Sunset Lake in Jedediah Smith Wilderness

That’s Not Mud – A Short Story

A storm passes over Sunset Lake in the Jedediah Smith Wilderness of the Targhee National Forest in Wyoming.

It was my friend, Dale’s, first backpacking excursion, and rather than easing him into the rigors and rituals that come with such an experience, he instead insisted on the popular, but overly strenuous, 40-mile Teton Crest Trail in northwestern Wyoming.… Keep reading...

Log in Phelps Lake Below Teton Mountains

Woken Up By a Bear at Camp

The Teton Mountains rising high above a log extending into Phelps Lake along a beach. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

The Phelps Lake Campground is an easy hike in with quick access to stunning views of the lake below Death Canyon. I was camped there in the summer of 2022 hoping for some Milky Way shots over the lake (spoiler alert – I was there way too early in the season to get the Milky Way above the lake).… Keep reading...

Bull Elk Standing Above Trapper Lake

Cornered by a Bull Elk at Trapper Lake

Bull Elk Standing Above Trapper Lake
A bull elk in velvet standing in a meadow above Trapper Lake. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

The landscape at Trapper Lake was quiet and empty. The nearest camper was 2.5 miles up the trail. The sun was beginning to set and a stillness overtook the lake, producing immaculate reflections. I got my camp setup tucked away in the woods away from the lake, then immediately went to take some photos of the landscapes.… Keep reading...

Evaporation Ponds Beyond Sandstone Ridges

Trouble Sleeping at Dead Horse Point State Park

Evaporation ponds from the nearby potash mine resting below sandstone ridges and canyonds. Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah

This past Christmas break, I made a nice little escape to the Moab, Utah area for some hiking and photography. With an 8 hour drive ahead of me, I left town as early as I could, racing down to have camp setup before sunset.… Keep reading...