BETA PHOTO: The view down the canyon from the base of the main...
Description
This is a beautiful canyon on the West side of the Teton Range accessed through Driggs, Idaho. A handful of rock routes are available, and in the winter a few ice climbs. The rock routes primarily face South - and can be hot in the summer - but some are SW facing and don't get sun until the afternoon. The canyon is bustling with activity in the Summer (campers, hikers, boy scouts, etc.) but it seems very few people bother to actually climb here so. The rock routes are located on a granite formation at the end of the road. The ice climbs are located among the limestone cliffs on the south side.
Getting There
Find your way to Driggs, Idaho - and turn East onto ski hill road, as if heading to the Grand Targhee ski area. Drive about 6 miles up the road, and veer right onto the dirt road into Teton Canyon (well marked).
Despite accessing this canyon from Idaho - you are actually in Wyoming. The border of Idaho/Wyoming is small town of Alta you pass through on Ski Hill Road.
In the summer, you can drive to the end of the road to access the rock climbs. Park at the end of the road (far lot). Take the major trail up the canyon, and you'll quickly see a climber's trail branching off to the left. Follow this trail for 5-10 minutes to reach the crag.
For winter ice climbs, park when the road is closed to traffic and ski/snowmobile up the road to the ice climbs. Expect 1-1.5 hour approach to access the ice climbs.
The Classics
Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for Teton Canyon:
Easily identified as the left leaning bolted flake system on the right side of the lower wall. Fun moves, though short. The clips may be hard for shorter folks. The extension past the anchor is (reportedly) 13a....[more]Browse More Classics in WY
I headed up there recently, (8/07), with latest guide in hand and found a bunch of new stuff that isn't in the guide. Does anyone have current route beta for the Grand Wall area?
By Andy Laakmann Site Landlord From: Bend, OR Sep 19, 2007
I'm working on getting more info. Not only have new routes been added to the Grand Wall, but a new 80' craig has been developed with 10-15 routes somewhere on the N side. Rumors have it that it is "behind campsite #30". I haven't had time to explore yet.
Hey all- I've never posted on here before, but I saw the uncertainty about the new crag on the south side (N. facing) of the canyon, so I couldn't help but add some needed info (until the new version of the guide comes out). Myself and 5-6 locals have put up about 25 or so routes on this wall (The Shady Wall, not Shady Maple), all ranging from .10- to .13 something, with the bulk in the .11 range. Most everything is bolted, but there are a few mixed lines, and 1 or 2 gear lines. So a light rack helps and can supplement bolts on a few lines. The rock is beautiful granite with some limestone flowstone (the ooze) covering the granite on a few routes, which makes for some unique pocket climbing on granite. The climbing is very different than that of the Grand Wall and can be very deceptive as to how challenging a climb will be. The sun never hits the wall and is a great summer time crag. With that said, it takes forever to melt out in the spring and seeps into July (esp. this year, what a winter!). A full description of the crag and routes w/color photos will be in the new edition of the Jackson Hole/Pinedale Climbing Guide by Wesley Gooch. I think he said it should be out this fall?? PM me if anyone is looking for any more beta. There is great bouldering at the base of the crag on 3 very large boulders as well...check it out
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