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Aaron Shady
Bio

Aaron Shady


Kentwood, MI
Contributor
91 Adventures Explored
31 Adventures Published
Email: 
[email protected]

A chemical engineer turned physician. The outdoors have become an escape from the rigors and stress of the day to day. It was also a convenient way to combine my love for photography with an eagerness to explore and push my boundaries. I have turned into the crazy guy lugging as much weight in camera gear as others carry in total. Oh well. I like the challenge. With my work schedule, I get 2 major trips in a year, which is usually a week in the back country doing what I love. I spend weekends, day hiking and/or mountain biking. Based out of Michigan but moving to Washington soon.

Published Content

Published Content

Blog Posts

A Weekend in Kentucky's Red River Gorge

A Weekend in Kentucky's Red River Gorge

by Aaron Shady

A Weekend in Kentucky's Red River Gorge
by Aaron Shady

Adventures Published

Manistee River Trail Loop
Manistee River Trail Loop
Manistee River Trail Loop
West Coast/Lake Michigan, MI
+
Luton Park
Luton Park
Luton Park
West Coast/Lake Michigan, MI
+
Pigeon Creek State Park Ski + Snowshoeing
Pigeon Creek State Park Ski + Snowshoeing
Pigeon Creek State Park Ski + Snowshoeing
West Coast/Lake Michigan, MI
+
Toleak Point - Olympic National Park
Toleak Point
Toleak Point
Western Olympic Peninsula, WA
+
Merrell Trail
Merrell Trail
Merrell Trail
West Coast/Lake Michigan, MI
+
Lakeshore-North Country Trail: Miners Beach to Beaver Creek - Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Lakeshore-North Country Trail: Miners Beach to Beaver Creek
Lakeshore-North Country Trail: Miners Beach to Beaver Creek
Eastern Upper Peninsula, MI
+
Pinney Bridge State Forest Campground
Pinney Bridge State Forest Campground
Pinney Bridge State Forest Campground
Nothwest Michigan, MI
+
Red River Gorge Geological Area
Red River Gorge Geological Area
Red River Gorge Geological Area
Kentucky Cumberland Plateau, KY
+
Balanced Rock - Arches National Park
Balanced Rock
Balanced Rock
Canyonlands + Abajo Mountains, UT
+
Saugatuck Dunes State Park
Saugatuck Dunes State Park
Saugatuck Dunes State Park
West Coast/Lake Michigan, MI
+
Lakes Trail - Sequoia National Park
Lakes Trail
Lakes Trail
Yosemite + Central Sierra, CA
+
Mineral King Loop: Timber Gap to Sawtooth Gap - Sequoia National Park
Mineral King Loop: Timber Gap to Sawtooth Gap
Mineral King Loop: Timber Gap to Sawtooth Gap
Southern Sierra, CA
+
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Photos
Updates, Tips + Comments

Updates, Tips + Comments

Aaron Shady | Kentwood, MI
Contributor

Mineral King Loop: Timber Gap to Sawtooth Gap

09.17.18

The ranger station does have bear fans for rent. The trail is easy to follow, except the bit o er sawtooth pass, which is a bit of easy scrambling and looking for cairns. It's an amazing trip. Enjoy!

Mineral King Loop: Timber Gap to Sawtooth Gap

09.17.18

The ranger station does have bear fans for rent. The trail is easy to follow, except the bit o er sawtooth pass, which is a bit of easy scrambling and looking for cairns. It's an amazing trip. Enjoy!

View Full
Aaron Shady | Kentwood, MI
Contributor

Mineral King Loop: Timber Gap to Sawtooth Gap

09.17.18

The ranger station does have bear fans for rent. The trail is easy to follow, except the bit o er sawtooth pass, which is a bit of easy scrambling and looking for cairns. It's an amazing trip. Enjoy!

Mineral King Loop: Timber Gap to Sawtooth Gap

09.17.18

The ranger station does have bear fans for rent. The trail is easy to follow, except the bit o er sawtooth pass, which is a bit of easy scrambling and looking for cairns. It's an amazing trip. Enjoy!

View Full
Aaron Shady | Kentwood, MI
Contributor

Mineral King Loop: Timber Gap to Sawtooth Gap

09.17.18

The ranger station does have bear fans for rent. The trail is easy to follow, except the bit o er sawtooth pass, which is a bit of easy scrambling and looking for cairns. It's an amazing trip. Enjoy!

Mineral King Loop: Timber Gap to Sawtooth Gap

09.17.18

The ranger station does have bear fans for rent. The trail is easy to follow, except the bit o er sawtooth pass, which is a bit of easy scrambling and looking for cairns. It's an amazing trip. Enjoy!

View Full
Sunrise over the Valley
Aaron Shady | Kentwood, MI
Contributor

Enchanted Valley

06.16.18

The sheer depth of the valley and it perpetual cloud cover make photography in this area a unique challenge. An ultra wide angle lens is a must as is an abundance of patience.

