The trail only catches a brief view of it before maintaining its casual stroll through the woods. Grand Teton National Park, WyomingĬontinue following the trail as it wanders gently through the woods where you’ll soon pass a smaller pond on the left, this one surrounded by aspen trees. Larkspur wildflowers blooming above colorful grasses growing near a pond along the Signal Mountain Summit Trail. The trail will wind around the side of the pond for ample views before it veers away and heads back into the woods. You’ll quickly emerge at a large seasonal pond breaking up the peaceful forest. If that’s the case, continue reading.īack at the junction for the Ridge Trail and the Ponds Trail, head left to begin descending into the forest. Nevertheless, it’s still a stunning view of the Tetons that makes for a great reward.įrom here, you can either head back out the Ridge Trail, or take the Ponds Trail back out for a change in scenery. You’ll likely encounter other people that drove to the overlook, so private moments with views are best experienced on the way up or back down. You’ll ascend through a switchback, steadily climbing through the thick forest where you soon reach the summit overlook. The climb remains steady through the old silent forest as it begins to thicken again, road noise from the Signal Mountain Summit Road becoming slightly more audible as you continue. In early summer you’ll see some remarkable wildflower blooms covering the hill. Grand Teton National Park, WyomingĪlong the way, the forest will get thicker along the trail, but through the breaks in the trees you’ll see a bare hillside rising on the opposite side of the canyon. Stormy weather moving in over the Teton Mountains and the evergreen forests along the Signal Mountain Summit Trail. You’ll begin climbing again through a forest that quickly opens up into another meadow where the trail will begin ascending toward the back of a small but picturesque canyon. At the other end of the lengthy meadow you reach the junction for the Ponds Trail where you’ll want to continue left. You’ll drop in and out of a few more meadows until some beautiful views begin to open up to the south, with the Tetons emerging to the southwest just a bit further. The trail continues to wrap around for stunning views of the northern Tetons as well before dropping back into the forest. To the west the iconic Teton Mountains rise high above while the lower Gros Ventres stretch from the east to the southeast. A brief but steady climb brings you up to the ridge with beautiful views opening up just a bit farther ahead. After winding through the calm trees, the trail opens up into an expansive meadow while gradually ascending. Heading left up the Ridge Trail, there’s a quick ascent up toward the ridge, evening out through an old but open forest. In this case, I went up the Ridge Trail, so that’s what this write-up will reflect. It doesn’t matter which you choose, but it’s always nice to take the other back down. Both ways will take you to the summit, but one follows the Ridge Trail while the other follows the Ponds Trail. The trail will break away from the pond and climb through a sparse forest before reaching a junction. Grand Teton National Park, Wyomingįrom here, you’ll wrap around a serene pond tucked away in the old forest. The sun setting behind the forest surrounding a large bottom near the bottom of the Signal Mountain Summit Trail. As the road noise fades you’ll quickly cross Signal Mountain Summit Road, which is where the third access option also begins. If you’re beginning from one of the first ways, begin from the road up through a sparse forest, climbing steadily before leveling out. Backtrack a short distance to access the trail there. Finally, if you’d prefer to avoid road walking, you can also take the Signal Mountain Summit Road 1.1 miles to a small parking area next to a large seasonal pond. Another option if you’re not staying in the campground is to park in the Signal Mountain Lodge area and hike up Teton Park Road a short distance to connect with the aforementioned trail on the opposite side of the road. If you’re staying in the Signal Mountain Campground, look for the trail inside the campground to bring you toward Teton Park Road and cross to begin the ascent. The trail for the Signal Mountain Summit can be accessed in three different ways. Both trails are detailed here, with the ascent focusing on the Ridge Trail, and the descent taking the Ponds Trail. The Signal Mountain Summit Trail is a strenuous 3 mile (one way) ascent up its namesake mountain in Grand Teton National Park, providing an alternate way down for a change in scenery. The northern Teton Mountains rising above Jackson Lake from the summit of the Signal Mountain Summit Trail.
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