Growing up within 30 minutes or so of the Erie Canal, I’m surprised we didn’t walk on the canal path more often. We have done at least two bike rides on the canal path (one from Rochester to Fairport and…
Grand Canyon Hiker’s Itinerary – 1 Day, 3 Days, or 6 Days
The South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park definitely makes it to my “favorite parks in the southwest” list. Any time of day, almost any weather, the Grand Canyon is jaw-dropping. Viewpoints, rim trails, into-the-canyon treks – it’s all a…
Hiking the Full Length of Leigh Lake
The Leigh Lake Trail in Grand Teton National Park is famous and with good reason. If you can get far enough (but not too far) along the trail, the views of the mountains reflected in the lake are just beautiful. …
The Crazy King of Wings!
Deep in the badlands of northwestern New Mexico, there is a rock formation known as the “King of Wings”. It’s pretty remarkable, and it definitely defies gravity. On one end is a kind of hoodoo or pedestal. On the other…
A Winter Afternoon at Philbrick Park
On a sunny December afternoon, a group member and I decided to take a hike. Being December, 1pm meant the sun was already low in the sky, but at least it was sunny! We ended up visiting Channing H. Philbrick…
The Spectacular Wonders of the Highline Trail
If there’s one classic hike in the National Parks that’s universally hailed as “don’t miss!”, it just might be the Highline Trail in Glacier National Park. Pain-for-gain, it probably has more spectacular views than most other hikes out there. That’s…
Climbing Star Dune in Great Sand Dunes National Park
Great Sand Dunes! Ever since he first saw the dunes in a book when he was five or six, one of my group members wanted to visit. Unfortunately, that first visit didn’t turn out so well due to a sandstorm,…
Irondequoit Lakeside Multi-Use Trail
The Irondequoit Lakeside Multi-use Trail stretches from the mouth of Irondequoit Bay nearly all the way to the Genesee River. It’s paved the whole way, and parts actually offer views of the lake (other parts are residential sidewalks). There are…
Climbing Goat Peak near Wanless Lake
While researching trails to hike in the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness in western Montana last spring, I discovered a couple of things: 1) While there are many trails in the Cabinets, you can’t find good information about most of them, and…
Grand Canyon Viewpoints: Point Imperial & Cape Royal
It’s hard for me to unreservedly recommend the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. I know people who love it, and I know others who appreciate the older-national-park experience (like all the parks used to be when I started traveling…