Some lovely day hikes

These photos are some highlights from several different day hikes in May. We had a lot less snow this past winter which opened up the backcountry earlier than usual and I'm okay with a longer hiking season! 

This photo was taken June 3rd. All north facing slopes hang onto winter snow the longest.

Grand Targhee Summer

Gallatin National Forest--Montana

We spent an amazing three days hiking in the Gallatin National Forest just outside of Bozeman Montana. The Hyalite Creek Trail has TEN waterfalls to see on the 12 mile hike to an alpine lake where we ate lunch & lounged in the soft green grass. There were no crowds of people and surprisingly very few mosquitoes which made the entire trip truly amazing. 

Green Mountain Lakes Trail

We hiked this trail a week ago on what was the hottest day of the summer. The thermostat reached a high of 92 degrees that day. I used to live in Tennessee where the temps stay in the (always humid) upper 90's and go into triple digits throughout the summer. So a high of 92 degrees is NOTHING compared to the South! However, when hiking 16+ miles at 7-10,000 ft, 92 degrees runs pretty hot! Luckily, a dip in a newly thawed mountain lake was our reward at the end of the trail!

Alaska Basin Trail (2 weeks ago)

Two weeks ago we hiked 7 miles in just barely reaching the Alaska Basin. We had to stop and turn around since the rest of the hike would be entirely on top of about 5+ feet of snow. In the lower elevations the trails are lush and green but as we climbed higher we hit mud, high water and then snow. In a matter of just 2 weeks all of that snow has melted and the ground is turning a vibrant green as the alpine grasses and plants begin to sprout.

The Fall Squeeze

Every fall I have an extreme urgency to get as much hiking, backpacking, biking, camping, floating, in before the snow flies. Because once that snow blower turns on it usually doesn't stop until May. Sometimes June! So, it's been "crunch time," here in the Tetons cramming in as much outdoor activity as possible. I want to be satisfied from my summer & and fall and not dread the impending winter like I always do. So, now I question myself. Am I ever really satisfied that I'm getting in as much outdoor activity as I want? Never! Haha! I always want to hike and be in the woods at all times! Solitude = pure bliss...

Upper Palisades Lake

Lower Palisades Lake

MOOSE!

inside the cabin

Cool abandoned cabin

Charlotte taking a dip

my sweet girls

Upper Palisades Lake and it's island