Following my quick excursion up to Palisade Falls, I took the winding path through the alpine valley to Grotto Falls before heading back to Bozeman for dinner. I love this hike for it's ease and tranquility along with a great pay-off! Despite it being August when I paid my respect to this area, the water was still quite cold, like fresh of the snow cold! However, it was worth the cold feet for the few shots that I snapped right below the falls. A sure sign that kids frequent this trail is the rock towers and figurines that line the path just before reaching the falls. Although, I had a weak moment as an 'adult' and helped the cause for a few and added a few stones myself!
While I was up here enjoying the refreshing evergreen air and taking a few shots, I was warmed by the kindness of the other visitors that came to the falls. I thought to myself on the hike back down to my car what it is that about Montana that I missed more, the natural beauty of the state or the people that help keep this state beautiful. Finally, I came to the decision that the answer is the balance of those two elements that make the Treasure State such an admirable place to call home.
