lake solitude

We did a long loop hike by going up Paintbrush Canyon, over Paintbrush Divide, and then down Cascade Canyon. We started and ended at the String Lake Trailhead. It was a near 20-mile day hike. The best hike in the park in my opinion. On the hike up, we passed by Holly Lake. On the hike down, we passed by Lake Solitude. The weather & scenery was spectacular!The view from Paintbrush Divide was awesome(about 10,700 feet). Going up, the trail got steeper after Holly Lake. It took us about 10 hours to do the entire hike. I kept stopping to take lots of pictures!

This is voted as one of top 20 hikes by National Geographic.One of the hikes you would love to remember on a boring Tuesday afternoon! This is a journey into tranquility. The unforgettable landscape of snowcapped mountains, the sound of waterfalls all along the trail and the still quietness of the lake, makes this a hiker’s paradise!Check out my site for more info and personal experience:http://hike.mysticmemoir.com/2013/09/14/lake-solitude/

While visiting Jackson we wanted to do a major hike so that we could maximize our experience and see as much wildlife and all the natural beauty that the area has to offer in one day! This hike was all that we had hoped for and more!!! We decided to take the ferry across the lake and hike the 7.4 miles to Lake Solitude to have lunch. The National Geographic hiking guide classifies this hike as "strenuous." Do not be fooled by the first 4.7 miles, as you might be saying, "this is far from strenuous.......," just wait! Once you get to the Cascade Canyon trail fork it gets pretty rigorous, especially the last 2 miles to the lake. At one point you may lose the trail due to snow, but just look for the pink surveyor's tape and you will easily find your way. The lake is just breathtaking as are all the views on the way up, as well as down. Our trip got even better when we got up close and personal to a Bull Moose, then the icing on the cake was the black bear who just kept going about the business of berry collection while we photographed him. The hike is long, took us about 8 hours roundtrip which included MANY stops for picture taking, views, lunch and animal watching. We would HIGHLY recommend this hike.

We originally wanted to do a loop including Paintbrush Canyon and Cascade Canyon, but the Paintbrush divide still required cramp-ons and an ice axe according to the park rangers. So, instead we just did Cascade Canyon both ways. The views during the hike were amazing, and Lake Solitude was a perfect destination (and a nice place to filter water). Can't wait to go back to the Tetons later in the year and do the loop, I hear Paintbrush Canyon is great.

This is much more than a nature walk! The altitude isn't the most difficult part, but the distance is long. Bring a water filtration system as it's not worth it to carry enough water up with you. You'll be crossing over several small streams and ice fields/glaciers, so bring appropriate shoes. The views are incredible, and once you reach the lake you'll never want to leave. Keep an eye out for the Marmots at the lake - they are friendly and curious. Sunscreen and Bear Spray are both great ideas for this hike!

I was searching for info as I reminisced about hiking to Lake Solitude many years ago and came upon these TripAdvisor reviews. Didn't know one could review "a hike" on TA, but here goes. Went out with a buddy from school in late May, early June. Had been camping around Jackson Lake, and decided to overnight up at Solitude. Started out early from Jenny, despite Rangers strongly advising us not to go because of avalanche danger. When in your 20s, you're immortal! A short ways on the trail, still down among trees, the trail was blocked by a 20 foot wall of snow and busted timber from a recent avalanche. Rangers were right! We climbed up onto the the debris and continued on - tough going, full packs, climbing over snow and busted trees. Finally broke out and started up the north trail, but no trail in site, just more snow. Brilliant sunshine off snow = sunburn. It took us every bit of the 10 hr estimate for the hike. Deep snow, one step at a time. Got to Solitude and you couldn't even tell where the lake was - so much snow. Since it was relatively warm, we just threw our sleeping bags down on a tarp on the snow and slept under the brilliant stars. Woke up at some point in the night, and the moon was rising over the range to the east. What a site - Grand Tetons illuminated by the moon in that clear mountain air. Next day back down to Jenny, again, taking in the beautiful sites. Agree with other reviewers, if you go in early summer, the snow is slushy and you get soaked, so be prepared. Waterproof gear, extra socks. Of course, be aware of avalanche danger. That part I wouldn't do again. We hiked for hours up that north fork with huge snow fields high above us to our right, just waiting to come tumbling down. Honestly, we were lucky. But the many beautiful sites along that overnight hike are still etched in my mind.

This is one of the most scenic hikes we've ever done - beautiful canyon scenery all the way up to the lake and back down (with views of the Tetons most of the way back). We saw plenty of wildlife including bears, mule deer, marmots, pikas etc. Finished by an osprey swooping into the lake and pulling out a fish while we were having lunch! We were first on the trail in the morning, and people we spoke to who were behind us didn't see the bears or deer, so would recommend getting out as soon as it's light in the morning if you want better wildlife encounters.As others have mentioned, it is a long day. We are young and fit, and it took us about 8 hours (including stops for lunch and photos etc). We didn't find it particularly difficult though compared to some other hikes we've done. It does get definitely steeper once you get past the canyon fork thought. We didn't get the boat shuttle, as the hours in the fall didn't really suit (we just missed the last boat back). I would recommend getting the boat back if you can, as the walk back round the lake isn't that exciting when your feet are tired!

