Housetop Mountain - 8.9.2011
Our backpacking route from the top of the tram in Teton Village to our campsite in the pass between the Middle Fork and North Fork of Granite Canyon... 5 miles of hiking, gaining 700 feet of elevation.
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Our dayhike route from our campsite in the pass between the Middle Fork and North Fork of Granite Canyon to the summit of Housetop Mountain... 4 miles roundtrip, gaining 1300 feet of elevation.
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We started this trip from Teton Village by riding the Jackson Hole tram to the top of Rendezvous Mountain.
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The top of the tram is at 10,450 feet.
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Denali Girl at the top of the Jackson Hole tram... ready for some backpacking.
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We will follow the Rendezvous Mountain Trail for 3.5 miles to the Middle Fork Cut-Off Trail.
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An interesting flower on the Rendezvous Mountain Trail.
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The Rendezvous Mountain Trail quickly drops to 9400 feet in the first mile.
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We've reached the Middle Fork Cut-Off Trail (8800') after hiking 3.5 miles... and will use it to connect with the Teton Crest Trail.
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Denali Girl on the Middle Fork Cut-Off Trail... with Rendezvous Mountain and Cody Peak in the distance.
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After hiking the half-mile on the Middle Fork Cut-Off Trail we have reached the Teton Crest Trail... and will head towards Marion Lake.
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In the Middle Fork Granite Creek Basin... only need to gain 300 feet of elevation to reach the pass where we will camp.
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Denali Girl above the Middle Fork Granite Creek Basin... with Cody Peak above her head in the distance.
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Our campsite in the pass between Middle Fork Granite Canyon and North Fork Granite Canyon.
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After setting up camp we decided to hike up the Game Creek Trail and see if we could get to the top of Housetop Mountain.
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Left to right from near our campsite... Point 10,116, Fossil Mtn, Mt. Bannon (distant) and Point 10,043 (far right).
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Looking back toward Rendezvous Mountain, Cody Peak and Rendezvous Peak from near our campsite.
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The general route from our campsite to the summit of Housetop Mountain.
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Denali Girl on the Game Creek Trail.
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The ridge that will lead us to Point 10,214 and Housetop Mountain (far right).
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Denali Girl following the Game Creek Trail on the 9700 foot shelf west of the Middle Fork Granite Canyon... now we can see The Grand (center) in the distance.
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Pano shot from the 9700 foot shelf west of the Middle Fork Granite Canyon.
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Views broaden as we gain elevation toward Game Creek Pass.
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Still gaining elevation toward Game Creek Pass.
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We have reached Game Creek Pass... Housetop Mountain in the distance on the left... Marion Lake on the right.
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The route that will lead first to Point 10,214 and then to the Housetop Mountain summit.
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Broad views... the North Fork of Granite Canyon runs from the center of the photo to the right... Marion Lake in the center of the photo.
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Denali Girl decides to stop and enjoy the views while I continue on.
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From Point 10,214 I can see the target.
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Looking back at Point 10,214 as I get ready for the final push to the Housetop summit... pretty tarn below... Cody Peak (center) in the distance.
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I will be on the summit very shortly.
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Looking north and NE from the Housetop Mountain summit (10,537').
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The Housetop Mountain summit cairn... or is it a wind break.
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Looking west into Idaho from the Housetop Mountain summit.
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The map lists the green valley as 'Fox Creek Falls' and it does lead to Fox Creek Pass in the right center of the photo.
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On the way back now... took this photo from Point 10,214.
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Another photo from Point 10,214.
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From Point 10,214 I'm looking across the pass where we will camp to Rendezvous Mountain, Cody Peak and Rendezvous Peak.
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No idea what this is.
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Denali Girl on the 9700 foot shelf above our campsite... heading back to camp now for a well deserved rest.
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