It's Time

- Swift Creek Is Like A Hidden Gem In The Mountains, Just Waiting For A New Adventure To Unfold

Oh, it’s been forever since my last escapade, and it’s high time for another one, even if it feels a bit too early to dive into the backcountry.

My brother Tom and his wife Julie have this slice of heaven on the Overthrust Belt in western Wyoming, and let me tell you, it’s absolutely magical! The Overthrust is like the Wyoming the rest of the state dreams of being—lush with crystal-clear, swift streams, deep topsoils, thriving forests, unique biodiversity, and wildlife galore. You’ve got to see it to believe it. Luckily, you can catch a glimpse on my brother’s YouTube channel.

My Subaru needed a bit of attention due to a recall. I could have zipped over to Casper, where my ex-partner and some not-so-great memories reside. But nah, I’m not ready for that, even with the tempting rock collecting nearby. Instead, I opted to head west to Jackson Hole, visit my brother, get the Subaru sorted, and bask in a few days of pure paradise. A visit to Yellowstone Park and a bit of rock hunting on the way home? That’s what I call a triple win. Off to Jackson I go!

Wind River Basin to Jackson

- Behold, The Tetons!

Decades of memories flood back as I arrive. Sure, human impacts are noticeable, and those bark beetle-hit forests on the eastern side are a stark reminder. But Jackson is a whole different world—green, lush, beautiful, and buzzing with youthful energy. It’s a breath of fresh air, literally and metaphorically. This place charges up my spiritual battery like nothing else.

Turns out, my Subaru needed more TLC than expected, but the dealer treated me right, threw in a loaner car, and Yellowstone’s flooding closed its gates. No worries, I headed south to spend time with family and explore the local mountain range.

Hiking

- Ascending Swift Creek Canyon

The air is crisp, the weather is perfection, and these mountains are entirely new territory for me. Hiking in uncharted terrain is an adventure in itself, awakening every sense.

Near the creek, the fragrance of white-blooming chokecherries and other bushy plants fills the air in wet spots. The topsoil adds deeper fragrant notes. As I climb higher, the pines, cedars, and the rocks themselves contribute a wholly different, almost charged fragrance.

Down low, it’s all about soaking in the details and looking up. Up high, the mind expands with the vistas, taking in the whole breathtaking panorama.

- Even A Dry Hillside Blooms With Wildflowers

The plants here are the healthiest I’ve seen in decades in Wyoming—lush, green, and disease-free. Even the steep, dry, soil-poor south-facing slopes are adorned with blooming yellow balsam root, purple lupine, a dash of red Indian paintbrush, white phlox, and some mysterious buds preparing to bloom.

And there’s something liberating about being out here under my own power—the ultimate exercise of freedom.

Rocks

The stratigraphy here is a bit of a mystery, but I recognize different rocks and minerals along the trail. Surprisingly, some calcite pops up in fractures, as crystals, and blebs in an almost black siltstone/sandstone. I grabbed a handful of trail-beaten samples, not expecting much, and lugged them out by hand. No plans, no tools, no backpack—everything was in my Subaru at the dealer’s. Classic me, right? LOL.

Days later, back home, I checked them for fluorescence. Oh my goodness! I’ve never seen Wyoming calcite glow like this. It rivals a few prime specimens from Mexico and one from California.

- Meet My Humble Calcite Sample

- My Fluorescent Calcite Sample Is Stealing The Show

Different generations of calcite crystals light up from bright yellow to red, later generations glowing a dull orange—all on a black, non-fluorescent matrix. It’s like magic!

Next time, I’ll be better prepared, on the lookout for that vug full of perfect crystals or some large, cleavable masses. Yellowstone, you’re still on my radar once you reopen. So many memories there.

Until then, I’ll scout out some local, rare Phosphoria formation outcrops that match the formations this calcite came from.

What a fantastic way to rejuvenate my spirit. With boundless freedom, plenty of time, and no cumbersome partner holding me back, a fresh start and a new season full of adventures lie ahead. Beyond moving on, I’m pumped and ready to charge forward. ✨

Cheers,
D 🪨🔥