Jade Lakes, Upper Brooks and Rainbow Lake

Pinnacle Buttes

Multi-hued volcanic cliffs towering over 1,000-ft. above a quintet of pretty lakes are the stars of the show on these scenic hikes in the Brooks Lake area in the southern Absaroka Range, located to the east of the Tetons.
See Trail Detail/Full Description

• Distance: 5.5 miles (loop) to Jade Lakes Loop
  7.4 miles (round trip) to Brooks and Rainbow Lakes
  8.3 miles (round trip) to Jade, Brooks and Rainbow Lakes
  
• Elevation: 9,070-ft. at Trailhead
  9,625-ft. at Jade Lakes Loop
  9,220-ft. at Brooks and Rainbow Lakes
  9,625-ft. at Jade, Brooks and Rainbow Lakes
  
• Elevation Gain: 555-ft. to Jade Lakes Loop
  186-ft. to Brooks and Rainbow Lakes
  770-ft. to Jade, Brooks and Rainbow Lakes
  
• Difficulty: easy-moderate
• More Hikes in:
  Togwotee Pass / Jackson / The Tetons

Why Hike Jade Lakes, Upper Brooks and Rainbow Lake

The gorgeous Brooks Creek Valley is clad in timber-lined meadows set beneath the sheer volcanic cliffs and pinnacles of the southern Absaroka Range. Five pretty lakes lie cradled in valley’s forests and meadows. In the still of the morning the lakes are a photographer’s delight, reflecting the stunning, multi-hued formations towering over 1,000-ft. above the valley.

Trails in the valley can be linked to create scenic loops and out-and-back hikes visiting a few or all of the lakes. The shortest hike loops around Upper and Lower Jade Lakes. The out and back hike to Upper Brooks Lake follows the Yellowstone Trail to this beautiful jewel located beneath Bear Cub Pass. A spur trail off the west side of Upper Brooks Lake leads to Rainbow Lake. The hikes to Jade Lakes and Upper Brooks/Rainbow can easily be combined to visit all five lakes while enjoying the terrific views of the cliffs and pinnacle soaring above the Brooks Lakes Valley.

Note: This hike situated in the southern Absaroka Range near Togwotee Pass, located to the east of Grand Teton National Park. The hike is also easily accessible from Dubois, Wyoming.

Elevation Profile

Trail Resources

Trail Detail/Full Description / Trail Photo Gallery / Trail Map

Basecamp(s) Information:
Togwotee Pass / Jackson

Region Information:
The Tetons

Other Hiking Regions in:
Wyoming