Zapata Falls is a very cool hike – well, the end is cool, both interesting and cold. It’s not a long hike, which makes it a haven for families, especially on hot summer days, but the trail up to the…
Autumn in Barnes Gully to Barnes Falls
The Finger Lakes Region of New York State is filled with gullies. These watercourses – some dry except after a rain, others flowing with creeks year round – would have different names across the country: washes, canyons, gorges, and so…
Incredible Rock Formations in the Valley of Dreams
Last week, I posted about our trek to and through the Valley of Dreams East. As spectacular as it is, even more interesting (to me, at least!) was the Valley of Dreams. It’s only about 1.25 miles down the…
Visiting the Valley of Dreams East
I’ve loved the rock formations in the Bisti area ever since my first visit in 2003. Somehow the ability to explore without trails, to discover rock formations – the first person ever, maybe – with no signs telling you what…
7 Best Day Hikes in Colorado’s Flat Tops Wilderness
Colorado’s Flat Tops Wilderness is an overlooked gem. Overshadowed by more prominent mountains to the east (Rocky Mountain National Park) and south (Rockies; think Aspen, Glenwood Springs, etc.), the “busy” parts of the wilderness see several hundred visitors each year.…
Hiking the (Shorter) South Slopes up Mt. Agassiz
On visiting the Uinta Mountains last June, we decided on our last day to take a bit of a risk. The risk wasn’t in scenery – it’s hard not to have a good view from the top of a rocky…
Honan Point: Best Views on Grand Canyon’s North Rim
I’ve always thought the views from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon to be better than the views from the North Rim. Part of it is that the North Rim is more picturesque, so looking at it from the…
Sneak Peak: Southwestern Variety at its Finest
I just got back from another hiking-adventure trip across the western US! It was different than any before, even as we visited old and new sites across Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and even Utah and Wyoming. There were high…
The 6 Best Day Hikes in Arches National Park
Arches National Park is one concentrated lot of sandstone – filled with arches, rock formations, and incredible views. Unlike many national parks, where you might drive an hour just to get between one hike and the next, Arches is small…
A Misty Morning Stroll on Arcadia Beach
Arcadia Beach, along US-101 south of Cannon Beach, isn’t worth a long stop. There just isn’t that much there. But it does have some interesting features, so if you happen to be passing by, consider 10 or 15 minutes to…