FKT: Jay Humphreys - Grand Teton Picnic (WY) - 2025-08-11

The Grand Teton Picnic became an obvious goal last year when I shifted from trail running and rock climbing to triathlon training.  I had visited the Tetons twice before, but the Grand always seemed too big, and just out of reach.  I finally just committed in November 2024, bought my plane tickets, and began planning. 

Started the ride on my rental gravel bike before 4am, under the bright full moon.  Saw a porcupine after a few minutes, pushed the hills, and didn't get discouraged when my seat-post dropped way down (should have tightened that better).  Pulled into the Jenny Lake Overlook and was greeted by the headlamps of Motz, Brigit and Eddie, out there in the cold at 5am, cheering me on.  Wish I had brought gloves for the ride, because locking up the bike, getting on the wetsuit, and getting my dry-bag ready was pretty hard with freezing fingers. Jenny Lake actually felt warm once I jumped in.

Luckily no critter-sightings on the swim, and I was able to use the full moon to keep myself aimed right at the boat dock.  Swimming through the dark was pretty wild; hadn't done that before.  Got to the far side right when it started to get light out, so it was ok that I left my headlamp on the far side of the lake.  Changed, said hi to Motz, and took off way too fast towards Lupine Meadows Trailhead, where Brigit and Eddie again cheered me on, this time in front of many early-bird hikers. 

During the run, I refilled my flask both times I passed the meadows, and both times I passed the lower saddle.  I had some gels and sour patch kids every 45min or so.  On the way up, I was able to run to the meadows, but basically just speed-hiked from there all the way to the summit.  Finally getting to the scrambling above the lower saddle was amazing, and I was able to give my legs a rest and use my arms more. Having hiked the Grand for the first time just 2 days prior, my quads and calves still felt pretty cooked on the uphill, and I was constantly worried that by calves were going to cramp up.  

There were lots of other parties going up the Owen-Spalding route, which seemed appropriate, as it was the 127th anniversary of the first known ascent of the Grand Teton, by the Owen-Spalding party.  Pretty neat.  All parties let me scoot past, and I never had to wait any longer than a few seconds.  Pretty frosty up near the top, so I was more careful with my hand and foot placements.  Finally getting into the sun on the summit was amazing, but I only enjoyed the view for a few minutes before beginning the descent down.  And as I descended, amazing trail-runner Jazmine popped past me towards the summit, on her way to the women's Grand Teton FKT!  So sick.  I took my time descending the Owen's Chimney, as that was the part of the route that I was most concerned about.

I bombed through lower saddle, only stopping to get water and say hi to a fellow picnic-er, before descending the ropes, and concentrating on the technical descent back to the trailhead.  Jazmine absolutely flew past me on the descent to the meadows, and disappeared into the distance.  I did get a high-five from her when I eventually got down to the trailhead. 

I was definitely hot and dehydrated and feeling a little woozy on the way back to Jenny Lake, and walked some uphills.  I just really didn't want to feel sick during the swim.  Getting into the water felt amazing, and I cooled off a bit.  But I was still dehydrated.  I eventually realized that I was going to be face down in a beautiful clear lake for the next 45 minutes, and taking some risk, I just started sipping from the lake, and it made me feel so much better (writing this 2 days later, I did not get sick, woohoo!).  

Finally to the far side, I crawled out of the water onto the slippery rocks, a little dizzy and wobbly, but ready to ride.  My friends were again there to cheer me on, and even had a poster written on a ripped up seltzer box.  I got back on my too-low seat and got out of the parking lot.  Massive tailwind helped me cruise pretty good, and the views of the Teton range were much better than they were at 4am.  In town, I weaved my way past a few tourists and crossed under the antler arch, and immediately sat in the grass, where my friends and I proceeded to have a beautiful picnic of our own, but this time with powerade, water, pizza, burgers, water, ice cream, and water. 

Huge thanks to Brigit, for planning the campsite reservations better than me, waking up at 3am to drive me into town, making a sign and a Teton Picnic shirt, and cheering the loudest.  Thanks to Eddie and Motz for the cheers, awesome photos, and hype.  Thanks to Motz, Daniel, and Abel for helping me do my own Angel Island Picnic, to help dial in the logistics for this one.  Thanks to David Gonzales for creating this beautiful adventure, and thanks to Jen Day Denton, for really making me work for it until the very end.  

I do believe that this was the most beautiful bike ride I have ever done, the most beautiful swim I have ever done, and the most amazing trail run I have ever done.  All combined, this was one of the greatest days, and I'm so happy that so many people are getting out and getting after the Picnics.