Category Archives: Hiking

Rethinking Nature: the Value of Wild Places

Posted on October 13, 2012 by westerner54

What makes you feel alive and happy?    Until two weeks ago, I thought the answer – for me – was pretty simple:  being out in nature.     Surprisingly, I didn’t necessarily consider “wildness” a huge plus; it seemed to me that … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Hiking, Nature, Wildlife | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

Highland Mary Lakes

Posted on October 2, 2012 by westerner54

The Highland Mary Lakes in the San Juans of southwestern Colorado are a great introduction to the high peaks of the Weminuche Wilderness in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains.  The wildflowers are bigger there than anywhere else I’ve been, the trails are higher, … Continue reading →

Posted in Backpacking, Hiking, Nature, Outdoors | Tagged , , , | 13 Comments

Watching Wildlife in Yellowstone: the Best Places to Hang Out

Posted on September 25, 2012 by westerner54

Conventional Yellowstone Wisdom has it that the best way to find wildlife is to look for a gaggle of folks along the road with really good spotting scopes and long lenses on their cameras.  And it’s true; you will certainly … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Hiking, Montana, Nature, Wildlife, Yellowstone | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

Posted on September 24, 2012 by westerner54

Originally posted on Mind Margins:
They say home is where the heart is, and I believe it. I’ve written before about how being in Wyoming feels like home, even though I’ve never lived there. What is it about certain places…

Posted in Hiking | 2 Comments

Which is Scarier: A Rattlesnake or a Grizzly Bear?

Posted on August 23, 2012 by westerner54

Imagine this:  You’re hiking on the third day of a six day backpacking trip, deep in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, when you “run into”* a) a rattlesnake… or….. b) a grizzly bear. *what exactly does “run into” mean?  that’s up … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Hiking, Life, Outdoors, Wildlife | Tagged , , , | 23 Comments

Glacier National Park: Last Minute Reservations at Granite Park Chalet

Posted on August 13, 2012 by westerner54

Glacier’s Granite Park Chalet is a stunning backcountry chalet, accessible only on foot, and only available with a reservation.  But here’s a tip:  if you’re in the Glacier area, and can be flexible, check the Granite Park Chalet reservation website … Continue reading →

Posted in Backpacking, Hiking, Montana, Outdoors, Travel | Tagged , , | 22 Comments

Refrigerator Canyon to Hunter’s Gulch in the Gates of the Mountains Wilderness

Posted on July 1, 2012 by westerner54

This is a 14 mile shuttle backpack through the heart of Montana’s Gates of the Mountains Wilderness. If you don’t get lost around mile 10, the hike could be a mile or so shorter, but we’ve done this route two … Continue reading →

Posted in Backpacking, Hiking, Montana, Outdoors | Tagged , , | 24 Comments

A Little Rain? A Little Snow? Who Cares if You’re in Blodgett Canyon?

Posted on June 6, 2012 by westerner54

A few years ago a friend of mine from New Jersey was surprised that I wanted to head to the Caribbean in May.  “Why leave in May? Just when the weather is getting wonderful, and you can start backpacking?” Right.   We’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in Backpacking, Hiking, Montana, Outdoors, Travel | Tagged , | 11 Comments

The Indispensables

Posted on May 21, 2012 by westerner54

Those first couple of miles of the first backpack of the season are always tough, aren’t they? Hiking without a pack never prepares me for the shock of suddenly hauling all that extra weight, and my hips and shoulders are … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Backpacking, Camping, Hiking, Outdoors, Travel | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments

Backpack to Casey Meadow

Posted on May 10, 2012 by westerner54

Casey Meadow, in the Elkhorn Mountains, is a great early season backpacking destination.  It’s close to Helena, the three-mile hike to the meadow isn’t too strenuous, and it’s one of the few high places that is free of snow in … Continue reading →

Posted in Hiking, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Travel | Tagged , | 12 Comments