Waterfalls on your way to Imogene Lake. Imogene Lake is an alpine lake in Custer County, Idaho, United States, located in the Sawtooth Mountains in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. The lake is approximately 15 miles southwest of Stanley.

NPS/Patrick Myers

Beyond the dunefield, Great Sand Dunes National Park Park and Preserve contains six other ecosystems, including subalpine forest. Mosca Pass Trail, Medano Lake Trail, and Music Pass Trail go through dense forest, with meadows of wildflowers in summer months. Enjoy the flowers while they last!

#GreatSandDunes #Forest #SubalpineForest #Wildflowers #Mountains #SangredeCristoMountains #Hiking #FindYourPark #EncuentraTuParque

NPS/Patrick Myers

Fall colors continue at Great Sand Dunes, as various aspen groves turn gold at different times depending on elevation and location. Recent rain has given trees a much-needed drink of water and firmed up the sand.

#GreatSandDunes #Fall #Autumn #Aspen #Aspens #GoldAspens #FallColor #FindYourPark #EncuentraTuParque

The hike began with a boat ride to the Redfish Inlet Transfer Camp. We follow the Redfish Lake Creek trail southwest as it climbs gently and steadily to the Alpine Lake (of Redfish Creek) turnoff. Take the left fork and continue south past an unnamed pair of lakes. At 6 miles, the trail arrives at Lower Cramer Lake, elevation 8340', the smallest of the three Cramers. Middle Cramer Lake has a waterfall. Upper Cramer is the largest of the threesome.

The hike began with a boat ride to the Redfish Inlet Transfer Camp. We follow the Redfish Lake Creek trail southwest as it climbs gently and steadily to the Alpine Lake (of Redfish Creek) turnoff. Take the left fork and continue south past an unnamed pair of lakes. At 6 miles, the trail arrives at Lower Cramer Lake, elevation 8340', the smallest of the three Cramers. Middle Cramer Lake has a waterfall. Upper Cramer is the largest of the threesome.

NPS/Patrick Myers

Why does some of the grass here grow in circles? Did aliens land here?

Many visitors ask the first question, and a few ask the second. The grass pictured is ring muhly, which grows in a circle to capture rainwater in a desert environment. Ring muhly emits a natural herbicide to fend off any other plants that attempt to grow in its interior, while growing outward in irregular circles up to 12 feet (4m) wide. Expect the unexpected at Great Sand Dunes!

#GreatSandDunes #RingMuhly #DesertAdaptations #Desert #Grassland #Circles #FindYourPark #EncuentraTuParque

NPS/Patrick Myers

Why do alpine sunflowers always face the same direction?

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve has significant areas of alpine tundra - mountaintops above treeline where cold temperatures prevail year round. A hot July day on the tundra is 50 degrees F, and lows drop below freezing on most summer nights. Alpine sunflowers always face east to capture the first rays of the rising sun after a cold night. If you're ever lost on the tundra, alpine sunflowers can help you get oriented and find your way back. This recent photo shows the precision of alpine sunflowers' sense of direction!

#GreatSandDunes #Tundra #AlpineTundra #Sunflower #AlpineSunflower #SangredeCristoMountains #FindYourPark #EncuentraTuParque

The hike began with a boat ride to the Redfish Inlet Transfer Camp. We follow the Redfish Lake Creek trail southwest as it climbs gently and steadily to the Alpine Lake (of Redfish Creek) turnoff. Take the left fork and continue south past an unnamed pair of lakes. At 6 miles, the trail arrives at Lower Cramer Lake, elevation 8340', the smallest of the three Cramers. Middle Cramer Lake has a waterfall. Upper Cramer is the largest of the threesome.

Imogene Lake is an alpine lake in Custer County, Idaho, United States, located in the Sawtooth Mountains in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. The lake is approximately 15 miles southwest of Stanley.

So I wanted to hike the Larch Valley in BANFF, but it was closed because of grizzlies. I stayed in BANFF and decided to go on this 14.6km (9 mile) loop around Lake Louise, Lake Agnes Mirror Lake.

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Así que quería recorrer "Larch Valley" en BANFF, pero estaba cerrado debido a los osos pardos. Me quedé en BANFF y decidi ir de excursion en este destino de 14.6 kilometros, alrededor del lago Louise, Lago Agnes y Mirror Lake.

