Getting to the most rewarding views can be hard. In fact, it can be very difficult. Sometimes we just have to leave the comforts of a defined trail behind to cross the waist-deep rivers, scramble up scree and talus on…
Hole in the Rock: Scramble to Lake Powell!
I was shocked the other day when I found out that I’d never done a post on Hole in the Rock, at the end of Hole in the Rock Road in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (one of my favorite parks…
10 Best (and worst) Day Hikes in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
I think I can safely say that Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is one of my favorite parks ever. There’s such a diversity of scenery (i.e., of different kinds of rock formations, badlands, etc.) and most parts aren’t extremely well-visited, so…
Queens Garden Trail & Navajo Loop: So Many Hoodoos!
There are many short trails in Bryce Canyon, and so many with wonderful views. Even if you’ve hiked the trails before, they’re worth doing again. I can’t count the number of times we’ve hiked the Queen’s Garden Trail, but it…
Fairyland Trail Loop: A Long, Lovely Bryce Hike
I love Bryce Canyon National Park. Somehow, I just can’t resist creamsicle-colored hoodoos sticking straight up toward the deep blue sky, especially when I’m hiking among the spires. However, the park isn’t that large, and the areas with the hoodoos…
5 Best Hikes in Anza Borrego Desert State Park
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…
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…
10 Ways to Improve Your Sunset at Delicate Arch Experience
I’ve hiked the Delicate Arch Trail more times than I care to count, but I still love it. There’s something about standing across the valley from the arch looming upwards, tall and grand, that brings an awe at the beauty…
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…
Dry Fork Slots, pt. 1: Peek-a-Boo Slot
On a recent trip to Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (May 2013), I hiked again one of the first hikes that drew me to the region: The slot canyons of the Dry Fork of the Coyote Gulch (Dry Fork Slots). Walking…