Category

Hiking

47 posts · 2012–2025  —  Trail reports, overlooks, and hiking notes.

Pickem mountain loop — Pickem Mountain Loop, Norton VAVirginia · Dec 8, 2025

Pickem Mountain Loop, Norton VA

Sunday reached a high of 45° which just meant it was a great day for a hike! I'd originally planned to put…
White rocks — Sand Cave and White Rocks via the Ewing TrailVA + KY · Nov 28, 2025

Sand Cave and White Rocks via the Ewing Trail

For Thanksgiving I decided to do a hike that has been on my bucket list since I moved here. Unfortunately, due to…
Little stony falls trail — 3 Waterfall Hikes in VA and TNVA + TN · Nov 19, 2025

3 Waterfall Hikes in VA and TN

Here are 3 local(ish) hikes that I completed over the last month or so. Margarette Falls Trail, Cherokee National Forest Margarette Falls…
Hole in the wall — Hole in the Wall, Hubbard Springs, VirginiaVirginia · Apr 1, 2024

Hole in the Wall, Hubbard Springs, Virginia

NOTICE!! Access to this trail from the Virginia side has been posted with "No Trespassing" signs. Some assholes decided it'd be a…
Coastal cliffs and forested ridgeline along Cape Sebastian, with a rocky island offshoreOregon · Sep 20, 2019

Cape Sebastian State Park, Gold Beach, Oregon

Here's a quickie! A beautiful hike with Teddy near Gold Beach — 2.5 miles round trip, about 700 feet of elevation gain…
View of layered forested ridgelines from near the Barklow Mountain West lookoutOregon · Aug 19, 2019

Barklow Mountain West Hike and Sisters Rock, Oregon

It's been a slow summer for exploring, but here are two spots: a rugged drive up to the Barklow Mountain West lookout…
A desert trail lined with saguaros and boulders leading toward the snow-dusted Santa Catalina MountainsArizona · Jun 10, 2019

Catalina State Park, Tucson AZ

It's been a while since the last update! A planned stay in the White Mountains got cut short, and I ended up…
A steep green-gray rock point jutting into the ocean, with a long sandy beach and coastline stretching into the distanceOregon · May 15, 2018

Floras Lake State Park and Blacklock Point, Oregon

An undeveloped state park near the Cape Blanco airport hides trails to Floras Lake and Blacklock Point through coastal forest and blooming…
A dramatic view down the rugged Oregon coastline from a high cliff, with sea stacks rising from turquoise surf and forested headlands stretching into the distanceOregon · Apr 22, 2018

North Island Trail Viewpoint, Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor

A quick jaunt down to the Boardman State Park area turned up a short, easy trail to fantastic sea-stack views — and…
A vivid turquoise alpine lake below a ring of steep, snow-patched peaks and scree slopes, with a bleached log at the water's edgeColorado · Aug 31, 2017

Blue Lakes Trail, Ridgway, Colorado

A spontaneous trip to the Telluride area turned up the Blue Lakes Trail in the Mount Sneffels Wilderness — a stunning turquoise…
A vivid rainbow arcing over a forested hillside dotted with granite boulders and spruce treesColorado · Jul 21, 2017

Native Lake Trail, Leadville CO

A late-start, stormy hike along the Continental Divide near Leadville, Colorado, down to Native Lake - with sprawling alpine meadows, small tarns…
A rugged alpine cirque with snow-streaked cliffs and slopes, seen across a grassy, rock-strewn ridgeColorado · Jul 20, 2017

Off Trail, Cottonwood Pass, Buena Vista CO

When the trails around Cottonwood Pass were too crowded, a steep off-trail scramble - just 2 miles but over 2,000' of gain…
Kroenke Lake reflecting a snow-streaked mountain ridge under a clear blue skyColorado · Jul 10, 2017

Kroenke Lake Trail, Collegiate Peaks Wilderness, CO (and Ptarmigan Lake revisited)

A revisit to Ptarmigan Lake (with clouds of mosquitoes to match the beauty) followed by a first-time hike to Kroenke Lake in…
A vivid turquoise alpine lake surrounded by pine trees and rugged mountains under a partly cloudy skyColorado · Jun 28, 2017

Alpine Tunnel and Lost Lake

A snowy hike back up the Alpine Tunnel Trail - complete with a 45-degree snow crossing and yellow-bellied marmots - followed by…
A wide alpine valley view with layered mountain peaks and scattered clouds beyond a forested ridgeColorado · Aug 9, 2016

