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Michelle OlmsteadExplorer

Landscape, Wildlife, Travel, and Active Lifestyle Photographer from Utah. Wilderness Advocate. I enjoy running, hiking, cycling, camping, backpacking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. Instagram @findmeonthemountainoriginal Email: findmeonthemountain@gmail.com

The Jenny Lake area is the most popular spot in the park, and for good reason. The beauty and diversity in this area is unrivaled, and there are many options for hiking that suit all ages and abilities. These include the Moose ponds, Cascade Canyon, Inspiration Point, and of course, the Jenny Lake loop. Black bears frequent this area so always be prepared with bear spray and make lots of noise on the trail. Best season to visit is in the Fall when the crowds have died down, and make sure to catch a sunset by the lake!

Love this hike in GTNP. Beautiful views and not too strenuous. A great sight seeing hike.

An excellent place to see a variety of shorebirds, waterfowl, and raptors. Great sunsets out here too!

This is a lot of fun for older children and adults. There are places to rent cruiser bikes or bring your own! Give yourself enough time to stop along the way for photo ops and sight-seeing. We timed it so that we were taking the ferry back from Sausalito at Sunset, and it was beautiful!

A visit to Muir Woods is like stepping back in time...literally. Standing under these ancient trees is an experience that I will never forget. Make sure to arrive early or parking can be quite a task. Bring enough snacks and water in case you want to do one of the extended hikes, which is worth it. We also ate at the little cafe for lunch and I loved it's commitment to organic food, and reducing the impact on the environment.

One of the highlights of visiting Yellowstone National Park. The Uncle Tom's Trail takes you to the base of the lower Falls and is also highly recommended while here.

This is a wonderful way to get away from the crowds on the boardwalk and experience a totally different view of Grand Prismatic. We went for sunset and had the view all to ourselves. This is a must do when visiting Yellowstone.

This is such a fun and pretty hike with a lot to offer in any season. It is very popular on the weekends so get there early to avoid the crowds and the heat at the beginning of the hike. When hiking here in the evening or on weekdays, there are far fewer people. There are a few smaller waterfalls before the big one and it's fun to stop and photograph them. The trail can get slippery leading up to the waterfall so make sure you wear appropriate shoes. When the flow is high, your feet will probably get wet. The wildflowers are quite beautiful here when in season.

The Snake River Overlook is a must see spot when visiting the park. Easy access to one of the most beautiful scenes you will ever witness!