Two deer at dusk

Driving to West, we saw these two deer along the road.

Cabin Trip June 18 2009

Just after a big rain storm this rainbow appeared. Notice the wet road, and how green it is. Mosquitos were in the millions.

Cabin Cam June 2009

Some animals captured by the Cabin Cam - deer and a moose. Can you tell whether the deer in all the pictures is the same one?

Cabin Trip May 23 2009

This bear was spotted just east of Mammoth Hot Springs

This bear was spotted going down the hill from Bunsen Peak to Mammoth Hot Springs

Waldo loves the cabin and surroundings.

On this trip, it was just Lauren, Jordan, and me. We scored big time in the park, spotting five bears. We also took the opportunity to do some roof repairs. Jordan was a big help and climbed to the ridgeline and fastened it down. This should help keep bats out.

Cabin Trip May 16 2009

This year's opener, like last year's opener, required a 300 yard hike through snow. I had checked the web cams on Hwy 20 each day beforehand, and the day before the trip on May 16th, the highway and surroundings were clear and dry.

But that was the highway and surroundings. In the woods, where the sun does not get through as much, you still have a couple feet of snow -- as we soon found out.

So, even though the Big Springs Loop Rd was clear, the access road to the cabin was not. We got there at night and, being the mountain men we are, convinced ourselves we could drive that last 300 yards in that snow.

With each passing year we mountain men find ourselves believing more and more in our skills. We also hone our abilities. One such ability is that of egging each other on until we do something stupid.

So late at night we gunned the vehicle and jumped the snow berm with plenty of momentum -- but ended up high-centered and stuck, for the night, shortly thereafter.

You never see a sheriff in Island Park, except when you are speeding on Big Springs Loop Rd, or are stuck at midnight in the snow on a forest service road, out in the middle of nowhere, hauling -- no, not camping gear and ATVs - but a sofa. He saw we were stuck and offered to call us a tow truck. But after talking with us for a bit, he understood. No, we don't need a tow truck. We believe in our skills. And we could tell he had confidence in our abilities -- as he shook his head, got back in his patrol car, and drove off.

Never matter, being the mountain men that we are we hiked though the snow in the dark and found the cabin. To our delight, it was in perfect condition, having made it through the winter with flying colors.

The next day we knew we had cabin-opener type chores to do, but there was still the matter of the stuck vehicle. We knew we had to get it to the cabin. The conditions were the same - only daylight. We tried clearing a path with a snow blower but it could never get enough traction. We tried getting more tire grab by driving over ground cover, but there wasn't always ground cover to drive over. And of course we tried using all 321 horses but their all-season hooves just wouldn't dig in. What we really could have used was a set of chains or knobby tires.

Make no mistake, however, attempting to move a vehicle through snow a distance of three football fields was a perfectly good way to spend a day in springtime in beautiful Island Park. That is Spring everywhere but the service road between the main road and the Cabin where it was still winter.

We made several foot treks from the cabin back to the vehicle and the road. Some trips were to run errands (using the other vehicle we had there still parked out on the road). Other trips were to continue with the task at hand. And for every trip out there was a trip back to the cabin, in which we took something from the truck with us. First we started with basic supplies, but we finished up with the real important stuff - see photo above - a painting, a TV, and even a couch.

We spent most of the day trying to get closer to the cabin, twenty yards - then stuck. Another few yards - then stuck. And so it went because dammit we were going to get that truck to the cabin.

Never mind that in our trips back and forth we had already completely unloaded the truck!

Never made it. Never got more than a quarter of the way. But we learned some important things -- like snow throwers without posi-traction are lame, and carrying a couch through the snow is very smart because when you get too tired and can't go any further, you can set it down and lay on it.

Mesa Falls

Well, finally I posted a picture that was a bit more challenging. There are a lot of pathways going through woods, of course. But this one goes between Mesa Falls and its visitor center. If you have not taken this scenic drive, it's worth the trip.

Jefferson Bowl (due west of Mt. Sawtelle)

This was taken at the top of Mt. Sawtelle, approximately 9,660 elevation. The top of Mt. Jefferson is about 9,500 elevation. The Idaho/Montana state line cuts across the top of Mt. Jefferson. In fact, I think beyond this entire ridgeline is the state of Montana.

Mt. Sawtelle, as you know, is a famous landmark in the Island Park area. It can even be seen clearly from some points in Yellowstone. You get extra credit if you leave a comment that states the location along one of the park roads where Mt. Sawtelle can be seen.

Wade Lake, MT

Located about one hour NW from Island Park, this lake is part of a "chain of lakes". The area is very scenic, although you wouldn't think so driving to it. After driving through ranch land for several miles, you stumble on this secluded alpine locale. I've noticed it to be frequented mostly by Montanans, but a few Island Park visitors show up there. It seems like it hasn't been "discovered" yet.

Photo taken 7/5/2008

Boardwalk from Boat Launch to Parking Lot

Taken in September 2007, this is a picture of a boardwalk somewhere in Island Park. It leads from where to where?

83% of you voters got this right. It is the path that leads from the boat launch at the trestle to the parking lot.

There is another boardwalk in the area, leading West from Big Springs to here. That walkway changes to a dirt trail half way down.

Visitor

Moose between cabin and marsh. Caught on camera several times during the fall.

Deer caught on camera

In September of 2008, my trail camera picked up this deer passing by the cabin. This cam has picked up moose, coyote, and even a forest ranger. Kind of fun. Still hoping for a mountain lion stalking a tree hugger, though.

Where is it?

This picture was taken in July of 2007 (only one bullet hole at that time). Where is this sign?