JACKSON, Wyo. — AllTrails has become a popular app for finding and following trails, but in Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) there are a few trails listed that users have reported do not accurately reflect the difficulty of the hike.
The National Park Service (NPS) advises that whether a novice or an expert, both backcountry and frontcountry experiences require preparation in GTNP. The Park sees rescues every season.
Hikers should consider consulting an additional resource other than AllTrails when planning on a route. Below are a few examples of AllTrails’ inaccuracies:
Teewinot Mountaineering Trail
This trail is listed as a six mile out-and-back in GTNP that is labeled as challenging. The available map shows a straightforward route that gains 5,547 feet of elevation.
“THIS IS NOT A REAL TRAIL AND REQUIRES CLASS FIVE MOUNTAINEERING” commented one AllTrails user on Sept. 23 whose friends had to be rescued by Teton County Search and Rescue. “As per the ranger who coordinated the search and rescue, there are no real ‘trails’ to go up this peak (or the grand Teton) even though it’s listed on AllTrails.”
In 2021 a climber died ascending Teewinot Mountain, after two people died attempting to summit in 2015.
The NPS says that “good route-finding skills, mountaineering experience and caution are essential” to attempting to climb Teewinot.
Lake Taminah, Shoshoko Falls
Listed as an extension of the Taggart Lake Trail, the trail to Lake Taminah via Shoshoko Falls in GTNP is categorized as a challenging 10.5 mile out-and-back trail “great for hiking.” The map shows a consistent trail through 2,755 feet of elevation gain.
However, users report the “trail” is indiscernible for parts after passing Taggart Lake and takes longer than anticipated due to extensive bushwhacking, bouldering, route-finding and navigating fallen trees.
“Round trip it took us 9.5 hours and that was without summiting,” an AllTrails user recently posted on June 24. “The bouldering can get fairly sketchy and dangerous even. It’s not necessarily fair to call this a hike.”
Avalanche Canyon to Cascade Canyon
This hike is listed as a 18.5 mile point-to-point trail in GTNP considered challenging but “great for backpacking, camping and hiking.”
However, Avalanche Canyon requires heavy bushwhacking and route-finding, and the hike also requires a scramble up a loose slope.
“This route up Avalanche is not a park-maintained trail so I am mostly posting this as a word of warning,” wrote an AllTrails user on Aug. 21, 2022. “Do not follow the AllTrails track up Avalanche.”
“This is an off trail hike with a lot of bushwhacking and maneuvering,” another app user wrote on May 12 last year. “Navigation skills are needed here. One of the most secluded hikes in the park due to its difficulty, and the fact that the trail does not appear on park maps.”
Additional/alternative resources
While AllTrails’ mission is to share the outdoors with as many people in as many places as possible, there are certain trails that should not be attempted without the necessary athletic or mountaineering skills. GTNP recommends visitors stop at a visitor center to talk to a ranger about the best trail options and latest trail conditions, or access GTNP suggested hikes for all levels of difficulty here.
