Category Archives: Outdoors

Johnny Gulch in the Elkhorn Mountains

Posted on September 4, 2012 by westerner54

Even a small mountain range like the Elkhorns in western Montana is chock full of wonderful backroads that are just begging to be explored.     Recently we loaded up the camper and headed out to see what we could find.  Can’t get … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Camping, Montana, Outdoors, Travel | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Goodbye Summer Flowers. You’ll Be Missed.

Posted on August 31, 2012 by westerner54

Western Wildflowers, 2012

Posted in Nature, Outdoors, Photography | Tagged , , | 13 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

The Panic in Beautiful Places

Posted on August 20, 2012 by westerner54

“How much I missed, simply because I was afraid I was missing it.”  Paulo Coelha There’s a scene in Elizabeth Gilbert’s book Eat, Pray, Love where Gilbert and a friend arrive together at a particularly beautiful place.   The friend’s immediate … Continue reading →

Posted in Life, Montana, Nature, Outdoors | Tagged , , | 25 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

Bluegrass, the Blackfoot, and the Crimson Bluffs

Posted on August 3, 2012 by westerner54

Lots of music in Montana in July, and we managed to catch our share of it:  Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, Abigail Washburn, Corb Lund, Emmylou Harris, Taj Mahal, Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Ben Bullington, Billy … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Montana, Nature, Outdoors | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Montana Folk Festival

Posted on July 15, 2012 by westerner54

Butte, Montana July 14, 2012

Posted in Life, Montana, Outdoors, Photography | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Road Trip to the Back of Beyond: Bannack Ghost Town to the Centennial Valley

Posted on July 10, 2012 by westerner54

I do believe that the back of beyond is my favorite spot on earth.   And one of the swell things about Montana is that you can get to the back of beyond on a road trip – you don’t have to … Continue reading →

Posted in Camping, Montana, Outdoors, Travel | Tagged , , , , | 12 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

Mountain Biking Heaven

Posted on June 13, 2012 by westerner54

Western Montana is mountain biker’s heaven, and I think that Helena has some of the best singletrack trails in the state.    There are miles and miles of trails that start right from town, so if you live in the downtown area, … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Travel | Tagged , , | 10 Comments