Imogene Lake is an alpine lake in Custer County, Idaho, United States, located in the Sawtooth Mountains in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. The lake is approximately 15 miles southwest of Stanley.

The hike began with a boat ride to the Redfish Inlet Transfer Camp. We follow the Redfish Lake Creek trail southwest as it climbs gently and steadily to the Alpine Lake (of Redfish Creek) turnoff. Take the left fork and continue south past an unnamed pair of lakes. At 6 miles, the trail arrives at Lower Cramer Lake, elevation 8340', the smallest of the three Cramers. Middle Cramer Lake has a waterfall. Upper Cramer is the largest of the threesome.

Imogene Lake is an alpine lake in Custer County, Idaho, United States, located in the Sawtooth Mountains in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. The lake is approximately 15 miles southwest of Stanley.

The hike began with a boat ride to the Redfish Inlet Transfer Camp. We follow the Redfish Lake Creek trail southwest as it climbs gently and steadily to the Alpine Lake (of Redfish Creek) turnoff. Take the left fork and continue south past an unnamed pair of lakes. At 6 miles, the trail arrives at Lower Cramer Lake, elevation 8340', the smallest of the three Cramers. Middle Cramer Lake has a waterfall. Upper Cramer is the largest of the threesome.

The hike began with a boat ride to the Redfish Inlet Transfer Camp. We follow the Redfish Lake Creek trail southwest as it climbs gently and steadily to the Alpine Lake (of Redfish Creek) turnoff. Take the left fork and continue south past an unnamed pair of lakes. At 6 miles, the trail arrives at Lower Cramer Lake, elevation 8340', the smallest of the three Cramers. Middle Cramer Lake has a waterfall. Upper Cramer is the largest of the threesome.

Rain dampened the 105,000 acre Spring Fire yesterday, significantly improving conditions for firefighters. Containment has now jumped to 35%, and US Highway 160 is scheduled to reopen at 2:00 pm tomorrow, Saturday, July 7. After smoky conditions yesterday, winds are shifting back today and only a light smoky haze remains. Many colorful sunsets like this one have occurred since the Colorado wildfires began in June - signs of hope and beauty from the ashes.

No wildfires currently threaten Great Sand Dunes NPP. Follow air conditions, highway closures, and fire restrictions on our website:

www.nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

#GreatSandDunes #Sunset #Dunes #BeautyFromAshes #FindYourPark #EncuentraTuParque

NPS/Patrick Myers

#ScienceSaturday - Lenticular clouds form when a mountain ridge traps lenses of moisture from high-altitude streams of air. The Sangre de Cristo Mountains are ideal for this, as a narrow range that reaches over 14,000 feet (4,200m). In addition, the low curve of the mountains that traps sand here acts as a funnel, concentrating the lenticular and stacking its layers high into the atmosphere. The result is a bizarre, otherworldly cloud that astonishes people!

The lenticular in this recent photo was illuminated by pinkish rays from the sun as it disappeared behind the horizon. Other than minor adjustments for tonal range, this is an unaltered photo.

#GreatSandDunes #Dunes #Lenticular #LenticularCloud #Weather #SangredeCristoMountains #Science #Sunset #Bizarre #Otherworldly #FindYourPark #EncuentraTuParque

The hike began with a boat ride to the Redfish Inlet Transfer Camp. We follow the Redfish Lake Creek trail southwest as it climbs gently and steadily to the Alpine Lake (of Redfish Creek) turnoff. Take the left fork and continue south past an unnamed pair of lakes. At 6 miles, the trail arrives at Lower Cramer Lake, elevation 8340', the smallest of the three Cramers. Middle Cramer Lake has a waterfall. Upper Cramer is the largest of the threesome.