Enchanted Valley

Sunrise over the Valley- Enchanted Valley
Sunrise over the Valley- Enchanted Valley

06.16.18

The sheer depth of the valley and it perpetual cloud cover make photography in this area a unique challenge.

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Trail up log climb through slot canyon
Night view
Varied Landscapes
Slot canyon is quite narrow
Geological Marvels
Potholes with water
Sunrise at Needles Trailhead
Aaron Shady | Kentwood, MI
Contributor

The Needles

03.20.18

During Winter and Spring you can find, but should not count on, water in the shallow potholes. Bring a baggie to scoop it out or a filter pump. Hiking in this area is not for those with fears of heights. The trails are often across off camber slick rock. Additionally, there are steep hands and feet scrambles and ladders to get your attention. A light pack load is a must. After rains erase the trail, directions can be difficult to follow as cairns are often farther apart than line of sight. Having said all that, it is a fascinating landscape with very few people to disturb the views.

The Needles

Trail up log climb through slot canyon- The Needles
Trail up log climb through slot canyon- The Needles
Night view- The Needles
Varied Landscapes- The Needles
Slot canyon is quite narrow- The Needles
Geological Marvels- The Needles

03.20.18

During Winter and Spring you can find, but should not count on, water in the shallow potholes.

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Campsite near Columbine Lake
Aaron Shady | Kentwood, MI
Contributor

Columbine Lake

09.22.17

Thankfully the lake is much deeper and wider than seen in these pictures after the epic snowfall of the 2016/17 winter. However, the normal route around the lake is now under water but still easily traversed. There are, however, far few idea tent locations as a result.

Columbine Lake

Campsite near Columbine Lake- Columbine Lake
Campsite near Columbine Lake- Columbine Lake

09.22.17

Thankfully the lake is much deeper and wider than seen in these pictures after the epic snowfall of the 2016/17 wint

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Aaron Shady | Kentwood, MI
Contributor

Crescent Meadow

08.27.17

One of the best spots in the park to locate black bears. Arrive around sunrise with a telephoto lens (minimum 200mm) to capture a memory, or just stand there and marvel at these wonderful creatures.

Crescent Meadow

Crescent Meadow
Crescent Meadow

08.27.17

One of the best spots in the park to locate black bears.

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Sunrise at Death Canyon Shelf
Aaron Shady | Kentwood, MI
Contributor

Teton Crest Trail

08.30.16

Everyone attempts to camp at Marion Lake for the first night. While a pretty lake it is small, crowded, and situated in a bowl so you have a single interesting view (the lake). Additionally, the campsites are quite a distance from the lake itself. Opt for an easy day 1 and stay at Upper Granite Canyon.

Teton Crest Trail

Sunrise at Death Canyon Shelf- Teton Crest Trail
Sunrise at Death Canyon Shelf- Teton Crest Trail

08.30.16

Everyone attempts to camp at Marion Lake for the first night.

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Aaron Shady | Kentwood, MI
Contributor

Skull Rock Nature Trail

02.15.17

Since "skull rock" is immediately off the main drag, it makes for an excellent place to practice night photography and light painting.

Skull Rock Nature Trail

Skull Rock Nature Trail
Skull Rock Nature Trail

02.15.17

Since "skull rock" is immediately off the main drag, it makes for an excellent place to practice night photography an

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Morning storm clouds lift over the great western divide
Aaron Shady | Kentwood, MI
Contributor

Moro Rock

08.24.17

Narrow 1-person at a time sections of trail can mean a long hike up and down this relatively short trail. Watch the sun rise over the great western divide to avoid the masses.

Moro Rock

Morning storm clouds lift over the great western divide- Moro Rock
Morning storm clouds lift over the great western divide- Moro Rock

08.24.17

Narrow 1-person at a time sections of trail can mean a long hike up and down this relatively short trail.

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Aaron Shady | Kentwood, MI
Contributor

General Sherman Tree

08.24.17

Plan to visit this touristy spot at sunrise or around sunset to avoid the crowds. The trail to the General Sherman also connects to the very popular Congress trail, another Sequoia must do.

General Sherman Tree

General Sherman Tree
General Sherman Tree

08.24.17

Plan to visit this touristy spot at sunrise or around sunset to avoid the crowds.

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The painted lady above Rae Lakes
This is the FORMER bridge at Upper Paradise Campsite that was washed away!
Aaron Shady | Kentwood, MI
Contributor

Rae Lakes Loop

08.24.17

The higher elevation portions of this trail are shared with both the JMT and PCT. For those less certain about snow travel, this shared route means more people will be around. It also means without new snow fall there is a packed snow path to follow. As always, it is recommended to travel in a group, have basic snow travel and route finding skills. However, it is always nice to have someone else pack down the route for you!

Rae Lakes Loop

The painted lady above Rae Lakes- Rae Lakes Loop
The painted lady above Rae Lakes- Rae Lakes Loop
This is the FORMER bridge at Upper Paradise Campsite that was washed away!- Rae Lakes Loop

08.24.17

The higher elevation portions of this trail are shared with both the JMT and PCT.

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Adventures Explored

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