You can arrive at these lakes from the east or west: From the west you begin at the Grand View Point Trailhead, 1 mile north of Jackson Lake Lodge, or at the Christian Pond Trailhead, just east of Jackson Lake Lodge. From the east, you'd go up Pacific Creek Road, 4 miles east of Jackson Lake Junction on the road to the Moran entrance. There is a pullout for Emma Matilda Lake 2 miles up this road, or you can go a half mile farther, take a left on Two Ocean Lake Road, and go to the Two Ocean Lake Trailhead parking lot, from which trails lead to both lakes.
Emma Matilda Lake Trail -- Circumnavigating this lake involves a pleasant up-and-down trek with great views of the mountains and a good chance of seeing wildlife. Emma Matilda Lake was named after the wife of Billy Owen, reputedly the first climber to reach the peak of Grand Teton. The hike winds uphill for a half mile from the parking area to a large meadow favored by mule deer. The trail follows the northern side of the lake through a pine forest 400 feet above the lake and then descends to an overlook where you'll have inspiring views of the Tetons, Christian Pond, and Jackson Lake. The trail on the south side of the lake goes through a densely forested area populated by Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir. Be watchful and noisy because this is bear country. It's possible to branch off onto the Two Ocean Lake Trail along the northern shore of the lake.
11 3/4 miles round-trip. Easy to moderate. Access: Emma Matilda Lake Trailhead on Pacific Creek Rd. or trail head off Two Ocean Lake Rd. north of Jackson Lake-Moran Rd.
Two Ocean Lake Trail -- Take your time and take a picnic on this delightful, underused trail around Two Ocean Lake. You can start at either end, but I recommend a side trip up Grand View Point, which will add about 2 1/2 miles of hiking. You'll be rested for this climb because the walk around the lake is fairly level, and you'll be in a great mood if you've been watching ducks, swans, grebes, and loons on the water. The variety of habitat -- marshes, lakes, woodlands, and meadows -- means that you'll see birds, wildflowers, butterflies, and possibly bear, beaver, elk, deer, and moose. As usual, awesome views of the Tetons abound; for the best perspective, take the trip up 600 feet to Grand View Point, a climb that will take you through lodgepole and fir en route to a hilltop covered with orange arrow-leaf balsamroot. You'll look down on lakes, meadows, and volcanic outcrops, and in the distance, you'll gaze at the Tetons, the Mount Leidy Highlands, and Jackson Lake. It's possible to branch off onto the Emma Matilda Lake Trail at the east end of Two Ocean Lake.
5 3/4 miles round-trip. Easy. Access: Two Ocean Lake Trailhead on Two Ocean Lake Rd., or Grand View Point Trailhead.
