A really nice hike that we keep coming back for…rites of (late) spring (July 2023).

Spring Basin (May 2023).

A ladybug settled on Benny’s buttocks (May 2023).

Taking in the views (May 2023).

Spring Basin (May 2023).

We actually went to hike the Spring Basin twice this year: in early May, we hiked up all the way to the top of Horse Mountain (making a nice loop) in perfect conditions but with almost no cacti blooming; we came back two weeks later with plenty of blooming cacti but also hot conditions and rattlers (did not make Horse Mountain; May 2023).

Leavenworth (May 2023).

Leavenworth (May 2023).

Lake Wenatchee by Leavenworth (May 2023).

Lake Wenatchee (May 2023).

Lake Wenatchee (May 2023).

Starting up towards Grassy Knoll with friends, including Bolt here (June 2023).

The crew at an overlook (June 2023).

And the beautiful summit plateau of Grassy Knoll (June 2023).

Dave dog on Grassy Knoll (June 2023).

Summit group shot: Jessi, Justin, Bolt, Davey, Benny, and Shirley (June 2023).

Justing and Cam (and 2 or the 3 mutts) on the hike down (June 2023).

Bears with beargrass on the way up to Trappers Butte (June 2023).

Mt. Jefferson from Trappers Butte hike (June 2023).

Just below the top of Trappers Butte. Three Fingered Jack is sort of visible (June 2023).

Early on during the hike up to Ice Lake. This is still along the West Fork Of Wallowa River (July 2023).

Big Dave (July 2023).

A breather on the final set of switchbacks before Ice Lake (July 2023).

Ice Lake camp (July 2023).

Davey drooling at the prospect of a swim (July 2023).

Looking for a good access point (July 2023).

Wrestling (July 2023).

Looks like the Mediterranean (July 2023).

The boys (July 2023).

Going for it (July 2023).

Benny Dog (July 2023).

Ice Lake (July 2023).

More wrestling (July 2023).

Shirley doing a cold soak session. Wasn’t that cold (low 50s?; July 2023).

30lbs stum toss and tow game (July 2023).

Camp chilling. We spent two nights at the lake just enjoying our time there (July 2023).

Davey in Ice Lake (July 2023).

Benny rewarming himself on shore (July 2023).

Shirley and her wolves (July 2023).

What up fellas (July 2023)?

On the way to Bear Lake with Tom (July 2023).

Bear grass (July 2023).

On the way to some swimming!

Who else loves swimming?

Bear Lake (July 2023).

Bear Lake (July 2023).

Bear Lake (July 2023).

Chilling back at home. Correct amount of affection (July 2023).

Incorrect amount of affection (July 2023).

On the way up to Blue Lake in Indian Heaven with Tom (Aug. 2023).

A pretty hike to a pretty lake (Aug. 2023).

Blue Lake (Aug. 2023).

Tom & Shirley tapping some lunch by Blue Lake (Aug. 2023).

Blue Lake (Aug. 2023).

Blue Lake (Aug. 2023).

Blue Lake (Aug. 2023).

Blue Lake (Aug. 2023).

Some backcountry SUP on the new board (Aug. 2023).

Bear Lake (Aug. 2023).

Bear Lake (Aug. 2023).

Setting out for Twin Lakes along the pretty Elkhorn Crest Trail (July 2023).

Elkhorn Crest (July 2023).

Your sure that’s big enough dude?

There they are: Twin Lakes (July 2023).

Twin Lakes (July 2023).

About to drop down to the lakes (July 2023).

Upper Twin Lake (July 2023).

Shirley enjoying our private pool – aka the Upper Twin Lake (July 2023).

Enjoying the water (July 2023).

Twin Lakes (July 2023).

Great times (July 2023).

An airborne branch (July 2023).

A race (July 2023).

Racing the boys (July 2023).

Launching (July 2023).

Perfect water (July 2023).

You get a branch; you get a branch (July 2023).

Backcountry tacos (July 2023).

Our private little lake (July 2023).

The fly for our tent was still in the hands of North Face (being fixed after the boys tore the shit out of it over the 4th Of July Weekend; July 2023).

Aaaaa shit – about to get rolled over by a storm (July 2023).

Bailing in the early evening and heavy downpour (July 2023).

Still pouring but there’s an opening in the sky (July 2023).

Halfway back to the car (July 2023).

On the way up to Deep Lake in Indian Heaven Wilderness (Aug. 2023).

Deep Lake (Aug. 2023).

Deep Lake (Aug. 2023).

Diving into Bobby Lake (Sept. 2023).

An overcast day but great water and an amazingly sandy bottom (Sept. 2023).

Getting ready for a quick soak (Sept. 2008).

Bobby Lake (Sept. 2008).

On the way up to Maxwell Lake for a quick overnighter (Sept. 2008).

Benny Dog (Sept. 2023).

Davey Dog (Sept. 2023).

On the final, steep mile to the lake (Sept. 2023).

Nearing the lake (Sept. 2008).

Killing some stumps in Maxwell Lake (Sept. 2023).

In camp (Sept. 2008).

Fresh portobello shrooms? Why not.

Daddy pulling on a hip flask (Sept. 2023).

Oh yeah (Sept. 2023).

Going gourmet for dinner (Sept. 2023).

Morning dip before we hike down (Sept. 2023).

Davey going for it (Sept. 2023).

Wider angle view (Sept. 2023).

Bear Lake in Indian Heaven Wilderness. When throwing a hammer, remember: it’s all in the wrist flick (Sept. 2023).

Bear Lake (Sept. 2023).

Bear Lake (Sept. 2023).

Bear Lake (Sept. 2023).

Bear Lake (Sept. 2023).

Thomas Lake on a chilly late September Sunday (Sept. 2023).

Thomas Lake (Sept. 2023).

Thomas Lake (Sept. 2023).

Thomas Lake (Sept. 2023).

On the way to Junction Lake (Oct. 2023).

Some tarns (Oct. 2023).

Indian Heaven Wilderness (Oct. 2023).

The fellas (Oct. 2023).

A cool off in Junction Lake on the way to Bear Lake (Oct. 2023).

Junction Lake (Oct. 2023).

Junction Lake (Oct. 2023).

Junction Lake (Oct. 2023).

Bear Lake (Oct. 2023).

Season closer in Bear Lake (Oct. 2023).

Bear Lake (Oct. 2023).

Bear Lake (Oct. 2023).

Bear Lake (Oct. 2023).

Benny going ULR (Oct. 2023).

Junction Lake on the way out (Oct. 2023).

Junction Lake (Oct. 2023).

Happy dog (Oct. 2023).

On the way to Junction Lake (Oct. 2023).