Taggart Lake Trail

My very first hike: the Taggart Lake and Bradley Lake loop. Knowing that parking spaces fill up quickly, I woke up at dawn and hit the road as soon as the first rays of sun hit my cabin at around 6:50 AM. It was a 35-minute drive from Colter Bay to the trailhead, and when I arrived, only two other cars were in the parking lot. The sky was clear blue, and the temperature was around 7°C.

Most trail guides recommend starting the trail heading towards Bradley Lake, but I decided to head to Taggart Lake first to avoid the (non-existent) crowds. It was a great choice. Thanks to the early hour and the fact that most people end their hike at Taggart Lake, I had the entire lake to myself for a good 30 minutes in the morning hours. Eventually, an elderly couple wandered by, curious as to why I was swimming in 12-degree water. But that swim was probably the best I’ve ever had.

All dried off, I continued along the trail toward Bradley Lake, passing through majestic landscapes and forests. Both lakes sit very close to the Tetons, so the mountains are always in view, offering stunning scenery no matter where you are on the trail. Unfortunately, I didn’t spot any bears or moose, but plenty of squirrels and other smaller animals showed up to say “hi”.

As I approached Bradley Lake, I considered taking another swim but quickly realized my bathing shorts and towel were still soaking wet. Plus, by this time, more people had started to appear on the trail, occupying the lake’s shores. And honestly, nothing was going to top that swim at Taggart Lake, so I continued on and headed for the parking lot.

Overall, this was an awesome hike and a fantastic start to my time in the Tetons. The trail is about 9.8 km with moderate difficulty, and it took me roughly two and a half hours to complete.

PRO TIPS:
Be early, bring bathing clothes (perhaps two pairs), and start with Taggart Lake.