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…
Hiking and Swimming at McCloud Falls
I heard about the wonders of McCloud Falls from a social media friend who used to live in the area. His pictures were lovely, and it was said to be a great local swimming hole. Now, I’m well aware that…
The Best Hikes for Kids in Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park may be one of the most kid-friendly places in the National Park System, at least when it comes to the variety of hiking. The park has a wide breadth of short and longer hikes that are varied…
A Few of the Best Trails in SW Virginia
I never thought I’d voluntarily explore southwestern Virginia. East Coast scenery just pales in comparison to the Rockies and beyond, so I spend most of my travel time west of the Mississippi. But a few weeks ago, I found myself…
Lovely Stiles Falls
Stiles Falls is a hidden gem deep within Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. In fact, it’s so hidden that I would never have gotten to the parking area without a GPS! Thankfully, it was findable with Google Maps, and except for…
Hiking Hetch Hetchy to Wapama Falls
Did you know that you don’t need a timed entry ticket to visit Hetch Hetchy in Yosemite National Park? The access road is located just outside of the entry gates to the park, proper, so no timed entry ticket is…
Undine Falls – from Two Vantage Points!
There are two ways to see Undine Falls in Yellowstone National Park. The first is the official overlook, which requites virtually no hike and has a lovely view of the falls. The second is to start at the Lava Creek…
McNeil Point and Up Cathedral Ridge
Some of you may remember when I tried to get to McNeil Point in Mount Hood National Forest back in 2016 via the Mazama Trail. That didn’t work out very well, as the clouds socked in the entire meadow and…
Sneak Peek: The Beartooths and the Winds!
Well, I just got back from another cross-continent trip! This one was cooked up by a few of my fellow adventurers. “Let’s go to the Wind River Range!” they said (if in not so many words). “We haven’t been in…
The Waterfall in Lower Monarch Canyon
I’ve had my eye on Lower Monarch Canyon ever since I first read about it back c.2021. A perennial waterfall in the desert reached via a desert walk and hiking up a canyon? Yes, please! The Monarch Canyon Waterfall in…