Camping Along the Death Canyon Shelf – Teton Crest Trail, Day 2 (Part 2)

September 11, 2014

Trail Section: Camping Along the Death Canyon Shelf

Camping Along the Death Canyon Shelf Grand Teton National Park Wyoming

Death Canyon Shelf (left, below cliffs), Death Canyon (right), & the Grand (center).

I had already mentioned that I had gotten onto the Teton Crest Trail with higher-than-high expectations and after an uninspiring day one, I had actually turned quite pessimistic. However, passing by Marion Lake and traversing through Fox Creek Pass on the second day had somehow exceeded those lofty expectations.

After the Teton Crest Trail crosses Fox Creek Pass and reenters Grand Teton National Park, the trail then traverses the Death Canyon Shelf for nearly four miles. Extending from Fox Creek Pass to Mount Meek Pass, the Death Canyon Shelf is a narrow plateau running parallel to Death Canyon to the east and sheer cliffs rising several hundred feet to the west. It’s a barren shelf, 10 miles from the nearest trailhead, with spectacular views of the Grand to the north.

Having already exceeded expectations, that night we were also lucky enough to snag permits to camp in the Death Canyon Shelf backcountry zone – now one of my favorite spots I’ve ever spent the night.