The Art in Backpacking

We love to backpack. But when I tell that to someone who is not a backpacker, it is not unusual for them to look at me like I am crazy. They can’t figure out why anyone, much less a woman in her 70s, would willingly carry a heavy pack over rough trails for miles only to sleep on the ground at the end of the day.

*Jean on the John Muir Trail in Sequoia National Park, California*

We love the independence and self-sufficiency of backpacking, the freedom we feel, and the satisfaction of reaching a challenging mountain pass. We glory in our strengths, in mind as well as body, when overcoming adversity. But carrying a pack, hiking on trails and sleeping on the ground are only a means to an end, not the end itself.

*Our campsite in the Weminuche Wilderness Area, Colorado*

Perhaps I can explain it another way. One of the primary reasons we backpack is our love of art. Many museums, art galleries, performance halls and theaters are in large cities, surrounded by traffic and crowded with people. We often find the crowds and noise distracting and long for the quiet and solitude that help us fully appreciate the artist’s work.

*Jean and a few others viewing the Mona Lisa at the Louvre in Paris, France*

Fortunately for us, the works by our favorite artists are not found anywhere in cities. They are displayed in the natural world, our planet’s museum, where Mother Nature is the curator. The works it contains were all created by the original masters such as water and wind. From the beginning of time, human artists have studied their works and received inspiration from them. These natural creations represent an infinite variety of colors, textures and shapes. I hope the following collection of photos will serve as a sample of the beauty we have seen.

Perhaps nature’s most familiar artistry is its use of color, encompassing all the colors of the rainbow.

*Rainbow seen from the Cassiar Highway in Yukon, Canada*

From warm yellows and oranges…

*The Second Wave in the North Coyote Buttes within the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, Arizona*

… to cool blues and greens.

Mount Adams seen from the Pacific Crest Trail, Washington

Some colors can appear to be sizzling hot …

*Sunset over the Endeavour River overlooking Cooktown within Queensland, Australia*

… or frosty cold.

Mount Adams in the distance seen from the summit of Mount St. Helens in Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, Washington — *Mount* *Adams in the distance seen from the summit of* *Mount St. Helens in Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, Washington*

Colors can be intense …

Near Lake O'Hara in Yoho National Park, British Columbia — *Near Lake O’Hara in Yoho National Park, British Columbia*

… as well as subtle.

*Te Werahi Beach in Te Paki Recreation Reserve at Cape Reinga, New Zealand*

Colors can also be deep …

*Wrangell Mountains in Wrangell – St Elias National Park, Alaska*

… or appear much more muted.

*Mokowanis Lake in Glacier National Park, Montana*

Nature combines colors in countless ways. Blue skies, green grass, and trees form a familiar combination.

But the sky is not always blue …

… just as the ground is not always green.

*Storm moving in over the Wrangell Mountains within Wrangell – St Elias National Park, Alaska*

The textures in this museum range from smooth as glass …

*Banner Peak seen from the John Muir Trail in the Ansel Adams Wilderness, California*

… to rippled …

*The Wave in North Coyote Buttes within the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, Arizona*

… and rough.

*Seen from the Bright Angel Trail in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona*

Nature’s sculptures vary enormously in shape and scale. Some are angular …

*Prusik Peak and Gnome Tarn within The Enchantments in Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Washington State*

… or gently curved.

*Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes in Death Valley National Park, California*

While some have been built up from the inside out …

Mount Ngauruhoe and Red Crater in Tongariro National Park, New Zealand — *Mount* *Ngauruhoe and Red Crater in Tongariro National Park, New Zealand*

… others have been carved out to become lofty and expansive …

John and Jean (lower right) in one of the alcoves along Coyote Creek in Grand Staircase – Escalante National Monument, Utah — *John and Jean (lower right) in one of the alcoves along Coyote Creek in Grand* *Staircase* *– Escalante National Monument, Utah*

… or to be broad and deep.

*Grand Canyon and the Colorado River seen from the Tanner Trail in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona*

What other natural sculptures lack in stature, …

*Metate Arch in Devils Garden within Grand Staircase – Escalante National Monument, Utah*

… their intricacy …

*Seen in South Coyote Buttes within the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, Arizona*

… and their intimacy more than make up for it. They are no less impressive.

*Zebra Canyon in Grand Staircase – Escalante National Monument, Utah*

The natural world is not limited to visual arts. The sky also provides a stage for the performing arts. Away from the artificial light of populated areas, the stars on clear nights are simply dazzling, and we have marveled at the brilliant appearances of meteors.

Seen from the Inca Trail, Peru — *Seen from the Inca Trail*, *Peru*

During the day, clouds take over, some dancing lightly across the sky …

*Sunset over Dinosaur National Monument, Utah*

… and others gathering in a large ensemble that fills it.

*Seen from the Thunder River Trail in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona*

Water is unsurpassed in its versatility as a performer. Its extensive repertoire includes rising delicately into the air …

*Lower Emerald Lake in Tongariro National Park, New Zealand*

… and falling lightly from the sky.

*Rain falling over the Lindis Valley, New Zealand*

Water is also skilled at gently floating …

*Fairy Falls in the Columbia River Gorge, Oregon*

… and gracefully flowing across a stage.

*Left Fork of North Creek waterfalls just below The Subway in Zion National Park, Utah*

Water can also be quite dynamic …

*Palisade Creek along the John Muir Trail in Kings Canyon National Park, California*

… and execute lively skips.

The Surge Pool at Pancake Rocks in Punakaiki, New Zealand

It is also known for its ability to leap, achieving great height, …

*Lion Geyser in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming*

… and to execute dramatic dives over cliffs.

*Emperor Falls in Mount Robson Provincial Park, British Columbia*

Backpacking has also enabled us to hear some amazing recitals by local vocalists. We thoroughly enjoy listening to the mournful howling of wolves and the enthusiastic yipping of coyotes. Among our favorite virtuosos are the bull elk when they serenade the elk cows throughout the night in autumn.

*Roosevelt Elk seen from the Lost Coast Trail, California*

I must admit that some of the photos above were taken from places that can be very easily reached without backpacking. Countries, especially the U.S., have created national parks, monuments and other protected areas and have built roads and constructed short trails to many notable natural works of art. I am happy that the natural world makes many of its exhibits more accessible to those who are unable or simply disinclined to carry a heavy pack. However, in our minds, what can be seen from these pullouts and overlooks, …

*Denali seen from a pullout in Denali National Park, Alaska*

… pales in comparison to the views of those very same features that we have had while backpacking. Backpacking makes it possible for us to be in stunning locations at those times of the day when the sun is performing at its best, in the early morning …

*Sunrise over Denali seen from Eielson Pass in Denali National Park, Alaska*

… as well as late in the day, during what photographers call the golden hour.

*Sunset seen from the Tanner Trail in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona*

And we can remain in the auditorium as the sun concludes its performance …

*Sunset over Guitar Lake seen from the John Muir Trail in Sequoia National Park, California*

… and prepares to leave the stage for the night.

*Sunset over Mount Robson and Berg Lake in Mount Robson Provincial Park, British Columbia*

I do appreciate many paintings and sculptures done by human artists and I am not saying we will never visit another brick-and-mortar museum. Perhaps we will when we are ready to hang our boots up. For right now, we will continue to visit our planet’s museum, the natural world. We hope to do so for many years to come.

The Art in Backpacking

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