Attached are photos taken by Ron and Kathy while hiking in the mountains of Utah and Wyoming. Each represent an easy hike and all destinations can be reached in less than half a day. The first four were taken in Big Cottonwood Canyon in the Wasach Mountains of Utah. The second group were taken in and around Teton National Park Wyoming.
If looking for some contrast to hiking in the misty green hills of West Virginia consider a trip out West to Badlands National Park in South Dakota. Ron and Kathy hiked Castle and Medicine Root trails. As seen from the photos the azure sky provided a stunning backdrop to the hoodoos, prairie grasses, coneflower and cactus. Beware! You are as likely to see prairie rattlers as other hikers.
As temperatures soared into the high nineties in Charleston, a group of hikers enjoyed a cooler new hike on Fork Mountain and North Trail near Summit Lake. Roger and Gary provided the photos.
This park is a summertime favorite for the club. The park is small but the views of the Gauley River are great. Thanks to Gary Mullins for some of the great pictures.
This hike began with a walk to the Chestnut Lodge at Camp Washington Carver where Carl provided a brief history of the area. Then it was on to Babcock State Park via Manns Creek Trail and the Narrow Gauge Railroad Trail. We timed the hike perfectly. Streams were full, Rhododendron, Mountain Laurel and Flame Azalea all were in bloom. We also saw a large patch of pink Lady Slipper.
After a long cold winter, a weekend filled with Redbud, Trillium, thickets of Bluebell and Celandine poppy was a welcome treat. Cathy and Lois lead us down some beautiful paths and Roger’s storytelling brought an enjoyable end to our first day.
We thought winter had ended and that we had hiked our last snow covered trail but that was not the case as we entered Cranberry Glades. The day brought blue skies and sunshine along with about two feet of snow. We all could have used a pair of snowshoes.
We have enjoyed some beautiful winter hikes despite heavy snowfall. Ice formations on this hike were unusual. Those who hiked marvelled at how different the forest looks this time of year.
Pictures are often worth a thousand words. This day was beautiful. Our footprints were the first after the snowfall the day before. The soup afterwords was delicious as usual.
Kanawha State Forest was blanketed in snow as seen by the attached photos. Skies were blue and the sun out in full force. Those who hiked agreed that hiking is a good remedy for cabin fever. Thanks to George and Christy for the great photos.
