Backpacking overnight has been something that I've wanted to do for the last several years, but procrastination, not making the time for it, and the unnerving thought of entering a bears' home kept me from fully embracing the experience. Sure I've done my fair share of day hikes, but to be out in the elements overnight, just adds to the excitement of it all

Elkhorn, Montana was once home to 2,500 inhabitants, as this silver mining community boomed during the late 1800's. As of 2020, the census recorded a population of 12 people, most having refurbished the old homes that adorned the streets of this once vibrant western community. A four AM wakeup call awaited me, as the two hour drive northwest would lead me to some pretty spectacular captures. 

What's more freeing than the thought of hopping on a freight train and traveling across the United States of America? Recently I took my camera down to Livingston, Montana for a project that I've been wanting to work on for some time. 

The closest thing I have found to an ocean out here in Montana, is Flathead Lake. Unlike the endless horizon I was accustomed to back in New Jersey, the eastern shoreline is flanked by the Mission Mountain range.

We continued our way north to the St. Mary entrance of Glacier National Park, where the sight of a desolate parking lot awaited us. Empty spots soon to be filled with tour buses, shuttles, vans, trucks, cars, people, screaming children, you name it, lay vacant in an eery silence. A lone car pulled up with Utah plates, as we exchanged a warm smile and continued on our way. I leashed the dog up and headed into the park by foot, thinking we wouldn't be able to drive too far in, but much to my surprise, the road continue onward for a ways. After capturing the photograph below, we turned around and headed back towards the parking lot to continue our journey by wheels.

Glacier National Park enticed 2.91 million visitors in 2022 to enter its wild and mythical landscape. When I first moved to Montana in the Spring of 2021, I lived a fews hours south of the West Glacier entrance. I visited the park on a crisp May day, and while the interior of the park remained closed, I did catch a glimpse of what it had to offer. Fast forward to April of 2023, when I decided to take a few days off to visit the East entrance of the park. Even though I knew the interior was once again closed due to winter conditions, I wanted what little of the park I knew I could access to myself.