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Cascade Canyon

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Bat Attack Crack 
Baxter's Pinnacle - South Ridge 
Guide's Wall 
No Perches Necessary 
Symmetry Crag 4 - Trinity Buttress 


Cascade Canyon

Submitted By: Andy Laakmann on Mar 9, 2006
Latitude: 43.7628  Longitude: -110.7460 
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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   
No Perches Necessary   5.9     Trad, Alpine, 2 pitches, 160 feet, Grade II   
Baxter's Pinnacle - South Ridge   5.9     Trad, Alpine, 5 pitches, 400 feet   
Browse More Classics in Cascade Canyon

Featured Route For Cascade Canyon
Jim Olson leading upper part of P3, South Ridge.

Baxter's Pinnacle - South Ridge 5.9  WY : Grand Teton National Park : Cascade Canyon
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


Photos of Cascade Canyon Slideshow Add Photo
Entering the Canyon offers quite a view!

Entering the Canyon offers quite a view!

Symmetry Spire, Cascade Canyon, 1999<br /><br /><br />

Symmetry Spire, Cascade Canyon, 1999




Cascade Canyon from Guides Wall, GTNP, WY.

Cascade Canyon from Guides Wall, GTNP, WY.


Comments on Cascade Canyon Add Comment
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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.

By Robert Henderson
From: Wilson, WY
Apr 21, 2009

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.