On September 2, representatives from Grand Teton National Park, the Access Fund, and the Teton Climbers’ Coalition (TCC) visited Delta Lake to assess the heavily impacted social trail to the popular alpine destination and discuss options for rehabilitation.
Jenny Lake District Ranger Chris Bellino and Sarah Zermani, head of the Park’s Trails Program, joined Loryn Posladek, Access Fund Field Coordinator, and Christian Beckwith, Executive Director of the Teton Climbers’ Coalition, for the on-site review.
The visit highlighted the complexity of addressing Delta Lake’s rapidly deteriorating social trail, which has seen a surge in use and resulting damage in recent years. Braiding, erosion, and loss of vegetation characterize much of the route. Despite these challenges, the group identified a promising path forward.
The team divided the trail into three distinct sections:
- Lower third: A heavily impacted root- and rock-filled forest path that will require moderate stabilization and benching.
- Middle third: A steep, braided hillside adjacent to a talus field. Rerouting the trail into the talus could reduce impact and require less extensive work.
- Upper third: The steepest section, which climbs a severely impacted slope to the lake and would require significant stonework and stair construction.
Discussion centered on beginning work with the middle third, where a reroute through the talus appears the most feasible option. Zermani and Posladek reviewed next steps for assembling the information necessary to contract trail work as early as next summer.
“This was an illuminating visit,” said Beckwith. “The Delta Lake trail is a mess, and everyone knows it. But seeing the challenges firsthand with the Park and Access Fund helped clarify potential solutions. If we can help facilitate a low-cost, effective project that stabilizes the trail and demonstrates the Park’s commitment to partnering with the community, we’re eager to support it.”On September 2, Grand Teton National Park staff, the Access Fund, and the Teton Climbers’ Coalition visited Delta Lake to review the eroded social trail and discuss options for rehabilitation.
In addition to the Delta Lake discussion, Zermani invited the TCC to assist with a smaller project: reconstructing a belay stance at Upper Blacktail Butte. Beckwith noted that TCC’s board would review the request and anticipated strong interest in lending a hand.
While no final decisions were made during the visit, the collaborative review marked a meaningful step toward addressing one of the Park’s most pressing trail concerns.