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Grand View Point
Includes Christian Pond, Emma Matilda Lake, Two Ocean Lake
Trailhead#1: Christian Creek Bridge (across the highway from Jackson Lake Lodge)
Trailhead #2: Grand View Point Parking Area (north of Jackson Lake Lodge)
Distance: 3.0 miles (one way) from Christian Creek Bridge. 1.1 miles (one way) from Grand View Point Parking Area
Elevation Gain: 956 vertical feet
Finding The Trailheads
There are two different trailheads that take you to Grand View Point in Grand Teton National Park. The "Christian Creek Bridge" Trailhead is located just across the highway from the Jackson Lake Lodge, and is found on the north side of the Christian Creek Bridge on the east side of the highway. Grand View Point is 3.0 miles from this trailhead. This trail option is designed in the shape similar to that of a "figure 8", so you can choose to take some optional loops instead of having to back track on the same trail.
The other trailhead, known as the Grand View Point Parking Area Trailhead, is located at the end of a gravel road just north of Jackson Lake Lodge. This gravel road is about one mile north of Jackson Lake Lodge on highway 89, and THERE IS NO SIGN. So keep a close watch for the first gravel road heading to the right (east) as you drive north from the lodge. Take this gravel road for about a half of a mile until it ends at the Grand View Point Parking Area. From there, Grand View Point is only about 1.1 miles on a well used hiking trail. Please note that this primitive gravel road can get quite bumpy, so use your judgment whether you want to take your car all the way to the parking area or not.
Christian Creek Bridge Route (3.0 miles one way)
Grand View Point Trail starting at Christian Creek Bridge, Grand Teton National Park.
This is probably the most popular route to Grand View Point, probably because not many visitors know about the gravel road that can take you 1.5 miles from the point. However, the Christian Creek Bridge Route is nice because it is actually a loop if you choose it to by (see map at bottom of page), where on your way back you can briefly visit Emma Matilda Lake on a short spur trail, and you will also hike right by Christian Pond, which is known for having moose in or around the water.
The trail to Grand View Point via the Christian Creek Bridge Trailhead in Grand Teton National Park initially
takes you through open sage brush meadows with a view of the heavily willowed Christian Creek to the east. Keep an eye out for moose hanging out in the willows.
This Grand Teton hiking trail will then work its way through a series of forested areas that are separated by sagebrush meadows as it takes you closer and closer to Grand View Point.
This section of the trail is quite flat, but once you get past the Emma Matilda Lake Junction / Grand View Point Parking Area Junction, the trail begins to steepen as it climbs about 800 vertical feet in 1.5 miles to the top of Grand View Point.
The First Trail Junction.... An Optional "Loop"
You will encounter a junction in the trail about 1.3 miles into the hike. The trail to the right takes you on the
shortest and easiest route to Grand View Point. The trail to the left takes you around the western base of the mountain that Grand View Point is located on, and brings you nearly to the inlet of Two Ocean Lake before it begins to climb up the other side of the mountain, north of where Grand Teton Point is located (see map at bottom of the page).
The main trail connects with the Two Ocean Lake Trail at the northern end of this mountain, so if you want to really add some mileage to your hike, you can go visit Two Ocean Lake and then back track and then head up the mountain to Grand View Point.
You will reach Grand View Point after coming at it from the north. This route is longer by about a mile and a half, but the advantage is that you won't ever have to back track, and you'll see new scenery all the way back to your vehicle.
Once you reach the base of the mountain, whichever route you choose, the trail will begin to abruptly gain
in vertical elevation, about 700 vertical feet in 1.5 miles, until it reaches the top of Grand View Point. During certain times of the summer, the slopes will be covered in wildflowers, which truly adds to the beauty of this Grand Teton National Park hiking trail. Also, keep an eye out for wildlife such as mule deer, blue grouse and elk. We commonly see these animals on this trail... and we have also spotted a few black bears and grizzly bears as well.
Grand View Point
This is a view from Grand View Point in Grand Teton National Park when facing west.
Once you reach Grand View Point during your Grand Teton National Park hiking adventure, you will see the amazing Teton Range dominating the western skyline (see photo above), and you'll get a good view of Jackson Lake resting at the base of these towering mountains. To the east, you will enjoy a unique view of Two Ocean Lake and Emma Matilda Lake, as well as a seemingly endless sea of forest land (see photo below). Grand View Point is obviously a great place to enjoy a nice lunch while taking in the scenery.
This is a view from Grand View Point to the east. Two Ocean Lake and Emma Matilda Lake are easily seen from this vantage point.
This male blue grouse shared Grand View Point with us!
The Hike Back....
