Grand Teton NP, WY – String Lake Loop is a 4 mile, heavily trafficked loop with approximately 400 feet of elevation gain in Grand Teton National Park. String Lake sits at the bottom of the Grand Teton Mountain range and there are spectacular views of the mountains from this trail. The lake is a popular spot for swimming and kayaking as the water is crystal clear and calm. This is a good area to watch for moose, elk, and deer. During this trip (2020), we hiked the String Lake trail on September 8, following an early season snow the night before. We’ve previously hiked this trail in August 2011 and I’ve included a couple of photos from that hike for comparison. This trail is included in Robert Stone’s “Day Hikes in Grand Teton National Park: 89 Great Hikes” and can be found on the National Geographics Trails Illustrated Map: #202 Grand Teton.
Author hiking on String Lake Loop after an early season snow
There are several spots to start the trail and the trail can be hiked in either direction. On this trip we completed the loop in a counterclockwise direction. From the main String Lake trailhead, outstanding views of the “Cathedral Group,” which includes 12,325-foot Teewinot Mountain, 13,770-foot Grand Teton, and 12,928-foot Mt. Owen appear almost immediately. Mt. Moran provides the perfect scenic backdrop against the lake roughly one-half mile past the trailhead. At 12,605 feet Mt. Moran is the fourth highest mountain in Grand Teton National Park. It’s named for artist Thomas Moran whose landscape paintings were critical to the creation of Yellowstone National Park.
Peak views along the trail
The Tetons Cathedral Group
The majestic Teton Range is showcased along this trail
String Lake’s clear calm water often acts as a mirror.
The Cathedral group during our 2011 hike
At about 1.4 miles, arrive at the Bearpaw Lake Trail junction which branches off to the right and takes hikers along the eastern shore of Leigh Lake to Bearpaw Lake. To continue on the loop around String Lake veer left. In a short distance, the trail crosses over the Leigh Lake Outlet. Turn left here and cross the footbridge.
Bridge over the Leigh Lake Outlet on String Loop Lake
Mike crosses the same bridge (in the opposite direction) on August 1, 2011 when water levels were higher from snow melt
From the footbridge the trail travels away from the lake and begins a moderate climb through a pine forest. At just over 2.1 miles reach the top of the climb at the Paintbrush Canyon Trail junction. Proceed straight ahead to continue the loop around String Lake.
Trees along the trail climbing toward Paintbrush Canyon junction
String Lake Loop Trail in fresh snow
We spotted 4 elk near the treeline on the high side of the loop on our August 2011 hike
String Lake and the Teton Range
The same slopes on our August 2011 hike, almost the same shot by chance
At 3.5 miles you’ll reach the Jenny Lake Trail junction, turn left here. At roughly 3.75 miles arrive at the footbridge over the String Lake Outlet. After crossing the bridge turn left to return to the trailhead, roughly one hundred yards away from this point.
Bridge over String Lake outlet near trailhead
One final String Lake view
To reach the trailhead, turn west off Teton Park Road at the North Jenny Lake Junction, located roughly 10.6 miles north of Moose Junction, and 10 miles south of Jackson Lake Junction. Continue for another 1.4 miles to the turn-off for the String Lake Trailhead. After turning right, the trailhead parking area will be on your immediate left.
We hiked this trail while staying at Headwaters Campground at Flagg Ranch. From Flagg Ranch we also hiked:
- Terraced Falls via Cascade Creek Trail (Yellowstone)
- Beula Lake Trail (Yellowstone)
- Bechler Short Loop (Yellowstone)
- Emma Matilda Lake Loop (Grand Teton)
- Pacific Creek Trail (Teton Wilderness)
