We often miss so much of the world that surrounds us because we are moving too fast.  It’s not just the sights to take in, but the culture, the history of the land, nature; the circle of life that unnoticeable to most of us fuels our land and our bodies. Sometimes it’s a good idea to slow down for a moment to actually slow down and appreciate all of these things.

When I was searching for upcoming events of US 191 today, this came up on the Bozeman Chamber of Commerce page:

Starting June 21st , spend a week bicycling through the scenic valleys and over the mountain passes of western and southwestern Montana. Beginning in Adventure Cycling’s hometown of Missoula, follow the Bitterroot River upstream before climbing over Lost Trail and Chief Joseph passes. After crossing the Continental Divide, descend into the Big Hole Valley, a basin that is so sparsely populated that you may occasionally feel as if you’ve ridden back in time a hundred years.

All I can say is, what a great idea! I hope I see many people out there participating in this fun, amazing, eye-opening experience! 

If you are looking for a great three day backpacking trip in Grand Teton National Park, the Moose Basin Divide is highly recommended.  There are a number of different routes, but I explored a route starting at the Glade Creek Trailhead along Grassy Lake Road per research of others opinions before the hike.

All backcountry camping requires a permit. Backcountry camping permits are issued on a first-come, first-served basis no more than one day before the start of your trip. It is easy to get a permit, just go into the Flagg Ranch and request one.

From the trailhead the trail heads south along the Snake River, starting out in a burned forest that is slowly coming back to life. The trail here is an easy flat walk with not much change in elevation. You will know that you are getting closer to Jackson Lake as the Snake River gets wider.  This is an open area with plenty of sun and not very much drinker water, so be sure to bring the proper supplies to avoid burning and dehydration.

From Jackson Lake, it’s on to Berry Creek. The ford between the two is easy, less than a foot deep.  After the ford follow the Webb Canyon Trail. It is easy to get off point here, so be sure to check your map. Webb Canyon is lined with a lot of dead trees and some tricky slopes to be cautions of as well. In the entire park you also run risk of being in bear country, so be sure to make a lot of noise and carry spray. Be aware that the park service requires park-approved bear canisters to be used in the backcountry. The park provides canisters free of charge.

I did this hike in the spring. The best time in my opinion because the trails and open areas were lined with wildflowers. A good stopping point for the second night is between the Webb Canyon Patron Cabin and Moose Basin Divide.  The camp has great views and is near a water source for cooking/replenishing your supplies.

On the morning of the third day, you’ll cross Moose Basin Divide. The trail gets fairly rocky and there are awesome rock formations all around as you hike toward the Divide. Be sure to bring a camera.

The next hike is into Owl Creek Canyon. This is fairly steep in spots but not too tricky at all. The final (3^rd) night of camping is in Owl Canyon, just before the Owl Creek ford.  In this spot you will enjoy spectacular views of the canyon on one side and a beautiful forest on the other. This spot is known for Elk gazing because of the lay of the land, but I did not see any elk on my trip.

The ford across Owl Creek is pretty cold, but not very deep. Here, I took the cutoff for the Berry Creek trail to Glade creek trail as it was suggested by other hikers. The cutoff to Berry Creek lands you in slightly deeper waters, but as always, spectacular views and seemingly no other hikers.

This route is challenging without being too difficult. The peace and serenity found within the quiet and lack of other hikers is what I enjoyed most.

For more information please visit http://www.nps.gov/

A side note from the National Park Service: When planning a backcountry camping trip in Grand Teton National Park, backpackers should expect to travel no more than 2 miles per hour. Add an additional hour for every 1,000 feet of elevation gain. Also, trip planning that requires going over more than one pass in a day is not recommended.

Backpacking to Owl Canyon

Yellowstone contains the majority of the worlds geysers.  Much of Yellowstone Par is inside an ancient volcanic crater that exploded over 600,000 years ago. Even though the explosion took place that long ago, reminisce from the heat is still seen on the surface today in the form of geysers and other thermal features such as hot springs, fumaroles, and mudpots.

Geysers of Yellowstone

Geysers in fact are a form of a hotspring. They are most hot at the deepest points that are closest to the hot rock at the bottom of the geyser. The cooler water above doesn’t allow the boiling water to simply steam out because of the weight of the water above. Therefore, the boiling water is released in channels which is why we see eruptions  and overflow of these geysers.How hot springs and geysers differ is that hotsprings do not need to “boil” or erupt to release heat. The underlying hot water of a hotspring is close enough to the surface that it can release it’s hot water in the form of steam/vapor or runoff.

