Saturday, October 27, 2018

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.






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