In a previous post, I told about the Borrego Palm Canyon Nature Trail in Anza Borrego Desert State Park. However, you really haven’t seen a large oasis in the middle of the desert in this park unless you’ve climbed above…
Wyoming’s Black Hills-Fire Tower View: Cement Ridge
I’ve heard that Cement Ridge in western Wyoming is the best place in the Black Hills to see the aspen if they’re turning color. After visiting the ridge in early October, I’d have to say that if it’s not the…
Hoodoos in a Desert Meadow: Chesler Park
Chesler Park is one of my favorite places in Canyonlands National Park. It’s so pretty and awe-inspiring with red and white sandstone towers and hoodoos rimming a desert meadow filled with desert grass and low scrub. Chesler Park is the…
Highest Paved Trail in Rocky Mountain: Toll Memorial
The Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park is an awesome feat of engineering. The road itself twists and turns its way up the side of a mountain, then across the tundra and down the other side, giving drivers—or…
Other Earthly “Caves” in Cathedral Gorge
Imagine a vista that looks like a cross between Bryce Canyon, The Slots (Anza-Borrego Desert State Park), drip-castles we made out of watery sand at the beach, and something totally other-earthly. Something you’ve seen in a movie about another planet. …
Sunset at the Great Salt Lake
On a recent trip to the west coast, we decided to stop at Utah’s Great Salt Lake. However, by the time we reached Salt Lake City, it was going on 7pm, and the sun was dipping towards the horizon. Not…
High on the side of Mt. Shasta: Green Butte
I love top-of-the-world feelings. When you’re high up above everything else around you, it gives you a feeling of being so high, so free, and the views are usually quite good as well. One place in northern California that you…
Awesome Views in Rocky Mountain from Flattop Mountain and Hallett Peak
On a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park last summer, we decided to hike up Flattop Mountain on our last day in the park. We’d already hiked Lily Mountain and the Ute Trail, but hoped to see some more stunning…
Wyoming’s Black Hills Fire Tower: Warren Peak
When researching Warren Peak in Wyoming, I read two different accounts, one that said the trail was 13 miles long, the other which said the trail was 6 miles long. Either they were talking about a different Warren Peak, or…
Alpine Scenery to Stun You at Mt. Baker’s Twin Lakes
A beautiful location to visit if you’re anywhere near the Mt. Baker Highway is the Twin Lakes, located near the town of Glacier. The turquoise lakes surrounded by high mountain walls are quite the destination unto themselves, whether for a…