The real appeal to these majestic beauties is not how they operate, but rather how they look. It gives me the accurate feeling as if I have gone back in time and entered some sort of alternate universe like the Land Before Time when the dinosaurs roamed the earth. The geysers are indeed that old and a great look into the history of our planet. As natures wonders go, these are a must see any time of the year.

Moab is close to some of the greatest desert climbing in the world.  Mostly a traditional climber’s paradise, there are also amazing areas to sport climb, go canyoneering, and bouldering almost year round.   Indian Creek is possibly the most famous crack climbing in the world and leaves little to the imagination when you experience the seemingly infinitely walls.  People come from all over the world to test themselves in this ultra-classic area.  Beginners or first time climbers will want to contact Moab Adventure Center or one of the other guide shops in Moab.

 The best time of year depends on the actual weather Moab is experiencing that year.  The summer months, with their hot and sticky days, mean the climbing is typically best October through January, but the spring months offer some cooler days for good friction as well.  During a wet spring you may find some climbs difficult to get to or climb.  Bouldering can be good almost any time of year and can be found anywhere from off the highway to deep in the desert away from civilization.

 Utah has amazing climbing in much of the state, and many of the classic climbs are in National Parks so be respectful of the terrain and the ethics of climbing, which may be specific to your area.  For instance people want to be able to climb the Castleton and Fisher Towers for generations to come, but they are also a popular hiking destination so stay on trails and follow cairns to avoid damaging the fragile ecosystem.  Erosion happens quick in the desert and it can increase with human impact, even the classics climbs will change over time, so be aware of your own climbing ability as accidents do happen.

 Whatever your reason for going to Moab as a climbing choice, try to hook up with a local and experience the beauty that the rock in this small town off 191 has to offer.”

rock climbing in Moab

As Congress gridlocked, Obama said a “shutdown will have a very real economic impact on real people, right away.” This speaks true not only to park employees but to the thousands of visitors who have planned their trip of a lifetime to any one of the beautiful USA National Parks. Although it is not peak tourism season, all of us at us191.com recolonize that this still greatly effects tourist on a large scale. That is why in this post we are encouraging you to still travel. In life, the only thing that is consistent is change. Remember that this may only alter your plans slightly; walk instead of drive, camp instead of staying in one of the parks grand hotels, cook over a fire as opposed to having a delicious meal prepared for you. In other words, let’s get back to the basics. All things are possible when we look past the problem and onward to the solution. Just because the government is taking time making their decisions, doesn’t mean that you have to.
Also, let’s not forget the importance of supporting local business to the area. A lot of the smaller towns on the outskirts of our National Parks would love for you to vote with your dollars. They have all of the little trinkets you could hope to get in the park gift shops, but at a fraction of the price. Now, don’t get me wrong, we are all for supporting the parks when people are able to, but for now, don’t forget the world of wonderful alternatives!
Don’t let the small things slow you down, and don’t forget to LIVE OUT LOUD!

Mark your calendar  Wednesday May 15th through Saturday May 18th.  Rally on the Rocks forth annual event!  Fun for all ages and the scenery is second to none!

Rally On The Rocks offers trails for the beginner with incredible scenery and vistas to the most challenging and demanding that will be sure to test driver and machine. Each day we have numerous guided, utv friendly, trails planned throughout the Moab area. Many including casual scenic routes and demanding technical routes for the most experienced operators.

New for 2013…. 3 Tech Trails!
Tech Trails are for those of you that want to push the limits of your rig and your mind. These trails are among the most difficult ROTR has to offer. In order to participate in a tech trail your rig must have the following REQUIRED items and MUST pass a free tech inspection onsite. You must have a long travel SXS, (factory long travel is ok. Polaris RZR S, RZR 4, XP, XP 4, Wildcat) winch, full under body skids, fix-it kit; air pump, plugs & straps, 4 point harnesses, 6 point cage. Driver and all passengers MUST wear a D.O.T. approved helmet.

For more information, please visit rallyontherocks.com

Ride upon the Gallatin with some of Montana’s most educated and experienced guides that really know how to have a good time! The Gallatin is a small river that winds through beautiful canyons among the Rockies. The river is a combination of calm stretches and exciting rapids, making it a fun and challenging experience for all. The Gallatin changes significantly from June to August, and Montana Whitewater changes accordingly offering different levels of trips  to suit your desire for adventure.

Montana Whitewater doesn’t stop with rafting either.  Top of the raft trip with a combination package; lunch, dinner, horseback riding, casting, and zip lining could be added to your rafting excursion to make it the perfect day for you. Packages range from half day, full day, to over night.

It is never to early to start planning your fun in the sun! Book your trip online today at www.montanawhitewater.com!

Gallatin River office is located at mile 64 on highway 191 between Bozeman and Big Sky; North of West Yellowstone, the West Entrance to the Park. This is their meeting place for Gallatin or Madison River Trips. 

