On September 2–3, Access Fund Field Coordinator Loryn Posladek joined the Teton Climbers’ Coalition (TCC) for site visits in Grand Teton National Park and the Bridger-Teton National Forest to assess trail conditions at two of the region’s most most popular recreation and climbing areas: Delta Lake and Rock Springs Buttress.
The visits underscored the TCC’s commitment to stewardship and collaborative partnerships with land managers to protect access and conserve natural resources. They also highlighted the expertise of the Access Fund, the national climbing advocacy group that works to keep climbing areas open and protected.
Posladek manages the Access Fund’s Conservation Teams—the nation’s only fleet of professional trail crews dedicated to climbing areas. Posladek and her crew members built and maintained more than 11,000 feet of trail in 2024 alone.
Delta Lake, a turquoise alpine lake beneath the east face of the Grand Teton, has seen a surge in popularity fueled by social media and GPS apps. Once a remote destination for a handful of hikers, it is now the Park’s fourth most popular trail, drawing as many as 500 people a day. The influx has caused severe erosion, vegetation loss, litter, and overcrowding.
In response to the degradation, the TCC contacted the Access Fund to explore solutions. That discussion led to a Guest Shot in the Jackson Hole News and Guide proposing a collaboration with the Access Fund to help stabilize the trail. A conversation with GTNP Superintendent Chip Jenkins and Jenny Lake District Ranger Chris Bellino resulted in an invitation to Posladek to conduct the site visit.
Bellino has also joined the TCC Board as a non-voting member, acting as a liaison between the Park and the climbing community.
During the visit to Delta Lake, Posladek and TCC Executive Director Christian Beckwith were joined by Bellino and Sarah Zermani, head of the Park’s Trails Program. The group reviewed the braided and eroded social trail and discussed compliance and resource constraints the Park must address before rehabilitation can begin.
The group also identified three distinct sections of trail that will require different levels of work: the lower third, a heavily impacted root- and rock-filled path; the middle third, a steep, braided hillside adjacent to a talus field; and the upper third, the steepest section, which climbs a severely impacted slope to the lake.
While no definitive next steps were established, the visit helped introduce the Access Fund to Park leadership and opened the door to future collaboration.
At Rock Springs Buttress, a premier multi-pitch climbing area on Bridger-Teton National Forest land, Posladek and Beckwith found the climbers’ trail at the base of the buttress in fair condition but noted erosion issues on the Rock Springs Canyon Trail, where water damage is carving gullies. While no trail work is scheduled, the assessment provided a baseline for future needs.
Both Delta Lake and Rock Springs Buttress are TCC conservation priorities. The Delta Lake Trail Project is an effort to safeguard the natural beauty and accessibility of Delta Lake through sustainable trail management and community engagement. The Rock Springs Buttress Audit will allow us to establish a baseline assessment of the state of the hardware at the crag, perform any necessary maintenance and help assess its environmental integrity—part of the TCC’s mission to take care of the places we love.
“These visits demonstrate our dual commitment to stewardship and collaboration,” said Beckwith. “By working with land managers, national partners, and the local climbing community, we can help protect access while preserving the landscapes that make the Tetons so special.”
The TCC will continue working with the Access Fund, Grand Teton National Park, the Bridger-Teton National Forest, and community stakeholders to determine next steps for both projects.