4. Be Prepared

This is hiking 101, but heed the warnings from the park website: “Always be prepared when hiking in Grand Teton. Carry water for every member of your group, be alert to your surroundings, and understand your limitations on distance and elevation gain. Several trails from Jenny Lake can hold snow until mid-July. … Wildlife — such as bears — is commonly active in the area. Never approach a wild animal. To check current trail conditions and bear activity, stop at the visitor center or Jenny Lake Ranger Station to talk with a ranger.” Dean carried bear spray as a precaution; it gave us peace of mind as we hiked.

5. Enjoy The Mountains

We walked on a path through some trees to get to the start of the hiking trail at the lake and realized this was the reward. Our first glimpse of Jenny Lake. The lake was like glass in the morning stillness and the reflection was breathtaking. We saw two young couples treasuring the views and taking photos. One of the young men turned to us and said, “You can’t beat a morning view like this.” We all agreed.