No matter where you look, there’s almost always some fun adventure to be had. This “slot” canyon is located just outside Lake Havasu City in SARA Park.
Dreaming of my first trip to Olympic National Park today (probably because of @mjames126’s weekend jaunt). The first time I stepped out of the car at Hurricane Ridge, I was treated to the scene above, which seemed more like a postcard than a real place. This quick snapshot doesn’t do it justice, but it’s always the first photo I look for when I want to be reminded of that “first time” feeling.
Currently plotting a return trip through the San Juans.
One of the big highlights of last summer’s PNW trip was finally getting to North Cascades National Park.
This is a pleasant little walk to Florida’s highest point…a whopping 345 feet above sea level.
Don’t forget to hydrate today!
Three Amigas
It was much colder than I expected, but it was great to finally see The Racetrack in Death Valley National Park last month.
Dreaming of the beach today
LOoking forward to spending some more time in the Bears Ears region later this month, including a return visit to the Wolfman Panel near Butler Wash. Γ’ΒΒ’ Γ’ΒΒ’ Γ’ΒΒ’ Γ’ΒΒ’ Γ’ΒΒ’ #optoutside #rei1440project #getoutstayout #getoutside #theoutbound #keepitwild #adventureculture #exploremore #thegreatoutdoors #stayandwander #findyourpark #travelstoke #getoutdoors #greettheoutdoors #welivetoexplore #monumentsforall #savebearsears #keepitpublic
Manatee Monday
First Water Creek as you enter the canyons leading to Hackberry Spring. This is one of my favorite stretches of canyon in the Superstitions, a perfect little loop that incorporates some great elements: prehistoric ruins and metates, the remains of an old ranch, the mysterious cholla forest of Garden Valley, Lost Dutchman gold mine folklore, a perennial spring with gorgeous campsites.
It’s a bit rainy in Phoenix recently, which reminded me of a fun monsoon hike I did in the Phoenix Mountains Preserve a few years ago. Got to watch this gray cloud barrel towards us for about 20 minutesβuntil it arrived and absolutely unleashed its fury on us.
New Mexico’s Very Large Array is one of those unique destinations you just have to tour one day.
A favorite pastime of mine is finding petroglyph sites in the Arizona desertβthe kind only rock art aficionados know about. But even the popular tourist petroglyph sites, such as this classic photo spot on Signal Hill in Saguaro National Park, can offer some inspiration and introspection.
I’m headed back to Death Valley in a couple weeks. But it won’t be popping like it was during the superbloom a few years ago, when the desert was awash in bright colors. That was one helluva trip, right @lucyan_us?
Currently plotting my next trip to Bears Ears National Monument…
North Cascades National Park was a real treat to visit. As a nation, we’re lucky to have it. One of the things I always try to learn when I visit a national park is how the place came to be protected. These are often incredibly “American” stories which always deepen my appreciation for a protected area.
Hey, speaking of how national parks came to be, have you read Crown Jewel Wilderness? It’s a new book by @wildernesswithinher about how North Cascades became a national park. Go grab a copy!
Congaree National Park is one of the smallest national parks in the system, but it offers some intimate visitor experiences.
An adventure through the unique dunes habitat of East Cactus Plain Wilderness Area is a solid addition to a weekend exploring the nearby ghost-town of Swansea and the remains of Camp Bouse, General Patton’s secret tank training ground in the western Arizona desert. Bam! A perfect winter weekend intinerary for Phoenicians looking to explore some of Arizona’s lesser known destinations.
