Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Middle Cottonwood

I have decided that if I am ever in a bad mood all I have to do around here is step outside and I can't help but be cured of it. Everywhere I look I am surrounded by beautiful mountain ranges and some even several miles from my home. A thunder storm had just rolled out and the skies had cleared so I ran up to Middle Cottonwood after work. The drive up there was quite pleasant through the country and backing up to the Bridger mountain range. I ooeed and aawed at old barns and landscapes but didn't stop, so that I could make it up and back before the sun set. Here is the trail markings at the actual end of the trail.

As you can see not the most strenuous hike, but perfect for a hike after work. I went up in the late afternoon which is not the best lighting for photography, it creates a lot of shadows and overexposed areas in your photograph. Since this hike was fairly wooded, I ended up not having to much of a hard time with it. 


This is what the trail is like in the beginning of the hike kind of open with smaller trees enclosed around you. The trees are starting to turn colors for fall and I am sure they will be breathtaking in another couple of weeks!


This was the second of two bridges, luckily if you were to fall in it is only a couple of feet down. My dog chose to walk through the water rather then brave the bridge.


This is where the terrain started to get into the canyon, with lots of evergreen trees and rock side walls. The creek provided a nice cool breeze to cut the heat. 


This time of year I am always surprised to still find a couple of wild flowers that have survived the first couple of freezes. These were the only ones I saw the entire time. 


Towards the turn around marker the trail goes into into a meadow and then branches off into several other hikes into the Bridgers. On my way back I ran into a few hikers and mountain bikers who were discussing the momma bear and baby they saw back by the second bridge. Probably lucky for me, I did not run into them on my way back. Although winter is defiantly coming, quickly, I am eager to get a few more hikes in before the snow sticks. 

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Fairy Lake

About twenty miles outside of Bozeman you hit Fairy Lake Road. Then it is only another seven miles up a dirt road to a beautiful lake with a trail looping the outskirts. Well, that was all well and dandy until I hit the dirt road. Apparently in Washington dirt roads mean finely packed small pieces of rock, while in Montana they are a bit more hard core then that. Meaning, giant boulders and one foot deep potholes.


Here is a nice break in the road where I stopped to take a few pictures. The mountains here are so beautiful, I can't wait to see them covered in snow!

              

               

These thistles were on the side of the road and they were so neat looking, they are a much brighter purple then what I am use to. 


I also found these guys on my dirt road adventure. She is such a pretty auburn color, my dog wasn't sure what to think of them. 



I finally reached the lake and it was defiantly worth the drive! This is where I should have brought my tripod and had a panorama view. But, you can still see how beautiful it is. 



The hike was only about a mile all around but it gave my plenty of time to doodle and throw the stick for my dog. Happy hiking! 



Monday, September 9, 2013

Sypes Canyon

Well I made the long trek slash move to Montana. Since I am still looking for a job, I have lots of time on my hands to go out and explore the area. My first hike that I chose to do was apparently a bit ambitious for me. It was up Sypes Canyon and about a six mile hike...with a lot of incline. As I was breathing heavily and maybe letting my dog pull me a bit, a runner passed me with a gentle wave to make me feel sooo in shape. But, I made it to the top and it was defiantly worth it!


Here is a picture of the trail head at Sypes Canyon. The trail is actually in a neighborhood that backs up to the National Forest. 


Here is a photograph of what some of the trail looked like, it reminds me of an old horse trail. 


We went through lots of ups and downs as well as from trees to rocky trails to meadows. 





Here are four pictures of what it was like at the top of the canyon. 


On the way down I found this little bird and her mate watching me from above. They were a very pretty grey and not like anything I have seen in Washington. 


By September most of the wild flowers are usually gone but I found this little treasure still thriving amongst the changing leaves and grass. 

Hurricane Ridge

Hurricane Ridge has always been a staple for our family. When we want to go hiking or have people visiting we go up to Hurricane Ridge. About twenty five miles out of Port Angeles Washington, Hurricane Ridge has spectacular views of not only the incredible Olympic mountain range, but of ocean and wildlife as well. As one of my last weekends in Washington, I wanted to make one more trip up with the family. Unfortunately, I picked labor day weekend so there was a lack of parking spaces but defiantly not a lack of extraordinary views and large amounts of deer and marmots.


This photograph is probably my favorite because it gives you a perspective of what you are surrounded by while you are hiking and it is an incredible one. Unfortunately I went up in the later afternoon, which causes harsher lighting so the colors are not as brilliant and rich as I would like but I think that you can get the idea of how beautiful it is. 


As I said, there was large amounts of wildlife, including these beautiful little guys. I was lucky enough to not only photograph two of them together, but to also have them hold still long enough to snap a photograph. 


As I was taking this picture, my younger brother asked me why I was laying on the ground. Let's just say that as a photographer I think it is important to try different perspectives and one of my favorites tends to be from the ground. 


These little guys were everywhere and much bigger then he appears to be here. They seemed to pop up from underground everywhere I looked. 


There is defiantly a large abundance of deer up there. And most of them are very friendly. I think she was interested in the apple that my brother was eating behind me and came closer to me then I was expecting. 


This trail is two miles up and two miles down. In that time there are so many different perspectives and views to take pictures from. There are also many trails such as this one that will jet you off further into the  olympics.