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Dead Indian Trail, April 8th, 2017.
After coming fairly far up the trail with my family a week previous, I decided to finish the Dead Indian North trail. I stopped to see the Upper Falls on Dead Indian Creek which I'd wager is somewhere around 15-20' tall. I then simply followed the trail for another couple miles while occasionally stepping off to the brink of the canyon to see the views.
It was a fairly cloudy day, so some of the colors of the canyon didn't translate as well to the pictures as I would've liked. Nevertheless, I happened upon a few bits of sunlight streaming on Lower Sunlight (pun duly noted) Falls and the rainbow was fantastic.
Historically this route is quite important; this was likely the route that Chief Joseph led his people down the Clark's Fork Canyon to escape the army during the time of the Nez Perce War. Nez Perce scouts apparently spotted the U.S. army's forces below to the east from Dead Indian Pass and the army didn't think any travel down the canyon was possible. It's a very steep drop down the canyon floor below, but still possible.
Very nice hike for early spring once the snow has cleared out.
After coming fairly far up the trail with my family a week previous, I decided to finish the Dead Indian North trail. I stopped to see the Upper Falls on Dead Indian Creek which I'd wager is somewhere around 15-20' tall. I then simply followed the trail for another couple miles while occasionally stepping off to the brink of the canyon to see the views.
It was a fairly cloudy day, so some of the colors of the canyon didn't translate as well to the pictures as I would've liked. Nevertheless, I happened upon a few bits of sunlight streaming on Lower Sunlight (pun duly noted) Falls and the rainbow was fantastic.
Historically this route is quite important; this was likely the route that Chief Joseph led his people down the Clark's Fork Canyon to escape the army during the time of the Nez Perce War. Nez Perce scouts apparently spotted the U.S. army's forces below to the east from Dead Indian Pass and the army didn't think any travel down the canyon was possible. It's a very steep drop down the canyon floor below, but still possible.
Very nice hike for early spring once the snow has cleared out.
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7/20/17
10 Photos - View album
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Petroglyph Canyon, Montana-Wyoming border, April 15th, 2017.
For this spring excursion, my family and I, in some respects, went on a bit more of an adventure than usual. I had a general idea of where to go to reach this canyon, but it certainly wasn't an obvious route. A search on any local maps or Google Earth wasn't exactly helpful, but we lucked out and found the way without much difficulty.
The drive itself wasn't too sketchy - there was a dry creek bed that I hopped out of the car to check out, but it was fine. Once you hike down a short stretch into the canyon, it's interesting. Almost right away there is standing water in these little pools as they slowly come down the short (in height not length) canyon. The petroglyphs themselves seem well preserved with very little graffiti or modern imitations likely due to the lack of info/publicity about the site. It's strange to think how this small canyon was able to preserve the glyphs for such a time. Anyway, a great destination and one we'll come back to again.
For this spring excursion, my family and I, in some respects, went on a bit more of an adventure than usual. I had a general idea of where to go to reach this canyon, but it certainly wasn't an obvious route. A search on any local maps or Google Earth wasn't exactly helpful, but we lucked out and found the way without much difficulty.
The drive itself wasn't too sketchy - there was a dry creek bed that I hopped out of the car to check out, but it was fine. Once you hike down a short stretch into the canyon, it's interesting. Almost right away there is standing water in these little pools as they slowly come down the short (in height not length) canyon. The petroglyphs themselves seem well preserved with very little graffiti or modern imitations likely due to the lack of info/publicity about the site. It's strange to think how this small canyon was able to preserve the glyphs for such a time. Anyway, a great destination and one we'll come back to again.
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7/17/17
10 Photos - View album
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West McCullough Peak, March 18th, 2017.
After trying out the first leg of this hike with my son a few weeks earlier, I decided to return to finish it to the western peak, a fairly prominent peak from anywhere in Cody. The badlands colors were fantastic; I wish they would have transferred a little better to photograph. The view from the little peak was great.
The trail up is quite unique: it's narrow enough to seem like a game trail, it's almost entirely smooth given the mud/rock base, and the way it snakes through the little hills as it climbs is fascinating.
Overall, a definite repeat in the spring and/or fall when it's not too hot.
