I got to the Jenny Lake trailhead at 6:30 a.m. because I wanted a parking spot, and apparently that’s what it takes when you want to hike one of the most popular trails in Grand Teton National Park.

A lot of people take the boat shuttle across Jenny Lake and start their hike from the far shore. I skipped the boat and walked the trail around the lake to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. It added a few miles, but walking along Jenny Lake with the Tetons right there beside me was part of the reason I wanted to do this hike in the first place.

The early start paid off. I had time to enjoy the lakeshore instead of treating it as a long walk to the “real” trail. Every so often, the trees opened up and gave me another look across the water. It’s hard to be in a hurry when that’s what’s in front of you.

Hidden Falls was the first big stop. After the quieter stretch around the lake, hearing the waterfall before getting a good look at it made it feel like I’d arrived somewhere. I stopped for a while, then kept climbing toward Inspiration Point.

That last section took a little more effort, but the view at the top was worth it. Jenny Lake stretched out below, and I could trace some of the ground I’d just covered on foot. Looking down at the lake felt a little different knowing I’d walked there rather than taken the boat across.

On the way back, I made a stop at Moose Ponds. By then, I’d already seen the two places I’d set out to see, so I wasn’t rushing toward anything. I just took the detour, looked around, and enjoyed one more quiet part of the hike.

I’m glad I chose to walk the whole way. Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point were beautiful, but so was the trail that got me there. And getting up early enough to find a parking spot? Annoying when the alarm went off. Absolutely worth it once I was beside Jenny Lake.

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