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Jewel Basin Hawk Watch 2023
As summer wanes in later August, my fellow bird nerds and I get excited for an annual event, raptor migration. Unlike many bird species that migrate at night, raptors such as hawks, eagles, and falcons, choose the day time along mountain ridges where they can ride currents and updrafts. This saves valuable energy as they…
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North Inlet with Lake Nokoni and Lake Nanita
Whether you’re looking for a lovely stroll through some meadows along a creek, a slightly longer hike to some cascades, or an epic day to two gorgeous alpine Lake, the trail along North Inlet in Rocky Mountain National Park gives everyone a plethora of options. In 2019, I hiked all the way up to Lake…
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Triple Divide Pass 2023
Triple Divide Peak straddles the Continental Divide where water hitting one of it’s aspects can go not only west to the Pacific Ocean or east into the Atlantic Ocean (via the Gulf of Mexico), but also north into the Arctic Ocean via the Hudson Bay. Just below that summit sits Triple Divide Pass which is…
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Climbing Mount Helen 2023
While not the most notable summit in Glacier National Park, Mount Helen sits just above Dawson Pass in the Two Medicine area and is a wonderful addition to your day, that is, if you have any gas left in your tank after climbing to the pass. On paper, our plan was to take the boat…
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What’s in our Day Hiking Backpacks (2023 Edition)
When I first got interested in hiking and backpacking after moving back to Montana, I opened up Backpacker Magazine and started creating a list of items I needed to purchase to explore the great outdoors. Unfortunately, I ended up with boots that gave me blisters and hurt my feet, a tent that was too heavy,…
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Climbing Never Laughs Mountain and Mt Ellsworth
A little Throwback Thursday cuz we’re feeling nostalgic for dry trails Not sure if it gets any better than a crisp, fall morning in the Two Medicine area of Glacier National Park when Two Medicine Lake is glass. Sinopah Mountain stands tall at the head of the lake, reflecting in the mirror at its feet.…
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Lupine Lake
This blog is part of a six part series of hikes in and around the Whitefish area in coordination with Explore Whitefish. Check out their website at https://explorewhitefish.com to find out more ways to explore the area, things to do, places to stay, and how you can recreate responsibly while visiting. A gorgeous drive to,…
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Stanton Lake in the Fall
This blog is part of a six part series of hikes in and around the Whitefish area in coordination with Explore Whitefish. Check out their website at https://explorewhitefish.com to find out more ways to explore the area, things to do, places to stay, and how you can recreate responsibly while visiting. Just outside of the…
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Climbing Mt Jackson 2022
Of all of Glacier National Park’s sublime summits, only six of them crest over the 10,000 foot mark. Mt Jackson, with its long, rounded ridge is one of those summits and it is as rewarding as it is a long grind. While you could (and probably should) break it up into two days by camping…
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Cosley Lake Looning 2022
The Belly River area of Glacier National Park is such a fantastic background location. We headed out to do Common Loon surveys at Cosley Lake and Glenns Lake which is up in the Mokowanis River drainage. Perfect weather, wildflowers, big mountains, a roaring waterfall, and pristine lakes (with not TOO many mosquitos) made for a…
