28.7 miles

Taggart to Signal Mountain via Teton Park Road - Roundtrip

Grand Teton National Park

Fee: $0.00 - donations appreciated

Access:

Drive north on WY Hwy 89 from Jackson to Moose. Take the Inner Grand Teton National Park road 3 miles north past the GTNP Entrance (bring your pass) to the Taggart Lake Trailhead parking. Note: the road is plowed up to this point.

Description:

This groomed Nordic track is one of the most beautiful and iconic in North America, running along the base of the Teton Range in front of the Grand Teton, Teewinot, Nez Perce, and Mt Moran. The trail is groomed for skate skiing and classic cross-country skiing, with a section for walkers and snowshoers. Nordic Ski Ambassadors are on the trail daily in season between Taggart and South Jenny Lake.

Parking: Taggart Lake Trailhead parking

Skiing Experience: The trail is groomed more widely at the start, with two classic tracks, and continues in its entirety with a classic and skate lane. The northern half is hillier. The trail is suitable for all skiers, with the first section being lovely for first time skiers. Heartier endurance skiers will find a good challenge in a full out and back ski. Wind can be strong in one direction, making the return ski unexpectedly harder if the wind was at your back going north.

Winter Grooming: The trail is groomed Tuesday, Friday and Sunday, usually completed by late morning, mid-day. Park fees do not cover grooming. Please consider contributing to the Grand Teton National Park Foundation, the entity who organizes and contracts the grooming.

Additional Information: Be sure to bring water, food, and warm layers, as the weather can change quickly from a sunny day to a snowstorm. There are no amenities on this trail.

Dog Owners: Dogs on leash are allowed on the the groomed track. Leashes should be 6 feet long or shorter, and skijoring is not allowed. Please note dogs are not allowed on trails off of the road corridor within Grand Teton National Park, only on the groomed track as it follows the summer road.

Directions:

Beginnings: From the Taggart Lake parking lot, head north on the groomed Teton Park (Inner) Road trail. Cross the Cottonwood Creek bridge half a mile along the trail, then continue north.

Uphill Stretch: At 13.25 miles, there is an optional side trail to the summit of Signal Mountain with an elevation gain of approximately 850 feet.

Views: The trail offers breathtaking views of the Teton Range, including the Grand Teton, Teewinot, Nez Perce, and Mt Moran. Enjoy expansive vistas of the mountains and valley, especially from the Mt Moran viewpoint and the Signal Mountain area.

Trail Options: You can ski as far as you like and turn around. The full ski isl 28.7 miles round-trip. Another option is to arrange for friends to start on the Signal Mountain Lodge side and exchange car keys, so each group skis about 14 miles one way.

Return: Return to the Taggart trailhead by retracing your route south. The last 4 miles are gently downhill, making for an easier finish.