Ski Lake Hike

Ski Lake in Phillips Canyon sits along the Teton Pass at the south end of the mighty range. The short and fun hike to the lake is a great way to get away from the crowds just a few miles from Teton National Park. The route is not as rugged as the nearby trails, and the pine, fir and aspen forests are dotted with small creeks and bridges to cross them. You get some great views across the valley southeast to Jackson Peak once you crest the first major hill, and the lake is small but located in a very pretty setting. The wildflowers are decent in summer, but much of the trail is open grassland with pockets of forest. The trail is better in fall than summer, and it will have even fewer crowds later in the year.

The 2-mile one-way is probably one of the easiest treks to see an alpine lake in the Teton Range, and the fall colors here are quite nice thanks to the many aspen groves. Phillips Canyon has a trail that continues on another 2 miles past the fork in the trail that heads to the lake. Heavily wooded sections provide some shade on a hot day. Dogs are allowed on the trail. This area is known for bears, so be sure to carry your bear spray on the hike.