We hiked in early June so there was still snow patches. At the start is a Hidden Waterfall and an Inspiration Point of Jenny Lake.We took the boat across the lake to save time and it was a pretty ride across. Highly recommend this hike of about 7 miles round trip.
We hiked from Jenny lake it was a long day of hiking but worth the views and relaxing time. Wanted to see moose but it was our day. Saw a lot of other small forest animals.
If you take the ferry to the base of the canyon (it departs from S. Jenny Lake visitor's center all day long--if you miss the boat, don't worry as another will be there in a few minutes), the trip to HIdden Falls is only half a mile, and Inspiration Point is half mile beyond that. A two mile round trip hike--piece of cake! Bring the kids! However, a word of caution: the trail is rocky and beyond the falls, steep and *really* rocky. I wore sandals thinking this would be a stroll in the park. I wished for the ankle protection offered by my hiking boots. Hiking polls are also helpful--particularly for the way down to help steady and navigate. There are loaner polls (limit=1), as you leave the ferry, but they are in short supply. The trail is *very* crowded. I wished for time to continue in to the canyon--which by all reports is much less traveled and offers more views.
A wonderful day hike from Leigh Lake. Take a picnic and plenty of water and enjoy the spectacular views of the glacier lakes below. If you're lucky, you will also see lots of wildlife, don't forget your bear spray!
It seems like a big hike but it really isn't. Go for it! It is absolutely breathtaking up there. Our camping neighbors so a bull moose about halfway up!
Every so often I have a dream I am hiking here again and come to the part in the trail where it opens up and you see the canyon in it's entirety. The vista is hard to capture in pictures and can only be truly appreciated in person. It is awe inspiring and honestly on of the most beautiful places I've been and I've been fortunate enough to travel well. It always makes me cringe when I read a review of this area where the hikers stopped at Inspiration Point...that's the hard part! Once you get past there it's a very gradual slope to the canyon for the most part and it follows a lovely stream. This part of the hike is where we've seen and heard all our wildlife but you have to stop and listen/look around sometimes or you can miss it!
Loads of wildlife around and it is a popular route but you still feel that you are in the middle of nowhere and on your own - apart from the bears! which we did not see
nice trail that is the way in to the Teton Crest Trail from Jenny Lake and Hidden Falls - take the boat and you can make it in and out in a day of serious hiking
This valley is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen and I don't say that lightly. The stream running through it is placid at some spots and roaring at others. If you can get past the crowds of people hiking to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point and keep going, it is worth the effort.
After taking the boat across Jenny Lake, we hiked the trail to Hidden Falls, Inspiration Point, and then into Cascade Canyon. The canyon was definitely the best part of the hike and well worth it. We were there in late June, so there was still snow in the mountains, but we were hiking on a warm day, so the streams were strong as the snow melted. After climbing up to Inspiration Point, the trail climbs a little more into the canyon where you have amazing views of the mountains and the landscape between the peaks. The trail goes through pine forests (which smelled amazing), and follows a river. We saw a couple small rodents, but it looks like a place where moose might hang out. The trail would have been nicer had there been fewer people, but if you like back country hiking, you could easily leave behind the day hikers and go on your own adventure the next day.