Most visitors find it challenging to reach the alpine community in the park, but the view from Cascade Canyon turnout provides a glimpse. The canyon climbs through the forest community where many conifers thrive-lodgepole pine, Engelmann spruce, Douglas fir and subalpine fir. Cascade Creek flows near the trail providing islands of wetland community. In the upper part of the canyon, the alpine community thrives-a harsh environment buried in snow most of the year. As you enjoy the view, imagine the Pleistocene glaciers that once flowed down this U-shaped canyon.

Name Origin

Originally named Glacier Creek by the Hayden Expedition of 1872. The creek that cascades down the canyon into Jenny Lake was renamed in 1931 because it does not show glacial silt.