Description
The Amphitheater Lake Trail is a strenuous day hike in Grand Teton National Park that climbs from the Lupine Meadows trailhead to two alpine lakes tucked into the flanks of the Teton Range. The trail gains roughly 900 m of elevation over about 8 km one way, reaching Surprise Lake first and then Amphitheater Lake a short distance further. The route is well marked but physically demanding, with sustained switchbacks through forest and a high elevation payoff at the lakes.
The trailhead is at the Lupine Meadows parking area, located off Teton Park Road. The lot fills early in summer, especially on weekends, since Lupine Meadows is also the starting point for climbs of the Grand Teton and the popular hike to Delta Lake. Arrive before 8 AM if you want a spot in peak season. An entry pass for Grand Teton National Park is required.
From the trailhead, the path travels a short distance through sagebrush and lodgepole pine to the first junction with the Valley Trail. Stay right here to continue toward the lakes. The trail then begins a long series of switchbacks up the north flank of Disappointment Peak, climbing steadily through dense conifer forest. The canopy is thick for the first couple of kilometres, with occasional openings that give views east across the lakes of the valley floor and the plains of Jackson Hole.
At roughly the 3.2 km mark, the trail passes through a boulder field, and the tree cover starts to thin. The switchbacks continue, and the terrain becomes rockier as you approach the lakes. Surprise Lake is the first destination, sitting at about 2,957 m in a shallow basin ringed by granite. It is a good spot to filter water and rest before the final push. Amphitheater Lake sits about 500 m further up the trail, slightly higher, in a dramatic cirque beneath the cliffs of Disappointment Peak and the Grand Teton massif.
The lakes are the turnaround point for most day hikers. The rock walls above Amphitheater Lake frame the Grand Teton and surrounding peaks, and the water is clear and cold. Snow can linger around the lakes well into July in heavy snow years.
Bears are present in this area, particularly black bears in the lower forest and occasional grizzly bears higher up. Carry bear spray and make noise, especially where the trail is narrow and visibility is limited. Moose are sometimes seen in the wetter areas near the trailhead. Marmots and pikas are common in the boulder fields near the lakes.
The trail is open from roughly June through October, depending on snow. The best hiking window is mid-July through September, when the upper trail is clear and the lakes are thawed. Check with the ranger station for current conditions, since late-lying snow can make the upper section difficult to follow.
What to bring
- Bike and Hike essentials
- Bear spray
Tips
- Consider that you will climb up to 3000m in altitude. At such elevations, altitude sickness may already be an issue. If you feel sick, do not continue the hike and descend to lower elevations.
- Don’t be discouraged by the name of ‘Disappointment Peak’. It is the main peak visible from Amphitheater Lake and, to the eye, is no disappointment at all. The name originates from a group climbers that, in 1925, were not able to climb the second peak of the mountain.
- Arrive early at Lupine Meadows. The lot also serves hikers heading to Delta Lake and climbers bound for the Grand Teton, so it fills fast in summer.
- Carry a water filter. The lakes are reliable water sources once you reach them, but there is no treated water on the trail.
- Bring layers. Temperatures at the lakes can be 20 degrees cooler than at the trailhead, and wind off the peaks is common.
- The trail is popular but thins out past the boulder field. Most day hikers turn around at Surprise Lake or Amphitheater Lake.
Links
Downloads
Amphitheater Lake TrailDownload
