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Elevation: 6,194 ft 1,888 m
GPS: 43.4748, -110.78299
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 395,986 total · 1,616/month
Shared By: Andy Laakmann on Jun 21, 2006 · Updates
Admins: Mike Snyder, Taylor Spiegelberg, Jake Dickerson

Description Suggest change

“Howdy Partner, Yonder Lies Jackson Hole, the Last of the Old West"

This is the famous sign that greets visitors to Jackson Hole as they crest Teton Pass in their vehicles and get their first views of the valley. Perhaps the sign should also say "New West", but either way Jackson Hole is a great place.

While most climbers come to Jackson Hole to visit Grand Teton National Park, there are many other climbing options available. Obviously the Tetons are the main event, but on questionable weather days or if you're just looking for some lower elevation climbing, these other crags will fit the bill, especially if you're trying to push into harder/bigger grades. 

The best of the local Jackson Hole crags is Rock Springs Buttress. While not exactly low elevation (9000 feet), it does boast a relatively short approach (45 minutes) if you're willing to fork over the money to take the ski area's aerial tram. The Exum Arete (5.9+) on Rock Springs Buttress is a must do.

For 5.9 - 5.11 cragging, visit Rodeo Wall, Hoback Sheild, and Wilson Canyon. For 5.11-5.13 cragging visit Blacktail Butte, Fox Creek Canyon, and The Goat Cave. These limestone crags, while not destinations, offer scenic, fun, low stress cragging.

If you find yourself down south in Star Valley be sure to visit the newly re-discovered climbing area Swift Creek offering a larger number of routes than Rock Springs Buttress. There are moderate roadside crags along with many harder routes extending into the low 5.14 range.

Web Resources Suggest change

Jackson Hole Mountain Weather

- local weatherman's forecast for the Jackson Hole area and mountains. As accurate as you'll find for the Teton range.

Teton Web Cam - from the east

Another Teton Web Cam - from the west

Jackson Hole Avalanche Forecast - only updated in winter

Teton Pass Webcam

Getting To Jackson Hole

Suggest change

There are four primary driving routes in and out of Jackson Hole:

ID-33, WY-22 (Teton Pass)
The west entrance of Jackson Hole is Teton Pass, connecting the valley to Victor, Driggs and Idaho Falls, Idaho. Despite its steepness, Teton Pass is well-traveled and popular, as it offers access to major highways (including I-15) and other north/south routes. Be forewarned that travel on the pass can be dangerous in the winter. Check with the WY-Dot for road conditions and closings.

US 89, 26, 191, 189 (Hoback Junction)
The South entrance of Jackson Hole is Hoback Junction. Here, two highways merge and head north to Jackson: US 89/26 from Alpine and US 191/189 from Pinedale. US 89/26 is a popular route to the valley from points south, particularly Salt Lake City. The road travels through two different canyons, making for a beautiful drive. However, wildlife and winter conditions mean speeding can be a costly mistake. US 191/189 enters Hoback Canyon from Pinedale, Rock Springs and points east on I-80.

US 26, 287 (Togwotee Pass)
The north eastern entrance of the valley is marked by Togwotee Pass, which connects Jackson with Dubois, WY. This is the preferred route for parties arriving from the south eastern corner of Wyoming, including Casper and Cheyenne.

US 89, 191, 287 (Yellowstone's South Entrance)
The meeting of Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks marks the northern entrance of the valley. Be aware, depending on the time of year and day, traffic through Yellowstone can difficult. Many people coming from the north opt to drive around Yellowstone and enter through Teton Pass. Also, as Yellowstone's South Entrance is closed to cars in the winter, this route is only possible in the late spring, summer and fall.

375 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Jackson Hole

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 81
Right Dihedrals aka Tolle Route
Trad, Alpine 3 pitches
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 27
Triple Roofs
Trad, Alpine 2 pitches
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 25
Queen’s Gambit
Sport
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 55
Exum Arete
Trad, Sport, Alpine 4 pitches
5.10a/b 6a+ 19 VI+ 19 E2 5b
 24
Pawns Paradise
Sport
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 51
Do It For Doug
Sport, Alpine 4 pitches
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 24
Zugzwang
Sport
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 17
Box Car Arete
Sport, Alpine 2 pitches
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 18
Clowns and Jokers
Trad, Sport, Alpine 5 pitches
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
 27
Silver Sinkholes
Sport
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
 15
Searching for Bobby Fischer
Sport
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 18
Hydro Pump
Sport, TR
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 18
Potassium Powerpump
Sport, TR
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 15
The First Element
Sport, TR
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c
 5
Radical Theory
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Right Dihedrals aka Tolle R… Rock Springs Bu… > (a) W Sector
 81
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad, Alpine 3 pitches
Triple Roofs Rock Springs Bu… > (a) W Sector
 27
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad, Alpine 2 pitches
Queen’s Gambit Swift Creek Canyon > N Fork > Queen’s Gambit
 25
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport
Exum Arete Rock Springs Bu… > (b) Central Sector
 55
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad, Sport, Alpine 4 pitches
Pawns Paradise Swift Creek Canyon > N Fork > Queen’s Gambit
 24
5.10a/b 6a+ 19 VI+ 19 E2 5b Sport
Do It For Doug Rock Springs Bu… > (b) Central Sector
 51
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Sport, Alpine 4 pitches
Zugzwang Swift Creek Canyon > N Fork > Queen’s Gambit
 24
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Sport
Box Car Arete Rock Springs Bu… > (a) W Sector
 17
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport, Alpine 2 pitches
Clowns and Jokers Rock Springs Bu… > (b) Central Sector
 18
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Trad, Sport, Alpine 5 pitches
Silver Sinkholes Swift Creek Canyon > Periodic Table > 04. Precious Metals Wall
 27
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a Sport
Searching for Bobby Fischer Swift Creek Canyon > N Fork > Queen’s Gambit
 15
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a Sport
Hydro Pump Swift Creek Canyon > Periodic Table > 01. H2O Wall
 18
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Sport, TR
Potassium Powerpump Swift Creek Canyon > Periodic Table > 04. Precious Metals Wall
 18
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Sport, TR
The First Element Swift Creek Canyon > Periodic Table > 04. Precious Metals Wall
 15
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Sport, TR
Radical Theory Swift Creek Canyon > Periodic Table > 05. Free Radicals
 5
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c Sport
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