Jay Toups

Tag: local hikes

Old Growth Walk With Mr. Chu and Tamera

by Jay on May.20, 2009, under Environment, Travels

There’s a patch of old growth forest up the hill beyond our house, a small remnant of the primeval forest that once existed across the Bitterroot.  It’s a fun, mildly exerting late afternoon walk to go out the back door and up to the meadow, as we call it, and gaze through the trees westward to Nez Perce Pass, the Idaho border.

The creek you hear is our drinking water.  The stream that Mr. Chu loves to take a dip in is the “A” ditch, an irrigation diversion off of Nelson Creek cut in in 1899. Can’t tell you what the bird making that call is.



Leave a Comment :,


Lookout Overnight

by Jay on Aug.14, 2007, under Environment, Travels

We can see this lookout perched high on the mountaintop from our driveway. It is about 4 miles away, and over 3,000 feet higher. It only took me 9 years to work up the nerve to make the hike up there, mainly because it has a reputation as a “thigh burner” hike: it is a very steep and unrelenting “stair stepper” trail. But it was well worth the effort, even with all the smoke from the nearby fires. It is absolutely breathtaking to view over the edge of the cliff this 70+ year old lookout is perched on.

The abandoned USFS lookout, which shall remain unnamed, is lovingly maintained by locals who call themselves the West Fork Ski Club. It is an ideal destination anytime of the year, including winter, if you can handle the long climb up!









The smoke was thick and the ash falling at night looked like snowflakes in the flash of my camera.

Even with limited visibility, this is a fabulous local hike I will do again and again for obvious reasons.

Leave a Comment :

Castle Rock, Nez Perce Road, Montana

by Jay on Jun.23, 2007, under Environment, Travels

Here’s a panoramic video from the top of Castle Rock, at the the top of Nez Perce Pass. Nez Perce Road off of the West Fork Highway is a historic Indian migration and hunting trail through southwest Montana and central Idaho. The intermediate-level 3.5 mile hike to this alpine vista is stunning, with “forever” views in all directions.

Leave a Comment :

White Pockets, Paria Plateau

by Jay on Oct.12, 2006, under Environment, Travels

Shots of White Pockets area of the Paria plateau in southern Utah.


Click pics with borders for full size pics!

Leave a Comment :,

Looking for something?

Use the form below to search the site:

Still not finding what you're looking for? Drop a comment on a post or contact me so I can take care of it!