South Leigh to Granite Basin

Distance: 7.2 - 15.6 miles (round trip)

Jedediah Smith Wilderness, Targhee National Forest, near Driggs in The Tetons

Grand Teton rising beyond the head of South Leigh Canyon

Grand Teton rising beyond the head of South Leigh Canyon

 

Lovely forests and meadows filled with wildflowers along with views of peaks rimming South Leigh Canyon, Fred’s Mountain and the summit of the Grand Teton, are the rewards of this hike up a pretty canyon. Parties looking for an easier hike can turn around at the meadows, located at 3.6 miles.
See Trail Detail/Full Description

  • Distance: 11.9 miles (round trip) to South Leigh
  • Elevation: 7,090-ft. at Trailhead
    8,475-ft. at South Leigh
  • Elevation Gain: 1,385-ft. to South Leigh
  • Difficulty: moderate-strenuous
  • More Hikes in:
    Driggs / Jackson / The Tetons

Why Hike South Leigh to Granite Basin

South Leigh Canyon offers a little something for everyone. Parties looking for an easy day and some solitude will enjoy a walk up the canyon, traveling through forests and meadows filled with wildflowers in season. Hikers seeking a more strenuous walk will savor the fine views offered on the climb to a bench, clad in meadows and awash in wildflowers, high above the north side of the canyon. Here views stretch from Fred’s Mountain, in the southwest, to the Grand Teton, rising above the headwall of South Leigh Canyon to the southeast. A long ridge ending at Peak 9974 towers above the bench to the northeast.

Beyond the bench the trail continues to upper Granite Basin Lakes at 7.8 miles. This hike, outside the range of most day hikers, is best done as an overnight or two night backpack that includes a visit to the Green Lakes in the canyon to the north. See the Green Lakes – Granite Basin Loop for more information on the Green Lakes.

Elevation Profile

Elevation Profile for the South Leigh Canyon trails

Trail Resources

Trail Detail/Full Description / Trail Photo Gallery / Trail Map

Basecamp(s) Information:
Driggs / Jackson

Region Information:
The Tetons

Other Hiking Regions in:
Wyoming