Jackson Hole hiking will take you to beautiful places you have dreamed about!

Make those legs work for you!

Jackson Hole hiking opportunities are huge! It all depends on what you want to see, how much time you have and what shape your legs and lungs are in. You can enjoy a relatively short half-day hike..and bring grandma along. Or, you can put on the backpack and all the gear for camping up in the hills. Grand Teton National Park is the obvious choice for summer hiking, due to its extensive well-maintained trail network. But, don't overlook national forest lands too.

Some of my favorite Jackson Hole hiking, which is mostly quite easy (because I'm no spring chicken), is in the national park. Here are some easy day hikes to consider:

Leigh Lake Trail -

This very flat and easy walk will take you along the shore of lovely Leigh Lake. The color of the water is unreal for a mountain lake. You will happen upon a few sandy beaches and you will swear you're in the Caribbean because the water (on a sunny day) is crystal clear and turquoise in color. But then you'll look up and see Mt. Moran across the water and realize that you're in the mountains. Take off your shoes and wade into the water and that realization will be confirmed a thousandfold as you feel what recently melted snow is like on your skin!! Cold! The lake is not deep. It is part of a series of glacial lakes that run from north to south and it lies between Jackson and String Lakes. You won't exercise your lungs on this hike. It's more of a pleasant walk through the woods and the beaches make a nice place to stop and have lunch. You access this pretty little trail from the String Lake parking lot. The first part of the trail actually skirts String Lake itself (very shallow and also a gorgeous color, then you can follow the trail to Jackson Lake, or just turn back whenever you wish.

Taggart Lake Trail -

Slightly more strenuous than the Leigh Lake Trail. But still easy. A gradual climb from the trailhead along the main road, this hike is 3.2 miles roundtrip or another 2 miles if you continue on to Bradley Lake. What is cool about this hike is you can see how a lodgepole forest regenerates itself. There was a large natural fire here over 20 years ago. The lodgepole pines reproduce through fire, since it's the heat that causes them to release their seeds. So, on this hike you will walk among adolescent trees. In some spots, it's like being in an enormous Christmas tree lot! You also will see how losing the canopy has flooded the area with sunlight and the wildflowers have prospered. Your reward at Taggart Lake is a view of the Grand Teton from near its base. Stunning!

Hidden Falls & Inspiration Point -

Probably the most popular hike in the Park is at the mouth of Cascade Canyon, up to Hidden Falls and higher still to Inspiration Point. You can hike around Jenny Lake to get there, or you can shave off 2 miles and take the shuttle boat across deep (260 feet) teal-blue Jenny Lake. It can be a crowded hike unless you go early. The boats (10 AM to about 4 PM, every 15 minutes) are not free ($9). You'll have an uphill climb to Inspiration Point, but it's moderately difficult. If you like, you can keep going from the point up into Cascade Canyon. You will be below Teewinot Mountain, which is one impressive looking peak. Hidden Falls is just that. It's a star, but not the only lovely waterworks you'll see. Cascade Creek is along the trail. Just as the name implies, the creek cascades its way down to Jenny Lake. It's color is lovely, clear and softly green. Inspiration Point looks out over Jenny Lake and Jackson Hole beyond. Almost required hiking here.

Although Jackson Hole hiking offers so much more than what I have mentioned here, these little hikes are not time-consuming and the whole family can come along. Even though they are not too hard, break in your hiking boots before you go. This is not the place to do that! Your feet will thank you.