Author: Jake Bramante

  • Jewel Basin Hiking Area

    Jewel Basin Hiking Area

    Along the beautiful Swan Mountains that form the eastern border of the Flathead Valley, there is a great designated hiking area called the Jewel Basin, or “The Jewel” as it’s known to us locals. This network of trails is reached via a dirt road that climbs up into the alpine making the hiking rewarding almost…

  • September Raptor Count

    September Raptor Count

    On a crisp morning, late in September, I rolled up to the humble building housing the fine folks that run the Citizen Science program in Glacier. We were heading on up to Swiftcurrent Pass for the annual raptor count during the fall raptor migration that starts in September and continues into November. As if I needed…

  • Hiking in Zion National Park

    Hiking in Zion National Park

    I’m currently down in Zion National Park working on my next project (those of you following me on Twitter and Facebook have already seen some photos). This place is truly amazing and I can’t believe I’m getting to explore it so much. Here’s a picture I took yesterday from the Narrows. I’ll begin posting more Zion…

  • Floral Park Traverse

    Floral Park Traverse

    The Floral Park Traverse is probably the most well known traverse in Glacier National Park, but it’s not for the lazy or unexperienced. Gaining over 4,000 ft of elevation and descending more than 7,000 over 19 miles is well worth the views if you can find the route. Below is the video of our day…

  • Ptarmigan Tunnel to Redgap Pass Goat Traverse

    Ptarmigan Tunnel to Redgap Pass Goat Traverse

    The iconic Ptarmigan Tunnel in Many Glacier is a popular day hike. The tunnel is also frequently used by backpackers descending and ascending into the Belly River drainage which is often paired with Redgap Pass to make a loop. For those interested in connecting these two features without losing the elevation via trail, an off-trail…

  • Climbing Mt. Grinnell

    Climbing Mt. Grinnell

    Mt. Grinnell stands tall between two incredible drainages in the Many Glacier area of Glacier National Park. While not on the Garden Wall, the easiest way to access it is from the Lake McDonald side via the Grinnell Glacier Overlook. I did so with my wife, Kristen, and my buddy Blake Passmore of Climb Glacier…

  • Pitamakan Dawson 2014

    Pitamakan Dawson 2014

    The loop in Glacier National Park that travels through both Pitamakan Pass and Dawson Pass is one of my favorites, if not my very favorite. One is almost guaranteed to see big game, gorgeous lakes, four separate drainages and a ridge walk that’s unparalleled in the Park. The excuse was a mountain goat survey, as…

  • Iceberg Lake 2014

    Iceberg Lake 2014

    It doesn’t take very long on the Iceberg Lake trail in Glacier National Park to understand why it’s perhaps the most popular hike in the Many Glacier area. A steep first section quickly gives way to a nice gradual ascent all the way to the lake with views all around. We had a perfect bluebird…

  • Climbing Mt. Gould 2014

    Climbing Mt. Gould 2014

    Most of Glacier National Park’s visitors are familiar with the Garden Wall. Mt. Gould is the highest point along this particular stretch of alpine spine that dominates the skyline as the Highline Trail traverses it and cars cling to the cliffy edge as they head up towards Logan Pass. Climbers frequent the wall’s peaks for…