I look up and see that I am inching closer.Īfter a few switchbacks, climbing higher and higher, I stop and take a couple more photos. I pass a few backpackers here and there, and they all said they slept at campsites on this trail overnight. I only wanted to get in less than 10 miles of hiking. I see this sign, and decided I would go up to Holly Lake, possibly to the Paintbrush Divide. That and dodging horse manure for a mile or so was quite unpleasant. The guide said they travel this trail every morning. Sure enough, here came 6 horseback riders down the trail. I noticed several spots on the trail where horses had done their business. With elevation, looks can be very deceiving. I looked up and thought, “Hmmm… let’s go to the top of that peak.” I was good to go for a what I was thinking was going to be a short hike. I packed some Clif bars, Old Trapper beef sticks, and Combos. I have my day pack on, 3L bladder is full, and two reserve bottles of water as well. He mentioned that they live in Littleton and teach in Franconia. I told him I hiked there last August at the Franconia Notch. Oddly enough, he told me he was from New Hampshire. He simply pointed up at the triangular peak, and said “See you up there.” He then took off on the trail. I start a conversation, and eventually ask him which trail he was going on. I noticed a guy behind me getting ready to hike. A very interesting creature.Īfter a few minutes, I pulled into the nearest trailhead. It paced me for a short while, and fell off. I start driving and suddenly a pronghorn antelope starts running in line with me.

I found a trailhead that was just up the road another mile or so. I drive along the park road, and pull over for a minute to check my AllTrails app for nearby trails. I decided to simply drive over to the park, and find a trailhead, and park there. I never did find out exactly which one it was. My plan was to hike the same mountain that Sylvester Stallone did in Rocky IV. Not the most pleasant sight for a day of hiking. taken from the campsite parking lotĪs you see, there was an overcast looming. I got a good nights sleep, woke up early, and packed up.

I met the couple next to my site, whom were in the midst of moving to Vancouver, BC from Montreal, QC. Needless to say, I slept with my firearm next to me. You know, where bears, coyotes, elk, and so forth will come through first. Here, it was the closest spot to the forest. I found a spot directly in the rear, and set up. The campground was just behind those trees He suggested one right in the middle of elk country. I went inside to get a drink, and asked the attendant about nearby campsites. Thus, I had to take the long way around to Jackson, WY. Wyoming and it’s dirt roads are another story. I’d move there tomorrow if it were possible in my life right now. Wow, I did not know Montana had so many beautiful parks, rivers, lakes, and a share of the Rocky Mountains. I left my hotel on the 21st, and began driving down to Jackson, WY. August 22nd, 2019 Grand Teton National Park from 50 miles away

Paintbrush divide grand teton