Overview Phelps Lake is an inviting lake with crystal clear waters at the bottom of a gorge named Death Canyon. This trailhead is #12 on the paper park map. The Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve is an 1106-acre refuge within Grand Teton National Park. On the other side is the Woodland Trail junction. When you reach the lake take a right in a north eastern direction and in a mile or so you will reach the jumping rock. While the entire loop around Phelps Lake features a variety of wildflowers, the west side of the lake will have far more as the season progresses. Then we took the trail down to Phelps Lake and to huge boulder with a jump about 20 feet. The trail was a steady but easy climb through the woods to the overlook, and the view at the top was well worth the trip.We walked in from Death Canyon Trailhead. Over the years the family gave most of the ranch to the national park. The site, near the south end of Phelps Lake, was originally a dude ranch known as the JY Ranch.

Hikers should proceed straight ahead on the Lake Creek Trail to return back to the trailhead. Start the trail from the Laurence S Rockefeller Preserve and follow the trail as it loops Phelps Lake. We saw brown bear and other furry creatures along the way. To the left of the canyon is 11,241-foot Prospectors Mountain. The eastern section of Phelps Lake, Spur Trail, has awe-inspiring views of multiple Teton peaks, including: Albright Peak (10,552'), Prospectors Mountain (11,241'), Mount Hunt (10,783'), and Apres Vous Peak (9,508'). The trail was a steady but easy climb through the woods to the overlook, and the view at the top was well worth the trip. It can get hot so pack lots of water and go in the morning. The rocky shore of the lake is only a short walk away from this point.The southern shore of Phelps Lake offers outstanding views of the glacially-carved lake and the surrounding mountains. Although the trail mostly stays within the confines of a mixed evergreen forest, hikers will remain close enough to the shoreline to have decent views of Death Canyon and the surrounding mountains as you skirt around the lake.A little further down the trail you'll begin passing a series of backcountry campsites, and at just over 3 miles, will reach the northern shore of Phelps Lake where you'll find a small sandy beach.A small sign at the beach indicates the direction you should take to reach the Valley Trail junction, which is located another third-of-a-mile away from the shoreline.


To continue on towards Phelps Lake hikers should stay towards the right here.A short distance later you'll arrive at the Woodland Trail / Lake Creek Trail junction. Definitely definitely try to make it to theWe walked up the trail as far as the Phelps lake overlook. This route circumnavigates Phelps Lake, and is the path you will follow for most the hike. You might not expect to find paradise in a place named after mortality, but the Grand Tetons work in mysterious ways. During our most recent hike we saw fairly fresh scat in a couple different places along the route. Once at the Valley Trail junction hikers should veer left to continue on the loop hike. It was a little long for him but totally worth it.

This loop trail provides access to Phelps Lake as well as views into Death Canyon and the southern end of the Teton Range. To continue on the loop around Phelps Lake you should proceed straight ahead at both junctions. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of My 10 year old and I hiked all the way down from the top.

NPS Photo/C. 0.10 mile from the inlet stream crossing, the Valley Trail and Phelps Lake Trails separate.
Turn right on to the Valley Trail. Depending on your timing, hikers may see fireweed, showy goldeneye, western coneflower, asters, Columbia monkshood, common yarrow and helianthella, among many other varieties.At roughly 4.6 miles the trail begins traveling through a very large huckleberry patch. A short distance later you'll cross over Death Canyon Creek.At 3.8 miles the Valley Trail splits off to the right, while the Phelps Lake Loop Trail continues downhill towards the left. This short walk of only one-tenth of a mile is well worth the effort to see some excellent views of Death Canyon and Albright Peak.At 6.3 miles you'll arrive at the intersection with the Boulder Ridge and Aspen Ridge trails. We walked up the trail as far as the Phelps lake overlook.