United States

Sport Climbing at Exit 38, the Deception Crags Area, is an amazing area to climb within 1/2 hour drive of downtown Seattle. It is an amazing resource for climbers living in Seattle, as during the spring, summer, and fall, it can be reached quickly afterwork, with minimal traffic.There are 5 disti...

From Leavenworth, head south on Icicle Creek rd for 8.2 miles until you reach USFS rd 7601. This road isn't plowed and is blocked by a locked gate about one quarter mile from where it intersects with Icicle Creek Road (usually from November to May), so parking at the intersection is probably your...

Tucked in a forest within a few minutes drive of Astoria and along the Columbia River, Lewis and Clark National Historic Park is small in size but rich in history.  If you're a wanderluster who appreciates learning about the early explorers that came before you this is a can't miss spot.  My own...

This is a trail that could easily be done by your older family members but also could be a nice trail run or quick hike for you. The trail starts from Loop B in the Ohanapecosh Campground and after a quick section, you will be walking over the hot springs in the area. They ask that you stay off t...

Kaymoor was on old West Virginia coal mining town that thrived in the early 1900's until it was abandoned in the 1950's. Along this trail you will see remnants of the old mine entrance, mining cars, a coal processing plant, and coke ovens, among other structures. This trail, although short, is qu...

Wachusett Reservoir is located in central Massachusetts, northeast of Worcester. Easy location and parking, you can go anytime of the day and you won't be disappointed. The Reservoir is the second largest body of water in the State of Massachusetts, taking place in 5 cities around the area, West ...

I would like to preface this adventure by saying that if you prefer to bike Shark Valley, please reference Rob Witt's adventure "Bike through Shark Valley".  Biking is certainly the best way to see the whole trail, and not spend the entire day doing it.  Hiking (really walking) this trail is a sl...

The Badlands defy description. The alien landscape, the unfamiliar silence, the insistence of wildlife, the brilliant night sky--these things inspire a profundity almost impossible to convey. Seeing the Badlands is a visceral experience, being in them is something else entirely.  Yes, you can get...

Once you reach the Lava Beds National Monument stop by the visitors center to pay your fees, grab a map, and empty your bladder. From there you will drive your car to each cave entrance.The Catacombs are considered the most difficult and longest cave system at the Monument and is the sixth cave s...

To get to the goods head east out of Big Pine, CA  on Hwy 168 into the mountains for 13 miles. Turn left (north) on White Mountain Road to the Bristlecone Pine Forest. The road winds through a beautiful forest of Pinyon Pines and Western Junipers and leads to amazing views of the rugged Sierras. ...

If you love the mountains above Santa Barbara but hate the crowds, stick to the canyon trails on the east side. The trails running up Cold Spring canyon offer a variety of experiences without all the noise. To find the West Fork of Cold Spring Trail, take the Olive Mill Rd. exit from the 101 fre...

For this trip, I went through Okatoma Outdoor Post, a local Seminary business that rents out canoes/kayaks, hauls private canoes/kayaks, and shuttles customers to their landing. They offer three float trips between Seminary and Sanford (I chose the Upper Short to Fairchild trip). Float Trips The ...

My husband and I heard about this hike while we were at a marriage retreat in nearby Dillon. This is the perfect casual day hike for a couple, small groups, or families with children. While we were there in May, just before the aspens were fully leafed out, it was easy to see that this location w...

Park at the Echo Canyon Parking Area.From the trailhead, hike up Echo trail until your reach the saddle.  At the saddle, you will turn south and start taking the climbers trail to the headwall, which is just past the sign that says "caution, active bee area."  Once you reach the headwall, there a...

NOTICE:For this activity it is necessary to have someone with lead climbing and belaying expertise. There is a wide range of difficulties on the routes. A guide that has climbed at this wall before is recommended. GETTING THERE:You can enter Gus Fruh from a couple of different points starting in ...

Starting from the Onondaga trail head of the Ozark Trail, this 12.6 mile backpacking trip and 12 mile float can be completed in two full days, or stretched into three days if you want to take a more casual pace. There is plentiful water, and several good camping spots along the trail, and of cour...