Bring a camera for Taggart Lake hike in the Tetons
From Highway 89 outside Grand Teton National Park, you can’t miss the three pinnacles that have come to define the Jackson Hole area.
They are the quintessential rocky peaks, perfectly formed and inspirational to artists and photographers.
Even kids drawing an outdoor scene add mountains that look just like them.
And hikers reach for their cameras on the park’s Taggart Lake Trail, a 4-mile loop that puts a glassy alpine lake between them and the iconic trio of peaks. (Jump to trail stats.)
Views like this don’t happen every day.
The Unshakable Husband and I spent and early autumn weekend in Grand Teton National Park in western Wyoming and filled it with outdoor activities. Ahh, the crowdless parking lots. The smaller horseback-riding groups. The fall sales at the shops in town.
The quieter hiking trails.
Taggart Lake trailhead, when we arrived at 9:30 a.m., still had nearby parking spaces left. The sunny and warm day felt like we’d won the weather lottery. It could have just as easily been snowing there on that mid-October day.
Parkinson’s hiking tip
I’ve learned that one way many people with Parkinson’s keep a positive outlook is through gratitude. When good things happen on a hike, express your thankfulness!
That day, I said a thank-you prayer in my heart before starting out.
The Husband and I began our hike by going left. With loop trails, often it doesn’t matter which way you start. Our vibe said clockwise, so we obeyed it.
We ascended on a path that was smooth dirt, until it wasn’t. After a half mile, we had to watch our step more closely.
Parkinson’s hiking tip
Comfortable, solid footwear should be made mandatory for Rocky Mountain treks. Maybe not, but at least make it a personal mandate to choose hiking shoes that gives extra stability and balance where rocks are involved.
The trail went through a forest, then sharply uphill.
The entire Taggart Lake loop has 425 feet of elevation gain, and much of it happens fairly abruptly. My breathing was more like panting as we reached an open field at the trail’s highest point, just under 7,000 feet.
Parkinson’s hiking tip
This is higher-altitude hiking, and people who haven’t acclimated to the thinner air for a couple of days before hiking often run short on breath. Avoid going from plane to trail the same day, and of course check with your doctor beforehand.
On the plus side, there may be benefits for people with Parkinson’s who vacation at a high altitude. In an ongoing study people have reported reduced symptoms when staying at over 6,500 feet elevation.
(If it were me, I’m certain it would be the vacationing part that reduces symptoms, not the lower oxygen. Reduced stress=fewer symptoms.)
The trail was smoother now, and it suddenly opened to a view of the Tetons. It was photo time. And this was just a warmup!
A bridge brought us to the edge of Taggart Lake. The main event.
We hung around for 20 minutes and finally had to pull ourselves away like a child from her favorite show when dinner is called.
From there we make a spur-of-the-moment decision to add to the trek. A spur leading to Bradley Lake made the hike into a 6-miler, but it didn’t up the elevation much.
Bradley Lake was a bit hidden, and we couldn’t get close to it.
But it was very blue.
We followed signs back to the main loop and made our way back.
There was a mix of sun exposure and tree cover as we descended to the trailhead.
Taggart Lake Trail had given us more than our share of nature’s splendor for one day.
And we were grateful for that.
Hike info
PD difficulty level (see chart): Moderate
Distance: 4 miles in a loop
Elevation gain: 425 feet
Trailhead location: Turnoff is along Teton Park Road about 5 miles south of Jenny Lake Lodge.
Cell phone service: Spotty at best
Bathrooms: Yes, portables near parking lot
Emergency medical support: Within 20 miles at St. John’s Health Center in the town of Jackson.
Costs: National Park fees apply. $35 per car for a one-day pass.
Road access to trailhead: Trail starts next to parking lot.
Insider tip: Because its elevation reaches to nearly 7,000 feet, portions of the trail can be closed well into May. Check the website before you go.
(Back to top.)
The three famous peaks are Middle Teton, 12,804 feet; Grand Teton, 13,770 feet; and Mount Owen, 12,928 feet.
On which trails have you taken your most gorgeous nature shots? Answer in the comments.
