String and Leigh Lakes

This delightful hike took us along placid String Lake, through lodgepole pine forests with lots of snow-covered trails, to beautiful Leigh Lake, the third largest lake in the park (after Jackson and Jenny).

We had some nice contacts with wildlife on today's hike. The first was this elk standing in the water at the end of String Lake.

On the move!

Someone, who had gone before us today, built some cute little snow people along the way - only about 10-inches high in the snow by the trail. I liked the "hair" on this one.

Looks like my hair in the morning.

Lunch spot on the lovely white sand beach of Leigh Lake.

Lunch spot looking south and the Grand Teton peaks

Mountains reflected in the water.

This is about as close as you can easily get to Mt. Moran.

While we were finishing up our lunch these two kayakers went by.

Heading back along the beach which was easier to walk on than the snow covered trail. This sandy beach is very unusual in the Tetons. Most of the beaches are rocks or gravel.

Crossing the spillway between String and Leigh Lakes.

Along the trail on the west side of String Lake. We looked up and there was this elk about twenty yards above us.

We think he was a young adolescent.

On the trail above String Lake.

We encountered several marmots along the trail.

This one was particularly friendly and...

inquired of Frederick how his day was going.

Teton peaks above String Lake.

String Lake surrounded by mountains.

Today's hike:

Length -7.27 miles

Duration - 3 hours, 55 minutes (including lunch)

Elevation gain - 394 feet (34 floors on the Fitbit)