John MauriziExplorer

This loop begins at the Tall Trees Trailhead.  To access this parking area, you must have a permit that you can obtain from the Kuchel ranger station.  The gate is locked.  When you get the permit, the ranger will also give you the combination to the gate.  Once you drive through, close the gate and lock again.The Emerald Ridge Trail begins just from the parking lot and off the Tall Tree Trail....

This hike begins at the parking area across from the Rainy Pass Trail Head. It is on the north side of Route 20. There is a larger parking area a little further down Route 20. The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is 2600 miles long and links the borders of Canada and Mexico as it travels through some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. This hike is 5 miles of the PCT up to Cutthroat Pass and b...

Located north of Moab, off U.S. Route 70 is Sego Canyon.  There is a dirt road that travels north up into the canyon to an interesting and unique area of Indian rock art.  There are three different sections covering three different time periods and Indian groups. The petroglyph panel to the left of the other two panels is from the Ute Indians, dated between 1300 A.D. and 1800 A.D.  This panel i...

This hike is a short, 4.0 mile round trip, half-day or less hike, located just past the Hurricane Ridge entrance into Olympic National Park. Being relatively level and the trail head just off loop E of the Heart O' the Hills Campground, the Heart O' the Forest hike offers those looking for a taste of the rain forest ecosystem on the Olympic Peninsula a chance to explore without committing multi...

Starting from the East Trapps parking area ascend the East Trapps connector trail marked with yellow blazes.  You can also park at the Mohonk Preserve visitor center where you can purchase your access pass ($15 per person) and pick up a free map of the presere trails and carriage roads.  The connector ends on Undercliff Road which is a dirt carriage road that extends the length of the "Trapps" ...

Take Rt. 10 east toward Benson and onto Cochise. Follow the sign to Pearce then to Sunsite. Take Ironwood Rd., Forest Rd. 84, for about 12 miles to the Stronghold Campground. Cochise Stronghold is about 1 hour from Tucson and well worth the drive. This is an out and back hike which makes for a long day hike. Guide books have it at 4.5 miles one way but it is longer. From where I parked my car, ...

This loop hike starts at the Fern Canyon Trailhead.  To get to Fern Canyon, drive to the end of Davison Rd, also known as Gold Bluff Beach Road.  There is a pay station at the entrance to the road ($8 in 2015).  After heavy rain, the road may be impassable for passenger cars.   From the parking area, hike north along the obvious trail. This is the Coastal Trail which is about 70 miles long. Ho...

Depending how you approach this 800 mile trail, I did the first 4 miles or last 4 miles as an out and back from Stateline Campground on the Utah/Arizona state line and the border of Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. This section of the trail does not pass through Vermilion Cliffs N.M. but offers amazing views of the mountains in the park. The trail is difficult and seldom hiked. It is...

This loop hike is accessed from a short walk from the Bold Cypress Trail and the visitor center.  There are no views along this trail but the what I enjoyed was the pine needle covered trail itself.  The pine needles are like a soft carpet padding the trail.  I enjoy trailing running this loop more than hiking but either can be done. 

This is an easy hike that meanders a bit more than any of the other trails in the park. It is also the most diverse in what you will see. The trail itself ranges from an easy foot path with a pine needle bed trail then passes through swamps and bog's via well crafted wood boardwalks with great views of the Bald Cypress and Spanish Moss. The trail is a loop hike of about 1.8 miles. If you only h...

This is one of the more popular hikes in El Chalten.  There are two trailheads with the main one being on the west side of town at the end of Avenida Charito.  There is plenty of parking along the road.  The trail ascends quickly from the road and once cresting the hill there are great views of the countryside ahead. After less than one mile you arrive at Mirador Margarita, a small distant wat...

This loop hike starts at the northern trailhead of the park where the Stillman Trail begins.  The parking area has enough space for only 6 or 7 cars.  Start off on a wide maintained carriage road.  After about a half mile, the Stillman Trail (yellow markers) breaks of to the left.  However, stay on the carriage road until it meets up with the Bluebird Trail (blue/red markers).  Along the carria...

