Category: Trip

  • Emerald Pools

    Emerald Pools

    Tucked away at the base of towering red walls in Zion Canyon in Zion National Park are three lush pools called the Emerald Pools. The three pools are connected by a stream that can vary from a slight trickle to a torrent depending upon rain. The Lower Emerald Pool is a great, level, family friendly,…

  • Hidden Canyon

    Hidden Canyon

    Zion National Park is home to many slot canyons with an impressive one called Hidden Canyon inside of the main Zion Canyon. Hidden Canyon is easily accessed and fun to explore for everyone with a little bit of work. Sweeping views, then a slot canyon with towering walls await. The trailhead is easily found at…

  • North Fork Alpenglow

    North Fork Alpenglow

    Went for a Sunday drive with my wife this past weekend. We left in the afternoon to catch a perfect sunny day and time it with the alpenglow that was sure to come. We ended up at Polebridge to capture the stunning pink light kissing the mountains. Some men say that they move mountains. I…

  • Weeping Rock

    Weeping Rock

    Tucked away in Zion Canyon in Zion National Park is a little alcove called Weeping Rock. This dripping alcove is home to many plants that cling to its wet surface. The hike is a short 0.2 mile hike up a paved path full of interpretive signs. The trailhead is easily found at the Weeping Rock…

  • Mt. Brown Lookout Fall 2014

    Mt. Brown Lookout Fall 2014

    It was the last time we were going heading out for a raptor count up Mt. Brown for the year. While it was chilly to say the least and the eagles were few, a grizzly bear foraging below us made for a memorable day! ( By the way, if you’d like to get involved in future…

  • Mt. Brown Raptor Count

    Mt. Brown Raptor Count

    I’ve really been enjoying the raptor counts in Glacier National Park. It’s always exciting to see loads of raptors and the company has been great. With Going-to-the-Sun Road being closed at Avalanche Creek, Swiftcurrent Pass was out. The weather precluded us from going on Tuesday, but with a good forecast for Wednesday, I put out…

  • Lee Ridge & Slide Lake Pika Survey

    Lee Ridge & Slide Lake Pika Survey

    Folks from the Glacier’s Citizen Science Program relayed to me how they were thwarted in their latest attempt to get four last pika surveys done by the amazing limestone boulder fields just below Gable Pass and at Slide Lake in Glacier National Park. I looked at my schedule and took the opportunity to head on up for…

  • Swiftcurrent Raptor Count Part 2

    Swiftcurrent Raptor Count Part 2

    Two weeks had past from my first raptor count when I found myself driving back up to Glacier National Park to do another raptor migration count. While the first trip in late September was a bluebird fall day, we only counted 25 birds. This day in early October was much more dynamic. The clouds were…

  • 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…