Bury Me Here // Banff & Jasper National Parks

Early in September I hit the road from Salt Lake City, Utah bound for Alberta, Canada. My mission was a simple one: a solo road trip to explore the mountains, rivers, and trails surrounding the Banff, Jasper, and Kootenay National Parks.

With a small truck and a light load of camping and bike gear, I had the freedom to stay or go as I wanted and to explore at my own pace. The US and Canadian highways took me through truly epic mountain passes, through glacial parkways, and into some of the most intensely gorgeous forests I’ve ever seen.

It wasn’t long before I had tucked away hundreds of photos and racked up more than 2,500 miles between Utah, British Columbia, Alberta, Montana, and eventually, Idaho.

Exposure Gallery

Below are a few images from my trip. For the really curious, I created a more extensive gallery on Exposure—enjoy.

Clouds Surrounding a Peak in Kootenay National Park
Clouds Surrounding a Peak in Kootenay National Park
Looking down over mountains and fall foliage on the Glacier Parkway in Canada
Overlooking the highway between Banff and Jasper National Parks in Canada
Standing by the river at a campground in Jasper, Alberta.
Standing by the river at a campground in Jasper, Alberta.
Snow, Fog, and Foliage in the mountains Canada
Snow and fog mix with foliage in Kootenay National Park in Canada
Dawn over the mountains in Banff National Park in Canada
Dawn in Banff National Park in Canada
Snowy Peak on the Glacial Parkway in Canada
A snowy Peak on the Glacial Parkway in Canada.

The Return

A hammock hanging on a porch in Crested Butte, Colorado.
Kicking back in Crested Butte, Colorado

The blog had to take a little siesta over the past few seasons so I could focus on some career and life stuff. Things are sorted now, so I’m looking forward to updating on a more regular basis soon.
We’re back in business and I’m looking forward to it.
Cheers, friends.

Crusher in the Tushar 2013

In case you’re unfamiliar with the Crusher in the Tushar, it’s a long road/gravel bike race with a “fair” amount of climbing (read: TONS).
It’s definitely one of those things to add to your roadie bucket list if you enjoy pain, high temperatures, and a party in the mountains. The race is held every year outside of Beaver, Utah.

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Fruita, Colorado

The mountain biking in Fruita, Colorado is a little slice of heaven baked by the sun and carved from the desert. Singletrack trails crisscross the desert around the now-famous 18 road and even more trails skip along the spiny backs of nearby ridges that protrude from the mountains. Unless there’s a storm clouding the sky, sunsets light up the horizon nightly and stars blaze from one side of your vision to the other.

Brian checking his hardtail at camp on 18 road in Fruita

My shadow looming over our campsite in Fruita at 18 Road

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Memorial Day

Re emerges from our Stoic family tent on the shore of Bear Lake in Utah. Trees tower over the site and the midday sun peeks through the branches.
Big tents and big hats. That’s campground life.
Bear Lake

It’s unusual that Re and I camp so close to home (or at a campground) save for one or two long weekends a year. A few friends had grabbed a site along the shore of Bear Lake in northeastern Utah, so we loaded up the truck and joined them for some barbecuing and beers—and a little paddling.

Read a little more about Bear Lake right here. It wouldn’t hurt to get a huckleberry milkshake when you’re in town, too—they’re worth the drive from Salt Lake City.

Re kicks back in a camp chair on the sunny shore of Bear Lake. Above her small clouds dot the bright blue sky.

One Starry Night

The silhouette of a bike against the star-filled sky of Stanley, Idaho

Stanley, Idaho

Years ago the camping around Stanley, Idaho included a small, secluded site atop one of the ridges just above town. It took a heavy foot on the gas pedal, four-wheel drive, and a little bit of faith to climb the rutted and dusty road up to this site and it was worth the trouble. This is just a portion of the 360-degree view of the star-filled sky over this small Idaho town flanked by the Sawtooths.

Visit Stanley for the rafting, mountain biking (send me a message for some beta), and hot springs. You’ll never want to leave.