GREAT TO BE BACK!

Winter in Yellowstone

After a nice break and time back in Livingston, MT I've had two trips into the snowy wonderland of Yellowstone National Park. It is truly one of the most beautiful winter getaways. I love sharing the Narnia-like landscape with those who have never ventured into the park during these frosty months. 

I've have to lead this entry with the highlight so far this season! It is rare to see a wolf close up and even more unlikely that you will see them just below the Mammoth Terraces. This incredible sight was doubled in drama because it was the Canyon Alpha Female we encountered. She is estimated to be 11 years old. The average life expectancy of a Yellowstone wolf is 5 years! I am shocked that I was able to capture her on video. I feel so fortunate that I saw her with clients and can share the experience with you

My first trip out this winter had me celebrating Christmas with all folks from warm regions of the states, so what a change this was for them. The snowpack was great and added to the magic of the surroundings. We were so lucky to see many otter and moose. If anyone from this trip has pictures of the moose or otters please send them to me and I will add to the blog!

Canary Spring on the Mammoth Terraces.


I was getting pretty artsy fartsy with this pic. This is Hoarfrost, which formed on a fence near Palette Hot Springs.


Castle Geyser erupting as we tour the Old Faithful Geyser Basin. Even though I shot this in color it looks black and white except for the yellow of the sun and its reflection. A haunting and somewhat eerie shot, but gorgeous!


Usually the snow around the Old Faithful geyser basin are clear enough to walk around. On my last trip the snow cover was so great that we had to snowshoe. It was a bit daunting because at times it was hard to tell where the boardwalks were. But we had stretches of the basin all to ourselves, and the snow accumulation created a fantastic views.

From me and my favorite ghost tree, we say enjoy the winter while you've got it!

THE GRAND CIRCLE PART TWO

NAVAJO RESERVATION, HORSESHOE BEND AND ZION

After the Grand Canyon we headed north through the Navajo Reservation. I am always fascinated by the evidence of ancient societies. Below are pictographs from 100-900 years old.

Horseshoe Bend was our next stop. It is located just downstream of Glen Canyon Dam, directly above the Colorado River. 

Here I stand at the overlook. This is another fabulous shot shared by Brynne Harold. The next day my clients were rafting on the river below. Great view from above or below.

Zion in the fall is exquisite. As the leaves change colors it adds to the already dramatic color of the rock. The shots below are on The Emerald Pools trail. It is one of the most popular trails in the park because the pay off in regards to beauty compared to the ease of the hike is great.

In this area you can see the water seeping through the cracks in the wall which creates a fern filled wonderland. This wet landscape is home to many species of plants.

Early morning in Zion is always a great way start the day. I love my new hiking kilt!

A view from watchmen trail overlooking Angel's Landing. Stellar shot Brynne!

This riverbed is typically dry in the fall but flows after snowmelt or heavy rain.

THE GRAND CIRCLE PART ONE
This large cluster of National Parks and public lands in Northern Arizona and Utah offers opportunities to view America's largest concentration of diverse scenery, geologic shapes, and the remnants of ancient civilizations. This was a combined trip between Off the Beaten Path and the National Parks Conservation Association.


GRAND CANYON


Visiting this area in late October brought a new perspective for me. The angle of the light in the canyon created extra gold and red colors. Less visitors is also a perk of the time of year. Brynne Harold, the NPCA representative of this journey, also became trip photographer.
Thank you Brynne for sharing your fantastic pics with me and allowing me to share with others!

SOUTH KAIBAB TRAIL

The two pictures above are a section of the trail known as The Chimney. It is a narrow heart pounding zig zag built into the Canyon's wall. 

These Juniper trees seen here, clinging to the walls along the edge of the trail, are incredibly hardy. They grow out of mere cracks in the limestone and can survive these conditions for more than 600 years.

The South Kaibab Trail was built by the National Park Services, starting in 1924, to compete with the more popular Bright Angel Trail. I prefer The South Kaibab because the views are more dramatic and it is less exposed to the sun making it a cooler hike.

OOH AAH POINT

This is the first photographic opportunity of the trail. A great place to take in the full vista of The Canyon, as the Navajo Sandstone juts out from The Canyon wall.

THUNDERSTORM OVER THE NORTH RIM
I want to especially thank Brynne for this exquisite shot!


Stay tuned for PART TWO: Horseshoe Bend and Zion

FAMILY FUN

I recently had the extreme pleasure of guiding two of my sisters and a brother-in law in Yosemite National Park. Yosemite has become one of the parks in which I most frequently guide. Being able to share my knowledge and experience with my family is always a satisfying treat.

This trip allowed us to be a little more adventurous than when I typically guide here. We spent four days in the back country and barely saw a soul. It was a wonderful opportunity for me as a guide, and seeing the three of them decompress more and more each day was very gratifying.

