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Photo: S. Zenner, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Paintbrush Canyon hike is one of the most rewarding canyon hikes in Grand Teton. The trailhead is at String Lake, just north of Jenny Lake. The hike from the trailhead to Paintbrush Canyon all the way to Holly Lake is 12.4 miles round trip and the last couple miles is strenuous.The total elevation gain is 2,749 ft.
The Paintbrush Canyon Trail is a 9.1-mile (14.6 km) long hiking trail in Grand Teton National Park in the U.S. state of Wyoming. Access to the Paintbrush Canyon Trail is from the String Lake trailhead. From there the trail follows the west shore of String Lake and is also known as the String Lake Trail. The Paintbrush Canyon Trail then enters Paintbrush Canyon and becomes steeper and then splits with one trail heading to Holly Lake and the other heading south then west. The trails merge west of Holly Lake and it is a steady altitude gain the last 3.9 miles (6.3 km) to Paintbrush Divide. The east approach to Paintbrush Divide is steep and may require the use of an ice axe through July. There are two camping zones within Paintbrush Canyon and one designated campsite at Holly Lake which are available with a permit. There is a popular loop trail which includes the Paintbrush Canyon Trail, Lake Solitude Trail and Cascade Canyon Trail which spans a distance of 19 mi (31 km) and has a total elevation gain of 4,900 ft (1,500 m).
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Just north of Jenny Lake Lodge, this hike follows the shoreline of String Lake before arriving at Leigh Lake after about a mile. Leigh Lake offers crystal clear waters and reflecting views of the Tetons. As with most hikes in the area, beware of the overwhelming presence of mosquitoes if you plan to do this hike in the summer.
This turnout offers a great view of the three highest peaks in the Teton range: Teewinot, the Grand Teton and Mt. Owen
A worthwhile and fun activity is to see by Jenny Lake. You can hike 2.5 miles to the falls and take a boat ride back ($7 one way, $10 round trip). The falls and whitewater is spectacular as it makes its mad dash down to Jenny Lake. Be sure to be on the lookout for rock climbers near the falls. Beyond Hidden Falls the hiking trail continues with a climb up to Inspiration Point which affords a spectacular view over Jenny Lake and Jackson Hole. After another climb the trail flattens out and heads west along highly scenic Cascade Canyon. Eventually the trail reaches Lake Solitude.