Did you know that you can walk for several miles along the shore of Lake Ontario north of Fair Haven State Park? It’s not exactly easy walking (lake stones are rough footing), but it’s doable. You’ll also get to see…
Trona Pinnacles: Spires Galore!
West of Death Valley National Park and east of the town of Ridgecrest, the Trona Pinnacles National Landmark is a very unique place to visit. The signs on-site said that the pinnacles are made of tufa (calcium carbonate), the leftovers…
The Best Hikes from the Taos Ski Valley!
Did you know that the Taos Ski Valley doesn’t shut down when the snow is gone? For quite a number of years now, the ski area remains open to visitors during the summer months. This means summer hikers can enjoy…
Waterfall & Sodus Bay Views on the Bentley Bond’s Trail
Small local trails tend to be under the radar in terms of visitors. This isn’t necessarily bad – it means the locals can enjoy it in relative peace and quiet. While searching for trails near the Sodus and Wallington Trail…
Grotto Canyon: Dryfalls And Other Excitement
Probably the most fun canyon I explored in Death Valley last fall was Grotto Canyon. It’s a bit infamous – and for good reason – but it’s also a beautifully formed slot with a lot of fun areas. And by…
Kayaking Black Creek: Churchville to 6.2 Miles
I’m always looking for new places to kayak near Rochester, New York. My oft-kayaking companion had heard about Black Creek for some time (like, when he first moved to the area close to 40 years ago), and so he and…
Historic Hiking on the Keane Wonder Mine Trail
On our last visit to Death Valley National Park, the Keane Wonder Mine Trail was high on my list of “must-do” hikes. I’d hiked it at least three times back in the early 2000s, but then the area was closed…
1 Day, 3 Day, and 5 Day Hiking Itineraries in Arches National Park
Arches National Park may have the most fantastic scenery concentrated into the smallest space of any national park in the United States. The park is less than 120 square miles, and almost every hike in the park is along one…
Lathrop Trail: Rim to White Rim Road
There are several premier trails that take hikers from the mesa of Island in the Sky to the White Rim Road. I’m sure they’re all very nice, but out of them all I chose to hike the Lathrop Trail… and…
The Alabama Hills’ Mobius Arch Loop
On our last trip to California, we mostly stuck to famous parks. But one of our few excursions outside of national parks was to the Alabama Hills to hike the Mobius Arch Loop. I’d read about it online, and it…