JHNordic logo

5.9 miles

Bradley and Taggart Lakes

Grand Teton National Park

Fee: $0.00 - donations appreciated

Access:

Drive north to Moose on Hwy 89N from Jackson, to the main entrance to Grand Teton National Park. Entrance fee or park pass required. Continue north 3.2 miles to the Taggart Lake Trail Head parking area.

Description:

From the Taggart-Bradley Lakes parking lot,( as for the Taggart Lake ski trail), head due west for 500 yrds following the ski tracks (summer hiking trail) across the open meadow. The main XC ski trail turns right (north) to follow the summer hiking trail. The trail rises gradually, entering a grove of aspen trees, crosses the creek on a wooden bridge, continues north rising gradually above the horse ranch. After approx. 400 yrds, the trail turns right (west) and heads uphill on a steeper grade. Some will prefer to remove their skis at this point for the uphill (and downhill on the way down), as the trail is only wide enough for a ski track. After some 500 yrds of climbing, the trail levels out at the top of the forested moraine to offer a magnificent view of the Grand Teton. The occasional fallen tree offers a nice place for a picnic or rest. Continue west, where the trail splits – left to Taggart Lake – right to Bradley Lake. Head right(northwest), where the trail begins to climb for another 1/3 mile, thru open slopes of aspens and small conifers. The trail switchbacks up the moraine, heading progressively north-north-west, then turns north and continues over up and down rolling terrain in denser forest. After ¾ mile, Bradley lake can be seen to the north and down the hill from the trail. The trail continues on the east side of the lake, up to the wood bridge, a nice place for a picnic and turn around.
.
**Early in the season, the lake may not be frozen enough to ski on, so do not venture onto the lake until well into the winter, after several weeks of known, well- below- freezing condition without thaw. Check with GTNP staff for current conditions.

Return via the same path.

Variation: On the return, one can head south to Taggart Lake and return to the parking lot via either return trails – the one used for the outbound ski, or the Beaver Creek loop, south of Taggart Lake ( see Taggart Lake Trail description)..

Elevation gain: 184m