Goodwin Lake Hike
Jackson Hole, WY

Travel time from Alpine Airpark: 1 hour 10 minutes, 48 miles
Hike distance: 5 miles total
Hike time: approximately 1.5 hours up, 45 minutes down
Best time of day: 9am
What to bring: Sunscreen, bug-spray, water, camera, hat, fleece, snack
Where to eat afterwards: Snake River Brew Pub web »

Google Link »

Part of the fun of a good hike is hitting the dirt road on the way there. You don’t expect the fun to start so soon, but the dirt road on the way to Goodwin Lake starts at the very North East corner of the Town of Jackson. As you wind through the Elk Refuge into Curtis Canyon, you’ll be amazed at how the scenery changes so quickly as you gain elevation.

No need for a 4-wheel drive unless there’s still snow or it’s been raining profusely but be prepared from some washboard sections. There is only one fork in the road and it’s well marked with a sign for Goodwin Lake to the right. Another mile or so up the road and you’ll dead end at the trailhead. From here it’s a good 2.5 mile hike up to the base of Jackson Peak and small, but beautiful, Goodwin Lake.

Hiking through the first section of sagebrush and dense wildflowers, be sure to look around at the vista. The view of the Teton Range from this vantage point is breathtaking! Once you’re in the forest, the smells of an alpine summer and sounds of chipmunks and birds will surround you. The ridge you hike along will offer a variety of colorful wildflowers cascading down to a valley far below, which you won’t be able to see but as you get closer to the lake, you’ll hear. Be sure to look for the huge landslide across the valley; it’s a good reminder of Mother Nature’s power in this rugged yet lovely environment.

You’ll come upon a Wilderness sign with reminders to hikers, campers and mountain bikers that Wyoming’s Wilderness designation means no bikes or motorized vehicles of any kind. You start to feel like you’re really “out there” now! After the sign, there is a small section of exposed trail with a steep drop to the left. Stay single file and be courteous to hikers coming down the hill at this point. As soon as you reach the creek you know you’re almost there! The trail forks with a well marked sign. Both directions offer advantages.

If you cross the creek and hike up, you’ll be looking across the lake at the backside of Jackson Peak and the scree fields it generates. There are many comfortable rocks and logs to sit on at the lake’s edge with ample shade. This side of the lake also hosts campsites tucked into the trees, so don’t be surprised to see a backpack hanging from a tree from a bear savvy camper. The sunny side of the lake, however, is the west side.

At the fork, don’t cross the creek and hike up to the lake’s rocky edge where you can find a nice, big, flat rock to have lunch and bask in the sun. This is a popular hike so chances are you’ll see other hikers enjoying the day just like you. As with any hike in our area, be sure to drink lots of water and have a snack ready for lunch. The hike down is always a joy, simply because you get to go down! One of the finest features of hiking down is the moment you come out of the trees and are greeted by the Teton Range once again.

It never ceases to amaze how majestic these mountains are. This is a famous photo spot as you can see the expanse of the Teton Range with it’s fertile valley below, which, after all is where the “Hole” comes from in “Jackson Hole”. Remember to pack it out if you took anything in and only take photos when you leave!

View Goodwin Lake Trailhead in a larger map