Lake Solitude

You've got a few options from the Jenny Lake trailhead for this hike:Take the ferry from the Jenny Lake trailhead.Or, hike around Jenny Lake on the Jenny Lake Trail to Cascade Canyon TrailEither way, the views of Tetons are incredible.From the ferry drop-off, take Jenny Lake Trail south, avoiding Hidden Falls Horse Trail, across Cascade Creek to Cascade Canyon Trail. From the Jenny Lake trailhead take the Jenny Lake Trail either direction to Cascade Canyon Trail. Cascade Canyon Trail ascends very steeply heading west towards Lake Solitude. Prior to the trail turning north, enjoy the gorgeous views of Hidden Falls, an approximately 100' waterfall.After the falls, the trail heads straight up, and ascends multiple switchbacks until you reach Inspiration Point - providing exquisite views of Jenny Lake and the surrounding Tetons. This is good turn-around point if you want a shorter hike. From Inspiration Point, the trail becomes very mellow, and works its way west through deep woods. Be on the lookout for evidence of this Canyon's glacial past in the form of glacial erratics, hanging cirques, and its U-shape.Eventually, after some mellow climbing and increasingly beautiful views, Cascade Canyon Trail will hit a fork. This is another good place to turn around if you want to shorten the hike. For Lake Solitude, turn right to start up North Fork Cascade Canyon. The first half of this trail, all the way to Lake Solitude, is quite easy. It features low angle, very straightforward hiking, except for a few spots where you'll be crossing large talus fields. Finally, after dipping in and out of the woods multiple times, the terrain will open-up to views across Lake Solitude.From Lake Solitude there are sweeping views of the Cathedral Group - Teewinot Mountain (12,330'), Mount Owen (12,928'), and Grand Teton (13,775'). Be sure to enjoy a snack along with the views at the end of North Fork Cascade Canyon Spur. For those looking to get that "perfect" photograph of the aforementioned mountains, you may need to hike further on North Fork Cascade Canyon to the end of Lake Solitude Trail.