Hidden Falls is at the start of Cascade Canyon. As I got to hidden falls the trail was unclear and I got out my map. Another older gentleman was having the same trouble and we looked for the trailhead together. After we got set straight I introduced myself and we spent the rest of the day talking and hiking up Cascade Canyon.

His name was Dick Piper and he was 80 years old. A real hiker since we both had all the equipment for an overnight if there was an emergency. We hit it off. He's been living in Jackson for a long time and mountain bikes and hikes.

This is something special because before I arrived, I had been very nervous about bears and didn't really know what to do about it. Dick talked to me about bears and gave me all the training I needed. The next morning before I went into the back country I went back to Jackson and bought some bear spray ($40) and an ear-piercer whistle which I kept hanging around my neck.

The basic bear tactic is, avoid at all costs. The second tactic is to look as unthreateningly as possible. If they charge, you look as threatening and loud as possible and prepare the bear spray. I have no interest in seeing any bears, but at least I was prepared and had the whistle around my neck and the bear spray at my side where I could pull it out like a six shooter in an old western.

This was just another event on the trip that makes me fully understand that it's not really in my hands. My first worry was where I was going to stay on my way north as I knew I couldn't make it to Yellowstone in a single day from Zion. Enter Jessica who teaches me about National Park campgrounds. Then heading into the backcountry of Zion I was actually worried about where I was going to sit and sure enough I was provided chairs in and around my campground. Now in the Tetons I was worried about Bears and Dick Piper shows up to give me everything I needed. I really am in God's hands and this is the path I am supposed to be on. There is no way I'm turning back now.

Views walking up Cascade Canyon. We had lunch and a nice chat near this lake in the last picture. There was still a lot of snow on the trail as it had snowed the week before, but the weather was very nice. Warm.

Dick reminded me of Tom Tindle who taught me a lot about hiking and was killed in the Sierras when I was about 17. Someone I really miss and it was like having him back for a day. A really great day for which I am grateful.