Snowshoe to the Cunningham Cabin

During the summer and fall seasons, this trail is easily accessible, with a large parking lot just off of highway 191, and a smaller lot closer to the cabin. In the wintertime, you must make the hike from the main parking lot to the cabin, since the road leading to the smaller lot is not plowed. The hike in is only about one mile, and you follow along a classic buck and rail fence as you gaze at the majestic Tetons in front of you. Interestingly, these classic fences pose a hazard to wildlife, and many have been removed and replaced by wildlife friendly post and rail fences. However, they remain a fixture along the Cunningham Cabin hike.

Winter is a special time in Grand Teton National Park. There are fewer visitors, and everything looks so beautiful covered in snow. Wildlife is easier to spot, and skies are often dramatic with clouds and fog hanging over the Tetons. We visited in mid-January just after a series of good snowstorms. The morning had started cloudy (as Jackson Hole Winter mornings often do) but the weather can change in a minute here, and when we saw a little blue sky, we knew it was time to head into the park. By the time we reached the trail-head, the sun came out, and it made the hike very enjoyable with the temperature around 25 degrees. We were excited to see that no one had made the trek since the last storm so we had first tracks. There was about 1 1/2-2 feet of snow on the ground, and I used my snowshoes but my husband did just fine with his snow boots.

Built in 1888 by J.P. Cunningham, this historic cabin stands out against the backdrop of the incredible Teton Range. It was built as a double-pen log cabin, which contains two rooms with a breezeway connecting them. It's fun to enter the cabin and imagine what life might have been like in the homesteading era. My favorite part of the hike (as I'm sure it is for many) was looking out of the little cabin window that perfectly frames the Tetons. We did not see any wildlife this time, but we have seen bison here in the Summer and Fall. It's very important to always stay at least 25 yards away from bison, as they can be very dangerous.

A visit to the Cunningham Cabin in Grand Teton National Park is a must do in any season.