El Area Nacional de Recreación El Diente de la Sierra, ubicado en el centro de Idaho, es el hogar de majestuosos paisajes. Casi 1,610 kilómetros de ríos y arroyos, 40 imponentes picos de más de 3,040 metros, y más de 1,100 lagos. Uno de estos lagos, Lago Diente de la Sierra, reclama el título de el lago más grande de esta area de recreación, las brillantes aguas claras iban a ser nuestro destino. El lago se encuentra a la sombra del Monte Regan (3,100 metros de altura) y sus costas se alcanzan por una excursion de 8 Kilometros entre senderismo, picos y un paisaje alpino espectacular. La caminata al Lago Diente de Sierra nos llevó a través de algunos de los paisajes más grandiosos de montaña en Idaho, raras formaciones rocosas, flores silvestres, mariposas y animales del bosque como ardilla de tierra y pika nos dieron la bienvenida a las orillas del lago. Justo antes de llegar al lago diente de sierra, pasamos por una Laguna sin nombre, hermosa en su propio derecho.

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The Sawtooth National Recreation Area, located in the heart of Idaho, is home to majestic landscapes—nearly 1000 miles of rivers and streams, 40 peaks towering over 10,000 feet, and over 1100 lakes. One such lake, Sawtooth Lake, claims the title of largest lake in the Sawtooth Wilderness—its clear sparkling waters were to be our destination—the lake sits in the shadow of 10,190-foot Mount Regan and its shores are reached by hiking 5 miles among jagged peaks and spectacular alpine scenery. The trek to Sawtooth Lake took us through some of the grandest mountain scenery in Idaho—mountain vistas, unusual rock formations, wildflowers, butterflies, and woodland creatures such as ground squirrel and pika welcomed us to the shores of the lake. Just before reaching Sawtooth Lake, we passed by an unnamed pond—beautiful in its own right.

NPS/Patrick Myers

Curving Dune Ridge

NPS/Patrick Myers

At Great Sand Dunes, you can literally see the shape of the wind. Dunes are uniquely sculpted into evocative forms that would be considered great artworks in any museum! Yet in the Great Sand Dunes Wilderness, you can explore, play and slide on the dunes, and evidence of your visit will be erased with the next wind.

#greatsanddunes #dunes #dune #sand #sanddunes #art #artwork #sculpture #wind #shapeofthewind #outdoormuseum #findyourpark #encuentratuparque

Waterfalls on your way to Imogene Lake. Imogene Lake is an alpine lake in Custer County, Idaho, United States, located in the Sawtooth Mountains in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. The lake is approximately 15 miles southwest of Stanley.

NPS/Patrick Myers

National parks protect our nation's unique landscapes and stories. They can be places of refreshment, restoration, and even healing. As we look back on this year, and even further into the past, there are events that have touched us - some that are celebrations, and others we wish we could somehow change. They are our stories, and America's stories.

In National Park Service sites across the nation, we can draw near to these stories and the compelling landscapes where they are written. Here, in the rhythms of days, seasons and years, encouragement is found. When we lift up our eyes to the mountains, or step back in time into a historic battlefield, or walk across an undulating prairie, or visit Abraham Lincoln's birthplace, we can glimpse hope and reconciliation. We connect with the inspiring lives of those who have gone before us, who persevered and overcame against great odds. In each sunrise and season, we sense continual restoration. Rivers flow on, constantly renewed by snow and rain. New life is being formed, even in the seeming barrenness of winter.

As 2017 ends, Great Sand Dunes staff wishes you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season, and a 2018 with many meaningful adventures in America's national parks!

#greatsanddunes #nationalparks #nationalparkservice #sunrise #sunset #findyourpark #encuentratuparque #america #american #history #river #refreshment #restoration #healing #hope #stories #inspiration #rhythms #reconciliation #newlife

The Born Lakes are a chain of eleven alpine and glacial Paternoster lakes in Custer County, Idaho, United States, located in the White Cloud Wilderness. The White Clouds were given their name by early settlers because many of these skyward soaring pale peaks seem to blend together with the clouds above, making it hard to tell where mountains stop and clouds begin. The White Clouds lie near the center of Idaho, entirely within the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. In the heart of the range there are over 90,000 acres of amazing terrain that became protected as The White Clouds Wilderness in 2015

Hell Roaring Lake is nestled among thick trees at 7,407 feet, where the canyon branches into distinct alpine basins. The Finger of Fate, an elegant tower of solid granite, stands as a sentinel above the north shore of the lake. Long fins of glacially-polished slabs descend from the Imogene basin to the south shore of the lake. The hike from the lower trailhead offers nice creekside camping for a shorter trip. Hell Roaring Lake is an alpine lake in Custer County, Idaho, United States, located in the Sawtooth Mountains in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. The lake is approximately 13.3 miles (21.4 km) southwest of Stanley. The lake can be accessed from State Highway 75 in the Sawtooth Valley.

