Colter Bay Lakeshore Trail
Moran, Wyoming
Details
Distance
2.55 miles
Elevation Gain
148 ft
Route Type
Loop
Description
Added by Ben Lertsakdadet
Colter Bay Lakeshore Trail is a short 2-mile day hike. Take in amazing views of Mt. Moran and the other Grand Teton peaks over Jackson Lake. It's a perfect location for stargazing.
Within the first 100 feet on the trail, you are greeted with the stunning view of the peaks of Grand Teton reflecting off of Jackson Lake. Here you can enjoy lunch or a small snack at one of the picnic tables before or after the short hike.
Continue following the Colter Bay Lakeshore Trail along the edge of Jackson Lake, and you will find yourself crossing a section of the trail to a loop that will take you around a small “island”. I love this portion of the hike because you can choose to walk out to the rocky shores of the lake and enjoy the hike along the lake’s edge if you prefer that to the forest scenery provided by the trail.
What we did was hike the Colter Bay Lakeshore Trail about an hour before sunset so that we can enjoy the golden rays coming through the trees, making it back to the trailhead just as the sun was setting. We then grabbed a quick and simple dinner at the general store nearby before heading back to the Jackson Lake shore to begin our stargazing session. The local rangers recommended this location as the best place to view the stars and Milky Way, and from my experience, I couldn’t agree more!
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Colter Bay Lakeshore Trail Reviews
Gorgeous hike, but that kind of goes without saying as everything is gorgeous in the Tetons. Since the hike is easy I'd recommend going early. The place gets swarmed with people after about 9 or 10 am. As with most hikes, the earlier you go the better. Like Christina said below me in the reviews make sure you bring bear spray. Probably not a bad idea anywhere in the Tetons.
4.0
This is one of my favorite hikes in Tetons as it is short, easy, and still beautiful. If you go in the evening or after dark you will generally have the trail to yourself, but be aware that if you go during the day you are likely to encounter many many people. Not only is it one of the most crowded trails in the park, it is also one of the trails with the highest bear activity. Just keep these facts in mind as you plan your trip and maybe plan it for an evening, and BRING YOUR BEAR SPRAY. That being said, it is absolutely worth the hike and it is spectacularly beautiful.
4.0
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Nearby
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Camp at Colter Bay Campground
Winter Camp at Colter Bay Campground
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Canoe at Jackson Lake
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