Paintbrush Divide Loop
When asked, I have claimed this as my favorite hike in the Tetons. It's a spectacular 20-mile true loop hike. I've only ever done it counter-clockwise - heading up Paintbrush Canyon, crossing the divide, and going down Cascade Canyon - there is a steep section near the top on the Paintbrush side that I'd rather go up than down, though the Grand Teton National Park Foundation recently improved this area and it's not as bad as it used to be (no scrambling any more).
I did this hike twice last year, once on August 9 and again on October 10. I was really tickled I got to do it a second time - when the government threatened to shut down, I made some choices - instead of doing this hike at the end of September, I used my weekend to hike Mt. Hunt Divide (a new hike), and return to Yellowstone one last time. Then, when the government (thus, the parks) remained open, weather intervened. But the stars aligned on my final weekend, and I had a gorgeous day for the hike.
August had some really nice flower displays, and while the trees had all lost their leaves in October, there was still some nice fall color to be found.
One of my favorite views in the park - crossing the String Lake Outlet, just steps from the parking area. Funny how it's totally clear in the morning here, but by the time I got to the divide, Grand was covered in clouds.
Took a "sunrise" picture in the same spot both times.
October had a nice sunrise.
Fall color near the boulder field.
Usually there are lake views down the canyon.
When I'm doing the full loop, I like to skip going to Holly Lake (so as not to waste time there) and walk along the "backside" of the canyon.
There's still a nice overlook to see Holly Lake, which is where I stop for first lunch.
Lingering snowfield in August. The divide is the saddle in the background. I had microspikes, but didn't use them.
There was new snow in October. It wasn't as treacherous as it might look, but I did use my microspikes (I already had them out because there was actually an icy section way down on the trail, before Holly Lake).
The divide!
High spot past the divide - time for second lunch.
First glimpse of Micah Lake, across the canyon.
Disappointment in August, turning down the Cascade Canyon side should be a fantastic view of Grand, if not for the clouds.
Much better show in October.
Now, what I don't understand is the name Paintbrush Canyon. I had been told, or assumed, that it was named for having great flower displays. And while there were always some flowers there, I never saw enough to justify the name.
Fantastic flowers coming down the North Fork of Cascade Canyon in August.
More of Grand.
This crazy pika - terrible picture, but look at the size of those greens!
Cascade Canyon, named for all the cascades.
Fireweed in August.
And fall color in October.
Moose sighting in October.
Fall in Cascade Canyon.