Southwest Ridge

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Geography

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Routes

Page Type: Route

Location: Wyoming, United States, North America

Route Type: Hiking

Time Required: Most of a day

Difficulty: Class 1

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Page By: fowweezer

Created/Edited: Aug 30, 2006 / Aug 30, 2006

Object ID: 220812

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Table of Contents

Overview

Static Peak is a good peak for climbers visiting the Tetons who need a "rest" day or don't have a partner for the day. It can be done car to car in anywhere from 6 to 9 hours for fairly fit hikers or climbers. The standard approach is to take the Death Canyon trail to the Static Peak Divide (all on good, well marked and worn trail) and then climb straight up the SE face on a faint trail to the summit. This section is steep but still quite easy. See the route page for more information.

Getting There

To reach the Death Canyon Trailhead from Park H Q at the village of Moose, drive south on the narrow and winding Moose-Wilson road for 3.1 miles and take the signed, paved turnoff road to the trailhead. This road is rough but I did see a few passenger cars up there. They must have taken it slow. There is not a ton of elevation gain on this road, so when it gets terribly rough toward the end, I would just park and walk the last few hundred meters and save your suspension, if you are in a low-clearance vehicle.

Route Description

From the parking lot at the trailhead (there is a bathroom), take the trail past the Phelps Lake Lookout (signed), and drop down several switchbacks toward Phelps Lake. There is a signed junction and take the trail heading away from the lake. Follow this trail into Death Canyon and past a patrol cabin (either 6 or 8 switchbacks into the canyon....can't be missed on the left). After the patrol cabin, watch for a signed fork to the right (north), which should include distance left to the Static Peak Divide. Follow this trail through endless switchbacks, past a stream crossing or two (trickles only in late season at least), and up to a ridge. Here you will have a nice view of the Teton Valley. Continue on the trail leading left from the top of the ridge (it is the more heavily trafficked one), and you will wind around and eventually top out on the static peak divide (signed). From here there is a faint climber's trail up the face to the summit. Do not go down the trail on the other side, obviously.

The trail up the face is faint and is occasionally lost among rocks and vegetation, but picking and choosing your route and generally staying on the left ridge is a good idea and you can quickly find the trail again. If you do lose the trail, please be gentle on the vegetation and step lightly and on rocks as much as possible.

Essential Gear

Standard day hike gear. Water or a filter, some food, a rain shell of some kind, etc. Sturdy footwear is optional.

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