On the Island in the Sky Mesa in Canyonlands National Park is an impact crater measuring 5km across. The impact was about 65 million years ago. The area surrounding the dome has horizontal layers of sandstone, but the layers surrounding the crater have been deformed into a syncline and some layers are nearly vertical in orientation. In the center of … Continue reading…
The Syncline Loop Trail is an 8.3 mile loop that goes around Upheaval Dome in Island in the Sky District in Canyonlands National Park. There are no views into Upheaval Dome but there is a short spur trail that goes up to and along the rim that can be done after completing the loop or on another day. We hiked … Continue reading…
Most hikes in the Island in the Sky District in Canyonlands National Park are either short or go steeply down to the bench (White Rim) below, then steeply back up. For hikers looking for a suitable distance with a reasonable grade, the Neck Springs Hike is a very good choice. It is 5 mile loop hike with little elevation gain. … Continue reading…
While hiking on the high mesa on Island in the Sky District in Canyonlands National Park at 6300 feet, we hiked a short trail (1.5 miles) to Aztec Butte. On top of this butte, but under a cliff overhang was a Puebloan granary, hundreds of years old, but still standing. Ancestral Puebloan people hauled their seeds and grain in woven … Continue reading…
Bryce Canyon is a special place to visit and the Fairyland Loop is the best of the hiking trails of the Park We have chosen to hike the Fairyland Loop each year for the last 3 years (see below for links to previous stories). This year we hiked it in reverse and a sunny morning in September. The scenery … Continue reading…
Our first hike to the Savona Caves was in the mid 1970's and we returned there again from time to time over the years, but we had not been there for at least 5 years when friends recently asked about the route so we hiked the trail on a cool autumn day. To find the trail, go south on the … Continue reading…
Canyonlands is one of the five National Parks in Utah and certainly one of the best for hiking anywhere. It is divided into three "districts", separated by the Colorado River and the Green River. Although the boundaries of each District border the others, we can't get from one area to the others safely/easily, so we have to drive … Continue reading…
Arches National Park has over 2000 arches within its boundaries. Many are on the maps and on designated trails, but many are unnamed and are found by accident when exploring the park. The listed trails in Arches are busy ones and there are usually many people clustered around each of the highlighted arches. For these trails, go early in the … Continue reading…
The peaks in the Coquihalla Summit area offer a number of steep hikes starting off the highway. One of the most forgiving trails of the area is the Zoa Peak Trail. It has a steady (but not steep) climb starting at 1238m to the top of the peak at 1856m (2027 feet climb) over 4.3 km. The summit is a … Continue reading…
The Fiery Furnace is a labyrinth of slots, dead-ends, slickrock ramps, and surprises in Arches National Park. There is no designated trail, but there is at least one loop route through the fins, passing by arches, and other hidden spots. A permit is needed to enter the area and once started, visitors have to figure out their own route, often … Continue reading…
The Devil’s Garden Trail is the best hike in Arches National Park. It starts at the end of the road and heads north through the fins. Eight arches can be seen along the route. We chose to the Primitive Loop which swung out to the east side across sand dunes and over slickrock to Fin Creek Canyon. Some of the … Continue reading…
It would be rare to meet someone at Painted Bluffs. It is a remote and quiet spot on the north side of Kamloops Lake. For those who do visit the site, most stay on the lower slopes, but some of the upper gullies and ridges have some surprises for explorers. On this last paddle and hike, I was able to … Continue reading…
Painted Bluffs Provincial Park offers unique views for our area and visit offers different perspectives, depending on the weather, the season, the light, and the line of sight. This last trip had blue skies and wispy clouds. The right angle was required to capture the colors and shapes of the hills.
Continue reading...The First Canyon to Spahats Falls Trail drops from the Wells Gray Road down to the river, winds through the forest, then comes up beside Spahats Creek. The trailhead is in a parking area 260m south of the First Canyon bridge. A trail also goes north to Second and Third Canyon from this spot, but the this trail goes … Continue reading…
The Mahood Lake area is a great place to camp and explore. The Deception Falls Trail is a short drive on a narrow, rough road. From the Provincial Parks Campground, follow the road north until it crosses the Canim River. This is the end of the maintained road and the rest of the route is manageable by all … Continue reading…
We returned to hike the Skoatl Point Trail in September this year. We have hiked this fine trail every year and there are several articles already on the site (type Skoatl into the Search Bar) for further information. We drove up the Jamieson Creek FSR, then onto the Windy Lake Road. The trailhead is a bit hard to find … Continue reading…
