We spent the morning of our day off hiking around Jenny Lake and up to Hidden Falls, a hike of a little over five miles. This is my favorite hike in Grand Teton National Park.
The hike to Hidden Falls was uneventful with the only wildlife being a chipmunk or two. However, the views across the lake to Cascade Canyon ...
and of Mount Teewinot are priceless. Teewinot is 12,325 ft. above sea level.
The Teton Range was formed by glaciers millions of years ago. The lakes in the Tetons are a result of glacial moraine damming. When the glaciers receded from the last ice age, they left these lakes for our enjoyment.
Many of the rocks that tumbled downward as the glaciers melted were deposited into the soil. As trees grew, the roots sometimes had to grow around these large rock, as evidenced from the picture below. These strange intertwining of rocks and tree roots are found all over the Teton landscape, in all shapes and sizes.
Part of the side of this trail showed evidence of an avalanche years ago. Notice how the rocks appear to have just tumbled down from above.
Hidden Falls was as spectacular as ever, even though this picture doesn't do it justice. There is a loud roar as the snow melt cascades down the mountain.
But, on the way back to the trail head, we were treated to some glimpses of Teton wildlife. First, we saw several yellow bellied marmots. These are from the same family as wolverines and opossums.
And, a couple of hikers who had passed us were all of a sudden coming back towards us. They said there was a moose on the trail coming our way, So we immediately turned around, because the trail was only about 2-3 feet wide at that point - no place to let Miss Moose pass us. After retreating about 500 yards, we found a fallen tree to use as a shield in case the moose decided to attack us. All of a sudden the moose cow came running down the trail and then headed off towards the lake.
Further back towards the trail head, the trail goes up a rather steep embankment.
And, at other times is very level as it passes right along the lake shore.
We also saw flowers growing on top of rocks. Apparently, flowers in Wyoming need minimal soil to grow. It is like they are fighting to bring something beautiful to this rugged terrain during a very short growing season.
The hike around Jenny Lake has been a tradition going back to the first time we visited this area as tourists about 15 years ago. Each time we take this trail we see something different. In 2012, Miss Moose gave us a little more excitement than we usually encounter on this beautiful hike. The one thing you don't want to do is find yourself between a large animal and where it wants to go.
The hike to Hidden Falls was uneventful with the only wildlife being a chipmunk or two. However, the views across the lake to Cascade Canyon ...
and of Mount Teewinot are priceless. Teewinot is 12,325 ft. above sea level.
The Teton Range was formed by glaciers millions of years ago. The lakes in the Tetons are a result of glacial moraine damming. When the glaciers receded from the last ice age, they left these lakes for our enjoyment.
Many of the rocks that tumbled downward as the glaciers melted were deposited into the soil. As trees grew, the roots sometimes had to grow around these large rock, as evidenced from the picture below. These strange intertwining of rocks and tree roots are found all over the Teton landscape, in all shapes and sizes.
Part of the side of this trail showed evidence of an avalanche years ago. Notice how the rocks appear to have just tumbled down from above.
Hidden Falls was as spectacular as ever, even though this picture doesn't do it justice. There is a loud roar as the snow melt cascades down the mountain.
But, on the way back to the trail head, we were treated to some glimpses of Teton wildlife. First, we saw several yellow bellied marmots. These are from the same family as wolverines and opossums.
And, a couple of hikers who had passed us were all of a sudden coming back towards us. They said there was a moose on the trail coming our way, So we immediately turned around, because the trail was only about 2-3 feet wide at that point - no place to let Miss Moose pass us. After retreating about 500 yards, we found a fallen tree to use as a shield in case the moose decided to attack us. All of a sudden the moose cow came running down the trail and then headed off towards the lake.
Further back towards the trail head, the trail goes up a rather steep embankment.
And, at other times is very level as it passes right along the lake shore.
We also saw flowers growing on top of rocks. Apparently, flowers in Wyoming need minimal soil to grow. It is like they are fighting to bring something beautiful to this rugged terrain during a very short growing season.
The hike around Jenny Lake has been a tradition going back to the first time we visited this area as tourists about 15 years ago. Each time we take this trail we see something different. In 2012, Miss Moose gave us a little more excitement than we usually encounter on this beautiful hike. The one thing you don't want to do is find yourself between a large animal and where it wants to go.
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