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- Mount Saint John
11,434 ft · Teton Range, Wyoming
Mount Saint John
Mount Saint John is an 11,434 ft peak in the Teton Range, Wyoming. The standard route is the South Couloir to East Ridge: 9 mi, 4,554 ft of gain, Class 3.
Mount Saint John at a glance
- Elevation11,434 ft3,485 m
- RouteSouth Couloir to East RidgeClass 3
- Distance9 mi4,554 ft gain
- Time8 – 10 hrsHard effort
- SeasonJul – Sep
- RangeTeton RangeWyoming
Climbing the South Couloir to East Ridge
From Moose, drive north on the Teton Park Road to North Jenny Lake Junction and park at the String Lake Trailhead. Walk the Jenny Lake trail to the unsigned Hanging Canyon path (the Jenny Lake shuttle boat to the West Shore dock shortens this), then climb past Arrowhead Pool and Ramshead Lake to Lake of the Crags. South Couloir to East Ridge is Class 3: talus up a couloir to a col, then an exposed ridge scramble. The canyon path is steep, unmaintained, and easy to lose, with side drainages that cliff out. Bring an ice axe and crampons early in the season. Start early for storms. A Grand Teton entrance pass is required.
Gear and hazards
What to bring
Backpack (35–55 L)
Hiking Boots
Water
Offline Maps
Headlamp
Satellite Communicator
Whistle
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Sun Hat
Midlayer
Insulated Jacket
Hardshell Jacket
Warm Hat
Buff
Midweight Gloves
Trekking Poles
GPS Device
Power Bank
Water Filter
First-Aid Kit
Emergency Bivy
Helmet
What to watch for
- Route-finding difficulty
- Loose rock
- Steep exposure
- Storms
Quests with Mount Saint John
Teton 11,000ersPeaks near Mount Saint John
Frequently asked questions
How tall is Mount Saint John?
Mount Saint John is 11,434 feet (3,485 m) tall. It is in the Teton Range, Wyoming.
How does Mount Saint John rank among the Teton 11,000ers?
At 11,434 feet, Mount Saint John is the 13th highest of the 28 Teton 11,000ers. The highest is Grand Teton.
How hard is it to climb Mount Saint John?
The South Couloir to East Ridge is Class 3, which means scrambling, where you use your hands to climb and a fall could be serious. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 9 miles with 4,554 feet of elevation gain.
How long does it take to climb Mount Saint John?
Most people take 8 – 10 hours round trip on the South Couloir to East Ridge, covering 9 miles with 4,554 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.
Is Mount Saint John dangerous to climb?
It has real risks: exposed sections where a fall would be serious, rockfall from loose rock and fast-changing weather. Go with an experienced partner, wear a helmet, test holds before you trust them and turn back if the rock is wet or icy.
Do you need a helmet for Mount Saint John?
It is a good idea. Loose rock and rockfall are common on the South Couloir to East Ridge, so a helmet is on the gear list.
What time should you start climbing Mount Saint John?
Early. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, so aim to be off the summit and the exposed upper mountain by early afternoon. At 8 – 10 hours round trip, many parties start in the dark.
When is the best time to climb Mount Saint John?
The usual climbing window is July to September. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.
Climb Mount Saint John with Yak
Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list