Hidden Falls

Grand Teton National Park

A shorter, family-friendly hike to the only year-round waterfall in Grand Teton National Park.

Hiking Moderate

Distance: 7 km
Ascent: 140 m
Descent: 140 m
Duration: 1-2 hrs

Low Point: 2.1 km
High Point: 2.1 km
Gradient: 4˚

Jenny Lake is one of the most popular destinations in Grand Teton National Park, and it's not hard to understand why. Resting along the northeastern edge of the Grand Teton itself, Jenny Lake offers an easy lakeside run if that's what you're into - while day hikers often enjoy this out-and-back to the park's only year-round waterfall. With Hidden Falls as your destination, this hike is easy to follow, never steep, and great for everyone in the family. Fed by glaciers, the lake is nearly 1,200 acres—one of the largest within the Grand Teton National Park, plus reaches an estimated depth of 423 feet!

Description

According to TetonHikingTrails.com, "the lake was named for a Shoshone Indian named Jenny who assisted with camp logistics during the Hayden Geological Survey of 1872. Nearby Leigh Lake is named for her husband, Richard "Beaver Dick" Leigh, an itinerant trapper and early tour guide who helped guide the Hayden Expedition through the area. In 1876 Jenny and their six children died of smallpox."

This hike originates from the Jenny Lake Boat Ramp, though the Jenny Lake Campground and Ranger Station are nearly within sight. Plenty of connecting trails offer access to the hike based on your plans. As an alternative to the hike, another popular option to access the falls is to book a boat tour, which significantly shortens the amount of hiking required. For a fee, outfitters such as Jenny Lake Boating Tours offer daily shuttles between June and September.

According to this source an early edition of Grand Teton Nature Notes notes how a version of this hike was considered to be one of the most popular hikes in the park, even in 1939! In 2014, the area also received major renovations and extensive rehabilitation to improve the trails and to offset the fact that it's considered one of the most popular hikes in the park.

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