Sarah GiekExplorer

Prescott Park is a waterfront park in Portsmouth, New Hampshire that is famous for its extensive flower gardens.  During the warmer months, visitors can enjoy the blooms of the annual and perennial beds, sit in the shade of the Japanese crabapple trees, and relax on the white benches along the perimeter of the garden.  Beyond the well-known formal garden, the 10-acre park also features a vast r...

Park at the Tunnel View parking lot. The Pohono Trail, which you fill follow for the first half mile, starts on the left side of Wawona Tunnel. You should notice a small path starting from the parking lot. The trail quickly ascends up a series of switchbacks before reaching a junction. If you continue straight and follow the Pohono Trail, you will eventually (after 12 miles) reach Glacier P...

Rohrbaugh Cliffs is the social name given to the expansive views found along the Rohrbaugh Plains Trail.  This easy hike in the Dolly Sods Wilderness will take you to one of the best overlooks in the area.  For a longer or more challenging hike, connect this trail with one of the many others in the area. The trail begins off Fire Road 19, just past the Dolly Sods picnic area.  There is a small ...

The main trail to the Middle Gaylor Lake is about 1.5 miles round-trip, but if you’re looking for more adventure, you can hike a little further to Upper Gaylor Lake (which will add a mile to your trip) or continue on to the Great Sierra Mine (which will add 2 miles to your trip). The Gaylor Lake Trail begins off the parking lot next to the Tioga Pass entrance. If the lot is full, there is ano...

This short, easy walk provides some of the best views of several iconic Yosemite landmarks from the valley floor.  If you complete the entire loop, expect to see Yosemite Falls from the Swinging Bridge, Half Dome from Sentinel Bridge (a popular spot at sunset), and the historic Yosemite Chapel.  And if you’re visiting in early summer, the meadows will be awash with wildflowers.  It’s the perfe...

Antelope Canyon is perhaps the most well-known and most photographed slot canyon in the United States. But many people probably don’t realize that you can also kayak a portion of the canyon. Just five miles north of Lower Antelope Canyon on BIA Highway N22B is access to Lake Powell. From here, you can kayak the 2.5 miles from Antelope Point through Antelope Canyon. The water in the canyon e...

Bubble Rock is a well-known natural wonder in Acadia National Park.  This large boulder, which was carried by powerful glaciers, is resting precariously on the edge of the summit of South Bubble.  Due to its fairly accessible location, it is a common stop for visitors to the park. The trail begins at The Bubbles Parking lot along the Park Loop Road.  The lot is small and will fill up quickly, ...

The parking area for the Hightop Mountain hike is one mile south of the Swift Run Gap entrance on Skyline Drive. If you’re looking to add extra mileage to your hike, you can also park at the entrance and pick up the Appalachian Trail just south of the overpass (doing so will add 1.2 miles each way).The easy-to-navigate hike follows the white-blazed Appalachian Trail for the entire route. The ...