Lava Lake Hike

Last week we filled our packs and headed for a camping trip to Lava Lake. The weather was beautiful and the wild raspberries and huckleberries were just about ready to pick. Watch out for bears next week as they will be eating the berries too!

Four Wheeling

The other week we went four wheeling on the RZR's outside of Bozeman. We came across this big field with a few old homestead cabins on it. What a great way to spend the day!

Ousel Falls

This morning we decided to ride our bikes to Ousel Falls, park the bikes, and run down to Ousel Falls to see how much snow melt there was. I wish I had a better camera instead of the one on my phone as the sunlight was hitting the misty falls and created a unique scene. A scene that could have been anywhere in the world such as New Zealand, Hawaii, or Montana! We only saw 5 other people and 2 dogs. Usually the dogs out number the people but I guess all the dogs were out late last night and decided to sleep in.

The Big Melt

I went for a drive the other night and decided to drive as high up as possible to see how much snow still existed in the mountains. I had to pull over when I saw the snow pack next to the raod that appeared to still be 10 feet high. The fish and river rats (not really rats....people who love the river) will be excited to know there is still much more water on its way. Hang on as house rock is going to be buried this spring for the first time since 1996. What an epic winter we had...

Snowmobile

I spent the day snowmobiling yesterday up Buck Ridge just south of Big Sky. In the background you can see Lone Peak (Big Sky Resort ski mountain) and the Spanish Peaks mountain range. We had sunshine and endless powder fields all day!

Montana Sunset

Another beautiful winter sunset here in Big Sky, Montana.

Opening Day 2010

Thanksgiving day once again marked the opening day for Big Sky Resort but this year was unlike any previous year due to the amount of snow. As of December 1st Big Sky Resort has received 163% of average snowfall! This equates to a great base and epic amounts of powder (this early in the season) to ski on. If this continues the winter 2010-2011 ski season will be a winter season not to miss in Big Sky, Montana.

The Beartooth Highway

My wife and I decided to take a day off and check the Beartooth Highway off our "must do" list. Wednesday after work we drove to south- eastern Montana and stayed in a bed and breakfast/guest ranch for the evening. From there we drove into Red Lodge to pick up some breakfast and candy then begun our adventure on the Beartooth Highway. If you are just now hearing about this road then you should spend a moment and Google it becasue I don't have enough room to properly write about it. If I had to sum it up in 4 words I would say "top of the world". Great drive to do in a sports car....or any car for that matter!

Deer Lake Hike

Saturday night we were at a BBQ with some friends and decided to do a big hike Sunday morning. After great discussion we set our focus on Deer Lake. For those of you not familiar with Deer Lake, the trailhead is just over the green bridge in the canyon. It was our first time on this hike and it wasn't an easy one. After six miles of a constant incline we saw the lake (pictured on the left). If you aren't a big hiker I just suggest blowing up this photo and soaking in the reward from your laptop, however it is much better in person. Usually when dealing with a significant elevation gain on a hike, the hike up isn't as difficult as the hike down. Reaching the parking lot I was never so glad to see the Subaru. My knees were tired and I was good and thirsty. Great hike overall which took 2 hours and 30 minutes up and just under 2 hours down.

Golf at The Club at Spanish Peaks

A picture is worth one thousand words....

Bear

On my way home from work today I noticed this curious creature off the side of the road roaming around the golf course. This time of year we experience these types of encounters weekly if not daily. As long as we don't bother them then they usually don't pay much attention to us. Just remember your bear spray when out golfing while in Big Sky, Montana!

First Put of 2010

As the sun continues to turn the winter's snow into water I just couldn't wait any longer to step on the Club's golf course. As you can see the greens are melting nicely along with the rest of the course. We have our first tournament of the summer in one month and the course is looking better every day.

Mountain Living in the Spring...

At first glance you may think to yourself, "what is this a picture of?" This is a picture taken moments ago from the front seat of my truck driving to work today! Now you may also be asking yourself,"what is the date today?" Answer: April 30, 2010. That's right, almost May and it snowed over 18 inches so far with NO signs of letting up. It would be easy to view this as negative but instead let's look at this in a more positive manner. Snow equals water, water equals growth of vegetation which equals happy and healthy animals in the forest this summer. Well now I feel much better about all this snow! Margarita anyone?

