14.4 miles
Signal Mtn Lodge to Taggart Lake Trailhead - One Way
Grand Teton National Park
Fee: $0.00 - donations appreciated
Access:
Drive north on Hwy 89, past Moose, to Moran Junction, left to entrance of Grand Teton National Park. Entrance fee or park pass required. Continue west, then left (south) to Signal Mtn Lodge (end of plowed road). Park in plowed parking lot. GTNP Foundation funded grooming. Restrooms in Signal Mountain Lodge.
Description:
This trail description, map, and elevation profile are for those who wish to ski on the groomed Teton Park Road trail one way, from the north to the south. It is a popular option , by making arrangements to be dropped off at one end of the trail, or swap car keys with friends starting at opposite ends. The views skiing from North to South are amazing. Since the northern section of the trail is skied less that the south (Taggart to Jenny side), the snow is often "first-tracks" groomed skiing.
The Taggart to Jenny to Signal Mountain Nordic Trail road is groomed once a week during the winter season, weather depending, on Friday mornings. Grand Teton National Park Foundation funds grooming this 14-mile stretch of road to improve winter access in the park. We encourage your support to enable GTNP and GTNPF to provide this unique trail:
Visit www.gtnpf.org/donate and list "grooming" in the comments field.
Grooming: 2 classic ski tracks, a skate ski lane, and a snowshoe/walker lane
-Tuesday mornings - from Taggart to South Jenny Lake
-Friday mornings - from Taggart to Signal Mountain
- Sunday morning - Taggart to South Jenny Lake
At Signal Mtn Lodge , start on the snow covered road trail, past the winter closed gate. The trail is groomed for both classic and skate skiing. Walkers and snowshoers have their own lane of the west-side of the track, and are requested to be courteous not to walk in or disturb the groomed ski tracks. Dogs are allowed on leash.
The trail follows the Inner Park road south, past the turnoff for the Signal Mountain summit. The summit road is not groomed, however, skiers may climb the road on the untracked snow if seeking a quiet side excursion with views from the summit, with a climb of approximately 850 ft.
The Teton Park Road trail levels out to a long flat section after approx 1/2 mile, then passes the Potholes sign on the left at 3 miles. The trail passes though open meadow and the big views of the Tetons begin to emerge. Continue south, winding through conifer forests, then eventually rising up the snow and sagebrush covered bench above the Snake River.
The view of the highest peaks of the Tetons unfold on this world class ski tour - from Mt Moran in the north, then Mt St John, Mt Teewinot , Mt Owen, the Grand Teton, MiddleTeton, South Teton, Cloudveil, Nez Perce and Buck Mtn (from north to south).
Continue south, past the North Jenny Lake turnoff, then to South Jenny Lake turnoff. Note that all concessions are closed in winter at South Jenny Lake.
Jenny Lake is frozen in mid-winter and may be skied upon, however be sure to get current information from the GTNP Park Ranger at the Park entrance before venturing out onto the ice.
Continue south, slightly downhill, for the last 4.5 mikes to the Taggart trailhead parking area.
Summer: As this trail follows the closed road in winter, in summer, it becomes a nice road for a road or gravel bike, with a fairly wide shoulder. Once you reach South Jenny Lake, a separate paved bike path runs from Jenny Lake to Moose.
