A highlight along the Oregon coast last summer would be exploring the area around Devil’s Punchbowl State Natural Area north of Newport. The area isn’t really that big, but low tide explorations are exciting (especially with the tide coming back…
Hug Point: Wayside Beach with a Waterfall & Sea Cave
I really like the Oregon Hiker’s website. Because although most the driving directions are from Portland (and it’s rare I’m coming from that direction), the trail descriptions tend to be complete, there are pictures and sometimes maps, and it’s great…
Exploring the Big Crack in Lava Beds
How about a little bit of adventuring? It’s awesome to follow trails, but every once in a while, it’s also really fun to adventure: no trail, no social trail, just a map and a willingness to venture into the unknown.…
Floras Lake Beach – An Sand Beach with English Cliffs
The Southern Oregon Coastline isn’t all rocks and sea stacks. In fact, Floras Lake Beach is very much as sandy as the east coast. It’s also nearly empty of people, unlike the more northerly sand beaches. Still, it offers sights…
Finishing the Butte 9000 Loop High on Mt. Shasta
Last week, we talked about taking the Brewer Creek Trail, then continuing up a social trail to Butte 9000 high on the side of Mt. Shasta (Butte 9000 isn’t its official title – in fact, you probably will have trouble…
Looking Back at Family Hike Reviewing History
This week, I was going through some old files on my computer and ran across a document with some of my siblings’ compositions we’d written for school in the early 2000s. This document contained several reviews of parks we’d recently…
Camp Cannonville: A Free Campsite with a View
What’s better: A free campsite, or a paid campsite with a view? Or, are you like me, and would say, “Why not both?” However, free campsites with views are difficult to find, so when you find a good one, you…
5 Best Hikes in Anza Borrego Desert State Park
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park always has fond memories for me. From swimming in a palm tree oases to exploring a desert slot canyon, there is a variety of hiking opportunities and natural attractions to see. In this post, I’ll talk…
The Window and The Door Trails: Experience Badlands
If you don’t have much time in Badlands National Park, but you want to experience the Badlands proper, the Door and Notch Trails are for you. These trails are extremely short (together, they’re 1 mile (1.6 km) RT), and they…
Day-hiking Coyote Gulch: Waterfalls, Arches, and Solitude
Near Hole-in-the-Rock Road in Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument there is a wash that turns into a canyon, and through this canyon runs a small, perennial stream. The canyon (which goes under the name of Coyote Gulch) also hides several…