Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Nearest Junction
North Jenny Lake Junction
Summary
A fun, flat family outing skirting forest-clad, crystal-clear swimming holes.
The Leigh Lake Trailhead is at the end of the side road off Jenny Lake Dr; don't confuse it
with the String Lake Trailhead. Try to get an early start on this trail, as it's very popular,
particularly with young families. Canoeing these lakes (with short portages) is an excel-
lent option on a hot summer's day. Always keep track of your picnic food, since bears are
frequently spotted here.
The trail quickly joins
String Lake
. After around 20 minutes a trail branches left
across the outlet to Paintbrush Canyon (and a possible loop of String Lake). Instead, take
the right branch and then turn right again to
Leigh Lake
. You may see people carrying
their canoes over this portage area.
As you continue north along Leigh Lake, your surroundings open up to fine views of
Mt Moran and its Falling Ice and Skillet Glaciers. The dark central stripes in both Mt
Moran and Middle Teton consist of 1.5- billion-year-old lava-injected rock called diabase,
which extends 7 miles west into Idaho.
Continue past the lovely lakeside campsites 12A (group site), 12B and 12C, which
make easy camping destinations for families with small children. Ten minutes further
along the trail you'll pass a picturesque beach, with views of Mystic Island and, from left
to right, Rockchuck Peak, Mt Woodring, Mt Moran and Bivouac Peak.
After an hour (about 2 miles) of Leigh Lake views, the trail heads into forest to a mead-
ow junction; take the central path to the west side of
Bearpaw Lake
and campsites 17A
and 17C. The trail then veers away from the lake for 0.5 miles to
Trapper Lake
. Before
you descend too far on the trail back to Bearpaw Lake, watch for a faint path that veers off
to the left. This drops through forest and over a log bridge to campsite 17B, looping back
to join the earlier junction. Return to String Lake the way you came.
Several backcountry campsites are outstanding. On Leigh Lake the most popular sites
are 12B and 12C - you'll need to reserve these well in advance. Remoter sites 13 and 15
are accessible by foot on an unmaintained trail that leads north from the bridge over Leigh
Lake outlet. The nicest site at Bearpaw Lake is 17B, which has fine views of Rockchuck
Peak. Site 17A is on the lakeshore below the path; 17C is more private but a bit uphill.
Trapper Lake offers the quietest site (18A). These sites are among the few in Teton where
campfires are allowed (in fire grates only).
Lake Solitude
Duration
6-7 hours
