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Delta Lake
Hiking Trail
Hard
7.19 mi
2,342 ft
A day hike to one of the prettiest lakes in the Tetons!
Delta Lake is arguably the prettiest lake in the Teton Range. It has a unique turquoise color that few lakes in the area have. Delta Lake is also not as crowded as some of the more popular lake hikes in the park, such as Surprise and Amphitheater Lakes.
The hike begins from the Lupine Meadows trailhead. The trail is gentle early on and then picks up in elevation once you pass the Valley Trail junction. You get glimpses of the surrounding peaks right away. Just driving to the trailhead provides wonderful views!
Impressive views of the valley and Jackson Hole appear as you gain elevation. Wildflowers abound along this section of trail. Note, be bear aware, as bears tend to frequent this area.
You will lose most of the crowds at the Garnet Canyon/Amphitheater Lake junction. Head left into Garnet Canyon for another spectacular route (see Grand Teton Lower Saddle), head right to visit Sunset and Amphitheater Lakes, and head further right to find the Delta Lake route. Sunset and Amphitheater Lakes are both great spots and could be combined with Delta Lake for a longer day hike.
There isn't a clear trail to Delta Lake from the junction but you can find a faint trail nearby. Cairns also exist in this area. Regardless of whether you find the route, it is clear that you must ascend the nearby boulder fields. The steepness really picks up here, so take your time. Despite the difficulty, the wonder of what lies ahead at Delta Lake provides more than enough motivation.
Arriving at Delta Lake is a treat. You now get to see the sparkling turquoise water at one of the prettiest spots in the Tetons. This is a great picnic spot, too.
Once ready, retrace the route back to the Lupine Meadows trailhead. Be careful descending right below the lake, as it is quite steep.
Overall, this is a fantastic day hike and should be high on anyone's list who is visiting the Tetons! Written by Jason Weiss
Delta Lake is arguably the prettiest lake in the Teton Range. It has a unique turquoise color that few lakes in the area have. Delta Lake is also not as crowded as some of the more popular lake hikes in the park, such as Surprise and Amphitheater Lakes.
The hike begins from the Lupine Meadows trailhead. The trail is gentle early on and then picks up in elevation once you pass the Valley Trail junction. You get glimpses of the surrounding peaks right away. Just driving to the trailhead provides wonderful views!
Impressive views of the valley and Jackson Hole appear as you gain elevation. Wildflowers abound along this section of trail. Note, be bear aware, as bears tend to frequent this area.
You will lose most of the crowds at the Garnet Canyon/Amphitheater Lake junction. Head left into Garnet Canyon for another spectacular route (see Grand Teton Lower Saddle), head right to visit Sunset and Amphitheater Lakes, and head further right to find the Delta Lake route. Sunset and Amphitheater Lakes are both great spots and could be combined with Delta Lake for a longer day hike.
There isn't a clear trail to Delta Lake from the junction but you can find a faint trail nearby. Cairns also exist in this area. Regardless of whether you find the route, it is clear that you must ascend the nearby boulder fields. The steepness really picks up here, so take your time. Despite the difficulty, the wonder of what lies ahead at Delta Lake provides more than enough motivation.
Arriving at Delta Lake is a treat. You now get to see the sparkling turquoise water at one of the prettiest spots in the Tetons. This is a great picnic spot, too.
Once ready, retrace the route back to the Lupine Meadows trailhead. Be careful descending right below the lake, as it is quite steep.
Overall, this is a fantastic day hike and should be high on anyone's list who is visiting the Tetons! Written by Jason Weiss
Created By
Strava Routes
Route and Elevation
Segments
| Name | Distance | Elev. Diff. | Avg. Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Lake Up | 3.72 mi | 2,106 ft | 10.7% |
| Valley Trail & Garnet Canyon Trail Climb | 1.69 mi | 673 ft | 7.5% |
| Teton Park Rd Climb | 1.01 mi | 351 ft | 6.5% |
| bear? | 0.90 mi | 666 ft | 13.9% |
| almost almost there | 0.48 mi | 489 ft | 18.9% |