At the top
Arriving at the summit of a mountain is always accompanied by a feeling of exhilaration, the fulfillment on an expectation, a sense of accomplishment, a wave of awe at the world that is revealed from there… And then all of those feelings become somewhat bittersweet at the thought that circumstances may well dictate that I may never visit there again. And I take lots of pictures.
Montana Outdoors 
Terry:
I know that feeling may-not-visit-again — whenever I think of the beautiful places I’ve hiked to over the years. Oh well, being finite does have its advantages 🙂
Chad
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Comment by Chad — August 31, 2010 @ 8:27 am
I guess it provides an impetus for staying fit, huh.
I love your photos of the West Cady Ridge Trail! Thank Goodness for cameras!
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Comment by montucky — August 31, 2010 @ 9:57 am
Wonderful being able to see these places through your photos.
🙂
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Comment by Val Erde — August 31, 2010 @ 11:53 am
Thanks Val. I just hope that many of these places will remain as they are for future generations.
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Comment by montucky — August 31, 2010 @ 6:38 pm
Mmm, looove it! That sky is so beautiful, not to mention the scenery!
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Comment by Tricia — August 31, 2010 @ 1:08 pm
The sky is constantly changing up there, and quickly. Sometimes you can see a far distant rainstorm sweep across the mountains. Always something.
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Comment by montucky — August 31, 2010 @ 6:41 pm
The cliffs almost look like the front of a castle. It would be so neat to be up there touching the clouds.
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Comment by sandy — August 31, 2010 @ 3:23 pm
This whole area is full of scenes like that, with the cliffs surrounding bowl-like terrain. One could explore seemingly forever. I keep wishing that I had access to those trails in winter too.
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Comment by montucky — August 31, 2010 @ 6:43 pm
Hi Montucky, Worth taking those pictures, for sure! The moods of the pictures are striking! Great camera work! I hope you’ll be able to return sometime.
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Comment by wildlifewatcher — August 31, 2010 @ 4:50 pm
I started taking photos on my treks so my wife could see some of the things that I do. They have become important to me although I have no idea what else they could be used for. I’m pleased that you and others do enjoy seeing them!
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Comment by montucky — August 31, 2010 @ 6:45 pm
Great mountain views. The best part of these photos — makes me feel like I;m there looking 360 with you! Love it.
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Comment by Bo Mackison — August 31, 2010 @ 7:21 pm
I’m glad that you said that Bo. That is what I hoped to accomplish. The scenes that change with each bend in the trail, each change in the weather and every thousand feet of elevation are part of the whole experience. I have thought that posting this many photos would be the best way to show it.
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Comment by montucky — August 31, 2010 @ 7:34 pm
Those clouds look touchable way up there. I love that view of the little lake in the pines seen from above, beautiful.
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Comment by Candace — September 1, 2010 @ 8:48 am
The clouds were coming lower as the day passed. They dropped some rain late in the afternoon. That lake is one of a group called “Four Lakes”, and the trail head is named after them.
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Comment by montucky — September 1, 2010 @ 8:29 pm
So, so beautiful these variety of views. I love the little lake or pond nestled in the pine and the last photo looking down. The variegated/layered rock cliff of the side of the mountain is beautiful!
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Comment by Anna — September 1, 2010 @ 9:35 am
This roadless area is about 60 square miles in size and it seems that all of it is like this, dotted with little lakes that nestle inside bowls rimmed by the high ridges and plenty of small streams.
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Comment by montucky — September 1, 2010 @ 8:36 pm
Oooh, love that little jewel of a lake hidden in the mountains. And the castle like rocks in the one photos are wonderful.
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Comment by kateri — September 1, 2010 @ 8:56 pm
Those rock formations look formidable from below, knowing that you have to climb above them, but looking down at them from above makes the climb worth while.
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Comment by montucky — September 1, 2010 @ 9:57 pm
Wow. The third one from the top and the last one are my favorites again.
In the third I like that small swamp lake. That’s so nice.
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Comment by sartenada — September 2, 2010 @ 10:43 pm
There are many lakes like that spread out through the mountains. Some have good fishing. All have very clear, cold water, and backpackers often visit them for their water supply.
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Comment by montucky — September 3, 2010 @ 9:16 pm