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