In Island in the Sky, one can find an unofficial trail that everyone seems to know about: False Kiva. I’m not sure if it’s never become official because of the sensitivity of the area or because of some other reason,…

Visiting False Kiva (after the Closure)

Colorful Desolation Canyon
If I were to be honest (and I try to be!), I like Desolation Canyon better than Golden Canyon in Death Valley National Park. There’s nothing wrong with Golden Canyon per se; I’ve hiked it several times. But Desolation Canyon…

Frequently Asked Questions: Arches National Park
Arches National Park is a wonderland of rock formations, arches, and beautiful views. It’s also a fairly accessible park – most of the trails are less than 3 miles round trip, and views can be had within steps of the…

Christians Off-leash
I love seeing dogs off-leash on the trail. While there are notable exceptions, if a dog is off-leash, it’s almost always because its master knows that it’s under voice command – in other words, the dog won’t jump, won’t bite,…

Exploring Goblin Valley: Valleys 1, 2, and 3!
If you spend much time on forums about hiking in Utah, you’re sure to hear about Goblin Valley State Park. It’s doubly true if someone is asking about hiking with kids in Utah. You see, while there are trails (Caramel…

How to Take Silky, Dreamy Waterfall Photos (with any Camera!)
Have you ever seen a professional photo of a waterfall, complete with silky water, deep green leaves, and a sense of the water’s movement between dark banks? How about a swirl of foam at the bottom of the cascade, with…

Obedience Without Understanding
I’d like to make a quick caveat to last week’s post. Not because I don’t believe it – far from it – but because there is more to the subject than what I was able to cover in a single…

The Rock Garden in Worlds End State Park
Before I headed out on the Canyon Vista Trail in Worlds End State Park, I noticed a sign across the road from the parking area (Loyalsock Canyon Vista) that pointed toward the Rock Garden. Curious, I walked over to see…

Strolling around Gibbon Falls
Gibbon Falls isn’t exactly a famous destination in Yellowstone National Park. Most people drive right by it while traveling between Madison and Norris. Plenty of people do stop – it’s unlikely you’ll have the viewpoint to yourself. But if you…

Tips for Hiking & Car Camping Below Freezing
In 2022, I decided to visit the Maze District of Canyonlands in Utah. The Maze is famous for its extreme remoteness, rough dirt roads, and incredibly rugged scenery. The day before I left, I checked the weather in Utah –…