So I wanted to hike the Larch Valley in BANFF, but it was closed because of grizzlies. I stayed in BANFF and decided to go on this 14.6km (9 mile) loop around Lake Louise, Lake Agnes Mirror Lake.

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Así que quería recorrer "Larch Valley" en BANFF, pero estaba cerrado debido a los osos pardos. Me quedé en BANFF y decidi ir de excursion en este destino de 14.6 kilometros, alrededor del lago Louise, Lago Agnes y Mirror Lake.

Hell Roaring Lake is nestled among thick trees at 7,407 feet, where the canyon branches into distinct alpine basins. The Finger of Fate, an elegant tower of solid granite, stands as a sentinel above the north shore of the lake. Long fins of glacially-polished slabs descend from the Imogene basin to the south shore of the lake. The hike from the lower trailhead offers nice creekside camping for a shorter trip. Hell Roaring Lake is an alpine lake in Custer County, Idaho, United States, located in the Sawtooth Mountains in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. The lake is approximately 13.3 miles (21.4 km) southwest of Stanley. The lake can be accessed from State Highway 75 in the Sawtooth Valley.

NPS/Patrick Myers

Long-eared owls are sometimes mistaken for much more common great horned owls, which are found even in cities. Requiring larger tracts of wild forest habitat, the smaller long-eared owl is occasionally heard by nighttime visitors to Great Sand Dunes, making a variety of hoots, 'bleating lamb' sounds, and alarm calls.

One of 9 owl species at Great Sand Dunes NPP, long-eared owls are just one part of the enigmatic nighttime soundscape in this large wilderness park. Listen to an adult male long-eared owl communicating with his owlets in our 'Experience the Night' video:

www.nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/experiencethenight.htm

The #YearOfTheBird continues throughout 2018!

Photo: NPS/Patrick Myers

#GreatSandDunes #Owl #Owls #ExperienceTheNight #Night #Forest #Camouflage #Enigmatic #FindYourPark #EncuentraTuParque

The hike began with a boat ride to the Redfish Inlet Transfer Camp. We follow the Redfish Lake Creek trail southwest as it climbs gently and steadily to the Alpine Lake (of Redfish Creek) turnoff. Take the left fork and continue south past an unnamed pair of lakes. At 6 miles, the trail arrives at Lower Cramer Lake, elevation 8340', the smallest of the three Cramers. Middle Cramer Lake has a waterfall. Upper Cramer is the largest of the threesome.

The hike began with a boat ride to the Redfish Inlet Transfer Camp. We follow the Redfish Lake Creek trail southwest as it climbs gently and steadily to the Alpine Lake (of Redfish Creek) turnoff. Take the left fork and continue south past an unnamed pair of lakes. At 6 miles, the trail arrives at Lower Cramer Lake, elevation 8340', the smallest of the three Cramers. Middle Cramer Lake has a waterfall. Upper Cramer is the largest of the threesome.

El Area Nacional de Recreación El Diente de la Sierra, ubicado en el centro de Idaho, es el hogar de majestuosos paisajes. Casi 1,610 kilómetros de ríos y arroyos, 40 imponentes picos de más de 3,040 metros, y más de 1,100 lagos. Uno de estos lagos, Lago Diente de la Sierra, reclama el título de el lago más grande de esta area de recreación, las brillantes aguas claras iban a ser nuestro destino. El lago se encuentra a la sombra del Monte Regan (3,100 metros de altura) y sus costas se alcanzan por una excursion de 8 Kilometros entre senderismo, picos y un paisaje alpino espectacular. La caminata al Lago Diente de Sierra nos llevó a través de algunos de los paisajes más grandiosos de montaña en Idaho, raras formaciones rocosas, flores silvestres, mariposas y animales del bosque como ardilla de tierra y pika nos dieron la bienvenida a las orillas del lago. Justo antes de llegar al lago diente de sierra, pasamos por una Laguna sin nombre, hermosa en su propio derecho.

