Category Archives: Backpacking

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

Posted on October 14, 2015 by westerner54

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

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

Posted on August 6, 2015 by westerner54

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 by westerner54

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

May Creek Cabin

Posted on December 8, 2014 by westerner54

December 3, 2014.  Around 1:30 in the afternoon, about 24 degrees.    We’re at the May Creek trailhead near Wisdom, Montana, ready to head out to the May Creek Forest Service Cabin that we’ve rented for a two-night stay. My … Continue reading →

Posted in Backpacking, Hiking, Montana, Nature, Outdoors | Tagged , , | 32 Comments

Grand Gulch Below the Narrows: Where to find the Perfect Campsite

Posted on November 17, 2014 by westerner54

This looks like a pretty good fall campsite, don’t you think?   Lots of afternoon sun , reflected warmth from the canyon walls during the night, nice clear water in pot holes fifty feet away, and even a cute little … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Backpacking, Hiking, Nature, Southwest hikes, Wildlife | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Moose, Mosquitoes and Bear Grass: Three Days in the Pintlers

Posted on August 3, 2014 by westerner54

“Whoa…what’s that?” Margaret stops dead, pointing into the trees.    I don’t stop in time and smack into her backpack.  I look where she’s pointing in the woods off to the right of us but don’t see anything. “What?  I … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Backpacking, Hiking, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , | 25 Comments

It’s Windy on Top of the World

Posted on July 11, 2014 by westerner54

It was 89 degrees and dead calm in the Skalkoho Creek valley when we left.  Now the wind is howling, and I’ve put on an extra shirt and the fleece jacket that I just threw in at the last moment, thinking … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Backpacking, Hiking, Montana, Nature, Wildlife | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Government Trail to the Big Man Pictographs: Grand Gulch, Utah

Posted on November 22, 2013 by westerner54

It’s about a 10 mile roundtrip hike across Cedar Mesa, down into Grand Gulch, and up the gulch to the spectacular Big Man Pictographs.  We’ve done it as a day trip, but it’s worth spending as much time as you … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Backpacking, Hiking, Outdoors, Southwest hikes | Tagged , , , | 17 Comments

Fall Hiking Season is Here: Coalpits Wash Backpack in Zion’s Southwest Desert

Posted on September 13, 2013 by westerner54

It’s time to start thinking about some desert hikes, don’t you think?   The area that Zion National Park calls the Southwest Desert offers some dandy fall hikes, particularly if you’re wanting to get away from the crowds that sometimes jam up … Continue reading →

Posted in Backpacking, Hiking, Nature, Outdoors, Southwest hikes | Tagged , , , | 20 Comments

Citizen Scientist-ing in the Anaconda Pintler Wilderness

Posted on July 24, 2013 by westerner54

I’m a citizen. I’m not a scientist. But – after three days in the wilderness with the Wilderness Institute – I am an official Citizen Scientist.  And I’ve got the badge to prove it.* *Not really.  Didn’t get no stinkin’ badge. … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Backpacking, Hiking, Montana, Nature | Tagged , , , , | 17 Comments