As you hike back, you are going to encounter several junctions.....
Grand View Point Parking Area Junction
(1 mile south of Grand View Point)
In about a mile after leaving Grand View Point, you will reach the Grand View Point Parking Area Junction. Of course ignore this junction and keep heading on the main trail, that is unless you parked your car at this parking lot.
Emma Matilda Lake Trail NORTH Junction
(1.7 miles south of Grand View Point)
In about 0.7 miles beyond the Grand View Point Parking Area Junction (yes, we know the map makes this look shorter), you will encounter the Emma Matilda Lake Trail North Junction. This is somewhat of a confusing junction, so listen carefully. If you take a right (west), you will be on the exact trail you started on and you're heading back to the Christian Bridge Trailhead, which is about 1.3 miles from this point. If you take a left (east), you will be hiking straight east between Lake Emma Matilda and Two Ocean Lake, where the Two Ocean Lake Parking Area is about 3.7 miles from this point. This is NOT where you want to go!
If you want to see new country instead of simply back tracking on the same trail you started on, then we recommend that you go straight and head toward Christian Pond, which is about 1.6 miles south of where you're standing, which will make a loop out of your day hike.....but keep in mind you will be adding anywhere from 0.9 miles to 1.5 miles to your hike if you choose to take this "loop".
Emma Matilda Lake Trail SOUTH Junction
(2.7 miles south of Grand View Point)
If you decide to see new country and choose to head south toward Christian Pond, in about another mile you will encounter the Emma Matilda Lake Trail SOUTH Junction. You have now hiked about 2.7 miles south of Grand View Point. At this junction you have the option of either hiking an additional 0.3 miles east to see Emma Matilda Lake and then back track to get back to this point, or you can skip this spur trail and keep heading to Christian Pond, which is about 0.9 miles from this spot. Jackson Lake Lodge (i.e. Christian Creek Bridge Trailhead and the end of your hike) is 1.2 miles from this spot, in the same direction on the same trail.
Emma Matilda Lake
Emma Matilda Lake, Grand Teton National Park.
If you decide to take the quick 0.3 mile trail to get a glimpse of Emma Matilda Lake, then go enjoy the lake and even have a nice relaxing snack on the shore.
Don't keep going on this south shore trail however because it goes for many miles in the wrong direction (east). Once you've enjoyed viewing Emma Matilda Lake, then simply back track on the same trail you hiked to the lake on, and you'll end up back at the junction.
From the junction, Christian Pond is about 0.9 miles (3.6 miles south of Grand View Point), and the end of your hike at the Christian Creek Bridge is 1.2 miles from where you're standing. By taking this "loop" to Christian Pond and the spur trail to Emma Matilda Lake, you've added an additional 1.5 miles to your hike.
Christian Pond (3.6 miles south of Grand View Point)
Christian Pond, Grand View Point Trail, Grand Teton National Park
Moose seem to really like Christian Pond in Grand Teton National Park, so as the trail takes you around the
lake, keep a close eye out for moose either in the lake or in the surrounding willows. This area is perfect moose habitat for spring, summer and fall seasons. During "the rut", which is the fall mating season for moose (which is around early October), you even might get to see a bull moose "courting" a cow moose near Christian Pond.
And as you keep hiking along this trail, you will soon reach the initial trailhead located at the Christian Creek Bridge, where you started your hike to Grand View Point earlier that day. Please note that if you chose to take the loop back, your hike was extended an additional 0.9 miles. If you also decided to take a peek at Emma Matilda Lake, that was an additional 0.6 miles, so the total additional mileage by taking the "loop" is about 1.5 miles. Therefore, you hiked a total of 7.5 miles (3.0 miles to the Point, and 4.5 miles back) during this Grand Teton National Park hike.
Grand View Point Parking Area Route (1.1 miles one way)
If you're goal is to simply get to the top of Grand View Point as quickly as possible, then the Grand View Point Parking Area Route is definitely the best option. However, the gravel road that takes you to this
convenient trailhead is quite primitive and can be a little bumpy, so use your judgment as to whether you want to drive your vehicle all the way to the parking area or not
Once you get to the Grand View Point Parking Area, you'll see an obvious sign that directs you where to go. The trail doesn't waste any time climbing in vertical elevation. In fact, it climbs about 700 vertical feet in the next 1.5 miles, where it reaches the top of Grand View Point in Grand Teton National Park.
The Grand View Point Parking Area Route is by far the quickest way to Grand View Point, but if you want to explore the entire area, then you may want to consider taking the Christian Creek Bridge Trailhead instead. Whichever route you choose, you'll certainly enjoy your time in this scenic area of Grand Teton National Park.
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