As one more summer slowly transitions to fall, I have realized that, at least in the Pacific Northwest, I live for the bountiful summers. The short sweet summers abound with life and color, and more than make up for the dreary winters. Summers are when I seek out the mountains teeming with wildflower laden meadows, glistening alpine lakes, and snow-capped peaks.
We are halfway done now, and only a precious few more weeks remain for one more summer to be done.
Bridger Teton Wilderness
WY USA
Granite Wonderland
I had stumbled upon this esoteric wilderness destination while sightseeing on Google Maps: a land of glistening blue lakes wrapped by granite monoliths in the least populated states of the country. I had docked the thought in my mind, and never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I'd actually get to visit this unspoilt backpacking destination.
It happened in the summer of 2015, as I was scouting for locations that did not require an advanced permit to visit, and realized that this backcountry was one of those destinations. But getting there wasn't going to be easy: a flight to Salt Lake City followed by a 5hr drive to a frontier town that was a last outpost of civilization, and a 15mi hike to the heart of the wilderness area in conditions that were nothing short of miserable.
But once the skies cleared and the sun shown, the vastness of the landscape oozed with an inescapable and indescribable beauty like no other.
I hope to return back to this remote backcountry area just to explore it's nooks and crannies once again.
Bridger Teton National Forest
WY USA