Jackson Hole - Jenny Lake

Jenny Lake is one of several lakes nestled at the base of the mountains within Grand Teton National Park. My parents are spending the summer working in the Jenny Lake store at the south end of the lake. The store is part convenience store, part gift shop, and part hiking supply store, designed to meet the needs of tourists and more serious campers alike. Near the store are several trail heads, a small visitor's center, as well as a campground and a marina.

Scott and I visited Jenny Lake when we were in JH twelve years ago. At that time, we hiked the perimeter of the lake on a half-day hike. We recall the distance of the trail to be about six miles. So this time around with the children we needed a less strenuous way to enjoy the lake. So at mom and dad's suggestion, we took a boat ride across the lake and then hiked a shorter distance to see the waterfall and beautiful mountain views. This turned out to be a great family adventure and the perfect way to introduce the kids to hiking and enjoying moutain scenery.

Boarding the boat for the ten minute journey across the lake. What a gorgeous day!

More photos of the gorgeous views from the boat ride.
Amelia and John did great during our short hike. After the boat ride to the other side of the lake, we climbed steps and walked on an upward-sloping trail to the base of a waterfall, Hidden Falls. The distance up to the falls was marked at about a half mile. We were nervous that they wouldn't make it or would complain the whole way, but by the time we reached the waterfall they wanted to continue on to the observation point. Scott and I were thrilled!

I have about eight photos of the children acting goofy like this, sitting on a log next to the raging river below the falls.

Loving brother and sister - finally a good shot!
We stopped on the way up for water and a snack. The children had fun climbing on the rocks and watching all of the hikers walk by.
The photo doesn't do the waterfall justice, but here is my best shot. Seeing the thundering waterfall, and getting the chance to explain to the kids a little bit about the science of the contributing snowmelt on the mountain made for a fun morning.

We continued up the mountain about another quarter mile or so to the second of several observation points. The children did well on this portion of the trail even though it was getting markedly more steep, and at the top we were rewarded with this gorgeous view. The mountains are behind us as we are looking down on the lake.

Mom and dad were working in the store during the day we took the boat ride, so we got to visit a little bit afterwards and watch them in action as they worked. I know Amelia and John thought it was really cool that their grandparents were the cashiers in the store. This is a view of the front of the store. The first time mom and dad posted photos of the store (in May) there were deep piles of snow all over the grounds.

We had packed a picnic lunch so we ate that on the porch and afterwards the kids got to select a treat from inside. Grandpop served as their cashier, as he is stationed in the convenience section and grandma primarily works in the gift shop section. Look at grandpop working hard below.

Amelia and John both selected chocolate coated vanilla ice cream bars as their treat. Grandpop says that on warmer days like this one (the temperature was in the 70's with full sunshine) the ice cream is very popular, so much so that they have trouble keeping the cooler cool with so many customers opening and closing the freezer doors to select their ice cream. What interesting things you learn after hearing mom and dad's stories about working in the store!

This is the gift shop section of the store.