The hike on Jenny Lake Trail in Grand Teton National Park is unforgettable. You expect it to be stellar, and yet somehow, it exceeds all expectations. The early morning, mirrored reflections of the mountains in Jenny Lake were jaw-dropping; I could barely move in the face of so much grandeur. Later, I looked at the photos and was awestruck all over again. Was it really that beautiful? It was.

For our September trip, my husband Dean and I planned a visit to Yellowstone National Park (pre-flooding), and then, since we were going to be “in the neighborhood,” we would head south to Grand Teton National Park to spend almost another week there as well.

In the same way that I think Yellowstone’s Grand Prismatic Spring sometimes gets overshadowed by its big brother, Old Faithful, I think Grand Teton sometimes gets overshadowed by Yellowstone (and I was guilty of this, as well). Believe me, Grand Teton has plenty to offer.

Case in point: The Jenny Lake Loop Trail. Here are my top tips for this wonderful hike.

Note: When we visited, high-altitude smoke from west coast wildfires added a haze to the sky, which is why the mountains in the photos are not as crisp and clear as they would be otherwise. Still beautiful!

1. Download An App Before You Go

Purchase and download the Yellowstone/Grand Teton “Gypsy Guide” app for a nominal fee. It’s well worth it! As you are driving, it uses GPS to trigger audio about the park’s history, attractions, and more, based on exactly where you are in the park. It’s like having a private tour guide! This is great for your entire time in Grand Teton.

Pro Tip: If you prefer, download the free NPS app, which provides maps, tours, and on-the-spot accessibility information about more than 400 national parks.