+ 168
Taggart and Bradley Lakes
Trail Running Route
Easy
5.79 mi
854 ft
An intermediate trail run visiting two of the six glacial lakes below the Tetons.
Beginning at the mouth of Avalanche Canyon, this run explores two of six glacial lakes resting at the foot of the Teton Mountains. As mapped, the route first follows Taggart Lake Trail, then spurs onto Bradley Lake Trail, offering even better mountain views from a slightly higher elevation. For a shorter run, skip the Bradley Lake Trail and simply follow the Taggart Lake trail for an easy ~3-mile round trip run. Most lakeside loops in the Tetons are best run counter-clockwise to enjoy the mountain views casting reflections over the lake; however, this one is great in either direction. Overall, this run is easy by most standards, though the addition of Bradley lake (as mapped) includes some elevation gain that may challenge some runners. According to []( "the lake was named for Frank Bradley, the Chief Geologist for the 1872 Hayden Survey Expedition." It's said that two members of the expedition claimed the first ascent of the Grand Teton, but were later found to have only reached a sub-peak known as The Enclosure. For those further interested in its history, [this article]( cites the importance of the Hayden Geological Survey, referring to it as "the first federally funded, geological survey to explore and further document features in the soon to become Yellowstone National Park." Many consider that expedition a crucial element in the founding of what is now Yellowstone National Park. Sources: Written by Brendon Voelker
Beginning at the mouth of Avalanche Canyon, this run explores two of six glacial lakes resting at the foot of the Teton Mountains. As mapped, the route first follows Taggart Lake Trail, then spurs onto Bradley Lake Trail, offering even better mountain views from a slightly higher elevation. For a shorter run, skip the Bradley Lake Trail and simply follow the Taggart Lake trail for an easy ~3-mile round trip run. Most lakeside loops in the Tetons are best run counter-clockwise to enjoy the mountain views casting reflections over the lake; however, this one is great in either direction. Overall, this run is easy by most standards, though the addition of Bradley lake (as mapped) includes some elevation gain that may challenge some runners. According to []( "the lake was named for Frank Bradley, the Chief Geologist for the 1872 Hayden Survey Expedition." It's said that two members of the expedition claimed the first ascent of the Grand Teton, but were later found to have only reached a sub-peak known as The Enclosure. For those further interested in its history, [this article]( cites the importance of the Hayden Geological Survey, referring to it as "the first federally funded, geological survey to explore and further document features in the soon to become Yellowstone National Park." Many consider that expedition a crucial element in the founding of what is now Yellowstone National Park. Sources: Written by Brendon Voelker
Route and Elevation
Segments
Name | Distance | Elev. Diff. | Avg. Grade |
---|---|---|---|
4 way junction to Valley View S of Bradley Lake | 1.96 mi | 486 ft | 4.3% |
Bradley Taggart Loop CCW | 5.58 mi | -545 ft | -0.0% |
End Highlands Rd Climb | 0.59 mi | 249 ft | 7.9% |
End Highlands Road Climb | 0.44 mi | 220 ft | 9.4% |
Valley Trail S of Bradley to 4 way Junction CCW | 3.60 mi | -545 ft | -2.4% |
End Highlands Road Climb | 0.27 mi | 138 ft | 9.7% |
Taggart Junction to 4 way Junction CCW | 2.07 mi | -387 ft | -2.6% |
End Highlands Rd Climb | 0.27 mi | 138 ft | 9.3% |
Taggart Lake to Trailhead (long way) | 2.08 mi | -449 ft | -2.5% |
Taggart Lake Loop, descent | 1.82 mi | -367 ft | -3.8% |