After trying out the first leg of this hike with my son a few weeks earlier, I decided to return to finish it to the western peak, a fairly prominent peak from anywhere in Cody. The badlands colors were fantastic; I wish they would have transferred a little better to photograph. The view from the little peak was great.
The trail up is quite unique: it's narrow enough to seem like a game trail, it's almost entirely smooth given the mud/rock base, and the way it snakes through the little hills as it climbs is fascinating.
Overall, a definite repeat in the spring and/or fall when it's not too hot.
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7/10/17
15 Photos - View album
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Castle Gardens, SW of Tensleep, WY, March 11th, 2017.
For this trip back in March, we ventured toward the best weather in the area to the southeast to visit Castle Gardens. Like many places in Wyoming (Falls Creek, Bald Mountain, Dry Creek, etc.), there are numerous locations with the same name. Just 70 miles to the south of this site is another Castle Gardens off the Shoshoni-Casper highway, which, of course, is on the list to visit as well if nothing more than to compare.
Anyway, it's a pretty striking area and well worth a visit or overnight. The "castles" are all unique and we enjoyed exploring the different areas and moving through the varied country. Another one of those places that isn't advertised, but is well worth the trip.
For this trip back in March, we ventured toward the best weather in the area to the southeast to visit Castle Gardens. Like many places in Wyoming (Falls Creek, Bald Mountain, Dry Creek, etc.), there are numerous locations with the same name. Just 70 miles to the south of this site is another Castle Gardens off the Shoshoni-Casper highway, which, of course, is on the list to visit as well if nothing more than to compare.
Anyway, it's a pretty striking area and well worth a visit or overnight. The "castles" are all unique and we enjoyed exploring the different areas and moving through the varied country. Another one of those places that isn't advertised, but is well worth the trip.
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6/10/17
13 Photos - View album
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McCullough Peaks, east of Cody, March 4th, 2017.
My son and I went for a guys' hike back in early March just a short drive east of Cody. We'd been up in the area last winter in February of 2016. Anyway, I'd heard of a neat hike that starts on the northwest end of the road near the radio towers that heads northwest to one of the prominent peaks. We made it about halfway there before my son said he was content, so we headed back.
It's a neat area with lots of what seems long-dormant thermal features and rainbow-like badlands colors. I was so intrigued that I headed back on my own a few weeks later to finish it. I can see the two of us and possibly the whole family coming back this way when both kiddos are a bit older to complete the interesting but semi-arduous 6 mile hike.
My son and I went for a guys' hike back in early March just a short drive east of Cody. We'd been up in the area last winter in February of 2016. Anyway, I'd heard of a neat hike that starts on the northwest end of the road near the radio towers that heads northwest to one of the prominent peaks. We made it about halfway there before my son said he was content, so we headed back.
It's a neat area with lots of what seems long-dormant thermal features and rainbow-like badlands colors. I was so intrigued that I headed back on my own a few weeks later to finish it. I can see the two of us and possibly the whole family coming back this way when both kiddos are a bit older to complete the interesting but semi-arduous 6 mile hike.
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5/30/17
9 Photos - View album
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Upper Layout Creek, Bighorn Canyon, February 12th, 2017.
First hike (non x-country skiing) of the year back in February. My family and I decided to try our luck and head up Upper Layout Creek in the Bighorn Canyon. My son and I made part of this trip back in May of 2015 to the see the lower Upper Layout Creek falls which is a unique "saddle" falls where it splits in two about 1/3 of the way down. The 3rd image shows the "horn" of the "saddle." Anyway, I finished hiking the trail up to the rest of the falls/springs last year in 2016.
We tried to take my wife and daughter up last year in February and got snowed out about 1/2 way up the trail. We tried our luck again, and this time we were successful; a bit breezy but a surprisingly nice day for February. At the end of the trail, there is a falls/spring as mentioned above, that's pretty incredible, and it was was mostly frozen still. I'm sure we'll head back this way relatively soon so they can see it when it's all flowing.
First hike (non x-country skiing) of the year back in February. My family and I decided to try our luck and head up Upper Layout Creek in the Bighorn Canyon. My son and I made part of this trip back in May of 2015 to the see the lower Upper Layout Creek falls which is a unique "saddle" falls where it splits in two about 1/3 of the way down. The 3rd image shows the "horn" of the "saddle." Anyway, I finished hiking the trail up to the rest of the falls/springs last year in 2016.
