Anza-Borrego Desert State Park always has fond memories for me. From swimming in a palm tree oases to exploring a desert slot canyon, there is a variety of hiking opportunities and natural attractions to see. In this post, I’ll talk…
Finishing the Chiricahua Loop: The Echo Canyon Trail
By the time we’d reached the Echo Canyon Trail (after hiking the Ed Riggs Trail, Mushroom Rock Trail, and Big Balancing Rock Trail, taking a side-loop to hike around the Heart of Rocks Trail, and then traversing the Sarah Deming…
Views of Chiricahua Spires: Sarah Deming and Upper Rhyolite Trails
If you haven’t had enough rock formations after walking the Heart of Rocks Trail (and somehow I never have), you can continue to enjoy the formations from a distance if you walk back to your vehicle via the Sarah Deming…
Chiricahua Formations: The Heart of Rocks
In my last post I talked about hiking to the Big Balanced Rock in Chiricahua National Monument. If you like the Big Balanced Rock, you’ll absolutely love a trail that starts only yards from that rock formation: the Heart of…
Chiricahua Loop: To the Big Balanced Rock
There is no place in the US that is quite like Chiricahua National Monument. Rocky spires shoot straight up out of the hillsides in fantastic formations and an awesome display of uniqueness. Because of this, I’d like to spend a…
Serene Lakes, Wind-swept Cliffs: Medicine Bow Peak Loop
Occasionally, I’ll see a picture and instantly think, “If that’s in the US, I’ve got to go there.” Medicine Bow Peak, in southern Wyoming, was one of those pictures. After a single glimpse of the area, I knew I’d be…
Sea Stacks, Sea Arches, & Wilderness on Ruby Beach
Olympic National Park really is a study in contrasts: from snowcapped mountains to rain forests to ocean beaches. This makes it a really fun place to visit because there are so many varied activities in the park. My personal favorite…
Linkins Lake: Beauty near Independence Pass
Independence Pass in Colorado is a beautiful area. Many 13ers and 14ers stand straight and massive around it, and alpine meadows and lakes set off the mountains’ craggy slopes. So, when we had a few hours to kill while traveling…
Shoshone Point: Awesome Grand Canyon Views & Solitude
An accessible, deserted viewpoint at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon with fabulous views? Yeah, right, I thought when I first heard about Shoshone Point. However, I found out that the Point is deserted compared with other viewpoints on…
Flat Tops to Himes Peak: Adventurous, but Beautiful
After ascending Amphitheatre Peak, we decided we didn’t really want to descend the way we’d come along the Wall Lake Trail (#1818). I’m sure some of our group would have been just as happy to do this, but others of…