Bluebell day from Guides. Yosemite Wall - way in t...
Description
Some of the most popular climbs in GTNP are found within this canyon. The short approaches (which even can include a boat ride!), sunny exposure, and relatively little elevation gain all contribute to Cascade Canyon's popularity.
Getting There
There are three options for the initial part of the approach:
1) Pay a few dollars and take the short boat ride across from the South Jenny Lake Parking Lot. After exiting the boat dock, turn right and walk a few minutes until the Horse Trail takes off to the left. 2) Hike 2.6 miles around the lake from the South Jenny Lake Parking Lot. After passing the boat dock, continue for a few minutes until the Horse Trail takes off to the left. 3) Hike 1.7 miles from the String Lake Parking Lot. Once the trail hits the lake, look for another trail heading off to the right shortly before the boat dock. If you hit the boat dock, you've gone too far!
If you are climbing something further back in the canyon(like Guide's Wall), the Stock/Horse trail eventually reaches the main Cascade Canyon trail (or superhighway in Summer).
For Baxter's Pinnacle or No Perches Necessary you'll only hike up the trail for 10-15 minutes before turning off. Guide's Wall is about 1 hour up the trail.
The Classics
Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for Cascade Canyon:
Guide's Wall 5.8 Trad, Alpine, 6 pitches, Grade II
Good rock with a sunny southern exposure with a great view above Jenny lake. The described below should bring you to a huge block for the 1st belay: P1 Go up and left along a ramp, then go back right past a tree and belay on a ledge where the climb steepens. If you want, the steep wall directly above the 1st belay goes 5.10 and has a couple of bolts. It's a variation called Seizure Disorder.P2 (5.6) Climb straight up the crest, which angles a lit...[more]Browse More Classics in WY
By Nick Stayner From: Tuolumne Meadows Mar 9, 2006
If you're not taking the boat, park at String Lake. Hiking south from here is faster than hiking from the Jenny Lake parking area. This is key for early season ascents- most of the stuff in Cascade is climbable well before the boat starts running.
Anyway, when you enter the String Lake parking area, take your first left. There will be a large sign/trailhead. Hike immediately over a bridge. Take a left at the first junction, following the creek that drains String Lake. Eventually the stream enters Jenny Lake. Follow the trail til you come to a junction for the horse trail. Take this for the quickest access to Baxter's, No Perches, Guide's Wall, & the rest of Cascade Canyon.
I agree with Nick, the flat String Lk trail only takes 20-25 minutes. The boat takes almost as long when you count the wait, etc. However, there is a 7am boat most of the summer for the Exum climbing classes that is a few dollars cheaper than the regular fare. The boat is a good option for Symmetry Spire routes - just don't dwaddle as you might miss the last return trip.
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