It’s not easy to access the true Maze District of Canyonlands National Park. In fact, most of what is known as the “Maze District” is actually the Orange Cliffs District of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. This includes Hans Flat,…
Loveland Pass to Cupid Peak
I’ve long wanted to drive to the top of Loveland Pass. When I was in my teens, my family often vacationed in Utah, which required crossing over the passes in the Rockies on I-70. We’d always see the signs for…
Hiking to Yellowstone’s Natural Bridge
I wasn’t expecting much when it came to the Natural Bridge in Yellowstone National Park. I’m very spoiled with all of the beautiful arches in Utah, and this rarity in a park known for its geysers seemed like it would…
The Nautilus: An Easier Wave?
There are a few places in southern Utah that are known to mimic the famous swirls of the Wave – but that don’t require a very difficult-to-obtain permit. One is the Beehive Trail just north of Page (nicknamed “the New…
Grand Canyon Views at Jicarilla Point
I’m always on the lookout for cool new hikes in my favorite national parks. So I was super excited to read about hiking to Jicarilla Point, well west of Hermit’s Rest, on the rim of the Grand Canyon. It seemed…
So Many Waterfalls on Double Run!
Double Run came to me as a totally delightful and unexpected surprise. I was looking for a short hike in World End State Park after hiking the Canyon Vista & Cold Run Loop, so I took off on the “nature…
Hiking the Sentinel Meadows Loop
Ever since seeing a map of the Sentinel Meadows Loop on the internet last summer, I wanted to hike it. There was no reason for it; reviewers were few and far between, and it seemed that those who hiked it…
La Boca Arch & Harold Arch
La Boca Arch (and its neighbor, Harold Arch) is often overlooked because it’s a long distance down a dirt road well outside of the typical parks near Moab, Utah. But if you happen to be in the area (say, to…
Gorgeous Views at Sawtooth Lake
Some time ago, I saw a photo of Sawtooth Lake in the Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho. My first thought was something like, “I want to go there! That looks amazing!” It didn’t work out (we went to Glacier National Park…
Glade Creek Trail to Kate’s Falls
A short distance off of I-64 in New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia is an old rails-to-trails. It’s not especially well known or well-traveled, but it is a pretty little ride beside Glade Creek. I started at the…