7.3 miles

Two Oceans & Emma Matilda Lakes

Grand Teton National Park

Fee: $0.00

Access:

From Jackson, drive north on WY Hwy 89 to Moran Junction and turn left (west) toward the GTNP Entrance. Drive west 1 mile past the GTNP entrance, and turn right on Pacific Creek Road. Drive northeast 1 1/2 miles to the Two Oceans Lake Road trailhead on the left. Parking is limited. No facilities.

Description:

Two Oceans Lake and Emma Matilda Lakes are 2 mid-sized glacial lakes set in the north-eastern part of Grand Teton National Park, and offer a variety of trails – from a short simple 3-mile out-and-back to Two Oceans, to a full loop around one or both, adding gentle hills up and over the moraines and around the lakes.

*Note: Both lakes are frozen and snow-covered in mid-winter. Check with the GTNP Park Rangers at the entrance to the Park to determine if the lakes are frozen sufficiently to ski on. If there is any doubt, do not venture onto the frozen lake.

Skiing Experience: Intermediate. The trail offers a moderately challenging skiing experience with gently rolling slopes and some technical sections.

Winter Conditions: The trail may be untracked or skier-tracked depending on recent snowfall. Be cautious of frozen lakes and check with GTNP Park Rangers for safety.

Summer Hikers: The trails are also accessible for hiking during the summer months, offering a different experience from winter skiing.

Dog Owners: Dogs are not allowed on this trail due to its vicinity within Grand Teton National Park.

Directions:

Beginnings: These routes all follow the summer park service road for 1 1/2 miles from the plowed road to Two Oceans Lake’s northeast corner, then return south, retracing one’s tracks approximately. ¼ mile, to the end of the summer park service road.

Views: Enjoy sweeping views of Emma Matilda Lake and the Tetons along the trail. The map shows the area and the summer hiking trails, which can all be skied.

To the Meadow: From this point, an untracked or skier-tracked trail (depending on the date of the last snowfall) heads southwest into the forest and climbs over the gently sloped, wooded hillside (moraine) to the north side of Emma Matilda Lake. At the top is an open meadow and sweeping view of Emma Matilda Lake to the south, and the Tetons – from the Grand Teton to Mt Moran.

Trail Options: From the meadow above Emma Matilda, there is a trail T-junction – right takes you west around Emma Matilda Lake, with a possible extension further west to Jackson Lake Lodge (4.5 miles one way). Left heads east along the ridge above Emma Matilda, through gently rolling slopes, aspen groves, and meadows, back to the Two Oceans Lake trailhead – approx. 1.75 miles. As the trail curves southeast around the lake rim, the trail begins to head down off the ridge (moraine). This short stretch follows an open gully and may require some traversing/switchbacks to maneuver on XC skis.

Return: After completing the loop around Emma Matilda Lake, the trail meets Pacific Creek Road at the bottom in a parking area, ½ mile southwest of the original trailhead. Ski or walk along the road to return to your vehicle.