Get the Summer issue for your iPad here.

At the moment, Garrett Grove is deep in the forest of British Columbia north of Whistler, riding singletrack and shooting frames. But before the Leavenworth, Washington-based photographer crossed the border, Mountain caught up with him to get the story behind our Summer cover photo. See more of Grove's work here.

That's my wife in the photo. We hit the road a year ago in a truck and a camper. This was at the end of our trip, on the Boy Scout Tree Trail in the northern redwoods.

It was so green and lush. We'd spent two and a half months in the desert, but we're from the Pacific Northwest. We got to those redwoods and it felt like being home.

Traveling in the summer is nice. You get to bring shorts and T-shirts instead of all all the Gore-Tex. —Olivia Dwyer

Also in the Summer issue: Top thrills, spills, and chills from the Rockies, Tetons, Wind River Range, Uintas, Appalachians, and more. Plus: Trail shoes, tested. Deconstructing the modern mega-fire. And talking with townie and Tour de France champ Andy Schleck. Look for Mountain in Whole Foods or Barnes & Noble, or subscribe here.