String Lake & Leigh Lake

String Lake and Leigh Lake – 5.3mi / 8.5km

Explore the beautiful shorelines of String Lake and Leigh Lake, backdropped by the mighty Tetons, on this level, out-and-back hike. Start at the Leigh Lake Trailhead. (Add 0.5mi/0.8km each way by starting at the String Lake Trailhead.)

The trail follows the narrow String Lake along its shoreline. Filtered views of the lake, as well as many access points to its shores, provide ample opportunities to see the lake and the mountains reflecting into it. At the inlet to the lake, a bridge goes across to the Paintbrush Canyon Trail. Don’t cross the bridge, but stay right to continue along to Leigh Lake.

At the next junction, stay left to head to the portage of Leigh Lake where you get a fantastic view from the foot of this lake. Follow the trail along the south shore to join up with the Leigh Lake Trail which hugs the shoreline. Mt. Moran dominates the backdrop. Even more summits come into view as you continue, with ample opportunities to access the water’s edge and enjoy the view.

Mornings and evenings give you a calmer lake with better reflections, while midday tends to be windy but the light accentuates the lake’s mint-green color. A nice turn around point is at Leigh Lake campsite 12C (making it a 5.3mi/8.5km day). However, you can continue on an additional 1.0mi/1.6km to the head of the lake, or even further to Bearpaw and Trapper Lakes. (See Bearpaw Lake and Trapper Lake for description.)

Trailhead: Turn onto the road heading northwest at the North Jenny Lake Junction and turn right into the String Lake area. Park at the Leigh Lake or String Lake Parking lots.

Elevation Gain: 50ft / 15m – Elevation Loss: 50ft / 15m

Click here for blogs and video on String Lake

Click here for blogs and video on Leigh Lake

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