Grand Teton National Park: Rock Springs Loop and Cody Bowl

Cream Puff Peak (Bridger-Teton National Forest) (Gros Ventre Wilderness)

Cream Puff Peak, located in the far Southwest corner of the Gros Ventre Wilderness provides an challenging day-hike as well as an opportunity to see a unique section of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Accessed from Hoback Canyon, this remote part of the Bridger-Teton National Forest draws far fewer visitors than nearby attractions in Jackson Hole and many days has zero visitors.

The start of the trail ascended switchbacks, which lead through groups of Aspen and Douglas Firs. The trail was well-maintained and clear to follow. However, it later emerged from the forest and disappeared at the base of a steep hillside covered in brush. After scrambling up the hill side the ridge was gained, and from there the summit was easily accessible.

A broad variety of wildflowers were on display throughout the hike, boasting bright colors and sweet smells.

Well worth the scramble up the hill-side to reach the ridge line. From this vantage point you can see into the Wyoming, Wind River, and Snake River Mountain ranges.

The view from the summit at 9685ft. Just over three hours from the trailhead to the top.

Grand Teton National Park: Phelps Lake

Special thank you to John D. Rockefeller and the rest of the Rockefeller family for preserving this wonderful natural area and deciding to donate it for the benefit of us all.

There is a 6.6 mile loop all the way around Phelps Lake. Instead of doing the whole hike at once, I recommend you do what we did and stop at the halfway point for lunch and rock jumping, and then complete the loop. It is a mostly flat hike to the lake along well-maintained dirt trails. Tree falls provide easy fording of the swift flowing creeks leading to the lake. There was only one point across the eastern edge of the lake that the trail was washed away and we had to cross thru water up to our waists. The water this time of year was warm enough to be refreshing and this only increased the fun of the hike.

There is an absolutely perfect boulder directly at the edge of Phelps Lake that is large enough for four people to sit on top of comfortably and incredibly exciting to jump off. The boulder is about 20-25 feet above the water and has spectacular views into Death Canyon. We were the only group there for the afternoon and spent several hours relaxing, watching hawks circle the canyon, and of course, repeatedly leaping off the rock into the lake for a refreshing swim in the crystal clear water.

After leaving the rock we walked the rest of the way around the lake to complete the loop. From the far side of the canyon we witnessed a rainbow arcing beautifully over Phelps Lake. A perfect end to a perfect day.

Big Horn National Forest: Cloud Peak Wilderness

The view through the windshield after passing Buffalo, Wyoming. In the distance loom the Bighorn Mountains, which rise from around 5,000 feet, in the mostly grass and sagebrush lowlands, to a height of 13,189ft at the summit of Cloud Peak, the tallest point in the range.

Beautiful West Teensleep Lake lies tucked away in the Cloud Peaks Wilderness at Bighorn National Forest. It is one of the most popular campgrounds in the park and is, therefore, heavily used. However, it is also a remote enough location to visit that even during peak season there is enough space to spread out its many visitors with multiple camping options. Whether a developed campground with a parking lot, bathroom facilities and running water, or remote camping anywhere in the 189,000 acres of Wilderness, the Cloud Peak area can accommodate a variety of outdoors options.

The West Teensleep Lake Trailhead leads from the southeast edge of the lake and passes into a lush grass valley. The valley is flanked on either side by mountain regiments carpeted with an upright and proud infantry of Lodgepole Pine soldiers. The vitality of the region was on full display the bright July day these pictures were taken. Melodic bird calls, buzzing insects and trickling water overtones assailed my ears, while my eyes were equally overwhelmed by the sights. The relationship of sunlight to life appeared obvious, as the water flowing throughout the valley and recently melted from snow, was absorbed by the flourishing flora and then passed on as food energy and oxygen to the abundant fauna.

There was plenty of fun to be had in the more rugged sections of the region. I found a number of lichen covered boulders that were easy and fun problems to scamper on. Unfortunately, I only had a few hours to hike and check out the area before I had to leave...

Wind Cave National Park: Centennial Trail

The entrance to Wind Cave National Park was easy to locate at the Southern end of the Black Hills. I arrived at the Visitor Center to be surprised by the crowds and the necessity to schedule a tour of the park's namesake in order to see it. I decided that instead of seeing the cave I would go for a hike in the open area of the park. I picked a 6mile loop hike from the Centennial Trail, which was located north of the visitor center. I also chose this hike because the trailhead was located off the northbound scenic byway thru the park grounds leading to Custer State Park, Black Hills National Forest and all the way to Mt. Rushmore.

On the Centennial Trail I spotted multiple groups of large-pointed Deer drinking from the river and eating from the abundant vegetation. I crossed several small creeks and passed next to orange-tinted cliffs lining the valley. There were only two other groups on the trail that afternoon and I was very happy with my decision to avoid the crowds clamoring to get into the cave and greatly enjoyed the above ground beauty of the park.

Badlands National Park: Sage Creek Campground

Approaching the Big Badlands overlook from the Northeast entrance of Badlands National Park. From this entrance you drive thru and over some of the park's best overlooks, with excellent close-up views of the rock formations for which the park is best known.

View from hilltop overlooking the Sage Creek Campground. Driving west for about an hour, mostly downhill, you pass thru the park from its rock formations, rolling hills, onto grasslands populated by Bison and other large animals. The Sage Creek Campground is a primitive campground in the western part of the park. It has space for parking 12-15 vehicles, picnic tables, and a bathroom facility, but no running water. Trailheads from this campground lead over rolling grasslands and hills.