Trip Reports

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A Brutal Day On The Icicle Ridge Trail

On a smoky and brutally hot day in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, I took on what I thought would be a moderate hike.  The Icicle Ridge Trail, climbing to the top of Icicle Ridge, is a steep climb, but compared to what I had been doing all summer, I thought it would go by quickly and be a nice, chill day on the trail!  What I didn’t factor in was the unforgiving conditions! Feeling lazy, I didn’t start...

Hiking The Icicle Gorge Trail Outside Leavenworth Washington

Upon arrival in Washington State last summer and meeting up with family, we started on a series of easy hikes in the stunning Cascade Mountains.  The Icicle Gorge Trail, the first hike we completed, was located just outside our home base for the week, the resort town of Leavenworth! Located at the base of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Icicle Gorge is not a super wild destination, but the beauty doesn’t disappoint!  While exceptionally fit adventurers may tackle the Enchantments (a...

Hiking to the Stunning Cracker Lake in Glacier National Park

Located in the iconic Glacier National Park, Cracker Lake is one of the stunning, glacial fed lakes that make this place so iconic!  With striking blue waters, and set below the towering north face of Mt Siyeh, one of the highest peaks in Glacier, Cracker Lake is a magical destination! Located in the Many Glacier region of Glacier National Park, Cracker Lake is reached via a long but moderate trail through Glacier’s trademark pine forest and alpine valleys.  Though the...

Hiking The Beartooth Mountains: Elk Lake and Rimrock Lake

On my last day hiking in the Beartooth Mountains, I decided to drive a little ways to a different part of the range to hike to Rimrock Lake.  The pictures I had seen of this turquoise alpine lake looked stunning, and I knew I had to attempt the hike while I was in the area.  I don’t exactly get to Montana all the time! At a bit over 12 miles and 2,000 feet of climbing, this trail isn’t especially difficult,...

Hiking The Beartooth Mountains: Black Canyon Lake

The day after a nice hike to Timberline and Gertrude Lakes on my first day in southern Montana hiking in the Beartooth Mountains, I set out on my second hike in the range to Black Canyon Lake.  This trail hadn’t been on my radar for long, but when I saw pictures online earlier in the year, I knew I had to make my way to the Beartooths just to see this lake! The lake would definitely not disappoint, and the...

Hiking the Beartooth Mountains: Timberline and Gertrude Lakes

After a couple of weeks hiking throughout Colorado, I finally made my way to Montana near the end of July 2021.  My first stop was a small town called Rod Lodge in southern Montana.  I was here to hike the Beartooth Mountains, and on this day, Timberline Lake. The Beartooths are a relatively unknown range just to the north of Yellowstone National Park, primarily in the state of Montana.  You won’t find much for infrastructure here though.  Compared to the...