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Hiking GuidesWyoming

Hiking Guide: Taggart and Bradley Lakes

Taggart Lake

Contents

Overview

Taggart and Bradley are natural lakes in the Grand Tetons, formed by glaciers that have melted since the last ice age, the Pleistocene Epoch.

Taggart is found at the terminus of Avalanche Canyon and Bradley at the terminus of Garnet Canyon, below Bannock Falls.

Taggart Lake sits at an elevation of 6,902 feet
Taggart Lake sits at an elevation of 6,902 feet

Both lakes are picturesque and easy to access. Taggart is a short 1.6-mile hike from Taggart Lake Trailhead and Bradley is 1.7 miles from Taggart Lake via Valley Trail.

Valley Trail sign

There is a 1-mile connector trail that brings you back from Bradley Lake to a junction. From here, hike 1 mile back to the trailhead to finish the loop.

Bradley Lake sits at an elevation of 7,027 feet
Bradley Lake sits at an elevation of 7,027 feet

Quick Facts

  • Distance: 5.4 miles
  • Hike Time: 3 hours
  • Elevation Gain: 600 feet
  • Fee: $35 for a 7-day pass to Grand Teton National Park
  • Dogs: No
  • Difficulty: Moderate

Hiking the Trail to Taggart and Bradley Lakes

We got to Taggart Lake Trailhead at 6pm on a Sunday and the parking lot had plenty of spaces. During our weeklong stay in the Tetons, we drove past this trailhead several times. This was the least busy we had seen it.

Even from the trailhead, there are tremendous views of iconic Teton peaks, with the Middle Teton stealing the show.

Kim next to the Taggart Lakes Trailhead sign
Kim next to the Taggart Lakes Trailhead sign

The trail begins as flat hardpack through a meadow. At 0.6 miles, you begin to ascend a steeper portion after crossing a bridge over Taggart Creek.

The Middle Teton framed by trees along Taggart Creek
The Middle Teton framed by trees along Taggart Creek

At 1.2 miles, you will reach a junction with a sign. From here, head straight to follow 0.5 miles of mostly flat trail to Taggart Lake or bear right to ascend a steep 1-mile jaunt to Bradley Lake.

The junction for Taggart and Bradley Lakes
The junction for Taggart and Bradley Lakes

We opted to go directly to Taggart Lake from this point, then followed the trail 1.6 miles further to Bradley Lake. We then returned to the signed junction via the aforementioned 1-mile trail.

Bradley Lake in the late evening
Bradley Lake in the late evening

It took us 3 hours to do the whole loop, including a 15-minute stop at Taggart Lake and 30 minutes at Bradley Lake.

We saw lots of Indian paintbrush (Wyoming's state flower) along the trail
We saw lots of Indian paintbrush (Wyoming’s state flower) along the trail
We caught another glimpse of Taggart Lake on the hike down from Bradley Lake
We caught another glimpse of Taggart Lake on the hike down from Bradley Lake

Map

Location

The trailhead is located off of Teton Park Road (to the left), 3.5 miles from the turnoff on U.S. Highway 191.

Get Directions

Resources

Guidebooks

Topo Maps

Links

Photos

Maia took a nap during our hike between the lakes
Maia took a nap during our hike between the lakes
Hiking in the Grand Tetons is pure bliss!
Hiking in the Grand Tetons is pure bliss!
Maia had a great time playing in the water at Bradley Lake
Maia had a great time playing in the water at Bradley Lake
I don't recognize this wildflower. Can you help me identify it?
I don’t recognize this wildflower. Can you help me identify it?
Sticky geranium
Sticky geranium
Looking back at Taggart Lake on the hike up to Bradley Lake
Looking back at Taggart Lake on the hike up to Bradley Lake
Another angle of Bradley Lake
Another angle of Bradley Lake
More Indian paintbrush
More Indian paintbrush
Sunset from Taggart Lake Trailhead
Sunset from Taggart Lake Trailhead

More Great Hikes in Grand Teton National Park

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