I’ve always told Ellen that I just feel at home in the mountains… more specifically, our little mountain range in Wyoming. Well, we made it back to our summer/ fall home base, and I couldn’t be happier to be here. I’ve already done a lot of day hikes and a few backpacking trips. Out “there” is where I feel most at home.

In fact, I just completed a four day, three night trip this week to two of my favorite areas in my home range.

The hike in is pastoral and gorgeous. I’ve been to both of these areas a few years back, but I wanted to do a specific photographic trip on my own. It is bit of a haul to get to either area in one day though, so you’ve got to work for it.

I got a late start to the trailhead, and five long hours, 14 miles later, I arrived at my first destination.

It’s a stunning, alpine basin with miles of towering spires and still lakes to explore. I spent two days surveying all of the available angles.

Then, on day three, I used my route finding skills to blaze a trail up and over a pass only to drop down into the second basin of my choice. It wasn’t a lot of mileage that day, but the elevation gain and loss, boulder hopping, etc. made it a good half-day of adventure.

The last night, I finally got some good clouds and a lovely sunset. It was invigorating, as always when the conditions align.

All in all, the mosquitos were biblical plague level, and my water filter broke on day one, causing me to have to boil all drinking water, thus minimizing the mount I could drink. But in spite of the difficulties and set backs, it was an amazing and memorable trip. And it still felt like a place where I belong.

I will definitely head back out to both of these areas again before this summer ends… but I will likely wait at least until mosquito season is over…

— Andrew