August 4, 2011
[4]

The slow climb upwards is through open forest and meadow eventually leaving the creek views of the breccia Cliffs and Sublett Peak are at our backs.  Clouds create fast moving shadows that dance across the landscape.  Blues, yellows, reds, and whites of wildflowers surround us with their sweet odors.

Augus 4, 2011
[5]
We pass a beautiful side valley that ends in a circular bowl at the top.  Jules Bowl still contains a lot of snow from this past winter.

August 4, 2011
[6]

Near the top we come to one of my favorite spots along the trail.  7 Falls.  A tiny stream that courses its way off the slopes of Austin Peak above dropping on below into Bonneville Creek.  It is a pleasant soothing fall of water creating a melody of sound.

August 4, 2011
[7]
We reach the pass and have a quick lunch as the mosquitos are terrible.  I am sure we all received our protein with every breath.  Bonneville Pass is a long stretched out meadow ringed by peaks on all sides befor dropping off into the upper DuNoir to the east.  It is usually very wet walking and this year doubly so.  We left the trail and headed for higher ground to get out of the watery quagmire.  Bighorn Sheep can often be spotted on the peaks above but not so this day.
After lunch Merideth and the two Meyers kids are busy searching out and picking various edible plants.  Merideth is teaching a class on this very subject in Dubois this weekend.  There are plenty available.  Along with some no-no's that she points out to the kids they quickly accumulate what they need.  Those kids are really into this-tasting and picking away.

August 4, 2011
[8]

It is an uneventful hike back to the trailhead.  I had really expected to find bear sign on the trip.  but nothing.  We did find here and there along the trail an old wolf track in the dried out mud.  Crossing the creek was no big deal as my boots were wet from the days activities. 

Coming back out from the trailhead I drop in on Richard, the campground host at the Brooks Lake west campground and friend of mine who has taken to doing plein-aire painting.  We visit a while and I move on  taking a few pictures such as this favorite scene of mine of the outlet of Brooks Lake.

August 4, 2011
[9]

The Breccia Cliffs to the west of Brooks lake with the trail heading out into the far back country makes for an end of day photo.  Many pack trips originate here and head into the Teton Wilderness Area.  The Thoroughfare, and Yellowstone are acessed by this trail and covers miles of the most extensive wilderness in the continental United States.

Using the excuse that I am Bear hunting-it is really the other things that I see and run across that makes for such an interesting life.  It is always a surprise to run across what I do find out there.  Every excursion I am not disapointed by those surprises.  I have always been a morning person and all my life I have had such exciting encounters in the wild.  I count it a true blessing by my God thay I have had the life I have.  And to record it on canvas and photograph and to make a living doing it is an added blessing.  I do hope you enjoy the latest posts from the past few weeks.