Table Mountain

Along part of Wyoming's western edge with Idaho lies the Teton Mountain Range, which offers some of the most spectacular scenery in the world.  The most dramatic views come from the east side of the range, where there are no foothills to block the mighty peaks that reach skyward.  Before there was ever any proposal to designate the area as a national park, the Teton region served as a seasonal hunting ground for the Native American inhabitants.  Later various European explorers arrived and the region became famous for its fur trade.  Today outdoor enthusiasts from around the globe come to take on the physical challenges, and absorb the natural beauty the area has to offer.  About 2.5 miles behind the Grand Teton sits Table Mountain (referred to by many locals as Table Rock), which provides a nontechnical approach for spectacular views in all directions.  Though a long hike in and of itself, climbing Table Mountain can give you a great sense of achievement in the shadow of the main Teton peaks.  This hike is best accomplished when taken during the late-summer to early-fall seasons when the trail is mostly free of snow.

To reach the trailhead from Driggs, Idaho, head east from the traffic light along Little Avenue, which turns into Ski Hill Road and curves northeastward outside of town.  At about 4.0 miles the road crosses into Wyoming at the "Welcome to Alta, Wyoming" sign.  Upon reaching 6.6 miles from the traffic light, turn right (southeastward) onto the Teton Canyon Road and drive to the trailhead near the end of the road.  This is a well-graded dirt road that extends eastward approximately 4.4 miles to the trailhead and a camping ground.

View looking across a meadow towards
the end of the North Fork of Teton Creek

The Grand Teton with Table Mountain to
the right taken from the end of a ridgeline

The trail described in this post begins at the North Teton Trailhead sign located at the east edge of the parking area west of the stream.  Another trail known as the Face Trail begins at the parking area east of the stream, and though shorter, it is much steeper and not officially maintained.  For about the first three-quarters of a mile, the North Teton Trail climbs several hundred feet in elevation and enters the Jedediah Smith Wilderness Area before leveling out some.  Beyond this point the trail passes through alpine meadows and groves of evergreens for about three miles.  Fallen logs were used to cross the stream in several places while boardwalks provide easy access over the swampy areas.  Bear and moose have been observed in this part of the canyon – so keep an eye out for them and take the necessary precautions.  Close to 3.8 miles from the trailhead, the route curves westward and becomes steeper as it climbs the ridge extending west from Table Mountain.  Snow often remains along the upper part of the trail switchbacks well into the summer months.  The top of the ridge is reached at approximately 4.7 miles, which is just under 10,000 feet elevation.  Here you have a splendid view in all directions, including the Grand Teton with Table Mountain off to the right.  This is a good stopping point if you're running short on time and/or lacking strength to hike the remaining distance.  From this point the trail descends slightly and then regains elevation again further along the ridge.  The Face Trail also merges into the route near the bottom of the slight descent.  As you proceed towards Table Mountain the dwarfed clusters of evergreens eventually give way to alpine tundra.  A field of rocks is crossed at one point with several cairns marking the way.  Reaching the 11,106-foot summit of Table Mountain involves scrambling up a rocky slope from the tundra below.  Once on top the feelings of exhilaration kick in – only to realize that the summit of Grand Teton soars just over a half-mile above your head!  Distance from the trailhead to the summit of Table Mountain is approximately 6.4 miles one-way with an elevation gain of 4,115 feet.

The final part of the climb just
below Table Mountain

The Grand Teton viewed from the summit
of Table Mountain – Photo credit: Schmitty

The Outlaw Cabin

The Outlaw Cabin is a structure that was constructed during the 1960s at the edge of a meadow on Mount Jordan.  It was built from downed trees in the area prior to being designated as the Lone Peak Wilderness Area in 1978.  Inside the structure are several cots, a pot belly stove, wall-mounted cabinets, and two small windows.  In October 1997 a surprise snowstorm caught a family off guard on the mountain, and they ended up taking shelter in the cabin until they were rescued.  Today the dwelling is often cluttered with garbage and shows signs of wear and tear, yet it provides a great spot to sit back and enjoy the beauties of Mother Nature.  Though all trails ascending from the Salt Lake Valley are long with many switchbacks, the best approach to the Outlaw Cabin is from the Orson Smith Trailhead in Draper.

To reach the Orson Smith Trailhead from I-15, take the 12300 South exit (Exit 291) and turn east towards Draper along 12300 South (SR 71).  At around 2.0 miles turn right (southward) onto 1300 East for approximately 0.2 miles to the roundabout, and then follow it to head east on Pioneer Road (3rd exit).  One mile east of the roundabout, turn right (south) at the stop sign onto 2000 East and follow it approximately 0.3 miles to reach the Orson Smith Trailhead on the left (east) side of the street.  This area can also be reached from Wasatch Boulevard by turning left (south) onto 1700 East, which turns into the Draper Parkway, and then turning left (southward) again onto 1300 East.

Trail junction along the
Bonneville Shoreline Trail

Bear Creek Bridge just before
the Trail of the Eagle junction

Prior to starting the hike, make sure you have plenty of drinking water as there are only two or three stream crossings along the entire trail.  The trailhead has restroom facilities with drinking water where canteens and water bottles may be filled during the warm season.  Also, it is wise to begin hiking early in the morning to avoid the heat of the sun when it rises over the mountain.  From the trailhead a path climbs the lower bench area past a roadway (which crosses a spillway) to reach the Bonneville Shoreline Trail at approximately 0.7 miles.  At this point you have the choice of taking either the Cherry Canyon Logging Trail (also known as the Bear Canyon Trail) or the Trail of the Eagle.  Both involve seemingly endless switchbacks up the mountainside, yet this mitigates the steepness of the climb.  My recommendation would be to take the Trail of the Eagle up and the Bear Canyon Trail down – as the Trail of the Eagle passes through more vegetation and provides more shade from the sun.  The junction for the Trail of the Eagle can be reached by following the Bonneville Shoreline Trail northward for approximately 0.4 miles where a footbridge crosses the Bear Creek.  Once on the Trail of the Eagle your elevation increases as the trail winds up the mountainside and your view of the Salt Lake Valley broadens the higher you climb.  After hiking at least two miles the trail becomes less steep, and you can rest assured that the worst part of the climb is behind you.  Along the upper stretches of the Trail of the Eagle the path becomes less distinct at times, but it never fades out altogether.  A sign that you are reaching the end of this trail is the granite rocks that appear to the right (south) of the ridge you're on.  Upon hiking to these rocks, the more obvious Bear Canyon Trail picks up and you follow the left (north) trail approximately three-quarters of a mile to the Outlaw Cabin at 9,280 feet elevation.  Carved on the front of the Outlaw Cabin are the words: "Enjoy it, don't destroy it," which is great advice for traveling anywhere in the great outdoors.  Distance from the Orson Smith Trailhead to the Outlaw Cabin is approximately 5.6 miles one-way via the Trail of the Eagle, or 5.4 miles one-way via the Bear Canyon Trail.  Elevation gain is about 4,490 feet from the trailhead.  On the way back down along the Bear Canyon Trail is a nearby spring that can cool you off.

Posing in front of the Outlaw Cabin
near the foot of Lone Peak

Granite rock bowl along the Bear
Canyon Trail not far from the spring