The trails listed here are all accessible from the Taggart Lake Trailhead. Horse trailers are allowed, but you must get there early to get a spot. We went on Sept. 4, 2019. The tourist season was still in full force. Google map "Taggart Lake Trailhead". All in all I am glad we did these trails, but probably won't do them again. (Well, maybe the Valley Trail and the short cutoff to Taggart Lake.) For better options in GTNP, see the posts on Leigh Lake and String Lake. Just a reminder, dogs are not allowed on park trails.
(click on any photo for enlarged images)
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| We snagged this excellent parking spot by being there at 8:05 am. |
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| Track for the ride: We started out on the Taggart Lake Trail (Red), then branched off on the upper Bradley Lake Trail (Lime Green). We came back on the connector trail to Taggart Lake, then went up the ridge to the Beaver Creek Trail (Yellow). We branched off on the Valley Trail (Lavender) out and back. Total mileage: About 10.5. Ascent/Descent=1,720'. Elevation=6,552-7159'. Trail conditions: All except the Valley Trail were hard packed dirt, moderately rocky to very rocky. Our barefoot horses didn't like it one bit. The Valley Trail was 90% dirt/grass, 2% moderately rocky, 8% slightly rocky/gravelly. Several bridge and stream crossings on all trails. |
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| If I had my druthers, I'd head towards the Valley Trail in any future ride, do an out and back on that nice, peaceful trail. |
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| This was the start of the Taggart Lake trail. Very rocky road base. |
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| Passing the rangers' horse corrals. |
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| Taggart Lake trail, typical terrain |
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| Taggart Lake trail |
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| Taggart Lake trail views of the Tetons |
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| Trail intersection. Bradley Lake to the right, Taggart Lake to the left. Recommend the left. We took the right and it was a really rough trail with lots of rocks, switchbacks, hillsides. |
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| Bradley Lake Trail |
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| Bradley Lake Trail and the photo cannot do justice to the challenging trail. |
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| Yes, Bradley was beautiful, but the views were not much different than those from Taggart Lake. |
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| View of Taggart Lake from the OTHER Bradley Lake connector. Recommended if you choose Bradley Lake. |
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| Typical of much of the trail. |
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| Along Taggart Lake the trail gets much better. "Why isn't the whole trail like this?" |
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| Typical of much of the trail. |
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| Taggart Lake bridge connecting to the ridge trail over to Beaver Creek. We had no idea what we were in for. |
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| Beaver Creek Trail looping around from Taggart Lake back to the trailhead. |
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| We decided to take a side spur on the Valley Trail. It looked nice. And boy was that a great choice! Beautiful forest, quiet peaceful and barefoot friendly trail! |
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| Valley Trail--several lovely creek crossings. |
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| Valley Trail...so nice to ride in a forest that hasn't been decimated by cattle. And the grass is still green here! |
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| Valley Trail |
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| Valley Trail |
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| Once back on the Beaver Creek Trail, the trail is extremely hard packed from all the foot traffic. |
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| Beaver Creek Trail |
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| Beaver Creek Trail getting close to the parking area. |
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