My favorite place [region] on Earth is the South Absaroka Wall of the Bridger-Teton and Shoshone National Forests. Most folks are too scared of grizzlies and wolves to venture into the greatest wilderness of the 48 states. When I look at the remotest summits of the 48 states on a moderate dayhike I am exhilirated to put it mildly. While the Wind Rivers are fabulous and the arguable Backpacking Mecca of the planet they simply never will compare [for me] to the places I love in the Absaroka that I generally only share with the wilderness residents of this greatest mammalian habitat of the Temperate Zone.
We've all got to hike our own hike. I'm older and fatter and the Absaroka, Gros Ventre, and Colorado's Sangre de Cristo are also easier on me than the long distances and relief required to get into the heart of the Winds. In the Absaroka I have greatness just minutes from my undesignated trailheads. I also like horses, and as such don't have much of a desire to horse pack in the Winds as they really are too rugged for horses how many you might see.
Aiko & Barret On Austin Crest.jpgAbsaroka Austin View To Sublette and Gros Ventre Range Danish Dames August 16 2011.jpgAbsaroka From CM CONTRAST 2.jpgAbsaroka Ranch June 2009.jpgAbsaroka Upper Jade August 2013.jpgAbsaroka Tetons From Breccia Divide.jpg