As the name implies, this trail accesses a cascading waterfall and a stunning, glacially carved canyon just north of the tallest Teton peaks, and so it’s easy to understand why it’s one of the area’s most popular outings. A moderate, mostly flat two-mile hike around the south end of Jenny Lake brings you to scenic Hidden Falls. From there the trail climbs steeply for about a mile to the mouth of Cascade Canyon proper. Then the route flattens and once again offers easier hiking for the next several miles.
Park for this trip at the Jenny Lake Ranger Station on the east side of the lake. If you prefer, a boat shuttle carries hikers across the lake every fifteen minutes from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, dropping you within a half mile of Hidden Falls. This is a good option for hikers who want to get farther into Cascade Canyon on a day trip. This route can be connected with Paintbrush canyon to make a good overnight backpacking trip (park camping permit required).