USA Archives - Page 11 of 68 - ETB Travel Photography

Hike to Sawtooth Lake

Sawtooth Lake, located in the Sawtooth National Forest, is the quintessential hike of Stanley, Idaho. It may be reached from three different trailheads: Stanley Lake, Redfish Lake, and Iron Creek.

I believe the shortest hike to Sawtooth Lake is via the Iron Creek Trailhead, and it registers as a moderate ten miler on AllTrails.

The Iron Creek Trailhead dirt parking lot with a pit toilet is small. It can accommodate approximately 30 cars, and by the time I arrived before 7:30 in the morning at least ten cars had beaten me to a space.

Given I hadn’t seen many people get started before 8 to 9am most mornings, I hoped these were backpackers’ cars. Otherwise, Annie and I would be in for a busy trail this Fourth of July.

HAPPY HIKING!

Jackson Hole Still Works

After five days in Lander, Wyoming I headed northwest toward Stanley, Idaho where I plan to stay approximately ten days. Along the way, I stopped at a dear friend’s home in Jackson. It was so much fun to see Chas, who I’ve known for over 40 years and his sweet wife Ellen. I can’t believe I hadn’t seen them since their wedding, which means I had never met their cute boys Charlie and Sawyer!

It was so fun catching up over a dinner of antelope (courtesy of Chas’s bow hunting), salad, and pasta. I hated to not even stay 24 hours, especially with the natural beauty surrounding Jackson, but I plan on returning when is not the height of tourist season.

Before I left, however, I had Chas give me a tour of his distillery, Jackson Hole Still Works. He and his best friend and partner Travis founded Jackson Hole Still Works i14. It is the only distillery in Jackson Hole.

TAKE A TASTE!

Things to Do in Lander

Lander is a small city located in West central Wyoming near the Wind River Mountain range and less than three hours from Jackson. The city of Lander is an outdoor mecca. In fact, many state and federal organizations as well as private and non-profit outdoor organizations such as National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), Wyoming Outdoor Council, the Wyoming office of the Nature Conservancy, the Wyoming Wildlife Federation keep their offices in Lander.

While Lander is internationally known in the climbing community, I believe this city of 7,500 has been flying under the radar when it comes to attracting other outdoor enthusiasts. In ten years, I expect it will be the next Moab for summer adventures.

EXPLORE!

Five Hikes Near Lander

Lander, Wyoming is located near the Wind River Mountain Range. It is only about three hours south of Jackson. While it is well known among climbers, it is yet to be discovered by many. I expect ten years from now, it will be the next Moab and no longer a hidden gem.

During my time in Lander, I took five hikes; two in Sinks Canyon State Park and three in the Shoshone National Forest which borders the state park.

HAPPY HIKING!

The Eastern Shoshone Indian Days Pow Wow

I wouldn’t have known about the Eastern Shoshone Indian Days Pow Wow if I hadn’t strolled Main Street in Lander. Many businesses include event postings in the window.

The Eastern Shoshone Indian Days Pow Wow, located in Fort Washakie, is a free, three-day event held over the last weekend of June. According to the website, the Grand Entry (whatever that was) on Sunday was scheduled at noon. I glanced at my watch which read a little after 11am.

DANCE!

Hiking Silas Lakes Trail

If you are following along on my road trip journey, you know that I changed campsites last night from Hugh Otte Camping Area to a more secluded area off of 302. I’m now in a high meadow with a few other big rigs in sight, but not too close. I am parked by Townsend Creek which runs through the willows. I awoke to a foghorn type sound at 5:30am!

I could only liken it to a cow, but upon peering out VANgo’s window, I did not see any animals. On the other hand, Annie was trembling with excitement as she stared outside. Knowing she sees something and I don’t is sometimes disconcerting! I guessed that maybe a moose was tucked in the willows, but by the time I returned in the afternoon, there was a herd of cows lining the Louis Lake Road, so perhaps I heard a “moo” after all!

HAPPY HIKING!

Sinks Canyon State Park

In between my campsite at Hugh Otte Camping Area and Lander, Wyoming is the Sinks Canyon State Park. Generally speaking, I tend stop in a park Visitor Center only about half the time. With limited cell service at best, I decided to stop in for some brochures and hiking information about the area. I was hopeful they could provide some guidance on hikes in the nearby Shoshone National Forest, but most of what they offered was on Sinks Canyon State Park.

HAPPY HIKING!

Popo Agie Falls Trail

It has been a few months, and I’m back on the road again…this time with an upgraded Hellwig sway bar, Koni shocks, a Maxxair Fan, and a more powerful 300ah battery! VANgo will take us through parts of Wyoming (but not Yellowstone with the floods), northern Idaho and western Montana over a two month period.

My dog Annie and I pulled into Lander, Wyoming Wednesday night and found a camp spot with rock fire ring at Hugh Otte Camping Area in Shoshone National Forest. We got in just before dark and the road was not well maintained, so I took a spot a little more out in the open than I prefer. It was fine for a week day, as there weren’t too many people around.

I moved closer to some trees today, but it is near the circle drive to the pit toilet, so we shall see how many visitors I have at my campsite. Hopefully no one will park in it like they did in Idaho and Colorado! Regardless, after spending much of my last two-month road trip in Florida in parking lots, this free camping area feels like paradise.

The cell service is intermittent at best, but it is only 10 miles outside of town, close to Sinks Canyon State Park, as well as several hiking trails, including the hike to Popo Agie Falls.

HAPPY HIKING!

Cedar Hill State Park

Cedar Hill State Park is located on the eastern shore of Joe Pool Lake approximately 20 miles southwest of downtown Dallas. The 1,826 acre park features 350 campsites near restrooms with hot showers, ample fishing and boating opportunities, over 27 miles of biking and hiking trails, and the historic Penn Farm.

I visited Cedar Hill State Park to take my dog Annie on a hike. A selection of shorts trails which combine to make a five-mile hike is located centrally near the historic Penn Farm. There are also three longer DORBA loops in the southern section of the park which cater to mountain bikers.

HAPPY HIKING!

Lake Grapevine – North Shore Trail

About Lake Grapevine

With a sprawling 8,000 acres, Lake Grapevine is mecca for boating, water-skiing, fishing, and kayaking. It features multiple marinas, campgrounds, cabin rentals and even a floating water park. Many parks (operated by the Corps of Engineers or a local municipality) and trails also surround the lake.

One of the most popular trails in the Dallas-Fort Worth area is the North Shore Trail. The 22.5 mile trail follows the north shore of Lake Grapevine beginning at Rockledge Park and ending at Twin Coves Park.

HAPPY HIKING!