I'm not sure why this trail is called Gobbler Ridge. I do understand the Gobbler part as there are wild turkeys in the park. However, I don't think there is a ridge in all of Florida! Anyway, this is a nice trail about 2.8 miles long marked with green blazes. The trailhead is from the south end of the parking lot past a playground or you can access the trail via a connecting trail from the Nort...

Skidoo Road is the first dirt road on the left you encounter when driving Emigrant Canyon Road.  The road is suitable for any car until you reach an old mine on the right atop a hill.  Directly to the left is a prospector's wood cabin.  Both are in very good condition and worthy of a stop to check out. Beyond this point the road makes a sharp left.  After this point, a high clearance vehicle is...

There is three different trailheads to access the North Point Loop.  I chose the trailhead that would give me the longest hike.  That would be the Butter Hill parking area on Route 9W north.  From the parking lot, start on the connector trail designated with white markers.  Follow this for about .5 miles until the trail ends on the Howell Trail. Turn right on the Howell Trail designated with bl...

I started this hike at 7:00am. It was a perfect time of day. The sky was clear and the air was cool. I chose this section of the Arizona National Scenic Trail because I heard it passes through beautiful prairie and stands of Ponderosa Pine and Aspen trees. The trail did not disappoint! I started at Aspen Corner. This trailhead is on SnowBowl road just before the ski resort. The altitude is 880...

Bakong Temple, also known as Prasat Bakong, is part of the Roluos Group located southeast of Siem Reap. It is the largest complex of the Roluos Group.  Bakong constructed in the 9th century as can be seen by the construction material and the outer tower styles similar to Preah Ko and Lolei, also of the Roluos Group. However, the single central tower and the inner buildings is in the design and ...

This hike starts at the Kelsey Spring Trailhead. Park at the end of Forest Service Road 538G. There is parking for about 6-7 cars. Just past the signage for the trail, which is also called Kelsey Winter Trail, there is a trail registration box. Be sure to sign in. The trail descends steeply for the first half mile then eases up when you reach Kelsey Spring. The trail makes a sharp left and roll...

This little carving has become quite popular in recent years. Some think it is evidence that dinosaurs existed during human times. Being that Ta Prohm was constructed around the 12 century, they hardly had the technology to determine what a Stegosaurus looked like even if they unearthed some dinosaur bones. Others believe it is a Rhinoceros with leaves behind it. There is even another suggestio...

This is probably my favorite of all the Angkor temples. Ta Prohm is also referred to as Temple of the Jungle. Much has been untouched by Archeologist other than to clear paths through the ruins. Ta Prohm was built in the late 12 century. It is a fairly large complex of towers and corridors linking courtyards and temples. This temple can become overrun with tourist all day. Its' unique sights ma...

Phnom Bakheng Temple is refer to as a "temple mountain." The complex was constructed atop one of the highest points in Angkor in the 9th century, almost two centuries before Angkor Wat. It was built to resemble Mount Meru, a mythical mountain where Hindu gods live. This temple has a very long approach. It is all up hill and shaded for the most part. Because of this long up hill walk, Phnom Bakh...

Yungdrungling is one of the few remaining Bon Monastery's remaining in Tibet.  Often referred to as the original religion of Tibet, it came about during the 11th century.  The Bon teachings and terminology are very similar to that of Buddhism.  From an explorers point of view, they are relatively the same in appearance. One item to note in paying respect to the religion, enter temples proceedin...

From Warwick Road, parking at the northernmost road side parking area, cross the road, and the Terrace Pond North trail (marked with blue blazes) begins as a steady climb until you gain a ridge that offers some great views for several miles. Eventually, you'll reach a power line where you turn right. Keep an eye out when to re-enter the forest on the left. Once back in the forest, follow the tr...

This was the very first beach I found off the radar about 15 years ago.  Every year I travel to Costa Rica, I make a point to return to Barrigona.  While there are a few people, mostly locals, that go to this beach, many times I have been the only person here.  On several occasions I've found turtle track out of the water during the nesting season.The beach is crescent shaped with volcanic rock...