Sheep Steps Loop via Death Canyon Trail
27.0 mi
Distance
13 hrs 29 min
Time
terrain
4,098 ft
Elev Gain
Overview
This is a difficult loop trail to Sheep Steps in Grand Teton National Park.
This trail goes by Camp site, Group Camp, Horse Camp, Fox Creek Pass, Basin Lakes, and Phelps Lake Overlook.
Sights to See
Rate this Hike
★★★★★
Have hiked this in July 2014 and late August 2018. In July you probably want an ice axe for the traverse between Static Peak Divide and Buck Mountain Divide. In August it was almost dry, but because of the rainy summer wildflowers were going crazy. I believe the track information is incorrect here. I recorded 5,600 feet total elevation gain. It's 4000 feet just to Static Divide; after this you've got the sheep steps and Mount Meek pass to get over.
There's been plenty of water along the whole route every time I've been on any of these stretches of trail. The driest parts are the few miles after Phelps lake when the trail rises above the creek, the higher parts of the Alaska Basin trail before Static Divide, and the first couple of miles of Death Canyon Shelf. I bring a small filter and a 2L hydration bladder and never have to worry. Your choice if you want to fill the bladder all the way and make fewer stops, or load up on just a liter at a time more often.
This is one of the great long routes in range. Truly spectacular.
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Public Tracks
Death Canyon / Alaska Basin Death March
One of the great long hikes in the range. Absolutely spectacular.
Most years before August you'll want an ice axe or trekking poles for the traverse between Static Peak Divide and Buck Mountain Divide.
There's been plenty of water along the route every time I've been on any of these stretches of trail. The driest parts are the few miles after Phelps lake when the trail rises above the creek, the higher parts of the Alaska Basin trail before Static Divide, and the first couple of miles of Death Canyon Shelf. I bring a small filter and a 2L hydration bladder and never have to worry. Your choice if you want to fill the bladder all the way and make fewer stops, or load up on just a liter at a time more often.
Phelps lake and lower death canyon are bear habitat.
