Neck Spring is the first hike you’ll encounter (along with the Shaffer Canyon Overlook) while driving into the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park. It’s also one of the few long trails on top of the mesa. As such,…
Exploring to Diamond Arch
There are over 2,000 named arches in Arches National Park, so it’s not surprising that more than a few don’t have trails to them. Some are in the backcountry or in difficult-to-access places, but others are quite accessible. Diamond Arch…
The Best Dog-Friendly Hikes in Death Valley National Park
Did you know that you can hike in Death Valley National Park with your dog? Not on trails – that’s strictly forbidden – but there are many miles of dirt road where dogs are allowed with their humans on a…
The Great Channels Slot Canyons
Possibly my favorite adventure in western Virginia last fall was The Great Channels, located north of Abingdon. The hike was steep, forested, and fairly uninteresting, but the top boasted great views before dropping you into a labyrinth of slot canyons…
Fiery Furnace with a Self-Guided Permit
Hiking the Fiery Furnace in Arches National Park requires a permit – but it’s well worth the cost and effort! The scenery is spectacular, the area is uncrowded (because of the permit system), and there are arches and rock formations…
Jasper Forest-Eagle Nest Rock Road Route
If you want an easy-to-follow official off-trail route to hike in Petrified Forest National Park (or maybe you just love history), the Jasper Forest is a good choice. Sure, there’s no trail, but you’re following an old road for most…
Beautiful Views in Mustang Pass
I loved hiking the Mustang Pass Trail outside of St. George, Utah. The views were great, especially after a snowfall on the nearby mountains. The trail also ties into many other trails in the Red Cliffs Conservation Area, so we…
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…
Slit Canyon off Hole in the Wall Road
I had high hopes for Slit Canyon. And to be fair, the first part of the hike was gorgeous with scenery not typically experienced on the more famous trails in Death Valley National Park. However, the canyon itself wasn’t as…
Peek-a-boo Trail to Paul Bunyan’s Potty
I put off visiting Paul Bunyan’s Potty for many years. (And if you’re wondering what in the world I’m talking about, the “potty” is an arch along the Horse Canyon Road in the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park, Utah.)…