A couple weeks ago, we rented a cottage on Honeoye Lake, one of the Finger Lakes in central New York State (it’s pronounced Honey-oye). The sun rarely came out all week (despite the changing leaf colors), but we made up…
Wheeler Peak – the Highest Peak in New Mexico!
For three weeks now, we’ve been talking about climbing Wheeler Peak. We visited Williams Lake (a worthy short side trip from the Wheeler Peak Trail), discovered Williams Falls (a little lengthier, but still worth visiting), and then up Mount Walter,…
Mount Walter – the Second Highest Point in New Mexico!
Mount Walter might well be seen as the handsome little brother of Wheeler Peak, the highest Point in New Mexico. Located only 0.4 miles north of – and 62 feet lower than – Wheeler Peak, Mount Walter is overlooked by…
Discovering Williams Falls
After arriving at Williams Lake, we thought we would hike a bit further before ascending Mount Walter and Wheeler Peak (our actual destination for the day). Like most alpine lakes, there are a number of social trails leading hither, thither,…
Hiking to Williams Lake, New Mexico
I wanted to climb Wheeler Peak. It’s not just that I liked the pictures others had taken from the top – I figured climbing the highest point in New Mexico would be fun. It would be an accomplishment. It would…
Point Arena Lighthouse Overlook
I’ll admit it, I didn’t pay to see the Point Arena Lighthouse. I’m sure it cool, but I didn’t feel like shelling out $25 (or $7.50/person) to drive in, walk around, maybe climb the tower, and leave. It wasn’t worth…
Driving (Part of) the Whitmore Trail
I read about a 2 mile trail – round trip – to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. The pictures were epic. The trail didn’t even look that steep. The only thing standing between me and the trail was a…
Pueblos, Lizards, and More on the Pueblo Alto Loop
There are members of my group who have wanted to hike the Pueblo Alto Loop for about 23 years. That was when they saw a photo of Pueblo Bonito on the cover of their AAA road map and decided to…
7 Best Day Hikes in Colorado’s Flat Tops Wilderness
Colorado’s Flat Tops Wilderness is an overlooked gem. Overshadowed by more prominent mountains to the east (Rocky Mountain National Park) and south (Rockies; think Aspen, Glenwood Springs, etc.), the “busy” parts of the wilderness see several hundred visitors each year.…
Solitude at Manchester Beach State Park
Manchester State Park, just north of Point Arena along the California Coast, is so deserted that it’s nearly been shut down – twice. But somehow it lives on, quiet and secluded, a beach with an overabundance of driftwood and excellent…