Mountains, Deserts and Canyons

in photos and brief descriptions

(updated September 22, 2009)

     For over 35 years my old friend Dan and I have backpacked and hiked in several mountain ranges, deserts, and desert canyons in the western part of the United States.   

Our friends and wives and my kids have accompanied us on some of these trips.  But we almost always have had a camera or two along.  The photos on these pages, except for one, were taken by Dan or myself.  Thank you for visiting.   Notes about recent updates to this site are below.

Upcoming:   Coastal camping trip with the trackers from Cascadia Wild and then who knows?

You may be a little cold some nights, on mountain tops above the timber-line, but you

will see the stars, and by and by you can sleep enough in your town bed, or at least in

your grave.           

                                                          --- John Muir

 Latest:  High Sierras backpack - Kearsarge and Glen passes

August 2009:  I'm thinking of taking a small group of strangers on a couple of trips in the Cascades next summer.  This would not be a luxury trip.  I'd just be there as the one who's been there before and that's that.  You'd provide and carry your own gear and be responsible for yourself.  I'm thinking of a day hike on a favorite part of Mt. Hood and then 3 or 4 nights in the Three Sisters Wilderness.  If you're interested please email me at mentalfloss1 at gmail dot com.

Top notch free topo website:  Libremap

Found this excellent GPS learning site (Open in new window is better) :  GPS_Learning 

 Also posted some thoughts on Solitude and the Dickey Creek Trail in the Oregon Cascades

    When we're in the mountains and canyons perhaps we sometimes ask ourselves how local man-made objects would look when placed against the natural backdrop.  Here are a couple of perspectives:  Perspectives

     A large and thorough backpacking site: Johann & Sandra

Mail: mentalfloss1 at yahoo.com