My main trip in August was up to Montana. I had hoped to visit Glacier National Park, then cross over into Canada to visit Waterton Lakes National Park, just over the border. However, Glacier had half the park shut down due to a ~12,000 acre wildfire and half of Waterton Lakes was closed off due to the effects of a large wildfire there in 2017. So no dice on that plan,
Instead, I opted to visit some of the bigger cities in Montana and hike around those. My housemate's parents just outside of Missoula generously let me stay with them for two nights and I spent a night in Bozeman and Helena as well. While it wasn't the trip I planned for, I really enjoyed my time exploring the Last Best Place.
Here's photos from that excursion, and some more from Yellowstone and Grand Teton.
A smoky day obscures the Tetons rising above the T.A. Moulton Barn.
Grand Teton Nat'l Park, WY
Heading up towards Surprise and Ampitheater Lakes, 3,000 feet above the Jackson Hole Valley.
Grand Teton Nat'l Park, WY
Looking over the many lakes that dot the Jackson Hole Valley landscape.
Grand Teton Nat'l Park, WY
Spires of rock reflect in the clear depths of Surprise Lake.
Grand Teton Nat'l Park, WY
Looking at some of the highest peaks in the Tetons from Suprise Lake's shore.
Grand Teton Nat'l Park, WY
Another view from Surprise Lake's banks.
Grand Teton Nat'l Park, WY
The jagged Tetons rise above Ampitheater Lake.
Grand Teton Nat'l Park, WY
Ampitheater Lake is ~9,500 feet above sea level.
Grand Teton Nat'l Park, WY
A wider view of the lakeshore and its surroundings.
Grand Teton Nat'l Park, WY
Heading back from the high mountain lakes, looking down at the valley.
Grand Teton Nat'l Park, WY
Heading off a side trail to Garnet Canyon.
Grand Teton Nat'l Park, WY
Along the rocky path into the heart of the canyon.
Grand Teton Nat'l Park, WY
Looking down through the canyon to the lakes below.
Grand Teton Nat'l Park, WY
Along Garnet Canyon's rugged path.
Grand Teton Nat'l Park, WY
The further you go, the rockier it gets.
Grand Teton Nat'l Park, WY
Refrigerator Canyon
Gates of the Mountains Wilderness, Lewis & Clark National Forest, MT
The canyon narrows to ~10 feet wide in this spot.
Gates of the Mountains Wilderness, Lewis & Clark National Forest, MT
The majestic Gates of the Mountains Wilderness.
Gates of the Mountains Wilderness, Lewis & Clark National Forest, MT
Heading back through Refrigerator Canyon.
Gates of the Mountains Wilderness, Lewis & Clark National Forest, MT
The temperature falls significantly in this portion of the canyon, hence the name Refrigerator Canyon.
Gates of the Mountains Wilderness, Lewis & Clark National Forest, MT
Blodgett Canyon
Selway-Bitteroot Wilderness, Bitterroot National Forest
Gray rainclouds shroud the depths of Blodgett Canyon.
Selway-Bitteroot Wilderness, Bitterroot National Forest
Blodgett Canyon is also known as the Yosemite of the Bitteroots.
Selway-Bitteroot Wilderness, Bitterroot National Forest
Hiking on the floor of Blodgett Canyon.
Selway-Bitteroot Wilderness, Bitterroot National Forest
The canyon's sharp walls rise into the clouds.
Selway-Bitteroot Wilderness, Bitterroot National Forest
Massive rock monoliths give the canyon character.
Selway-Bitteroot Wilderness, Bitterroot National Forest
Tree branches and bushes frame a tranquil scene in Blodgett Canyon.
Selway-Bitteroot Wilderness, Bitterroot National Forest
Rock faces mimic a scene from Yosemite.
Selway-Bitteroot Wilderness, Bitterroot National Forest
The canyon stretches as far as the eye can see.
Selway-Bitteroot Wilderness, Bitterroot National Forest
A cloudy day on Como Lake.
Como Lake, Bitterroot National Forest
Rock Creek runs into Como Lake.
Como Lake, Bitterroot National Forest
Rock Creek Cascades
Como Lake, Bitterroot National Forest
Rock Creek Cascades II
Como Lake, Bitterroot National Forest
Rock Creek Cascades III
Como Lake, Bitterroot National Forest
Looking at the Bitterroot Mountains from the lakeshore.
Como Lake, Bitterroot National Forest
Palisade Falls
Hyalite Canyon, Custer-Gallatin National Forest
Grotto Falls
Hyalite Canyon, Custer-Gallatin National Forest
Grotto Falls II
Hyalite Canyon, Custer-Gallatin National Forest
Maid of the Mist Peak rises from the canyon floor.
Hyalite Canyon, Custer-Gallatin National Forest
Maid of the Mist Peak
Hyalite Canyon, Custer-Gallatin National Forest
Arch Falls
Hyalite Canyon, Custer-Gallatin National Forest
Hyalite Canyon's walls loom overhead.
Hyalite Canyon, Custer-Gallatin National Forest
Champagne Falls
Hyalite Canyon, Custer-Gallatin National Forest
Champagne Falls II
Hyalite Canyon, Custer-Gallatin National Forest
Top of Chasm Falls
Hyalite Canyon, Custer-Gallatin National Forest
Chasm Falls II
Hyalite Canyon, Custer-Gallatin National Forest
Through a gap in the trees, the walls of the canyon come into view.
Hyalite Canyon, Custer-Gallatin National Forest
A churning cascade on Hyalite Creek.
Hyalite Canyon, Custer-Gallatin National Forest
A plateau in the trail with a nice view of the canyon.
Hyalite Canyon, Custer-Gallatin National Forest
Alpine Falls
Hyalite Canyon, Custer-Gallatin National Forest
Apex Falls
Hyalite Canyon, Custer-Gallatin National Forest
One of the several 10,000 foot peaks flanking Hyalite Canyon.
Hyalite Canyon, Custer-Gallatin National Forest
A gorgeous afternoon on the Hyalite Reservoir.
Hyalite Canyon, Custer-Gallatin National Forest
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