Cathedral Traverse
Late June to Early September
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Perhaps the three most rugged and beautiful of all Teton peaks are included in this difficult traverse. Teewinot, Mount Owen, and the Grand Teton are known as the Cathedral Group because of their majestic appearance when viewed from the northeast. The Cathedral Traverse encompasses all of the most difficult aspects of the Grand Traverse, but omits the easier terrain between the Grand Teton and Nez Perce.

We begin at Lupine Meadows and climb nearly 5,000 feet up the technically easy east face of Teewinot. The ridge connecting to Mount Owen is long and intricate involving much downclimbing, rappelling, and plenty of roped climbing. Two major sub-peaks must be passed en route.

From the top of Mount Owen we descend over exposed rock on the south ridge and rappel to Gunsight Notch. Two pitches of 5.7 cracks lead us to our bivouac at the Grandstand. In the morning, we awake with the first sunlight and begin our ascent of the Grand Teton's north ridge. At IV 5.8, it is the crux of the traverse. From the summit of the Grand Teton, we descend to the Lower Saddle via the Owen-Spalding Route and hike to Jackson Hole via Garnet Canyon. Super fit climbers may also consider attempting the Cathedral Traverse in one long day!

Please see our current rates for this traverse.