Table Mountain: A Strenuous Hike With a Big Reward
Table Mountain, or Table Rock, is One of the Best Teton Range Hikes
It is best to start out from Driggs, Idaho to get to the trailhead. This can easily be done from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, or anyplace in Southeastern Idaho. Go up Ski Hill Road, heading in a more easterly direction, for a little more than six miles. By this time you will pass through Alta, Wyoming. Turn right on Teton Canyon Road. The trailhead is in a campground that is clearly marked as directing you to the trailhead.
The trail is fairly easy to follow and features mile markers, even though it is a bit rough. The trailhead starts at over 7,000 feet up. It follows the Teton Creek's North Fork for the first few miles. This is a real treat, as it offers beautiful waterfalls to look at as it comes cascading down the mountain. After the trail leaves the creek, there are plenty of switchbacks. In less than a mile, you will rise 1,000 feet through switchbacks. The final uphill climb is rather steep. By the time you summit, you have gone 4,000 feet up and covered about six miles of trail. The top is 11,000 feet. I thought about giving up, but am very glad I did not.
Table Rock's summit offers a view of the Grand Teton, which is about a mile away, and towers an additional 2,000 feet. Views of the Middle and South Tetons are spectacular. Indeed, Table Rock offers one of the most stunning views of the Teton mountain range. Glacial valleys are visible as well. Some who reach the summit choose to climb down to a glacial lake, which is a few miles of trail away. Backcountry enthusiasts find the trip to the lake a welcome way to get away from the more heavily traveled trail (although there are rarely more than 30 or 40 people at the summit at one time).
Getting back can be done a couple of different ways. It is possible to go back the way you came, but there is another way down. This is the way I chose. It leads across a meadow (you will notice the meadow on your way up, full of wildflowers during late June and July). A small sign warns that the way is not recommended, and that you proceed at your own risk. This way is shorter mileage-wise, as it basically takes you straight down the mountain, rather than winding you on switchbacks. This is a steep and dangerous climb down, and only saved us about half an hour.
Make sure you are dressed for cooler weather. When I went up in August, there was still snow on the summit. The wind is cold and crisp. A sweatshirt is recommended, as are good hiking boots, and a bag with food and water. I enjoyed a picnic alongside the stream partway up, and then victuals again at the summit. It takes 4-6 hours one way to climb Table Rock.
Published by Jean Marquit
Jean is a freelance writer living the dream and working from home. When not working, she enjoys playing with her husband and their son. Reading, traveling, and playing chess are her hobbies. View profile
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8 Comments
Post a CommentI did this hike August 2010 with my husband and his brother and brother's wife. We went up the short way and came down the long way. The short way is extremely steep from the beginning so you have to be in really great shape if you don't want it to kill you. Coming down the long way saves the knees.
Bring a camera. The scenery is amazing the whole time and the top is breathtaking. Make sure you have plenty of water, food, a jacket and sun protection. Not a hike for the faint of heart but well worth the experience.
Hiked it last Friday,(September 24) solo. What a great hike. After I got to the top, I met a hiker who told me there is a shorter way up with no switchbacks on the Southern side (saves 3 miles). The Southern trail is suitable only for the way up. Easily did the North Trail up and down in Seven hours. Quite daunting on top especially if you are scared of heights, as I sometimes can be.
This Hike is absolutley worth the effort. The view is a wonderful reward for the effort. It is a long difficult hike, I recoment bringing lots of extra water. Don't forget your camera, and enjoy the journey!
I hiked Table Rock last week for girls camp, and it was very daunting indeed. I gave up quite a few times, but my leaders kept pushing us on. It was very beautiful though. There were swarms of lady bugs at the top though! I suggest bringing a water filter, because on the way back down we stopped at one of the creeks and refilled all of our water bottles. Yum! It was really good!
I hiked Table Rock last week for girls camp, and it was very daunting indeed. I gave up quite a few times, but my leaders kept pushing us on. It was very beautiful though. There were swarms of lady bugs at the top though! I suggest bringing a water filter, because on the way back down we stopped at one of the creeks and refilled all of our water bottles. Yum! It was really good!
We made this hike this past weekend. Great hike but the bridges are out and you have to cross the ice cold stream three times, the fourth crossing has logs to walk on. We lost the trail on the switchbacks and had to traverse the highest peaks. I recommend hiking poles as a must. Beautiful views. We are definitely planning a second trip.
My wife and our five adult children made the hike in 2000. It is absolutely stunning and very rewarding. My wife and our were in our late 40's at the time, so we had spent considerable time, (2 to 3 hiikes of one or two miles, each week) conditioning for the hike which made it very doable.
I have hiked this also, and it is very daunting. I was a beginning hiker and thought I was going to collapse multiple times. I ended up losing both of my toenails a few months after the hike, due to my toes constantly hitting the front of my shoes on the way down. It's gorgeous and breathtaking, but very challenging.