In the morning, before anyone was up and just as the sun crested the ridgeline and warm light flooded The Forks backcountry campground, I grabbed my camping chair, headed over to the banks of the creek that charged through the valley, and found an idyllic little spot to hunker down. I watched the golden light sweep over the lingering snowpack that lay glued to the wind-scoured slopes of the surrounding peaks. I saw dippers diving in the creek. And I listened to the glacier-fed stream tumbling over the rocks. It was one of the best hours I’ve had so far this year. Read More