When we pulled into the Kyhv Peak Trailhead just before 8:00 on a cool May morning, we weren’t sure what kind of day we were going to get. The temperature hovered in the low 40s, and a blanket of gray clouds covered the sky. Looking up toward the summit, I wondered if we’d spend the…
We don’t normally begin a hike at four o’clock in the afternoon. But this wasn’t a normal day. Just twelve hours earlier, we had pulled into Big Cottonwood Canyon around 3:00 a.m. and waited for Spruces Campground to open. By seven o’clock, we were choosing a campsite, setting up Alice, and settling into what would…
Quick Answer Desolation Lake is an 8.3-mile round-trip hike in Big Cottonwood Canyon that climbs nearly 2,000 feet to a scenic alpine lake sitting just below 9,500 feet. The trail is mostly forested with occasional mountain views along the way. In late spring, hikers may still find snow around the shoreline. Although the hike is…
We weren’t originally planning to spend several days hiking around Logan Canyon, but after our Wind Cave hike earlier in the day, the dramatic cliffs across the canyon kept pulling at us. Locals call this section the Great Wall, and the Crimson Trail loop follows the top of those cliffs. The trail turned out to…
After spending a short time at Bear Lake, we headed into Logan Canyon to explore one of the area’s most popular hikes. Wind Cave Trail had been on our radar because it offered something a little different than the typical mountain viewpoint. Instead of hiking to a lake or summit, this trail leads to a…
The Popo Agie Falls Trail is one of the best hikes near Lander, Wyoming. This 3.6-mile out-and-back trail follows the Popo Agie (pronounced POH-poh SHEE-uh) River through a scenic canyon before climbing to a series of waterfalls and a natural granite water slide. With mountain views, rushing water, wildflowers, and relatively moderate effort, it is…
Few slot canyon hikes in Utah are as instantly recognizable as Zebra Slot Canyon. Located in the Grand Staircase-Escalante region near Escalante, this short desert hike is known for its striped sandstone walls, narrow squeezes, and one of the most photogenic slot canyon corridors in the Southwest. If you’re wondering where Zebra Slot Canyon is,…
Buckskin Gulch wasn’t even on our original Utah plans. A local mentioned it to us while we were on the road, and that simple recommendation led to one of the most unforgettable hikes of the entire trip. From the moment we stepped into the narrow canyon walls, we knew this was going to be something…
The Dukes Creek Falls Trail is one of North Georgia’s most accessible waterfall hikes and one of the most scenic for the effort. Located just outside Helen in the Chattahoochee National Forest, this short out-and-back trail leads to a series of observation decks overlooking Dukes Creek Falls as it drops through a steep, forested ravine….
Tucked into the Chattahoochee National Forest just outside Helen, Georgia, Anna Ruby Falls is one of the easiest and most accessible waterfall experiences in North Georgia. A short, paved walk leads to two impressive waterfalls tumbling side by side, making this a great stop for families, casual hikers, and anyone looking for a scenic break…
Rising out of the North Georgia forest in a long, white ribbon of falling water, Amicalola Falls State Park is one of the state’s most recognizable natural landmarks. At 729 feet tall, it’s the highest waterfall in Georgia and the focal point of a park that blends dramatic scenery with well-developed access. The sound of…
About two miles from the Centerpoint Trailhead, the trail splits. Turning right leads to Goat Bluff. After spending some time on the bluff, we backtracked to the junction and took the trail to the left toward Granny Henderson’s Cabin. From that intersection, the trail trends steadily downhill and serves as a connector to both the…
Tucked into a narrow box canyon in the Ponca Wilderness near the Buffalo National River, Hemmed In Hollow Falls is one of the most impressive waterfalls in Arkansas. The 200-plus-foot drop spills over a sheer bluff into a shaded amphitheater below, creating a setting that feels remote and rugged despite being reached by a maintained…
