Grand Teton--String Lake

Another great ride accessed from "Cathedral Group Turnout".  See the other post Grand Teton--Leigh Lake for more information.  You can do a loop around String Lake (excepting the portions where horses are not allowed.) Access Paintbrush Canyon and trails around Jenny Lake.  Most of the photos listed below were taken on October 25, 2018.   This is an optimum time to ride.  It was a day after a rainfall, so the trails were not dusty or muddy.  There were some small puddles, not bad.  The crowds were minimal and no bugs.  Perfect temperatures in the low 50s.  That is why I recommend these trails be done in late September or October.

(click on any photo for enlarged images.)

This track was just over 7 miles.  Trail conditions: 50% dirt, 45% moderately rocky and 5% quite rocky.  Our barefoot horses did it fine.

This is a water crossing across the String Lake connector part by Leigh Lake.  The other option is the bridge in the photo below.  We opted for the water.  It wasn't deep, but the rocks were slippery and irregular.  Horses didn't like it, but they did it.

This shows the bridge we opted not to use this time.  It doesn't have side rails, but the horses could have done it.

Starting out in the forest.

This is on the Paintbrush Canyon trail.  It winds up through the forest with small snatches of views of Leigh Lake.  We didn't go much further than this.  Maybe another time.

String Lake "upper trail"

String Lake "upper trail"

I was hiking.  This group was lucky enough to be riding.  June, 2010.

String Lake

Heading out on the West Jenny Lake trail.

Jenny Lake

Jenny Lake trail

Jenny Lake trail

Jenny Lake trail

Jenny Lake trail

View of the Grand Teton from the Jenny Lake Trail

Jenny Lake trail going towards String Lake

This is the bridge connecting the west Jenny Lake trail with the east. We crossed this bridge to head back to the trailer parking.

Jenny Lake trail

Yes, there is a crossing just for horses...Here's yer sign.

And here is the crossing.  About a half mile of riding cross country in the sagebrush to get back to the parking.

Grand Teton--Leigh Lake

The Beach at Leigh Lake...What a View!

Truly an amazing ride with stunning mountain views of the Tetons, incredible forests and of course gorgeous water features.  It is in Grand Teton National Park so you will need a park pass to get in.  About 1 hour north of Jackson, Wyoming.  Check out all the regulations online first to find out which trails and parking are available to horses. I spent many months researching the trails, maps and optimum times to ride--even visiting the sites without horses first. The best time for this ride is in  late September- through end of October.  The road closes on November 1. Watch the weather forecasts. High temps in the 50s or low 60s are great.  Most of the bugs and tourists are gone.   This particular ride starts out with String Lake and includes extensions to Bear Paw and Trapper Lakes.  The photos on this page were taken on October 17 and 19, 2018.

The small red arrow shows the correct turn (North Jenny Lake) to access the Cathedral Group Turnout (which is designated for horse trailer parking.)  The large red arrow shows the turnout.  The red trail shows the route to Leigh Lake Trail.  The aqua trail goes to the Jenny Lake Trails.

(click on any photo for enlarged images.)

Total mileage on this ride on October 17, 2018=about 10.2;  Altitude=6,778 - 6,913'; Ascent/Descent=650'; Trail conditions: 80% dirt/sand, 10% slightly gravelly, 10% moderately rocky.  Totally suitable for barefoot horses in reasonable condition.  Adding Trapper Lake is another .6 mile each way. The trail between Bear Paw and Trapper is quite rocky in spots, about 25%.

Trailhead parking for horse trailers is at the "Cathedral Group Turnout"

Follow the trail out from the turnout.  Just before these trees, turn left and go cross country until you intersect with the main horse trail.  It's about .3 mile from this point.

The horse trail joins the String Lake Trail and there is this view with a place for horses to drink.

String Lake...there are numerous accesses to lake views.

First glimpse of Leigh Lake.

Most of the trail looks like this...

...and this.

...and this.  The "Old Man" mosses are amazing.

Many accesses to Leigh Lake shore line with views like this.

Leigh Lake looking at Mount Moran

At the "top" of Leigh Lake, you ride through some burn out forest.  We called this the "Christmas Tree Farm."

At about 4 miles in, there is a place to stop for lunch, The Leigh Lake Ranger Patrol Cabin. It's closed up, but.....

There is a bench great for dismount/mount and sitting on.

Near Bear Paw Lake

View of Bear Paw Lake

Near Bear Paw...staircase

Between Bear Paw and Trapper

Between Bear Paw and Trapper

Between Bear Paw and Trapper

Trapper Lake

Looking at Bear Paw, coming back from Trapper

Turn off crossing the bridge over the connection between String and Leigh lakes. This bridge connects to a loop around String Lake and also up Paintbrush Canyon.

Coming back towards the parking area.

Video of hiking around Leigh and String Lakes