We tried to take my wife and daughter up last year in February and got snowed out about 1/2 way up the trail. We tried our luck again, and this time we were successful; a bit breezy but a surprisingly nice day for February. At the end of the trail, there is a falls/spring as mentioned above, that's pretty incredible, and it was was mostly frozen still. I'm sure we'll head back this way relatively soon so they can see it when it's all flowing.
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5/30/17
7 Photos - View album
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2nd Kirwin Trip, November 13th, 2016. We took a second trip up to the ghost town of Kirwin on an oddly pleasant Sunday in mid November. The weather cooperated and we had the place to ourselves for the most part. One of the heavy duty loggers was up and about near the Wolf Mine, but he was very aware of where we were at all times. I'm always impressed by that ability to focus on something when being totally overwhelmed by another sense, extremely loud noise in this case. Anyway, we explored a few areas we neglected on the first trip and had a nice fall afternoon.
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5/6/17
7 Photos - View album
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Tongue River Trail, October 30th, 2016.
I took a fairly long drive and solo hike up Tongue River Canyon near Dayton, Wyoming. The last time I tried this last year was about as ill-timed as possible with the Bighorn Trail Run happening that weekend. Then I doubled-back up near the top of the Box Canyon for some great views.
This trip the weather held up nicely with threatened rain that never dropped. It was a great day and was made that much better when I realized I had the area all to myself, never seeing another soul until the return trip within a 1/2 mile of the car.
I feel like I'm getting a little obsessed in seeing the Box Canyon's multiple falls -two of which look huge. I took a lot of time making my way up Tongue River along some very pretty cascades this trip; I plan on scouting the northern rim on the next visit. 
I took a fairly long drive and solo hike up Tongue River Canyon near Dayton, Wyoming. The last time I tried this last year was about as ill-timed as possible with the Bighorn Trail Run happening that weekend. Then I doubled-back up near the top of the Box Canyon for some great views.
This trip the weather held up nicely with threatened rain that never dropped. It was a great day and was made that much better when I realized I had the area all to myself, never seeing another soul until the return trip within a 1/2 mile of the car.
I feel like I'm getting a little obsessed in seeing the Box Canyon's multiple falls -two of which look huge. I took a lot of time making my way up Tongue River along some very pretty cascades this trip; I plan on scouting the northern rim on the next visit. 
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4/2/17
11 Photos - View album
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Natural Bridge Falls, Montana, October 9th, 2016.
We enjoyed a pleasant drive up the Boulder River back in October. We got mildly turned around and headed up the East Boulder river for about 15 minutes, which turned to be in our favor as we stumbled across this old truck; no idea the make/model.
Natural Bridge Falls is spectacular and variable, with the falls coming over the top in early summer and just through the cavern bottom by fall. The site is well maintained and the unofficial hike down to the base was easier than it looked. We'll have to return early next summer to see it come over the top portion of rock and to check out more of the Boulder.
We enjoyed a pleasant drive up the Boulder River back in October. We got mildly turned around and headed up the East Boulder river for about 15 minutes, which turned to be in our favor as we stumbled across this old truck; no idea the make/model.
Natural Bridge Falls is spectacular and variable, with the falls coming over the top in early summer and just through the cavern bottom by fall. The site is well maintained and the unofficial hike down to the base was easier than it looked. We'll have to return early next summer to see it come over the top portion of rock and to check out more of the Boulder.
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2/26/17
8 Photos - View album
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Heart Mountain, 10-1-16.
My family and I went for a hike up Heart Mountain on October 1st, which is just north of Cody. The weather cooperated nicely with temperature in the mid-60s, scattered clouds, and light winds. We were pretty impressed with the kiddos as my 6 year-old son hiked the 7 miles with ne'er a complaint and my 2.5 year old daughter was in great spirits. 
My family and I went for a hike up Heart Mountain on October 1st, which is just north of Cody. The weather cooperated nicely with temperature in the mid-60s, scattered clouds, and light winds. We were pretty impressed with the kiddos as my 6 year-old son hiked the 7 miles with ne'er a complaint and my 2.5 year old daughter was in great spirits. 
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2/26/17
9 Photos - View album
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