The other weekend, we decided to begin to get in shape for our upcoming summer vacation / hiking plans. That means we have to find hills. For many people, just going for a walk along the road is hilly enough,…
Ute Trail West
I think I’ve hiked the Ute Trail just about every time I’ve gone to Rocky Mountain National Park. There’s something top-of-the world about hiking the eastern section of the trail with views of the Continental Divide. However, on our last…
Faraway Ranch: History in Chiricahua
This week I’d like to do another picture-based post: this time to Faraway Ranch. The ranch is in Chiricahua National Monument, and quite accessible from the road. It was once run as a dude ranch, with the family taking visitors…
Fishermen, Short Hike, & Views: Lake Agnes
In August, we “just happened” to be driving through Colorado on Colorado Day, when the state parks in the state offer free admission. I’d always wanted to check out State Forest State Park (who wouldn’t, with a memorable name like…
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…
10 Ways to Improve Your Sunset at Delicate Arch Experience
I’ve hiked the Delicate Arch Trail more times than I care to count, but I still love it. There’s something about standing across the valley from the arch looming upwards, tall and grand, that brings an awe at the beauty…
Buttermilk Falls, Mendham NJ: Lovely Swimming Hole and Hiking
On a hot day when there’s rain (but no thunder) in the forecast, it’s nice to stay near home and find a cool place to get wet, right? That’s why I visited Buttermilk Falls last week when I was visiting…
Horseshoe Mesa Loop, pt. 4: East Horseshoe Mesa Trail
In the last several posts I’ve been chronicling my trek around Horseshoe Mesa in the Grand Canyon. There’s only one last segment to go: the trail that connects the Tonto Trail to the Grandview Trail near the Last Chance Mine…
Horseshoe Mesa Loop, pt. 2: Horseshoe Mesa
If you decide to hike the Grandview Trail in Grand Canyon National Park, the only way I can recommend it is if you go another couple miles (3+ km) out onto Horseshoe Mesa. This is where the “grand views” really…
Horseshoe Mesa Loop, pt. 1: Grandview Trail
I love the Grand Canyon! And I love finding new trails into the canyon I’ve never thought about doing before! So, last winter, when my hiking colleagues and I began talking about a dayhike on the Grandview Trail this spring,…