I first did the Zion Narrows in 1997. Or, should I say, I first set foot in the Virgin River in 1997, and we went around the first bend and turned around. The kids were too young; one of the…
5 Best Day Hikes in Bryce Canyon National Park
Rock Formations. Hoodoos. Creamsicles. Ever since our first visit to Bryce Canyon in 1997, it’s been one of our favorite parks in southern Utah, over Zion, Cedar Breaks, and Capitol Reef. It gets crowded these days, but it’s…
12 Best Day Hikes in Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton has to be one of my favorite national parks in the US (along with North Cascades and a whole lot of others!) Those Alp-like jagged peaks, snow-flecked even in August, alpine lakes, lovely meadows, the unique meadows and…
The Grand Canyon and the Grandeur of God
This post courtesy of one of my group members. I’ve been to the Grand Canyon about a dozen times. I can enjoy looking at from the rim for hours, as I have done—But the longer I stare from above, the…
Sinks Canyon – Better in August
I’ve discovered something: Sinks Canyon – where the river literally disappears underground and reappears, two hours and about a quarter mile later – is much more interesting in August than in June. ‘Way back in June 2003, we…
10 Places to Go Exploring in the Western US
Trails are nice, trails are great. I like trails (especially trails that lead to and through spectacular views!) But there comes a time when the inner anti-establishment in us all decides it would like a bit of freedom – and…
Table Mountain – Up and Down the Face Trail
Table Mountain, on the “non-tourist” west side of Grand Teton National Park, has got to be one of our favorite views ever – and I mean that seriously. If you interviewed everyone in the group, they’d probably list that single…
15 of the Best Day Hikes in Southern Utah
If I had to pick one desert state to say was my favorite, Utah would almost certainly win. I love the rock formations, the arches, the canyons, the scrubby desert; it’s all lovely in a very rustic sort of way. …
The Pass & Views above Upper Darby Canyon
A few months ago, I posted about finding fossils in Upper Darby Canyon on the west side of the Tetons. Well, my goal that day wasn’t fossils; in fact, I didn’t even know they existed until they appeared in boulders…
8 Epic Hikes in the Western US, Pt. 1
Today, here’s a guest post from one of my group members. He’s young, loves awe-inspiring views (especially over peaceful or spectacular valleys), and is generally quiet until he really has an opinion. Then, world watch out! (And I should know…