The first time we visited Chiricahua National Monument, we thought we must have entered a rock-formation-wonderland. We were used to the red rocks of Utah (Bryce and Arches have long been favorite national parks), but this was a totally different…
Sneak Peak: The Beauty of Western Montana!
Every time (but one) that we’ve visited Glacier National Park, we’ve been rained out. It’s almost a joke how many times we’ve visited or tried to visit Glacier, only for the weather report to be dismal. But the good news…
Sunrise at the Angel Peak Campground
Angel Peak Campground, south of Farmington, New Mexico, is probably one of the nicer free campgrounds I’ve stayed at. It’s in the middle of nowhere – pretty much literally – so I usually stay at it when I’m visiting Nowhere,…
Beautiful Early Summer Hiking to Ibantik Lake
One of the great things about hiking the Uinta Mountains in the early summer is that there is still snow on the peaks. Of course, that might mean there is still snow on the trails, too, but if you can…
Glorious Gold Hill via Long Canyon
Taking the Long Canyon Trail up Gold Hill is shorter than taking the official Gold Hill Trail from Bull-of-the-Woods Pasture. However, this means it skips a lot of the scenic aspect of the longer trail, while offering a stream-side experience…
Gold Hill via Bull of the Woods Pasture
Gold Hill was probably one of the most peaceful, most beautiful trails I took on our trek across the southwest last summer. There was a quality to it that was nothing short of pleasant – a ramble through the wilderness…
Climbing the Ladders to Alcove House
Probably one of my favorite hikes in Bandelier is Alcove House. One of the great things is that it’s not that much longer to take the Main Loop to the Alcove House Trail, so you get to see the cliff…
Climbing Ladders into Caves on Bandelier’s Main Loop
It’s not every day you get to climb a wooden ladder into the home of ancient American Indians. Maybe in Mesa Verde, on an official tour, or another tour with a guide or park ranger standing close by. But on…
Best Day Hikes in Death Valley National Park
Death Valley is a land of extremes – incredibly dry desert, mountains, bristlecone forests, cacti, sand dunes, wildflowers, canyons, old mines, and waterfalls, not to mention rich history, hiking options galore, and the bragging rights of “the lowest place in…
Autumn in Barnes Gully to Barnes Falls
The Finger Lakes Region of New York State is filled with gullies. These watercourses – some dry except after a rain, others flowing with creeks year round – would have different names across the country: washes, canyons, gorges, and so…