Jenny Lake, Hidden Falls, Inspiration Point

You will see lots of family pictures from our afternoon excursions.  The Santacrose's are with us.  Originally, all of both families were planning to travel together.  But we traded that happiness for two grand children to be named later, due the first week in September.  Both of the daughter-in-laws not travelling by airplane to the west coast.  You will see them in the second half of the trip when we go to Acadia National Park in Maine.

This afternoon we did some touring and hiking and touring.  Jenny Lake is a popular spot, especially the south side of the lake.  You can either hike a 3 mile trail around the south side of the lake to reach the trails to Hidden Falls and Inspiration point or you can take a ferry.  We took the ferry and then hiked up to the 7800 foot level (at least according to the map).  But before that we stopped at Oxe Bow Bend.  The purple flowers and the photo of Jan and me are from that stop.

We also stopped at a couple of lookout or turnout spots as we drove the Jenny Lake.  The family picture of the Santacroses's and the picture of Jan are from that stop.

 The hike up to Inspiration Point did not seem as taxing as the hike we took on Sunday.  Maybe we are acclimatizing or maybe it wasn't as warm.  The rushing water and the falls are very pretty.

 Somewhere along the trail, Brian scaled up the rocks and posed in the woodlands.  No animals nearby.

 Hidden falls is not only pretty, is bathes you in cool mist as you hike.  It's outdoor air conditioning.

The adults in the group didn't quite make it to the very top of Inspiration Point.  We were satisfied by stopping a few feet short an avoiding the last, very steep climb upwards.  Before Brian and Laura scaled that last few meters, I took this picture looking out over Jenny Lake.

We plan a sunrise excursion back to Oxe Bow Bend in the morning.  It's an animal rich feeding area in the mornings.  Also, as the sun hits the mountains they reflect in a surreal way on the water.