What does Tolkien mean in this famous quote? To me, getting lost in Montana means everything. It means wandering 20 miles deep into a national forest without seeing another soul. It means not seeing a single sign of development while being lost. It means being surrounded only by untouched forest, rolling meadows, massive mountains, and endless sky. To get lost is part of the thrill. To get lost is part of how you find yourself.
Montana is massive, and the majority of my time was spent in the southwest portion of the state in and around Yellowstone National Park. This location also had me in close proximity to Grand Teton National Park. Some of my best days were wandering about without much of a plan or purpose. The gallery of photo’s I have compiled for this section are what I consider to be getting lost in some of the most beautiful places on earth. These are some of my camping and backpacking expeditions:
Cirque of the Towers, one of the most epic campsites I have had.Nothing better than a steak in the backcountry! Cirque of TowersCamping around the Grand TetonsPine Creek Lake Party!Views and brews around the ranchEnjoying the sunsetMaking our mark on Emigrant Peak in spring. Was a little sketchy that time of yearQuite the campsite in the TetonsCamped out at Twin Lakes in the Crazy Mountain RangeCamped out in Slough Creek, Yellowstone Another campsite, another steak. Tetons!Pitamakan Pass, Glacier National ParkAn incredibly still Two Medicine Lake, GlacierScrambling up a very sketchy section of Electic Peak. Can you spot Rambo and Rachet climbing up?The best view I’ve ever had during a 6 am pee.Coogs making his descent down Black Mountain by foot. I decided to go down by butt, and was down in no time.Pine Creek Lake viewed from the summit of Black Mountain.Coogs making his way up a snow field on Black MountainThe snow field we had to climb up and down on Black MountainThis may look like an innocent little snow fall but I cannot begin to describe the night we encountered in this tent. The loudest thunder and winds I have ever heard. Consistent hail and lightning. Rambo kept telling me to stop taking pictures. I told him it wasn’t the flash of my camera but lightning. Thank you North Face tent for holding on!Rambo getting lost in the clouds on Emigrant Peak.Very steep section of the trail on Black Mountain.Camping at Dailey Lake in Paradise ValleyGlamping. Also known as glamorous camping at Dailey Lake.Everyone needs to get to Glacier at some point.
My Life in Paradise 