Turkey Hunting Spring 2010

Now that the snow is melting and the slopes are closed I have to be more creative on how to fill my days off from work. I took a few days and headed to eastern Montana to do some turkey hunting with a friend. This was my first turkey hunt and I was extremely impressed by how great gobbler hunting is. Calling in the birds and watching them strut is truly amazing. I ended up filling my tag (2 Toms) over the weekend. This spring hunt has me excited and already thinking about the fall elk hunting season!

Easter in Big Sky, Montana

This Easter we woke up to more snow! I think we got over 20 inches in the past 48 hours which equates to powder day on Easter Sunday. We woke up and headed straight to the mountain for some great powder turns. We started off the morning taking some turns with my cousins and their son on the Explorer lift. We met up with other family for lunch then Whitney and I ditched everyone and headed straight for some turns down bone crusher then the tram. We got on the 2nd to last tram and skied the 1st Gully. With 20 inches of fresh snow the tram was epic. We ended the day at dinner with a few friends who live up the street from us. Happy Easter 2010

Bike Ride Through Yellowstone National Park

Since it was such a nice day yesterday we decided to pack up our bikes and head to Yellowstone National Park. Every year they open the park a few weeks early to non-motorized traffic. We rode about 14 miles and saw the usual elk, bison, geese, etc. while riding (no grizzlies or wolves this time). I must say that seeing a 900 pound bison 15 yards away on a bicycle is a different experience than seeing one from the front seat of a pick up truck!

Spring Skiing at Big Sky Resort

You can ask anyone living in Big Sky, Montana and they will tell you spring skiing has arrived earlier than usual this year. Instead of worrying about the snow I decided to enjoy the warm weather. On Tuesday a few of us did the Bonecrusher hike/run at Big Sky Resort. Without a cloud in the sky I found myself hiking without gloves, helmet, and outer shell (jacket) on. Once we reached the top we took a minute to soak in the views then took a few great spring skiing turns headed to the base for a Yetti hot dog and a cold one. They are forecasting snow later in the week but until then bring on the sunshine!

Cross Country Skiing Forest Service Adventure

One of my presents for Christmas was an overnight adventure up Spanish Creek to stay in a Forest Service Cabin. On Saturday my wife and I loaded up our packs and cross country skied uphill 4 miles to the above cabin in the Gallatin Canyon. The weather was close to perfect and it got down to just below zero at night. Luckily an enormous wood burning stove was there to greet us as we found ourselves in shorts and a t-shirt after a few hours of burning wood. On our way down we saw a moose out in one of the many snow fields we passed through. One undiscovered treasure in this valley in my opinion are these Forest Service Cabins scattered throughout the surrounding mountains. If you are looking for a little adventure I highly recommend experiencing this type of expedition.

Super Bowl Sunday

A good friend of ours drove down last night for dinner and stayed the night so we could get up early and do some back country snowboarding. We woke up, had a big breakfast, then drove to Beehive Basin to begin our expedition. After hiking for about an hour or so in we found a nice un-touched face to hike up and ride down. We made two trips to the top and had fresh tracks all the way down the powder filled mountain side. As you can see from the pictures (taken on my phone) it was a beautiful blue bird day. After snowboarding out I had lunch, took a nap, then headed over to some friends house for the Super Bowl. Not a bad way to spend a Sunday! Congratulations to the New Orlean Saints!

Epic Day on the Slopes at Big Sky Resort

Yesterday Big Sky Resort "reported" 14 inches of new snow overnight. My wife and I woke up at 7am, fixed a big breakfast, and almost caught first chair. We immediately headed to Shedhorn lift for a few turns then went to Dakota. The storm came in from the south and blew feet of snow from the south bowl into the Dakota trees. It was some of the best and deepest tree turns I have ever experienced and it didn't stop snowing ALL DAY. This is why I live in a ski resort town. What an epic day on the slopes.