Tag: hiking

  • Echo Canyon

    Echo Canyon

    Echo Canyon isn’t really an official destination, but I think it should be. The steep hike up into this amazing slot canyon in Zion National Park is a wonderful place to explore whether you intend on hiking all the way up to Observation Point or not. Be careful not to be on this trail if it…

  • Court of the Patriarchs

    Court of the Patriarchs

    In the middle of Zion Canyon in Zion National Park, a short, paved path leads to an overlook of the Court of the Patriarchs, giving you views of the peaks. While the trees are tall, you still get a nice view of Abraham Peak, Isaac Peak, Jacob Peak, and Mount Moroni. After a long day…

  • East Rim Summits

    East Rim Summits

    Along the East Rim in Zion National Park runs a trail that goes to three summits that have incredible views down into the main Zion Canyon. While a large part of the trail spends time traversing the high desert, trips to the rim on Deertrap Mountain and Cable Mountain afford amazing views. Dropping down into…

  • Timber Creek Overlook Trail

    Timber Creek Overlook Trail

    The Timber Creek Overlook Trail in Zion National Park is a short hike at the end of the Kolob Canyons Road featuring stunning views of the Kolob Canyons. This 1 mile round trip hike is a great family hike, although it does gain some elevation and offers no shade from the sun. The drive up…

  • La Verkin Creek Trail

    La Verkin Creek Trail

    The Kolob Canyons area of Zion National Park receives far fewer visitors than the main Zion Canyon, but it is a stunning area full of red rock cliffs. The La Verkin Creek Trail travels through these canyons following Timber Creek down to La Verkin Creek. It then follows up the creek into the canyons taking you…

  • Firebrand Pass 2015

    Firebrand Pass 2015

    Firebrand Pass is not on the radar for most of Glacier National Park’s visitors, but this gem of a hike near Marias Pass has me coming back again and again. After some back and forth with Jeff and Harry, we decided to make the pass our destination and then figure out what off trail route…

  • Chinle Trail

    Chinle Trail

    In the southwest corner of Zion National Park lies an exposed desert trail with wonderful views, few visitors, and some petrified trees. The Chinle Trail lies outside of the main Zion Canyon so it receives few visitors and a unique experience. Those that prefer the trail can hike it as an out and back while…

  • The Narrows

    The Narrows

    The Narrows in Zion National Park competes for one of the top hikes in the national park system. Using the Virgin River as a trail, you walk up a breathtaking canyon where the walls, hundreds of feet in height come together at a scant 22 feet across. Lush plants hang along the walls and contrast…

  • Swiftcurrent Raptor Count 2015

    Swiftcurrent Raptor Count 2015

    While spring’s migrations tend to be more intense with all of the waterfowl, I love the fall migration of the raptors. Every fall I head up to Glacier with some of the biologists to count migrating hawks and eagles. While some migration count sites get more hawks than anything else, high up in Glacier’s alpine,…