Blue Lake above Lake Sabrina in the John Muir Wilderness of California is probably best known as a backpacking destination. However, it makes a great dayhike and was one of the prettiest mid-length hike of the High Sierra trails I…
Driving the Echo Canyon Road
Echo Canyon Road may be one of the most popular 4×4 roads in Death Valley (outside of the Racetrack Road). It certainly is convenient and beautiful and offers great views, an arch, and a little bit of adventure. In recent…
Visit Two Arches in Wiregrass Canyon
There are two slot canyons (among others, I’m sure) along the Smokey Mountain Road east of Big Water, Utah: Resurrection Canyon (my favorite) and Wiregrass Canyon (much more popular and easier to find). In this post, I’ll focus on Wiregrass…
Views of Roanoke from the Roanoke Star
When I looked up the best hikes around Roanoke, Virginia, one of the most popular was the Roanoke Star. Mind you, you can drive nearly to it. I suppose you can also hike up the hill from the bottom instead…
Terrace Spring near Madison Junction
There are dozens of minor geyser basins and hot springs in Yellowstone. Most people drive right by them; after all, how many hot springs do you really want to look into in a day? And with limited time, why go…
Cataract Canyon Overlook in the Maze District
In my wanderings around the internet looking for places my van could access in the Maze District of Canyonlands (no easy feat!), I read about the Colorado River Overlook, also known as the Cataract Canyon Overlook. Technically, it’s a short…
Newspaper Rock in Petrified Forest National Park
In the middle of Petrified Forest National Park is a small viewpoint. It’s not remarkable except that it sits on the clifftop above boulders literally covered in petroglyphs and rock art. These aren’t just the normal squiggles or stick figures;…
Canyon Rim Boardwalk Trail above New River Gorge
If you want to see the New River Gorge Bridge, the best angle is from the Main Overlook, also known as the Canyon Rim Boardwalk. (Actually, I really like the angle from Long Point, but it’s not as classic as…
Moose Falls in Southern Yellowstone
Moose Falls would be a tourist stop if it was a little more popular. Actually, it already brings in plenty of people who don’t want to hike very much but who do want to see a waterfall. The trail is…
How to See the Fiery Furnace – Without a Permit!
Most people who visit Arches National Park drive right by the entrance to the Fiery Furnace, because the sign on the road says that a permit is required for entry. This is true as far as it goes – if…