Grizzly Basin Trail
Difficulty: Intermediate Trail Use: Light
Length: 5.8 miles from jct with Dry Fork Trail #4098 to jct with Gros Ventre River Trail #4081
Elevation: 9810 ft at jct with Dry Fork Trail, 8780 ft at jct with Gros Ventre River Trail
Open to: Hikers, Equestrian
Trail Highlights:
- From the Dry Fork side, the trail climbs steeply through alpine rocky tundra from Brewster Lake. It winds up though rocky outcrops and scrub brush and small trees until reaching an upper saddle with beautiful views of Grizzly Basin, as well as views of the Winds to the south.
- From the saddle, the trial descends through a rocky area and down into the drainage. There are nice views of Sportsmans Ridge, and the back side of Darwin Peak. There is some water down here but not much, depending on the time of year there’s a small pond as well, though this area can be quite buggy.
- Past the pond, the trail continues to drop through pine forest with spots of nice views down to Chateau Lakes. The trail eventually bottoms out at the lakes and brings you to junction with the Gros Ventre River Trail. There is also usually a large hunting camp in this area. There are trails on either side of the river. The best is on the far side which will parallel the creek and take you down to Upper Falls.
Options:
- This trail serves as a great connection for those wishing to do a loop with the Dry Fork Trail and the Gros Ventre River Trail. There are no other connections off of it. You can either go up the Gros Ventre River Trail and connect over to Brewster Lake and out, or vice versa.
Important Information
- This trail is located within the Gros Ventre Wilderness. See restrictions link below for more info.
- This trail is on the USGS quad map for Darwin Peak.
- Always check the posted information at the kiosks for maps, updated material on forest regulations and closures.
Current Conditions
Call Tim Farris, Trail Supervisor at 307-739-5414 for current trail conditions.
Specific Trail Information
Trail Number
4157
Trail Type
Standard/Terra Trail — A trail that has a surface consisting predominantly of the ground and that is designed and managed to accommodate use on that surface.
General Information
Trail is located within the Gros Ventre Wilderness.
Getting There
Directions
- To Access from Dry Fork side: From Jackson, head south on US 189/191 towards Pinedale. Take a left on the Forty Rod Road which will cutoff over to WY 352 towards Green River Lakes. Follow this road till it turns to dirt and turns into the Green River Lakes Road. Follow the dirt road past the Forest Service Guard Station, past the Whiskey Grove Campground, and turn left onto the Union Pass Road. Bear left at the junction with the Roaring Fork Road and stay on the Union Pass Road. Stay on the main road until it climbs up a small hill and reaches another junction. Take a hard left at this junction. The road will go through large open meadows with several small spurs leading different directions. Stay on the main dirt road as it winds through the meadows. The road eventually heads into the forest and turns into an excellent gravel road that leads to the Kinky Cr Trailhead. There is a gate across the road and a large parking area. The trail takes off from the large information kiosk. Take the Dry Fork Trail up to Brewster Lake. At the lake you will reach a junction. The trail to the left takes you down to the lake while the trail to the right takes you up to Grizzly Basin.
- To Access from Gros Ventre River side: Follow above directions to trailhead. Instead of going up the Dry Fork Trail, go up the Gros Ventre River Trail. At Chateau Lakes above Upper Falls, the trail takes off to the left heading up into Grizzly Basin. This area can also be reached from the Big Cow Cr Trail, or the Goosewing Cr Trail, or the Jagg Cr Trail. See descriptions for these trails for directions to these trailheads.