From left to right: Jessica, Mike and Cecelia. Love to be with my family in such a beautiful setting.

We backpacked and camped in the Hetch Hetchy Valley, which is located in the Northwestern part of Yosemite. Indigenous people like the Miwok and the Paiute have lived in the area for over 6,000 years. It is a great place to go in the summer to escape the heat of the lowlands. We found it the perfect backdrop for hikes, relaxation, and reconnecting!

John Muir called this valley,  "a grand landscape garden, one of Nature's rarest and most precious mountain temples." We couldn't have agreed more.

Mike enjoying the simple things in life! Everything tastes better surrounded by nature.

Sharing a favorite overlook with my lovely sister Jessica. Half Dome is the feature on the left. Below us is Yosemite Valley.

Back to civilization and the Ahwahnee dining room.

It is such a privilege to guide my family and show them the sights I have grown to love.
Here's to more adventures with my fabulous kin!

MASSIVE TRIP! PART TWO

5 National Parks in 15 days

Here are some more photographic highlights from this trip to Yellowstone, Tetons, Glacier, Olympic and Grand Canyon.

My client Cindy has shared more awesome pics from Yellowstone:

The Upper Falls

Fishing Cone

It used to be commonplace for fishermen and women to cook their catch the second they caught it, right here in this hot spring. It is now prohibited, but just think how fresh that entree would have been. 

Dragon's Mouth Spring

Part of the Hayden Geyser Basin. This spring got its name because of the belch likes sounds it makes as well as the lashing tongue appearance of the splashing water.

Thanks again Cindy for letting me post your great pics!

More from Olympic:

This Sitka Spruce is the giant of its kind.

And one can never tire of the amazing expanses of the Grand Canyon:

So proud of these clients who made it to Oh Ah Point. Hiking to this spot really make you feel you've earned the view

MASSIVE TRIP! PART ONE

 Five National Parks in 15 Days

From September 4th until the 18th I travelled with my clients to Yellowstone, Tetons, Glacier, Olympic and Grand Canyon. This trip was with National Geographic to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the National Parks system. I was so lucky to have guided a woman named Cindy, who magically captured some of our experiences with her camera. Thank you Cindy for sharing!

Grand Prismatic of Yellowstone is the largest hot springs in the U.S. I think Cindy's photo captures the almost alien quality of the springs.






















Wow! Cindy's photos of the Tetons display their true majesty. Breathtaking!

Having been to Glacier for two consecutive trips before this grand excursion you might think it would be just the same ole same ole. Well my clients and I got caught in a snowstorm on Logan Pass. A treat to see the snowy landscape before summer changed to fall, but we were relieved once we got down, as ten minutes later the pass was closed!





More mountains and snow! This hike in Hurricane Ridge of Olympic, is a favorite of mine because  this particular view from the trail mingles glaciers and snow fields, but if you took a 180 turn you'd see Vancouver Island.





On the northern most of the southern beaches of Olympic is Ruby Beach. This rugged area of the Washington coast is named as such because of the ruby-like crystals that make up the sandy shoreline.





Cindy again captures the awesomeness of mountainous landscapes. I love getting the chance to return to, and learn more about Mount Rainier, the highest peak of the Cascade range. It is a volcano, considered dangerous because it could produce a mud flow that would threaten sections of Seattle. You can just imagine the force of destruction it could produced standing witness to its enormity.


I have more shots to share from this trip and I know Cindy does too! Be on the lookout for part two of this MASSIVE journey!

UPCOMING ADVENTURES

I just returned from a massive trip that covered five national parks: Yellowstone, Tetons, Glacier, Olympic and Grand Canyon. All this in just two weeks. A whirlwind that included incredible moments that I will share later this week!

My fall isn't slowing down yet! On Tuesday I am off to a backcountry trek into the Sierra Mountains of Yosemite.  This will be a labour of love indeed, as I will be guiding my two sisters and my brother- -in-law. I can't wait to show them the sites that I have marveled at for years.

At the end of October I'll be back in two of my favorite areas: The Grand Canyon and Zion. This trip will include my first visit to the Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon Caverns. Even in places I visit frequently, I am amazed by the new experiences they bring each time.

I'll get to catch my breath in November and be able to play some hockey, spend quality time in my little town of Livingston, MT, and get to see family in the north woods of Minnesota, along lake Superior, for Thanksgiving. Then Christmas brings me back to bombardier travel and cross country skiing in the winter landscape of the Lamar Valley and Old Faithful.

**A great number of my trips are through Bozeman's Off the Beaten Path.  They have many national and international travel options. Check out their website: http://offthebeatenpath.com**