Day 4: A Day of Loveliness in Jackson and Grand Teton National Park

After yesterday’s early start and long day’s journey into almost night, we treat ourselves to a wee bit of a sleep in, and a long, relaxing morning in Jackson.  Coffee is savored, laundry is processed, I even sit in a park and journal for a bit.   Lovely.  

But with only one allotted day for The Grand Tetons, we rouse ourselves, pile in the car, and head out Highway 89 for an excursion to Jenny Lake, one of the most popular and accessible trail areas in the Park.  As usual, we go with no other plan than ‘get there and figure it out’, and as usual, our plan works perfectly!

We score a sweet parking space in an otherwise overcrowded, double-parked environ, and head to the Visitors Centre.  Marty goes into action and purchases a few supplies, including some great new hiking poles to assist her in her ascent today.  After consulting with a bright-eyed, 19 year-old Junior Ranger about the best route, we elect a boat ride across the lake, a 400 foot climb to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point, with the return options of a leisurely trek back along the lake or another ride on the boat.

We have so much fun hiking to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point, that we elect the ‘leisurely trek back’.  This is anything but leisurely.  The usual trail is closed for renovation, so we end up on a horse path going up, then down, then up, then down, etc., etc. along the side of the mountain overlooking the lake.  We estimate a round trip of at least 2,500 miles.    

Back at the Jenny Lake Visitor Centre, we hydrate with Gatorade, treat ourselves to ice cream, and then make our 25 mile per hour way out of the park.  After consulting our stomachs, we decide we need more than just ice cream to fortify us after such an exertion. 

So off we go to The Gun Barrel, for some real (alright, upscale) western fare: Bison Carpaccio, Spinach Salad, and Elk Chops.  Eat up y'all!

The scenic drive to the park.  That would be the Grandest of the Tetons in the distance.

Docking after our zippy boat ride across Jenny Lake

Marty, the climbing machine!!

Lovely but not so hidden Lower Hidden Falls...

I look at this and say, The Ents are REAL!!!

Not many flowers in August, but these plants have leaves that have obliged to turn red.

Joanna the Exhibitionist,  Part 294

Lake Jenny!  Or is it Jenny Lake?

It's almost as if the rocks cried out for a corsage...

More trees, more lake.

Craggy tree on top of the mountain.  Very Tim Burton, no?

The pass to the Inspiration Point, with the Tetons in the distance.

Time for some sustenance at The Gun Barrel!!  Seriously, it's worth it for the Taxidermy alone!!

Yum!  Elk is tasty and does NOT taste like chicken!