2. Go Early
On this hike, as on so many adventures before and after it, being early risers served us well. The parking lot at Jenny Lake is big, but it gets busy, and people park on the street and everywhere. When we got there (around 7:30 a.m.), things were quiet, with plenty of parking.
Pro Tip: One timesaver is to purchase a park pass in advance. Also, unlike some National Parks, there are no entrance reservations here, but brace yourself for crowds and long lines, because Grand Teton fits the adage of having only two seasons: winter and road construction.
Photo credit: Joan Sherman
3. Have A Plan For The Hike
Knowing that plans can change, I think it’s good to have a plan. The Jenny Lake Trail is approximately a seven-mile loop around the lake. Some offshoots take you to other hiking trails.
One option is to do what we did: Start at the Jenny Lake Visitor Center (yellow dot in the photo above) and hike clockwise to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point, then down to the West Boat Dock and take the shuttle boat back across the lake to the visitor center. It’s a great morning activity.
Pro Tip: Check the hours and prices of the privately-run shuttle boat. Purchase tickets directly at the boat dock on a first-come, first-served basis.