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The Sawtooth National Recreation Area, located in the heart of Idaho, is home to majestic landscapes—nearly 1000 miles of rivers and streams, 40 peaks towering over 10,000 feet, and over 1100 lakes. One such lake, Sawtooth Lake, claims the title of largest lake in the Sawtooth Wilderness—its clear sparkling waters were to be our destination—the lake sits in the shadow of 10,190-foot Mount Regan and its shores are reached by hiking 5 miles among jagged peaks and spectacular alpine scenery. The trek to Sawtooth Lake took us through some of the grandest mountain scenery in Idaho—mountain vistas, unusual rock formations, wildflowers, butterflies, and woodland creatures such as ground squirrel and pika welcomed us to the shores of the lake. Just before reaching Sawtooth Lake, we passed by an unnamed pond—beautiful in its own right.

The hike began with a boat ride to the Redfish Inlet Transfer Camp. We follow the Redfish Lake Creek trail southwest as it climbs gently and steadily to the Alpine Lake (of Redfish Creek) turnoff. Take the left fork and continue south past an unnamed pair of lakes. At 6 miles, the trail arrives at Lower Cramer Lake, elevation 8340', the smallest of the three Cramers. Middle Cramer Lake has a waterfall. Upper Cramer is the largest of the threesome.

The hike began with a boat ride to the Redfish Inlet Transfer Camp. We follow the Redfish Lake Creek trail southwest as it climbs gently and steadily to the Alpine Lake (of Redfish Creek) turnoff. Take the left fork and continue south past an unnamed pair of lakes. At 6 miles, the trail arrives at Lower Cramer Lake, elevation 8340', the smallest of the three Cramers. Middle Cramer Lake has a waterfall. Upper Cramer is the largest of the threesome.

The hike began with a boat ride to the Redfish Inlet Transfer Camp. We follow the Redfish Lake Creek trail southwest as it climbs gently and steadily to the Alpine Lake (of Redfish Creek) turnoff. Take the left fork and continue south past an unnamed pair of lakes. At 6 miles, the trail arrives at Lower Cramer Lake, elevation 8340', the smallest of the three Cramers. Middle Cramer Lake has a waterfall. Upper Cramer is the largest of the threesome.

The hike began with a boat ride to the Redfish Inlet Transfer Camp. We follow the Redfish Lake Creek trail southwest as it climbs gently and steadily to the Alpine Lake (of Redfish Creek) turnoff. Take the left fork and continue south past an unnamed pair of lakes. At 6 miles, the trail arrives at Lower Cramer Lake, elevation 8340', the smallest of the three Cramers. Middle Cramer Lake has a waterfall. Upper Cramer is the largest of the threesome.

The hike began with a boat ride to the Redfish Inlet Transfer Camp. We follow the Redfish Lake Creek trail southwest as it climbs gently and steadily to the Alpine Lake (of Redfish Creek) turnoff. Take the left fork and continue south past an unnamed pair of lakes. At 6 miles, the trail arrives at Lower Cramer Lake, elevation 8340', the smallest of the three Cramers. Middle Cramer Lake has a waterfall. Upper Cramer is the largest of the threesome.

El Area Nacional de Recreación El Diente de la Sierra, ubicado en el centro de Idaho, es el hogar de majestuosos paisajes. Casi 1,610 kilómetros de ríos y arroyos, 40 imponentes picos de más de 3,040 metros, y más de 1,100 lagos. Uno de estos lagos, Lago Diente de la Sierra, reclama el título de el lago más grande de esta area de recreación, las brillantes aguas claras iban a ser nuestro destino. El lago se encuentra a la sombra del Monte Regan (3,100 metros de altura) y sus costas se alcanzan por una excursion de 8 Kilometros entre senderismo, picos y un paisaje alpino espectacular. La caminata al Lago Diente de Sierra nos llevó a través de algunos de los paisajes más grandiosos de montaña en Idaho, raras formaciones rocosas, flores silvestres, mariposas y animales del bosque como ardilla de tierra y pika nos dieron la bienvenida a las orillas del lago. Justo antes de llegar al lago diente de sierra, pasamos por una Laguna sin nombre, hermosa en su propio derecho.

