Author Archives: westerner54

About westerner54

Hello. I'm Cindy, and I love to hike, bike and explore the outdoors - particularly the western U.S.

Too Close

Posted on November 10, 2015

November’s grizzlies have one thing on  their mind: food.    They’re on a mission, and I am not interested in getting in their way. The griz we saw a couple of weeks ago was definitely on a mission.  He was … Continue reading →

Posted in Montana, Nature, Wildlife, Yellowstone | Tagged , , , | 30 Comments

Up Coyote Gulch: In Through the Crack in the Wall and Out the Scary “Sneaker Route”

Posted on October 14, 2015

I’m clinging to a sandstone fin, a hundred feet above Coyote Gulch.  Stuck.  Can’t go up, can’t go down, should be able to creep sideways, but that would involve looking down, and I don’t think that’s a good idea. Well. … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Backpacking, Hiking, Nature, Southwest hikes | Tagged , , , , | 29 Comments

Small Wonders

Posted on September 17, 2015

Montana is full of big wonders: the grizzlies, the elk, the moose, the huge mountains and the equally huge sky.    We visit Yellowstone and look for wolves and bears, and hope that we’ll be one of the few visitors … Continue reading →

Posted in Birding, Life, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , | 22 Comments

Sandhill Cranes in the Smoke

Posted on August 14, 2015

The combination of a smoky morning and a long-distance shot gives these Sandhill Cranes the mysterious, other-worldly quality they deserve, don’t you think?

Posted in Birding, Montana, Nature, Photography, Wildlife | Tagged , | 13 Comments

Six Days in Grizzly Country: A Backpack in the Scapegoat Wilderness

Posted on August 6, 2015

If you’d told me twenty years ago that my 61 year old self would even think about spending six days backpacking in grizzly country, I’d have laughed you out of the room.    Wasn’t gonna happen.    I wouldn’t even consider … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Backpacking, Camping, Hiking, Montana, Nature, Outdoors | Tagged , , | 16 Comments

Backpack to the “Not Unduly Spectacular.” Curly Lake, Tobacco Root Mountains.

Posted on July 18, 2015

I’m trudging up the steep trail to Curly Lake, thinking – somewhat crabbily – about the Montana Hiking guide’s description of Curly Lake as “not unduly spectacular.”  I haven’t been there, and right about now I’m wondering why we chose … Continue reading →

Posted in Backpacking, Hiking, Montana, Nature, Outdoors | Tagged , , | 16 Comments

Bigfoot in the Park and Other Wonders of Glacier

Posted on July 11, 2015

Yep.  Bigfoot.  Just check out the Montana Road and Recreation Atlas.  I’m not making this up.   So get out there and look for him! After Bigfoot hunting, head to the west side of the park to the Polebridge Mercantile … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Hiking, Montana, Nature, Travel, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , | 11 Comments