The Blue Mesa Trail is an overlooked gem in central Petrified Forest National Park. Because it’s off on a sideroad – plus it’s away from the main areas of the Painted Desert and the Rainbow Museum – fewer people drive…
Walking Upper Cove Canyon near the Maze District
About 19.8 miles from the pavement of US-95, the Waterhole Flat Road crosses an unassuming wash. It’s actually fairly easy to find because a sideroad goes off just before the road dips to cross the dry watercourse. This is Cove…
First Forest Point in Petrified Forest
So I’m trying something new in hopes of streamlining some processes here on the blog. Some of the posts (at least for the time being) will have this new way of showing the mileages, etc. They’ll also probably have fewer…
Devils Garden and Beyond
If you can only do one full-day hike in Arches National Park, I’d vote for Devils Garden. No, it doesn’t showcase the famous Delicate Arch (well worth the time in its own right!), but it does have a minimum of…
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…
Death Valley, Grand Canyon, Canyonlands… and a Lot of Off-Trail Adventures!
If you read my last post, you’ll know that we were in the middle of Death Valley, following routes instead of trails and having a marvelous time hiking off the beaten path. We were about to have even more excitement…
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…
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…
Oregon Coast Trail: Whaleshead Beach to China Beach
Last summer, I happened to be driving north along the coast of California (it’s a lot cooler than driving I-5, that’s for sure!) The day after our little adventure in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park (the Ossagon Trail down to…