect alpine gem. The setting was everything we'd hoped for crystal clear water surrounded by the characteristic granite and meadows that make the Tetons so special.

It was warm, we'd been hiking for hours, and that lake looked incredibly inviting. The decision was easy: time for a swim. Connor and I jumped in for a quick dip, and despite the initially chilly shock of the water, that full submersion plunge was absolutely perfect and refreshing.

After our lake time, we continued up toward Fox Creek Pass itself to capture views of the Tetons stretching out beyond. The high alpine meadows leading toward those iconic peaks provided some of the most dramatic mountain vistas of our entire Teton trip.

The Long Descent

What goes up must come down, and in our case, what goes up on a tram must come down on foot. The return journey via Granite Canyon Trail was a masterclass in sustained descent: nearly 6,500 feet over many miles back to Teton Village. We knew we would be missing the final Tram down, so we settled in for the rest of our journey.

Downhill hiking is deceptively challenging. While your cardiovascular system gets a break, different muscle groups take a beating. My quads and knees definitely felt the accumulated miles, but honestly, I felt better than I expected. Our fitness routine back home had prepared us well, even coming from sea level.

The Granite Canyon descent offered its own rewards with continued valley views, more stream crossings, and eventually the welcome shade of thicker forest as we got closer to the valley floor. The final 2.5 miles on the Valley Trail were relatively smooth sailing, with just enough ups and downs to keep things interesting.

Walking through some of the ski runs in the final half-mile was a fun glimpse into Jackson Hole's winter personality, seeing all the equipment and signage stored for the season ahead.

Victory Dinner

Arriving back at Teton Village after 8+ hours and nearly 20 miles felt incredibly accomplishing. We'd successfully completed our most ambitious day of the trip, tackling serious alpine terrain without any altitude issues or injury.

Our celebration dinner at the Mangy Moose was perfect. Nothing tastes quite like food after a big mountain day, and our appetites were definitely earned.

Reflections

This hike perfectly capped our Teton exploration week. The tram-assisted start gave us access to incredible high alpine terrain without burning ourselves out. Sometimes the strategic choice is also the most rewarding choice.

Getting to see the Tetons from this southern approach offered a completely different perspective than the classic valley views. The combination of high alpine access, that unforgettable wildflower encounter, and the satisfaction of completing nearly 20 miles in mountain terrain made this a day we'll never forget.

Most importantly, it proved that with proper preparation and fitness, you can take on ambitious mountain goals even when starting from sea level. The mountains will always test you, but they also reward you in unexpected ways, like a valley of fragrant larkspur that stops you in your tracks and reminds you why we seek these wild places.

Photo Credit
• Me
• Kylie