Grand View Point
| Trail Features: | Panoramic Views |  |
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| Trail Location: | Jackson Lake Lodge | ||||
| Roundtrip Length: | 6.1 Miles | ||||
| Trailhead Elevation: | 6864 Feet | ||||
| Total Elevation Gain: | 790 Feet | ||||
| Avg. Elev Gain / Mile: | 259 Feet | ||||
| Highest Elevation: | 7586 Feet | ||||
| Trail Difficulty Rating: | 7.68 (moderate) | ||||
| Parking Lot Latitude | 43.87814 | ||||
| Parking Lot Longitude | -110.57258 | ||||
Trail Description:
This hike to Grand View Point in Grand Teton National Park begins from the Jackson Lake Lodge area, located one mile north of Jackson Lake Junction. After turning into the lodge area, drive another two-tenths of a mile and turn left towards the gas services and corrals. The trailhead is located near the corral area.
Shortly after leaving the parking area hikers will travel under the Highway 89/191 overpass. At just over one-tenth of a mile you'll arrive at the junction where the loop around Christian Pond begins. Hikers should turn left here to proceed towards Grand View Point. Over the course of the first eight-tenths of a mile the trail more or less runs parallel with the highway. You'll also be sharing the path with horses from the concessionaire at Jackson Lake Lodge, including their droppings.
At roughly one mile from the trailhead hikers will pass a side trail that leads to Grand View Point. This alternate route is roughly the same mileage as the hike described on this page, but includes a long segment of walking on a gravel road to reach the overlook. To continue on this hike you should stay to the right at this junction.
From the junction the trail passes through a series of grassy meadows. As you climb higher views of Grand Teton, Mt. Moran and the northern Teton Range will appear towards the west.
At 1.4 miles the trail reaches a four-way intersection. The trail leading to the right is part of the Christian Pond Loop. Straight ahead is the northern leg of the Emma Matilda Lake Trail. To continue on towards Grand View Point hikers should turn left here.
At roughly 2.3 miles you'll pass a side trail that leads to the Grand View Point Trailhead, located off Highway 89/191. This trailhead provides an additional alternative for reaching the overlook, and is a more direct route, traveling roughly 1.3 miles in each direction. It also avoids much of the horse traffic, but follows a gravel road that arguably isn't as scenic as the route in this description. To continue towards the overlook you should proceed straight ahead at this junction.
Although much of this section of trail travels through wooded terrain, hikers will have sporadic views of the Tetons as you gain elevation. At roughly 2.7 miles you'll reach a hillside meadow that offers an absolutely stunning view of Grand Teton, Mt. Moran and Jackson Lake off to your left.
Just beyond this point the trail enters another small wooded area near the top of the hill. On the other side you'll emerge from the canopy where you'll begin enjoying some great views of Emma Matilda Lake and Two Ocean Lake towards the east. From this spot Grand View Point is only a quarter-mile away.
Although Grand View Point offers some amazing views of Two Ocean and Emma Matilda Lakes, I highly recommend visiting the small unmarked outcropping just before reaching the highpoint. When you first emerge from the wooded area mentioned in the previous paragraph, you'll likely notice a bare dirt hill off towards the left. Take the short social trail that leads to the top where you'll enjoy some outstanding panoramic views of Jackson Lake and the Grand Tetons.
Hikers should note that bears are definitely present in this area. Park officials emphasize that hikers should be alert, make noise, carry bear spray, and avoid hiking alone. In August of 1994 a jogger from Utah was attacked by a grizzly bear on the Emma Matilda Lake Trail. Although there have been six reported bear attacks in the park since 1994, none have been fatal.
