Jenny Lake.....

Finally, the trail around Jenny Lake was opened so we could complete the hike around the lake. The trail has been closed part way for about a week due to aggressive bear activity. According to the rangers, those particular bears were never caught in the traps that were set, but there has not been any more incidents so the trail was reopened. Okay....I was a little nervous though, especially since we were the only ones on the trail for about 2 miles. Once we hit String Lake, there were lots more hikers and I relaxed.

ready with my bear spray!

starting the hike around Jenny Lake from the Visitor Center area

nice trail

gorgeous views

This hike is a really good one. The views are always spectacular, with either the lake or the mountains, or both within view for most of it.

walking near North Jenny Lake

this is the part that was reopened recently-like yesterday

there's the Cascade Canyon/Lake Solitude area

good shot, huh?

view across the lake

heading toward String Lake

We were trying to make noise and pay attention on the trail, since we knew there were problem bears in the area and we didn't want an encounter. Up ahead, on the trail, thankfully, was only a deer. We each have our $45 life insurance plan too (bear spray)!

What's that on the trail up ahead?

sharing it with a deer

snacking near the trail

good bear territory..make noise!

Once over the bridge, we followed the river back to the lake. The trail scenery changes a lot on this hike. For a while, we followed a nice stream and pool area. This stream connects String Lake and Jenny Lake. There are so many lakes, rivers, streams, waterfalls around here! Refreshing! And all with clear, clean water.

nice river...looking for moose!

river connecting String Lake and Jenny Lake

nice

this stream connects String and Jenny Lakes

going up and around 

the views are great, as usual

Eventually, there is a bridge to cross to get to the other side of the stream and head back to Jenny Lake. It really is so pretty...the water is a beautifully clear, glacial green. At some points, the river rocks are visible and even they look "fresh" and clean. Hahah. Its so tempting to take a dip in the "green pools", which just look like paradise to me. Especially with the mountainous background. And the smell of pine! Nice!

who's that on the bridge?

crossing bridge in the String Lake area

heading to Hidden Falls from here

so pretty and peaceful

this is where a few more hikers were starting from

cool!

clear, clean water

meandering

heading back toward Jenny Lake

this area is so pretty

how nice is this?

and the water so nice and green!

love that alpine water

heading back toward the Jenny Lake coastline

After the connecting stream, the trail goes through a burned area, which got pretty hot in the sun. Tom spotted an osprey nest, and we spent quite some time watching the babes. There were still quite some flowers around. I'll let the pictures tell the tale. 

past the burned forest...which is coming back

nature is amazing

another view of the lovely green water

enjoying the hike

fall is coming

up?? again??

the view is amazing-actually on all of our hikes here1

this trail is great!

turning the corner...make some noise!

just so nice!

clear clean water

heading through mostly burned area

oh look...a nest

2 young osprey in it

this picture looks fake, doesn't it?

moving right along....

capturing more views of pretty wildflowers

there's the mom osprey now

couldn't resist this pop of color

enjoying the trail

it is pretty sunny and hot on this section though

checking for moose?

these are new to us!

pretty

red,white and blue

close up

these flowers are pretty tall

Before we knew it, the landscape changed once again, and we were walking through the forest. It was so lush! So green...and the flowers! Still! It also felt so good to be in the shade. The sun really heats things up!

heading into the forest now

the shade is fabulous

pretty

water flows everywhere

lots of berries!

all different kinds

don't they look good?

more! the trail is loaded with berries!

watch this

cool, huh?

lots of bees around now too

the forest area is so different...lots of water and flowers

and much cooler

these flowers are really tall

Tom is 6 feet tall...and the flowers are up there too!

i could use the shade in the forest right about now!

nice

check out the height of those flowers

clear stream with stepping stones

any bears hiding?

A little more than half way around the lake, you hit the boat dock. We walked up to the lower area of Hidden Falls and had a nice peanut butter sandwich on a huge rock in the shade. Perfect!

getting towards the boat dock now

lots of people skip the hike and come by boat...missing a good hike!

lower area of Hidden Falls

very crowded in this area

refreshing!

lunch at Hidden Falls

We then continued back around the rest of the lake, and funny...but it seemed mostly uphill to me. I think I was too hot and my toes hurt! It was not as much fun as it was on other days...hahahha.

heading back..up?

fabulous hike

a really nice hike!

ready to go to our swimming hole?

On the way back home, we wanted to check out the usual places for moose. Someone is obsessed with finding the elusive moose.

at Pilgrim Creek...looking for those elusive moose!

fall is coming!

no moose here!

So, okay.... but we did not spot any. After a cooling swim in "our" swimming hole, and a great salmon dinner (finally!), we went back out at dusk. Again, no luck in spotting moose...but the sky/mountain view was superb! Its the simple things...really!

checking out Willow Flats from  Jackson Lodge Deck-no moose!

and Oxbow...no moose!

but what a beautiful view!