At less than 10 million years old, Teton Range is the youngest mountain range in the Rocky Mountains. The Tetons continue to rise at a rate of about 4.5 inches every 100 years. Just as it is growing in size, I only expect it to grow in popularity as well. One of my favorite experiences within this mountain range took place in Grand Teton National Park this year.

I entered Teton National Park from the south entrance this past May. US191 took me through the beautiful, quaint, resort town of Jackson Hole, Wyoming and then it was just a short drive north to the entrance of the park. To my amazement, I was greeted by a grizzly bear about 100 yards off 191 not but a quarter of a mile into the park.  I had never seen one so close before and out of all the ways to see a grizzly, this was one of the safest. There were 4 park rangers, most of which with riffles in their cars in case anything went wrong. We were all very aware of the big beautiful creature, but it didn’t seem to mind or acknowledge the fact that we were there at all. The bear wondered and grazed for little berries and for every nonchalant step he took towards the crowd, the park rangers would push us back too, keeping all spectators at a minimum of a 100 yard range. This was a great first impression of Grand Teton National Park; an impression that was solidified the entire journey into Yellowstone National Park.

The parks are connected by a 27-mile-long parkway named after John D. Rockefeller Jr. The parkway stretches 24,000-acre acting as an extension to Grand Teton. Grand Teton is nearly a tenth of the size of Yellowstone, which at 2.2 million acres is almost impossible to explore in a single visit. From hiking to climbing to kayaking to wildlife viewing, Grand Teton and the parkway are an ideal destination for sightseers and adventurers.

The highest peak of Grand Teton rises to 13,770 feet which beckons world-class climbers. With more than 20 miles of paved pathways, hundreds of miles of hiking trails, fantastic fishing opportunities and more than 1,000 front-country campsites, Grand Teton appeals to casual vacationers as well as hard-core thrill seekers.

Jackie Skaggs, who is now the park’s public affairs officer, arrived in 1976 to work for one of the park’s concessionaires and never left. Jackie says “The rugged Teton Range is the Swiss Alps of North America, We have charismatic wildlife that range from something like a little pika in the talus slopes in the Teton canyons to the large bison, elk and grizzly bears on the sagebrush flats.”

“What makes Grand Teton special is the relative ease in which you can lose crowds and experience the wonderment and solitude of the wilderness on a trail” stated a couple when asked about their experience at Grand Teton.

Grand Teton National Park ; live it, explore it, love it.

Just a short drive off  US 191 on highway 298 south of Big Timber, Montana is the Natural Bridge. The Natural Bridge is one

of the most spectacular sights that I have seen to date.  I viewed the bridge at low water. The hike starts by walking across a man-made bridge where the Natural Bridge is seen to your left from the back side. The Boulder River flows beneath you and seems to disappear when it hits the Natural Bridge that is made of limestone. A beautisul sight, but the impressive outlook is yet to come. On the other side of the bridge the river pours out into  a 105 foot tall waterfall. In high water the entire creek is pouring over the edge as well as through the underground channels

The first sight I had of the flaming Gorge was off US191 just outside of Vernal, UT. Even at dusk, it was captivating. The Flaming Gorge encapsulates over 200 thousand acres of land and water that are almost equally divided between Utah and Wyoming. It rises over 50o feet above bedrock. The Flaming Gorge Dam is what holds in the waters of the Green River to form the reservoir, which extends just over 90 miles to the north. The elevation of the Flaming Gorge is at  6,045 feet. It’s water is cold, even on hot summer days. This is not only great for all kinds of water sports, but amazing for fishing as well. More specifically, the trout love the cold water. That is why Flaming Gorge is famous for its trophy lake trout. Many trout of 30+ pounds  are caught each year. The Utah record went 51 lb 8 oz, and there may yet be a bigger one swimming in the reservoir.  Kokanee salmon and smallmouth bass are also said to be popular in the gorge. There are five full-service marinas to this spectacular sight that provide launching, storage, and maintenance. Along the side of the Gorge is the Ashley National Forest .The forest is thick with evergreen trees, pinyon pines, and junipers that grow down to the waters edge of clear blue. Also found at the Gorge are petroglyphs (rock art), created by ancient tribes and still viewed by both modern tribes and visitors to the Gorge. The Flaming Gorge got its name by and explorer named Major Powell. After he and his men saw the sun reflecting off of the red rocks, he deemed it the “Flaming Gorge”. I can tell you from experience, the sunset and the reflection of the clear water is still as beautiful today. Whether it is to water-ski, jet-ski, boat, relax, or fish, the Flaming Gorge should be a destination on everyone’s list!