We decided to go on a road trip to see a waterfall.

Our drive to the Shell Falls is 68 miles one way.  We climbed in elevation to 8,000 feet and there were a lot of switchbacks.  Even with the air not being clear, we did get some very nice views.

The forest service has some very nice information signs at pullouts and the mountains are surprising in their diversity.

The road below us looked interesting.

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Break time! Even the area near the pit toilet was interesting.

Our next stop was Sibley Lake which is high in the mountains. There were flowers and butterflies along the walk to the lake. Near the lake is a campground run by the Forest Service.  Some sites even have power.

We drove on and our next stop was an overlook.  Back in 1959, a very unusual tornado tore a path here that killed several people.  Many trees were knocked down and some still are seen today.  This was one of the highest altitude tornados on record.

It was a longer drive than I expected to the waterfalls.  The drive was worth it because the falls were impressive.

There were a lot of information signs to give us the history and nature at the falls and the area.  The information on the formation of the falls was interesting.

The surrounding canyons were impressive.

On our return drive, we passed a small herd of Elk.  The male was watching over his girls.  These were the moving type of elk instead of the boulder type. An inside joke from when I thought I saw a herd laying down but it turned out to be some boulders. 

Now for a few more plants and flowers.