Trail Section: (Marion Lake & Fox Creek Pass) The Middle Fork of Granite Canyon to the Death Canyon Shelf.

We had spent our first night on the Teton Crest Trail in the Middle Fork of Granite Canyon camping zone and as I poked my head out of the tent before sunrise that first morning, there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. In landscape photography, there is such a thing as too nice a weather… I rolled right back over for some more sleep.

I had gone into this trip with the highest of high expectations, but felt pretty ‘blah’ that first morning. It had been nice, but not ‘best trail in the country’ nice.

After a slow breakfast, we started to move on to Marion Lake.

Middle Fork, Granite Canyon. (Night 1 camp was dead-center of the frame.)

I’m not sure if it was because I didn’t have much time to warm my legs up or it this section was actually really tough, but the hike to Marion Lake was a distinctly difficult part of the entire trail for me. It quickly started with a climb up the northern sidewall of the middle fork, a decent back down into the North Fork of Granite Canyon, and another steep ascent from there back up to Marion Lake.

Luckily, the scenery through here had also given me some renewed energy and optimism. The early morning sun was kissing the vivid wildflower fields dotting the canyons, the peaks seemed to be getting more jagged and intense, and we even passed mama and baby moose grazing in the woods.

Heading into the North Fork of Granite Canyon

Looking back south over the North Fork of Granite Canyon. The trail had come up and over the saddle in the center.

Marion Lake

It had only been a couple of miles, but Marion Lake was a welcomed sight. Located in a cirque just below Fox Creek Basin, the lake seemed particularly blue that morning… a perfect spot for a cooling dip and another round of coffee.

Climbing up to Fox Creek Pass, looking back south over Marion Lake.

Climbing from Marion Lake

The trail between Marion Lake and Fox Creek Pass started with another short ascent before leveling off for a couple of miles and giving way to the first glimpse of the Grand Teton. You wouldn’t know it, but technically this section is outside the national park, traversing the Jedediah Smith Wilderness, a gorgeous wilderness area known for its unique limestone karsts.

This is the section where it finally all made sense to me of why this is touted as one of the “best trails” out there.

Heading towards Fox Creek Pass. (And the first sighting of the Grand Teton!)

A GRAND view.

In the shadow of Fossil Mountain, the Teton Crest Trail crosses over Fox Creek Pass, reenters Grand Teton National Park, and begins the nearly four mile traverse of the incredible Death Canyon Shelf.

Looking back south over Fox Creek Pass

The 2014 Teton Crest Trail:

• Hiking the Teton Crest Trail
• Day 1: A Mellow Day to the Middle Fork of Granite Canyon
• Day 2 (Part 1): Marion Lake & Fox Creek Pass
• Day 2 (Part 2:) Camping Along the Death Canyon Shelf
• Day 3: Rushing Through Alaska Basin & Over Hurricane Pass
• Day 4: Bailing Out Cascade Canyon
• Day 5: Not on the Trail! Just Relaxing in the Tetons