This is a no-nonsense guide to get you into the Tetons and then back onto the CDT.
You'll be constantly leaving the national park's boundary so it's easy to wild camp. While not necessary mail resupply drops will obviously make the trip easier which is discussed below. Water is plentiful along the route, 2L was enough and just keep it topped off if you are worried.
Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming is just south of where the Continental Divide Trail(CDT) takes you. Instead of continuing out of Yellowstone National Park towards Dubois, you can enjoy another national park on this rewarding side trek then reconnect back to the CDT along the Wind River Range.
I think this "re-route" should be official CDT but who cares what I think.
I've split the route up into pieces so you can decide what you want to do.
Suggested route (class 1-5 terrain):
Blue
line ->
Pink
line
"Safest" route (class 1-2 terrain):
Blue
line ->
Red
line ->
Blue
line ->
Pink
line ->
Green
or
Orange
line
Refer to the map to see notes on the difficult sections of the routes.
FilesI hiked Blue line -> Purple line as follows:
Resupply @
West Yellowstone/Island Park for 7 days(or 6 and fill up at Old Faithful and Flagg Ranch as much as possible which is what I did).
Make sure to get your Yellowstone permits!
Day 1 wild camp at Yellowstone western boundary along CDT. ~19mi(30km)
Day 2 reach Old Faithful Village for lunch. It's possible to send a mail package here, refer to FarOut for details. Camp at Upper Firehole Campground(OA2). ~23mi(37km)
Day 3 leave the CDT, camp at Sheridan Creek Campground(8H2). ~28mi(45km)
Day 4 two river crossings and exit Yellowstone via southern boundary. Get to Flagg Ranch for lunch. It's possible to send a mail package here to split up the food carry. Wild camp south of Glade Creek Trailhead. ~23mi(37km)
Day 5 enter the Tetons! Webb's Canyon -> cross country to connect to north Teton Crest Trail. Hike past Dead Horse Pass and wild camp. ~29mi(47km)
Day 6 cross country via Littles Peak -> class 3 down climb to Lake Solitude -> Hurricane Pass -> Alaska Basin -> Sunset lake -> wild camp between Fox Creek Pass and Marion Lake. ~29mi(37km)
Day 7 Teton Crest Trail -> Phillips Bench Trailhead -> road walk to Jackson. ~21mi(34km). Resupply @ Jackson for 3 days. I stayed two nights in Jackson @ Super 8, 336(after 10% discount) a night for double queen bed in 2023...
Day 8 hike out of Jackson -> Granite Creek Campground. ~26mi(42km)
Day 9 Cache Creek Trail -> Steamboat Peak -> cross country and class 4/5 climb to Tosi Creek Trail. ~30mi(48km)
Day 10 walk to Green River Lake Campground and reconnect to the CDT! ~21mi(34km)
Of course you may not want to do ~28mi(45km) days so here is what I'd suggest for slower paces:
- West Yellowstone/Island Park -> Flagg Ranch is roughly ~90mi(145km) so divide that by your pace to determine food and Yellowstone permits.
- Mail resupply to Flagg Ranch to greatly alleviate the food carry. Flagg Ranch -> Jackson is another ~90mi(145km) so divide that by your pace. The best CDT town to send a package from is unfortunately far behind in Darby MT. You could try to send one from Leadore ID or bounce a box forward.
- Jackson -> Green River Lake Campground is ~80mi(129km) if you hitch from there or have someone bring you food. Otherwise food carry for ~121mi(195km). Divide which ever way you chose by your pace to determine the carry.
If you follow the "safer" route then take into account the longer distances you'll be travelling.