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The Sawtooth National Recreation Area, located in the heart of Idaho, is home to majestic landscapes—nearly 1000 miles of rivers and streams, 40 peaks towering over 10,000 feet, and over 1100 lakes. One such lake, Sawtooth Lake, claims the title of largest lake in the Sawtooth Wilderness—its clear sparkling waters were to be our destination—the lake sits in the shadow of 10,190-foot Mount Regan and its shores are reached by hiking 5 miles among jagged peaks and spectacular alpine scenery. The trek to Sawtooth Lake took us through some of the grandest mountain scenery in Idaho—mountain vistas, unusual rock formations, wildflowers, butterflies, and woodland creatures such as ground squirrel and pika welcomed us to the shores of the lake. Just before reaching Sawtooth Lake, we passed by an unnamed pond—beautiful in its own right.

De excursión hacia Thompson Peak una cumbre de 3,277 metros, el pico mas alto de la cordillera de Sawtooth Idaho. Con una estancia muy necesaria durante la noche. Las vistas son increíbles del valle de Stanley, Idaho. La excursion es de 10 km subiendo 1,280 metros.

Trekking towards Thompson Peak a 10,751 foot summit, with a much needed overnight stay. Incredible views of the Stanley Valley from the Sawtooth's highest peak! Hiked 6.5 one way gaining 4,200 feet from Redfish Lake's parking lot.

The hike began with a boat ride to the Redfish Inlet Transfer Camp. We follow the Redfish Lake Creek trail southwest as it climbs gently and steadily to the Alpine Lake (of Redfish Creek) turnoff. Take the left fork and continue south past an unnamed pair of lakes. At 6 miles, the trail arrives at Lower Cramer Lake, elevation 8340', the smallest of the three Cramers. Middle Cramer Lake has a waterfall. Upper Cramer is the largest of the threesome.

The hike began with a boat ride to the Redfish Inlet Transfer Camp. We follow the Redfish Lake Creek trail southwest as it climbs gently and steadily to the Alpine Lake (of Redfish Creek) turnoff. Take the left fork and continue south past an unnamed pair of lakes. At 6 miles, the trail arrives at Lower Cramer Lake, elevation 8340', the smallest of the three Cramers. Middle Cramer Lake has a waterfall. Upper Cramer is the largest of the threesome.

Hiking along Johnston Canyon Falls on my way to Ink Pots 11km, four hour hike. The water plunges 10meters (33feet) into a deeply carved potholes below. The further you continue the more dramatic the water falls get, some cascade down more than 30meters (100 feet). At the end of the trail you get to these valley with a small creek called Johnston Creek.

De excursión por las cascadas del Cañón Johnston, 11 kilometros, mas o menos cuatro horas de caminata. Por el primer kilometro, el agua se precipita 10 metros. Después de 3 km las cataratas se convierten mas dramáticas con el agua en cascada hacia abajo por más de 30 metros. Al final del recorrido se llega a este valle hermoso con un pequeño arroyo llamado Johnston Creek.

The hike began with a boat ride to the Redfish Inlet Transfer Camp. We follow the Redfish Lake Creek trail southwest as it climbs gently and steadily to the Alpine Lake (of Redfish Creek) turnoff. Take the left fork and continue south past an unnamed pair of lakes. At 6 miles, the trail arrives at Lower Cramer Lake, elevation 8340', the smallest of the three Cramers. Middle Cramer Lake has a waterfall. Upper Cramer is the largest of the threesome.

The hike began with a boat ride to the Redfish Inlet Transfer Camp. We follow the Redfish Lake Creek trail southwest as it climbs gently and steadily to the Alpine Lake (of Redfish Creek) turnoff. Take the left fork and continue south past an unnamed pair of lakes. At 6 miles, the trail arrives at Lower Cramer Lake, elevation 8340', the smallest of the three Cramers. Middle Cramer Lake has a waterfall. Upper Cramer is the largest of the threesome.

The hike began with a boat ride to the Redfish Inlet Transfer Camp. We follow the Redfish Lake Creek trail southwest as it climbs gently and steadily to the Alpine Lake (of Redfish Creek) turnoff. Take the left fork and continue south past an unnamed pair of lakes. At 6 miles, the trail arrives at Lower Cramer Lake, elevation 8340', the smallest of the three Cramers. Middle Cramer Lake has a waterfall. Upper Cramer is the largest of the threesome.

