Cascade Canyon is located in Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park is a United States National Park located in northwestern Wyoming, U.S. The Park consists of approximately and includes the major peaks of the long Teton Range as well as most of the northern sections of the valley known as Jackson Hole. Only south of Yellowstone...

, in the U. S. state of Wyoming

Wyoming

Wyoming is a state in the mountain region of the Western United States. The western two thirds of the state is covered mostly with the mountain ranges and rangelands in the foothills of the Eastern Rocky Mountains, while the eastern third of the state is high elevation prairie known as the High...

. The canyon was formed by glacier

Glacier

A glacier is a large persistent body of ice that forms where the accumulation of snow exceeds its ablation over many years, often centuries. At least 0.1 km² in area and 50 m thick, but often much larger, a glacier slowly deforms and flows due to stresses induced by its weight...

s which retreated at the end of the last glacial maximum

Last Glacial Maximum

The Last Glacial Maximum refers to a period in the Earth's climate history when ice sheets were at their maximum extension, between 26,500 and 19,000–20,000 years ago, marking the peak of the last glacial period. During this time, vast ice sheets covered much of North America, northern Europe and...

 approximately 15,000 years ago. Today, Cascade Canyon has numerous polished glacial erratics, hanging cirque

Cirque

Cirque may refer to:* Cirque, a geological formation* Makhtesh, an erosional landform found in the Negev desert of Israel and Sinai of Egypt*Cirque , an album by Biosphere* Cirque Corporation, a company that makes touchpads...

s and a U-shape

U-shaped valley

A U-shaped valley also known as a glacial trough is one formed by the process of glaciation. It has a characteristic U-shape, with steep, straight sides, and a flat bottom. Glaciated valleys are formed when a glacier travels across and down a slope, carving the valley by the action of scouring...

 as evidences that demonstrate that glaciers once filled the canyon to a depth of at least 2000 feet (609.6 m). Rock debris that was transported out of the canyon by glacial motion

Glacial motion

Glacial motion is the motion of glaciers, which can be likened to rivers of ice. It has played an important role in sculpting many landscapes. Most lakes in the world occupy basins scoured out by glaciers...

 formed moraines which now impound the waters of Jenny Lake

Jenny Lake

Jenny Lake is located in Grand Teton National Park in the U.S. state of Wyoming. The lake was formed approximately 12,000 years ago by glaciers pushing rock debris which carved Cascade Canyon during the last glacial maximum, forming a terminal moraine which now impounds the lake. The lake is...

 which is located at the base of the canyon. Cascade Creek now flows where the glaciers once did and the numerous waterfall

Waterfall

A waterfall is a place where flowing water rapidly drops in elevation as it flows over a steep region or a cliff.-Formation:Waterfalls are commonly formed when a river is young. At these times the channel is often narrow and deep. When the river courses over resistant bedrock, erosion happens...

s found within the gorge are popular destinations with tourists.

The canyon is immediately west of Jenny Lake. The Cascade Canyon trail follows the length of the canyon and is one of the most heavily used hiking

Hiking

Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...

 trails in the park. The canyon can be reached from the Jenny Lake campground after a level hike of 1.8 miles (2.9 km) along the Jenny Lake trail, or by way of a scenic boat ride from the campground to the west shore of Jenny Lake. At the foot of the canyon it is 4.5 miles (7.2 km) to the junction of the north and south Cascade Canyon trails. From there, hikers have the option of heading north along the North Cascade Canyon trail to Lake Solitude

Lake Solitude (Wyoming)

Lake Solitude is a lake located in Grand Teton National Park, in the U.S. state of Wyoming. The in circumference natural lake is situated at the head of north Cascade Canyon and is a popular destination for hikers and backpackers. From the Cascade Canyon trailhead on the west shore of Jenny Lake,...

 (another 2.8 miles (4.5 km) or south via the South Cascade Canyon trail to Hurricane Pass (5.1 miles (8.2 km). From Lake Solitude there are sweeping views of the Cathedral Group

Cathedral Group

The Cathedral Group is a term applied to a collection of most of the tallest mountains of the Teton Range, all of which are located in Grand Teton National Park, in the U.S. state of Wyoming. The collection of mountains known as the Cathedral Group are classic alpine peaks, with pyramidal shapes...

 and Grand Teton

Grand Teton

Grand Teton is the highest mountain in Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park, and a classic destination in American mountaineering.- Geography :...

. Just below Hurricane Pass, a small glacier known as Schoolroom Glacier

Schoolroom Glacier

Schoolroom Glacier is a small glacier located in Grand Teton National Park in the U.S. state of Wyoming. This Teton Range glacier lies adjacent to the south Cascade Canyon trail at an altitude of , approximately from the trailhead at Jenny Lake...

 can be reached via a short side trail. The canyon is situated between Grand Teton which is 13770 feet (4,197.1 m) high to the south and several peaks over 11000 feet (3,352.8 m) to the north. Steep cliffs descending from these peaks ensure that the high points to the north and south are not visible until one hikes considerable distance into the canyon.

Five miles (8 km) west of Jenny Lake the Cascade Canyon Barn

Cascade Canyon Barn

The Cascade Canyon Barn was designed by the National Park Service to standard plans and built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1935. The National Park Service rustic style barn is 5 miles west of Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park in the U.S. state of Wyoming.The rustic log cabin...

 is preserved. Built in 1935 by members of the Civilian Conservation Corps

Civilian Conservation Corps

The Civilian Conservation Corps was a public work relief program that operated from 1933 to 1942 in the United States for unemployed, unmarried men from relief families, ages 18–25. A part of the New Deal of President Franklin D...

, the barn was placed on the National Register of Historic Places

National Register of Historic Places

The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...

in 1998.