SummitPost.org

I'm a decent hiker. I definitely want to hike Paintbrush Canyon. I was thinking of an in-out hike back to the trailhead after seeing if I can summit Paintbrush Peak.

If I get an early start, would it be possible to do the entire loop of Paintbrush/Cascade in a single day? One reason I want to give it a shot is that I hear that the views from Lake Solitude to Paintbrush Divide are some of the best in the park.

But I hate hiking in the dark, and I'll be hiking alone, so I don't want to try to push things too far.

That loop is done as a day hike all the time by strong hikers. The total distance is about 20 miles, and crosses a pass that's just shy of 11,000'. So it's a big day, but doable. It's also the best trail in the park and shouldn't be missed. Don't expect solitude, it's very popular. Afternoon thunderstroms are common, so start early and don't attept to cross Paintbrush divide if the clouds are threatening.

Here's a link to the trail description:

http://www.free-press.biz/Grand-Teton-P ... anyon.html

edl wrote:Here's a link to the trail description:

http://www.free-press.biz/Grand-Teton-P ... anyon.html

Thanks! If I can get an early enough start I think I'm going to try to do the whole loop.

Do the whole loop; it's worth it. And definitely go up Paintbrush and down Cascade, starting from String Lake. It gets you higher faster.

I've done the loop twice, the longer version from Jenny Lake (23 miles) and the shorter above (19-20). The second time, I started at 6, climbed Paintbrush Peak as well, and was done around 2. I do go very fast, but I hope that gives you a sense of the time involved.

To help with time and weather, start about an hour before sunrise when there is a reasonable amount of light (if it's clear).

That trail description looks pretty good. Here's mine, with Paintbrush Peak included: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/321532/-Paintbrush-Peak-.html

Bob Sihler wrote:Do the whole loop; it's worth it. And definitely go up Paintbrush and down Cascade, starting from String Lake. It gets you higher faster.

I've done the loop twice, the longer version from Jenny Lake (23 miles) and the shorter above (19-20). The second time, I started at 6, climbed Paintbrush Peak as well, and was done around 2. I do go very fast, but I hope that gives you a sense of the time involved.

To help with time and weather, start about an hour before sunrise when there is a reasonable amount of light (if it's clear).

That trail description looks pretty good. Here's mine, with Paintbrush Peak included: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/321532/-Paintbrush-Peak-.html

Thanks, Bob. Yeah, that's the way I'll hike it. Especially after looking at the trail profile on Backpacker.com. And I want to see the views that I hear are so good on the way down Cascade Canyon.

I may try to add in Paintbrush Peak if I can get started early enough.