Sunset at Kelly Butte.

We hurriedly climbed up the mountain, grabbing huckleberries as we went, just in time to watch the sunset. This is the second sunset I’ve watched from this hike. The last time, I did it just about the same time of year. All the huckleberries are about ready to pick, and the foliage has just started to change to reds and orange. Just in time for my birthday.

As we came down in the dark, I heard a weird thumping sound overhead. Nick said, “It’s just planes overhead. Here, let’s stop and listen.” As soon as we stopped and looked up, our headlamps were spotlighting this big, gorgeous, yet terrifyingly creepy, owl sitting looking directly at us. We both fumbled with my camera as I attempted to take whatever photo I possibly could. We had earlier seen this owl (I will only assume it was the same owl) as we came up the mountain. However, it flew away just before I could even try to capture it.

We captured this photo, at about 20,000 iso (So super poor quality) … and then it flew off. Seconds later, we heard an elk mating call. If you’ve ever heard one before, it’s a little eerie in the middle of the forest in pitch black.

Anyhow, I skirted towards the car as quickly as I could. We kept laughing at how insane it was that Nick said to stop and how perfectly timed we stopped and looked right up at that owl. The hair on my neck was standing up but I also was in complete excited shock we got to have the coolest hike ever.

This is one of my new favorite hikes for autumn & I think it’ll remain a birthday tradition.