Elephant Back Mountain is one of two semi-famous overlooks of Yellowstone Lake between West Thumb and Fishing Bridge. The trail is a great hike in Yellowstone National Park, but it’s also steep and has limited views except at the viewpoint,…
The Devils Bathtub and Nearby Waterfalls
Tucked away in rural southwestern Virginia is a waterfall a place called the Devils Bathtub. I was a little disinterested in visiting, as I’d read the falls were really nice but the area is usually overrun and badly littered with…
Dad’s Lake, Marm’s Lake, and Beyond!
The Dad’s Lake Trail is a gem of a day hike in the Wind River Range of Wyoming. Yes, it’s long (I went almost 18 miles that day – you don’t have to hike quite that far). No, it’s not…
Exploring Around the Inyo Mine
Back in late 2023, we unexpectedly ended up in Death Valley National Park for the second time in two weeks. (I know, how can you unexpectedly end up in a national park diagonally across the country from where you live……
Bridalveil Falls and Lady Face Falls in the Sawtooth Mountains
When I visited the Sawtooth Mountains, I asked Google for all the blog posts about the “best” hikes in the region. Several suggested Bridalveil Falls as one of the top-tier hikes in the area. Having hiked it, I’m really not…
Owl Point, the Rockpile, and Red Hill – third time’s the charm!
I’ve tried to hike Owl Point three times. And it was only on this last attempt that I succeeded! The first time, I turned the wrong direction and ended up on the Timberline Trail (oops!). The second time, I did…
Eagle Falls and Vikingsholm
Eagle Falls and Vikingsholm was a surprising and delightful discovery when I visited Lake Tahoe. In fact, it was so amazing that we decided to go back the next day after hiking Castle Rock when we weren’t able to hike…
Lower, Middle, and Upper Blue Lakes – and Blue Lakes Pass!
I heard Blue Lake in Colorado was implementing a permit system, and I determined I would visit before the system went into place. That was no easy feat, but we did it, and I’m so glad we did! The scenery…
Mossy Ledge Falls in Big Cottonwood Canyon
Mossy Ledge Falls is one of those almost-unknown secret hikes in Big Cottonwood Canyon near Salt Lake City, Utah. It’s named for the picnic area that once sat at the trailhead. Calling it a “trail” is a bit of a…
Island Lake to Becker Lake, Albino Lake, and Jasper Lake
Island Lake is considered one of the premier places to hike along the Beartooth Highway. From the parking area, you can access such gorgeous destinations as walking around Island Lake, Beauty Lake, Becker Lake, and/or hiking all of the way…