Avalanche Trailhead - Colorado Trail, Buena Vista CO

A steep climb up the Colorado Trail from the Avalanche Trailhead - 3.65 miles one way with 2700+ feet of elevation gain…
La Plata Peak's rocky summit rising above a forested valley, framed by a tall pine in the foregroundColorado · Aug 8, 2016

La Plata Gulch Trail, Collegiate Peaks Wilderness CO

A hike partway up the La Plata Gulch Trail - the approach to La Plata Peak, Colorado's fifth highest at 14,336'…
A grassy meadow ringed by pine forest, with rocky mountain ridges rising beyond under a clear blue skyColorado · Jul 28, 2016

Little Cochetopa Creek Trail, Salida Ranger District CO

A lightly used trail along Little Cochetopa Creek toward the Continental Divide - a rough 4WD road in, a cattle-trampled trail, dead…
A clear mountain lake reflecting a rocky ridge, with a grassy marsh in the foreground and beetle-killed pines on the surrounding slopesColorado · Jul 25, 2016

Pass Creek Lake, San Isabel National Forest CO

A climb to Pass Creek Lake, a small treeline lake full of leaping native trout, in the San Isabel National Forest…
A wildflower-strewn alpine meadow of yellow, magenta, and blue-purple blooms beneath a rocky, snow-streaked peakColorado · Jul 22, 2016

Graham Gulch Trail, Twin Lakes CO

A wrong turn off the Graham Gulch Trail led to a beautiful basin above treeline near Twin Lakes, Colorado - blooming wildflowers…
Rich creek trail loop — Rich Creek & Rough and Tumble Loop, Buffalo Peaks Wilderness COColorado · Jul 19, 2016

Rich Creek & Rough and Tumble Loop, Buffalo Peaks Wilderness CO

I found myself back in the Buffalo Peaks Wilderness area again on Monday. I had been there before but I had hiked…
Lake ann — Lake Ann, Winfield COColorado · Jul 13, 2016

Lake Ann, Winfield CO

Lake Ann, located in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness, is a spectacular alpine lake surrounded by beautiful mountain peaks. It's about a 6.4…
Poplar gulch trail — Poplar Gulch Trail, Saint Elmo COColorado · Jul 12, 2016

Poplar Gulch Trail, Saint Elmo CO

Poplar Gulch lies just outside historic Saint Elmo, a ghost town with many original buildings. The trail begins at the base of…
Taylor resevoir — Taylor Park Reservoir, Gunnison COColorado · Jul 10, 2016

Taylor Park Reservoir, Gunnison CO

Taylor Reservoir was created in 1937 by the Taylor Park Dam and is surrounded by beautiful mountain peaks. It's about an hour…
Rough tumbling trail — Four Mile Creek Trail, Buffalo Peaks Wilderness COColorado · Jul 8, 2016

Four Mile Creek Trail, Buffalo Peaks Wilderness CO

Buffalo Peaks Wilderness encompasses 41,232 acres and it gets it's name from the 2 - 13,000+ foot Buffalo Peaks that are there…
A small turquoise lake with a tiny island, seen from high on a ridge above a forested valley ringed by rugged peaksColorado · Jul 6, 2016

Cottonwood Pass Skyline Hike, Cottonwood Pass CO

A short but spectacular hike along the Continental Divide Trail from the top of Cottonwood Pass - windy 360-degree views of the…
Ptarmigan Lake filling a green alpine basin, framed by a snow-streaked mountain ridge under a partly cloudy skyColorado · Jul 5, 2016

Ptarmigan Lake, Cottonwood Pass CO

A 6.4-mile round-trip hike from Cottonwood Pass to Ptarmigan Lake (12,154'), through dense pine forest and flowery meadows dotted with small ponds…
Lakeside to interlaken — Lakeside to InterLaken, Twin Lakes COColorado · Jun 30, 2016

Lakeside to InterLaken, Twin Lakes CO

Here's a cool bit of history: This easy 4.4 mile hike, which skirts the lakeshore and winds through aspen forests with beautiful…
Denny creek — Denny Creek to Hartenstein Lake, Buena Vista COColorado · Jun 29, 2016

Denny Creek to Hartenstein Lake, Buena Vista CO

Lake Hartenstein is within an easy distance from downtown Buena Vista and is accessed by the Denny Creek Trailhead, one of the…
A mountain lake reflecting surrounding peaks and forest, seen from a grassy overlook dotted with bouldersColorado · Jun 27, 2016

Alpine Tunnel, Saint Elmo CO

A hike along the old railroad grade to the collapsed East Portal of the historic Alpine Tunnel - once the highest railroad…
Independence pass — A Hike, a Drive, and a BBQColorado · Jun 24, 2016