This is not for the casual day hiker. It's a long , long day but well worth the effort. On a clear day the views are spectacular. On the trail we encountered a moose grazing in a stream and a black bear ambling parallel with us on the other side of the stream. The ferry wasn't running so we had additional hiking which brought the total to 19 miles. Treat yourself to a great dinner. You deserve it

We planned to hike to Inspiration Point and then go a little further to see the moose. Which we did!! But other hikers continued to tell us we needed to continue on to Lake Solitude. It is a 14.4 mile roundtrip hike if you take the ferry across Lake Jenny (shaves off 2.7 miles around the Lake). Ferry costs $12 roundtrip. The hike up was a gradual easy trail. We did have to stop often to take in the beautiful views and catch our breath! We finally reached the Lake and it was beautiful with snow still on the side of the mountain. It is an altitude of 9035'. The hike back was not so fun. Our knees, ankles and feet were hurting and we had to hurry back to catch the last ferry at 6pm. Then a Thunderstorm hit! We had rain ponchos but our feet were soaked and cold! We made it back in time but I suggest if you are beginners like us to catch the first ferry across Lake Jenny at 7am and watch your time. We took about 6 hours going up and 3 coming down! Be prepared for cold and rain. Bring lots of water to drink and snacks. Bear spray was highly suggested but we never saw any.

We were told that the the trail was clear from after the Cascade canyon all the way up to Solitude lake. This was our first hike through Cascade canyon. Wonderful hiking trail, through meadows, waterfalls and beautiful wildflowers. The first 4 miles to the fork were an easy hike. We make our way up the 2.7 mile trail to Lake Solitude. We ran into quite a bit of snow, particularly the last mile of the hike. Wish we had our ice grippers, as the snow was a bit slick. The trail was difficult to find as well, but we managed. The lake was nearly frozen, except for a small patch. Still, a beautiful place! There is a rocky area that is clear of snow for having lunch or a snack. One the way back, around 1:30 in the afternoon, the snow became quite slushy, and a bit tough to hike in without post holing. If you plan to go in the next few weeks, just be aware of this, since it will slow down your hike a bit, particularly if you are trying to make the last boat ride (6 pm) across Lake Jenny! This hike is beautiful, though can't wait to try it in the fall, when the lake is free of snow and ice.

I felt like I was hiking in the Alps! It was so beautiful. Best hike I have ever been on in my entire life. Definitely tough, but worth it.

The roundtrip from the boat dock on Jenny Lake is nearly 20 miles, so cut 4 of those and pay the $10 bucks and have the boat shuttle you across Jenny Lake and back (you'll be glad on the return you didn't have to go another 2 miles). The first 4.5 miles of this trail are fairly easy and anyone with stamina and in relatively good health, and starting early (7AM is first boat crossing) can do it. The trail forks at the top of the canyon, and the right fork leads to Lake Solitude, another nearly 3 miles out. The distance is not so tough, but you must climb about 1200 or so feet over that distance, and as altitude is getting to the "beyond tree level" point the air thins a bit. Bring lots of water and bars and you'll be rewarded with a spectacular tarn (lake formed in a glacial cirque) that abuts the mountains rising another 2000 feet in front of you. Wow! Pizza and beer at Leeks Marina tonight!!!

This beautiful lake is quite a hike to reach. One path is down the Cascade trail then to the Lake Solitude trail. This is the easier route. Cascade is easy both ways but Lake Solitude is a little uphill toward the lake. The much more challenging route but recommended it up Paintbrush canyon and over the Paintbrush divide then down the long downslope to the Lake. You can also do the loop. It's around 17 miles.

We were not "in shape" for the 18 miles that this hike demands. We could have taken, shuttle, but opted for the full experience. Glad we did it. Plan on a lot of congestion at hidden falls and inspiration point, but once on cascade trail, a lot of quiet. Saw several moose n this 4 mile stretch, before heading NW to lake solitude.

Wife & I hiked there from the Lake Jenny side & it was fantastic! We saw moose, marmots and a huge variety of birds. The views are incredible & we took some of the best pictures of our trip. We did the hike in the beginning of June & the last couple of miles were completely covered in snow. Not so much that it couldn't be hiked but enough to slow things down. The snow also covered trail markers so there is some guess work required at the end. At one point we saw a bridge & realized we were about 100 yards off the trail. It should be noted that the very end of the hike is very steep.