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…
Day-hiking Coyote Gulch: Waterfalls, Arches, and Solitude
Near Hole-in-the-Rock Road in Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument there is a wash that turns into a canyon, and through this canyon runs a small, perennial stream. The canyon (which goes under the name of Coyote Gulch) also hides several…
Black Mesa: The Highest Point in Oklahoma
Some “highest points” are impressive, and others are not. Some seem to have nothing interesting to recommend them, and some have very nice scenery around them. Black Mesa, the highest point in the state of Oklahoma, isn’t exactly impressive, but…
Angel’s Landing: Best Views in Zion National Park
Ok, so I’ll admit it: I’ve never been fond of Zion National Park. Every time I’ve visited since 1997 it seemed there was nothing to do that got you far enough away from Zion Canyon to allow you to appreciate…
Horseshoe Mesa Loop, pt. 4: East Horseshoe Mesa Trail
In the last several posts I’ve been chronicling my trek around Horseshoe Mesa in the Grand Canyon. There’s only one last segment to go: the trail that connects the Tonto Trail to the Grandview Trail near the Last Chance Mine…
Horseshoe Mesa Loop, pt. 3: The Tonto Trail
The Tonto Trail is one of the wonderful features of the Grand Canyon. You can walk for miles enjoying one view after another. And it really is mile after mile – I’ve heard that the Tonto Trail is about twice…
Horseshoe Mesa Loop, pt. 2: Horseshoe Mesa
If you decide to hike the Grandview Trail in Grand Canyon National Park, the only way I can recommend it is if you go another couple miles (3+ km) out onto Horseshoe Mesa. This is where the “grand views” really…
Horseshoe Mesa Loop, pt. 1: Grandview Trail
I love the Grand Canyon! And I love finding new trails into the canyon I’ve never thought about doing before! So, last winter, when my hiking colleagues and I began talking about a dayhike on the Grandview Trail this spring,…
Dry Fork Slots, pt. 2: Spooky Slot
In last week’s post, I talked about Peek-a-Boo Slot (one of the Dry Fork Slots), one of the prettiest slot canyons I’ve ever seen. This week, I’d like to continue that post by talking about another really interesting slot canyon…
Tonto Trail: South Kaibab to Bright Angel
I love the Grand Canyon. It’s so awe-inspiring, so much bigger and more beautiful than any picture could portray. Over the years, I’ve hiked down into the canyon several times from both rims – from the first time I visited…