Distance: 3.8 miles on trail
Summit Elevation: 7122' (high point on trail)
Elevation Gain: 300'
Elevation Gain (in Empire State Buildings): 0.2
Round trip time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Recommended water: 16 oz.
Parking/Fees: $35 National Parks (good for 7 days)
Difficulty: Easy
String Lake is one of several glacial lakes directly below the Teton range. A network of trails runs around and between the lakes. In fact, you can hike to Hidden Falls from String Lake skipping the Jenny Lake parking area and boats. We did a counterclockwise loop around the lake. String lake is shallow and calm, probably no more than 5' deep. It is perfect for swimming or kayaks or paddleboards. A large boulder called "jumping rock" sits in the middle of the south end. We were on bear alert but there was enough traffic that the odds were very low of any encounter. Reflections of the high mountains were the highlight. Having spent a week in grizzly country and actually seeing a grizzly (on the other side of a river), I find I am much more comfortable hiking and would even consider solo missions (though not recommended). Lower 48 grizzlies, while huge and lethal, are not the monster brown bears of Alaska.
Mount Moran
Left to right, Middle Teton, Grand, Teewinot, Symmetry Spire
Close up of Grand Teton in the middle
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