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…
Mossy Ledge Falls in Big Cottonwood Canyon
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…
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…
Island Lake to Becker Lake, Albino Lake, and Jasper Lake
Island Lake is considered one of the premier places to hike along the Beartooth Highway. From the parking area, you can access such gorgeous destinations as walking around Island Lake, Beauty Lake, Becker Lake, and/or hiking all of the way…
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…
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.)…
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…
Photos from Death Valley’s Lake Manly
About two months ago, I was editing my final photos from 2023, which included our visit to Lake Manly at Badwater Basin in Death Valley National Park, California. I was sad about editing the photos because I figured I’d never…
Clam Basin & Red Beds Route
The Clam Beds and Red Basin Loop is the longest of the official off-trail hiking routes in Petrified Forest National Park. It’s also one of the most amazing (the Wilderness Route wins as the best off-trail route IMO, but the…
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…