Jackson Hole is one of the world's grandest landscapes, featuring the lazily meandering Snake River contrasted against the jagged peaks of the Teton Range 7,000 vertical feet above. Although many fine water bodies exist in the Snake River Valley, this post focuses on two that are especially inviting and quite spectacular. Meandering String Lake is easily accessible and perfect for paddleboards in almost every way. Neighboring Leigh Lake is a worthwhile side trip with its vast waters with epic scenery.
 |
| String Lake and the Teton Range |
Grand Teton is one of the nation's most popular parks, regularly hosting more than 3 million annual visits. The park's busiest months--July and August--also feature the most accommodating stand-up-paddling conditions. The best advice is to start early. According to the park's website, the String Lake parking area tends to get busy around 8 am, becoming "very busy" by 10 am. All three parking lots in the String and Leigh Lake area are clustered together and fill up around the same time. Parking on the roads outside of the parking areas is prohibited, so it's a good idea to allow a 30 to 60 minute cushion before 8 am to be confident in finding a space.
Location Info: [key]
Scenery: 5
Shoreline Interest:
5 (String), 4 (Leigh)
Use: High
Fee: $35/veh + $17/SUP
Access: Paved
Full elev:
Fee: $35/veh + $17/SUP
Access: Paved
Full elev:
6860 (String), 6877(Leigh);
String Lake is accessed from the north leg of the Jenny Lake Loop road. If approaching from Jackson, the shortest route is to enter the park on Teton Park Road through the Moose entrance station and turn left at the second, northern intersection with the Jenny Lake Loop. This intersection is 11 miles after the initial turn onto Teton Park Road and 3 miles beyond the Jenny Lake Visitor Center. Travel 1.5 miles on Jenny Lake Road and turn right on the String Lake Road spur. The String Lake Trailhead, String Lake Canoe Launch, Leigh Lake Trailhead parking areas are seen in short succession after this junction. These three parking areas are identified on the park map and all three provide good access to String Lake.
A one-way south segment of Jenny Lake Road between String and Jenny Lakes prevents ingress into the area from the south, but allows for a shorter exit back toward Moose and Jackson. String Lake can also be accessed from the north end of Teton Park Road--near Moran Junction--if approaching from the north or east.
Park Regulations
Since Grand Teton is a national park, there are specific rules and regulations that must be followed for aquatic recreation activities. Please fully review the park's boating and floating information before planning a trip on the park's waters. Here is an overview of the most important things to know:
- A park boat permit is required to paddle on any of the park's waters. Permits are $17 for each non-motorized vessel, easily reserveable on recreation.gov.
- All watercraft, including stand-up-paddleboards, must be inspected (or present proof of in-state inspection) for aquatic invasive species (AIS) before launching on park waters.
- Pets are not permitted on paddleboards or in park waters.
Per the Wyoming Fish and Game regulations, paddleboards and non-motorized inflatables less than 10 feet in length are exempt for the AIS decal requirement.
 |
| Placid Teton waters |
String Lake
As a paddleboarding lake, String is perfect in almost every way. Presumably named for its narrow, meandering shape, it is well protected from wind and beckons with intrigue around every bend. Boulders scattered throughout different sections of the lake invite paddlers to poke around or thread between. The waters are clear, and most of the lake is shallow enough to see the colorful mosaic of logs, boulders, sticks and sand that paint the lake bottom. On top of everything, String Lake's setting at the foot of the Teton Range is one of the most spectacular places anywhere. Every acre of the lake's surface offers a different perspective of the rugged mountain peaks that make up the Tetons.
 |
| Shallows of String Lake |
 |
| Meandering String Lake |
String Lake's idyllic characteristics also make it an immensely popular destination. There is room on the water for everyone, but peak season may feel busy when launching, taking out, or in some of the more interesting pockets of the lake. It is also a popular swim spot on warm summer afternoons--less so in the mornings.
Leigh Lake
Neighboring Leigh Lake can be accessed by a short portage at the north end of String Lake. Although carrying a paddleboard and gear over land may seem like a buzzkill in such a relaxing place, the reward of Leigh Lake's beautiful waters is well worth the effort. Furthermore, only a fraction of String Lake's paddlers make this extra trek, so Leigh Lake offers far more solitude. Bring a paddleboard carry strap if you have one!
 |
| Leigh Lake, Boulder Island & Mt. Moran as seen from portage |
The Leigh Lake terminus of the portage trail overlooks a picturesque bay of Leigh Lake with a prominent island, expansive waters, and iconic Mt. Moran beyond. The vista is very inviting, and it's tempting to float here as long as the day will allow. A circumnavigation of the island (aptly named for the obvious boulder on it) is a great way to sample Leigh Lake. If weather and ambition permit, a tour around the left corner into the grand western portion of the lake is a great adventure. There are no formal hiking trails around the west shoreline of Leigh Lake, but there are a handful of water-accessible backcountry campsites. For those willing to do a little extra planning and preparation, a paddle trip here can be epic while surprisingly unique.
 |
| Leigh Lake panorama |
At 7000 feet in elevation, the mountain weather can bring surprises any time of year. Escape from String Lake is straightforward if a storm blows in, but Leigh Lake can quickly become dangerous when conditions turn unfavorable. To get the best jump on afternoon wind fronts and rain showers, check the hourly forecast. A kayak blade setup is a good idea if touring beyond the small southern bay of Leigh Lake.
Grizzly and black bears also inhabit this area. Review the park's bear safety page and have a can of bear repellent spray before venturing out in the park's wildlands.
 |
| Leigh Lake with Mt. Moran beyond |
Other nearby places to paddle
String and Leigh Lakes are our top recommendation for an classic stand-up paddle experience in this region. For a return visit or for more variety, there are several other appealing places both inside and outside of the national park:
- The Colter Bay area of Jackson Lake is accessed through a marina and allows fairly quick passage to a cluster of islands and channels immediately south. These areas, which include Colter Bay, Halfmoon Bay, and Heron Pond, are much better protected than the open waters of enormous Jackson Lake.
- Phelps Lake and Taggert Lake each require a moderate 1.5 mile hike in but reward with incredible Teton scenery and solitude on the water.
- Lower Slide Lake is several miles east of the national park boundary along the Gros Ventre Road. This lake, in the Bridger-Teton National Forest, offers easy water access and escapes Grand Teton's crowds.
- Wind River Lake sits beneath jagged cliffs near the summit of Togwotee Pass on U.S. 26/287, east of Moran Junction. Tiny Wind River Lake is a stretch as a day trip from town, but it makes a nice diversion if traveling to Jackson Hole from points east.
 |
| Wind River Lake |
The Teton region is one of the most exciting in America, and stand-up paddleboarding is a novel, relaxing way to experience its grandeur. There are many days of adventures to be found among the mountains, trails and waters of this amazing valley. If visiting on a multi-day trip, check out the mountain biking just above Jackson, the hiking trails around the park's other lakes, or the backcountry camping up Cascade or Granite Canyons. Have fun exploring, stay safe, and come back for more!
No comments:
Post a Comment