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…
Owl Point, the Rockpile, and Red Hill – third time’s the charm!
I’ve tried to hike Owl Point three times. And it was only on this last attempt that I succeeded! The first time, I turned the wrong direction and ended up on the Timberline Trail (oops!). The second time, I did…
Lone Star Geyser is a Gem
Lone Star Geyser is one of the famous “hidden” geysers in Yellowstone National Park. Close to the Old Faithful area, yet on its own trail with its own trailhead away from the boardwalks, it’s a great hike (or bike) that’s…
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…
Eagle Falls and Vikingsholm
Eagle Falls and Vikingsholm was a surprising and delightful discovery when I visited Lake Tahoe. In fact, it was so amazing that we decided to go back the next day after hiking Castle Rock when we weren’t able to hike…
Bible Verses About the Wilderness
The Bible talks quite a bit about the wilderness, in part because there is a lot of wilderness in the land where the people of the Bible lived! Everyone knew about the wilderness; the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for…
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…
Ducks at the LeHardy Rapids
An overlooked little gem in central Yellowstone National Park is the LeHardy Rapids. The hiking is easy (just a little boardwalk), and while the rapids aren’t spectacular, they are pretty. The real attraction, though, are the multiple varieties of ducks…