Distance: 2 miles
Type: Out and back
Difficulty: Strenuous
Kid-friendly: Yes
Dog-friendly: Yes
Water: Yes
The Cirque Trail is a wildly scenic 2 mile hike that connects the top of the Bridger Gondola to the top of the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Tram. Covering adventurous terrain with panoramic views, the trail makes for a fantastic excursion between the two points. The hike can be ascended or descended, but for the purposes of this write-up, the description reflects ascending from the Bridger Gondola.
View more images available as prints from the Teton Mountains
Cirque Trail Description
The trail begins behind the Piste Restaurant building, quickly climbing steeply to a junction with the Casper Ridge Trail. Head left to continue up the Cirque Trail.
The expansive views drop dramatically from the trail into the valley of Jackson Hole. You’ll continue climbing up, heading around an evergreen grove, then pop out below a large rock face. With the top of the tram directly ahead, you’ll wander over talus and loose rocks as you navigate below the large rocky cliff.
Beyond the cliff, the trail widens as you make your way up to another forest grove. You’ll make your way up rocky terrain as the trail forks right off of a service road. As you ascend switchbacks through the grove, the steep trail will cross the service road several times before opening up into a meadow as the Grand Teton rises over the peaks to the north.
Once out of the small evergreen forest, climb into a large alpine meadow on a ridge. As you switchback up the rocky mountainside, a few quick scrambles up the steep rocks will bring you higher. The exposed ascent continues climbing steeply through an alpine meadow, albeit not as steep as the rocky cliffs from just before.
Ascending through the alpine terrain, you’ll pass Corbet’s Couloir, the iconic ski route. You’ll know you’re getting closer to the tram as the traffic begins to increase. Continue climbing steeply up through the alpine tundra as you pass Corbet’s Cabin. Just beyond the cabin is the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Tram.
Elevation and route courtesy of Route Scout
Getting There
From the base of the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Tram, walk up the hill to the Bridger Gondola and ride up. To hike the trail descending, take the tram up.