The Teanaway region of Washington State has some fantastic trails. I don’t mean that the trails are crazy (although that may be true, as well); the views from the trails are absolutely stunning. Not the least of these trails leads…
Top of the Old Fall River Road
The Old Fall River Road in Rocky Mountain National Park isn’t open much of the year. In fact, of the five times I’ve visited the park, it’s only been open once to car travel. However, when it is open, it…
Good Views and a Fire Lookout, Too at Numa Lookout
Glacier National Park has always been synonymous in my mind with rain. From my experience, “Partly Cloudy” means “Pouring Rain All Day”. However, on our last trip to the park, Glacier redeemed itself: although it did rain two of the…
Into the Heart of the Cascades: Twisp Pass
On a recent trip to Washington State, we were longing for a glimpse of some real, honest-to-goodness North Cascade scenery. Unfortunately, the Cascades, including North Cascade National Park, were still snowed in, due to heavy snowfall and cool summer temperatures. …
Grand View in Grand Teton
Grand Teton is a beautiful park. The mountains are some of the prettiest in the state (maybe the country), and lovely lakes reflect the peaks in their quiet waters. However, it’s not much of a day-hiker’s paradise—in fact, there are…
Perfect Reflection of Mt Hood
Although I’ve driven past Mt. Hood several times over the years, I had never actually stopped to hike in the area until this past summer. I didn’t regret the decision to stop here: the area is beautiful, and Mt. Hood,…
Highest Peak in Big Bend: Emory Peak
One of Big Bend’s claims to fame is that it is the only national park in the US that has an entire mountain range inside of the park. The Chisos Mountains stick up out of nowhere, ascend to a height…
Nicest Trail to the Window: Oak Springs Trail
“The Window” in Big Bend is a very popular destination. Every year thousands of people climb down the steep trail from the Chisos Basin Visitor Center to the small V opening in the wall of a cliff, where all of…
Prettiest Hike in Organ Pipe: Bull Pasture
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument may be known as much for being directly on the Mexican boarder as for the cactus that gives it its name. From almost anywhere in the park, you can look south and see into a…
Wyoming’s Black Hills-Fire Tower View: Cement Ridge
I’ve heard that Cement Ridge in western Wyoming is the best place in the Black Hills to see the aspen if they’re turning color. After visiting the ridge in early October, I’d have to say that if it’s not the…