El Area Nacional de Recreación El Diente de la Sierra, ubicado en el centro de Idaho, es el hogar de majestuosos paisajes. Casi 1,610 kilómetros de ríos y arroyos, 40 imponentes picos de más de 3,040 metros, y más de 1,100 lagos. Uno de estos lagos, Lago Diente de la Sierra, reclama el título de el lago más grande de esta area de recreación, las brillantes aguas claras iban a ser nuestro destino. El lago se encuentra a la sombra del Monte Regan (3,100 metros de altura) y sus costas se alcanzan por una excursion de 8 Kilometros entre senderismo, picos y un paisaje alpino espectacular. La caminata al Lago Diente de Sierra nos llevó a través de algunos de los paisajes más grandiosos de montaña en Idaho, raras formaciones rocosas, flores silvestres, mariposas y animales del bosque como ardilla de tierra y pika nos dieron la bienvenida a las orillas del lago. Justo antes de llegar al lago diente de sierra, pasamos por una Laguna sin nombre, hermosa en su propio derecho.

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The Sawtooth National Recreation Area, located in the heart of Idaho, is home to majestic landscapes—nearly 1000 miles of rivers and streams, 40 peaks towering over 10,000 feet, and over 1100 lakes. One such lake, Sawtooth Lake, claims the title of largest lake in the Sawtooth Wilderness—its clear sparkling waters were to be our destination—the lake sits in the shadow of 10,190-foot Mount Regan and its shores are reached by hiking 5 miles among jagged peaks and spectacular alpine scenery. The trek to Sawtooth Lake took us through some of the grandest mountain scenery in Idaho—mountain vistas, unusual rock formations, wildflowers, butterflies, and woodland creatures such as ground squirrel and pika welcomed us to the shores of the lake. Just before reaching Sawtooth Lake, we passed by an unnamed pond—beautiful in its own right.

Hiking along Johnston Canyon Falls on my way to Ink Pots 11km, four hour hike. The water plunges 10meters (33feet) into a deeply carved potholes below. The further you continue the more dramatic the water falls get, some cascade down more than 30meters (100 feet). At the end of the trail you get to these valley with a small creek called Johnston Creek.

De excursión por las cascadas del Cañón Johnston, 11 kilometros, mas o menos cuatro horas de caminata. Por el primer kilometro, el agua se precipita 10 metros. Después de 3 km las cataratas se convierten mas dramáticas con el agua en cascada hacia abajo por más de 30 metros. Al final del recorrido se llega a este valle hermoso con un pequeño arroyo llamado Johnston Creek.

Elk are frequently seen from the park entrance road in early morning or evening during quieter months. Originally more of a prairie animal, elk have largely been pushed into the mountains by land development and hunting pressure. Great Sand Dunes National Park protects a huge portion of natural grasslands where thousands of elk thrive year round. Watching these majestic animals roam in wide-open spaces is yet another inspiring experience at Great Sand Dunes!

Photo: NPS/Patrick Myers

#greatsanddunes #elk #grasslands #prairie #dunes #biodiversity #findyourpark #encuentratuparque

The hike began with a boat ride to the Redfish Inlet Transfer Camp. We follow the Redfish Lake Creek trail southwest as it climbs gently and steadily to the Alpine Lake (of Redfish Creek) turnoff. Take the left fork and continue south past an unnamed pair of lakes. At 6 miles, the trail arrives at Lower Cramer Lake, elevation 8340', the smallest of the three Cramers. Middle Cramer Lake has a waterfall. Upper Cramer is the largest of the threesome.

NPS/Patrick Myers

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve protects significant areas of alpine tundra, mountaintops above timberline where plants and animals are uniquely adapted to perpetual cold. This American Pika was photographed this week warming itself in the morning sun at 12,100 feet (3,699m).

Pikas plan ahead for long, frigid winters by making haystacks of tundra grasses to dry in the sun throughout summer. These caches become a secure food source as pikas stay active under a deep blanket of snow.

#GreatSandDunes #Pika #AlpineTundra #Tundra #SangreDeCristoMountains #SangreDeCristoRange #Mountains #MountainTop #AboveTimberline #FindYourPark #EncuentraTuParque