Hyalite Canyon and Palisade Falls

It's amazing how many canyons there are in the Bozeman area. Each one is shockingly different and equally as beautiful. In the fall, Hyalite Canyon becomes a quite area where you don't run into nearly as many people as you would in the summer. Only seven miles out of town, Hyalite and Palisade falls are two beautiful little treasures with lots of other hikes and stops along the way.

This is just a small glimpse of what the drive was like. With the fall colors changing and the river on the right it doesn't get more beautiful then this. 

All three of these photos were taken along side the road just on the way up to the hike, while my dog sat patiently....waiting for me to return.

So patient ;). Because it was later in the day, we decided to go up Palisade falls rather than Hyalite Canyon. Palisade falls is a short hike, only one mile up and easy to access. 

The Bozeman area got a little bit of snow over the last week, making a beautiful combination of colors. This is probably one of the only places that you can almost get three seasons at once. 

Because the weather changes so quickly, you never know what you are going to get when you go out to photograph. But from my experience there is always something around here to make you in awe of what nature can do. 

This is one of many waterfalls in the area. Although it is a beautiful sight now, I can only imagine how it looks in the spring when the snow starts melting into the canyon. I hope that you all enjoyed my post and get out there to enjoy the beautiful fall colors!

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. 

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! 

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. 

At the Foot of Mount Saint Helens

I count myself pretty lucky to live in such a beautiful state. I have grown up being surrounded by beautiful mountains, forests and breathtaking coasts. Since I have lived in the Seattle area for the last ten years, I have spent most of my time in the Olympic mountain range. However, this weekend my brother and I went back to the south side of the state where we use to live when we were younger.

Yale lake is situated at the foot hills of Mount Saint Helens and only twelve miles from Apes Caves. (if you haven't been to Ape Caves...go!) Because we went on a weekday for the most part, we had the lake to ourselves which allowed me to take lots of photographs.

Here is a picture of Yale Lake later in the evening with Mount Saint Helens barely peeking out from behind the clouds in the background. I love photographing in the late afternoon because that is where I tend to find the beautiful golden lighting.

Further back in one of the corners of the lake we found this beautiful little area, although we had to dodge a few tree stumps. 

Loving my macro photography, I was able to relax in the sun and take time to look at the little things. 

Including, this adorable little Newt!

As well as these logs sticking up out of the water surrounded by beautiful shades of blue!

My Camera, My Dog and the Open Road

Summer Road trips are always a must for me and probably should be for anyone. This summers road trip was prompted by a friends wedding and turned into a trip to find an apartment in Montana. It began by driving from Seattle to Pullman the first day where I met with old friends and took some nice long strolls down memory lane. The wedding was about thirty miles outside of Pullman on the Snake river surrounded by impressive cliff walls.

Here is a photographic of the lovely bride and groom during there fast dance as a married couple. 

The Palouse is an incredible area with lots of beautiful rolling hills, and many times greatly underestimated by people who have never been there. There are two main buttes outside of Pullman, Kamiack Butte and Steptoe Butte and both make for an incredible backdrop for photographers. 

Although it can seam at times to be solely wheat fields, they have a certain beauty about them that for me is alluring. 

Having lived in the area for four years, I have a lot of pictures of the Palouse at many different times of year. It is the late summer thunderstorms though that I find this area to be the most beautiful and interesting. 

And because I love flowers (even prickly ones) and because I couldn't help it, here is a picture of a thistle I found on my hike up Kamiack Butte!

After a few days in Pullman I left one very early morning and headed to Bozeman Montana. Right when the border changes from Idaho to Montana is one of the prettiest and dramatic landscapes I have seen. This picture just doesn't do it justice. (maybe because it was taken from a car...) 

I finally reached the beautiful Bozeman Montana area and was in awe of how much sky there was...which is probably why it is called big sky country...or the fact that I currently live on an island that is surrounded by trees. Either way, I am always surprised by the beauty there is in our country. 

I didn't spend much time in Montana since I had to get back to work the next day, so I started the very long trek back to Seattle. My furry companion and I certainly got anxious to get out of the car as we started to get long glimpses of ocean. 

Oh and did I mention fresh and cool ocean air!

Here is my fuzzy companion just as happy to see the ocean as I. Thank you for looking at my blog and I hope you are all out there taking at least some little road trips. Happy photographing!