A Hike, a Drive, and a BBQ

Today was a busy day: an easy hike, a beautiful drive, and good food and beer! *laughs
Davis meadow trail — Davis Meadow Trail, Buena Vista COColorado · Jun 23, 2016

Davis Meadow Trail, Buena Vista CO

Here's another trail from "The Local's Adventure Guide to Mellow Mountain Trails - 27 Fun Day Hikes in Salida and Buena Vista"…
Chalk creek — Chalk Creek - Colorado Trail South, Buena Vista COColorado · Jun 22, 2016

Chalk Creek - Colorado Trail South, Buena Vista CO

I've been doing a few easy hikes since I got here last week but I decided I really needed to get a…
Hole in the wall — Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, UtahUtah · May 28, 2016

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah

I've been making a few trips up to Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (About 200-300 miles round trip - depending on what dirt…
Grandview — Grandview Trail #66, Dixie National Forest, UtahUtah · May 16, 2016

Grandview Trail #66, Dixie National Forest, Utah

Sometimes you end up in the most beautiful places - strictly by luck.
Bryce canyon — Bryce Canyon National Park, UtahUtah · May 9, 2016

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

Bryce Canyon National Park isn't actually a canyon, it's a group of 14 huge natural amphitheaters that have been eroded into beautiful…
Proctor canyon — Proctor Canyon, Dixie National Forest, UtahUtah · May 7, 2016

Proctor Canyon, Dixie National Forest, Utah

Today was a little 4-wheel driving adventure that started at Proctor Canyon (Dixie National Forest) and up over the Paunsaugunt trail then…
Red canyon — Red Canyon, Dixie National Forest, UtahUtah · May 4, 2016

Red Canyon, Dixie National Forest, Utah

For the next 2 months I'll be in Hatch, Utah. Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, and…
Panter peak tucson — Wasson Peak, Tucson AZArizona · Jan 6, 2016

Wasson Peak, Tucson AZ

This is a beautiful hike in Saguaro National Park West. I took King Canyon Trail (3.5 miles, one way) to the top…
Pantherspeak — Panther's Peak, Tucson AZArizona · Dec 28, 2015

Panther's Peak, Tucson AZ

I haven't posted anything for a little while but life's been a bit unsettled.
Lowell lake — Lowell Lake State Park, Londonderry VTVermont · Aug 24, 2015

Lowell Lake State Park, Londonderry VT

The Lowell Lake State Park in Londonderry, Vermont is a lovely secluded spot. Enjoy the 3.5 mile trail around the lake or…
Acadia national park maine — Acadia National Park and Baxter State Park, MEMaine · Aug 18, 2015

Acadia National Park and Baxter State Park, ME

In 2014, while I was staying in New Hampshire, I took off for 10 days to travel up to Maine. I hadn't…
Cannonmt — Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway, Franconia NHNew Hampshire · Oct 9, 2014

Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway, Franconia NH

The Cannon Mountain Tram is a great way to see magnificent views of the White Mountains in New Hampshire. The 80-passenger cable…
Saguaro — Saguaro National Park, Tucson AZArizona · Feb 28, 2014

Saguaro National Park, Tucson AZ

I was fortunate to find a privately owned RV spot on the west side of the Saguaro National Park in Tucson, Arizona…
Amado — Coronado National Forest, Sonoita AZArizona · Dec 23, 2013

Coronado National Forest, Sonoita AZ

I stayed briefly in Amado Arizona before heading up to Tucson for a winter. I only visited the National Forest for one…
Salt lake — Willow Heights Trail, Big Cottonwood Canyon UTUtah · Sep 6, 2013

Willow Heights Trail, Big Cottonwood Canyon UT

The Willow Heights Trail is short (1.5 miles round trip), but steep (600' elevation gain). You climb through an aspen grove that…
Olympic national park washington — Olympic National Park & Mount Rainier, WAWashington · Aug 12, 2013

Olympic National Park & Mount Rainier, WA

While staying at the Riverside RV Resort in Brookings Oregon I decided to go on a tent camping expedition to Olympic National…
Picketpost — Picketpost Mountain, Superior AZArizona · May 4, 2012

Picketpost Mountain, Superior AZ

Picketpost Mountain is a stunning mountain that rises nearly 2,000 feet from the town of Superior, Arizona. It's a stand alone mountain…
Feeling lucky?

Can’t decide where to go?

Hit shuffle and let the blog pick a trip for you. Hikes, road trips and everyday stories going back to 2006.

Ptarmigan Lake filling a green alpine basin, framed by a snow-streaked mountain ridge under a partly cloudy sky Hiking · Colorado · Jul 5, 2016 Ptarmigan Lake, Cottonwood Pass CO Go there →