United States

When the aspens are sporting their golden hues of autumn, Baker's Tank Loop is a perfect fall hike. The trailhead is about ten minutes from downtown Breckenridge. For part of the hike, you may have the world to yourself. But, for the road portion, you'll likely have to share with the leaf peeping cr...

Getting There: Lady Bird Lake is located just South of Downtown Austin. One of many ways to access Lady Bird Lake is from Zilker Metropolitan Park and Barton Springs Pool. Free parking is available in the park with direct access to Barton Creek. It is here, that you can launch your own personal boat...

The top of Apple Orchard Mountain is easily accessible via the Appalachian Trail. Access the trail at the Sunset Field Overlook at MP 78.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The concrete path will end shortly and turn into a blue blazed trail. Follow this for 0.25 miles until it intersects the Appalachian T...

Wizard Island is located in the middle of Crater Lake National Park. In order to get out to there you have to book a tour through the commercial concierge. Tickets were fairly pricey, but included a full boat tour of Crater Lake, plus 3 hours on the island itself. Half the tour is before you reach t...

From the Rattlesnake Trailhead (about a mile northeast of the Sherwood Hills Resort on U.S. 89) to the peak is just under 4.5 miles. The hike is great exercise, as it's relatively steep. The steep angle provides for stunning views along the entire trail, making this one of the most picturesque hikes...

If you're in New England during September or early October, a drive up north into Vermont is an absolute must for prime fall foliage. I-89 brings you through the state from I-93, and is in itself a beautifully scenic drive. Stowe, Vermont is a small ski resort town located just outside of Mt. Mansfi...

Skagit Valley is an important agricultural region of Washington State, but the prettiest time of year to attend is during the spring when flower season takes hold. Daffodils first, then tulips, and then irises bloom and cover fields as far as the eye can see. The Skagit Tulip Festival is held every ...

Anytime you're visiting Baxter State Park it is worth making a quick stop at Kidney Pond Campground and hiking the Rocky Pond Trail. From the park's South Gate, Kidney Pond is about an hour's drive along the Park Tote Road heading Northwest. Once on Kidney Pond Road, stay straight at the turn and it...

From Buckman Springs Road, turn onto Corral Canyon OHV/Morena Stokes Valley Rd and drive almost 5 miles to a green gate with a red heart on it, this is the trailhead. Just past the turn is the parking area that fits 5-6 vehicles. Walk across the road past the locked gate and head up the oak covered ...

Ryder Lake is accessed via the Stillwater Trail, beginning at the Christmas Meadows Trailhead off of Mirror Lake Highway. The trail heads due south from Christmas Meadows along the Stillwater River. It winds through lodgepole pine forests and skirts alpine meadows, gradually gaining elevation. After...

From the trailhead at Stonewall Road, the 1.5-mile trail makes for an excellent before or after-work run. But the steep hills and loose ground aren’t for those looking to find an easy nature walk. The incline starts well before the Stonewall-Panoramic trailhead, so you won’t even have time to warm u...

The Five Lakes Trail is located in the Granite Chief Wilderness in between Alpine Meadows and Squaw Valley ski resorts and is easily accessible at the intersection of Alpine Meadows and Deer Park roads. The 5-mile moderate trail ascends approximately 900-1000 ft. along granite canyons and pine fores...

Porter Fork starts at the aptly named Porter Fork Trailhead about 4 miles up Millcreek Canyon. It’s actually Porter Fork Road for the first 1.5 miles of the trail. This section is a pleasant, paved path winding up through a dozen or so cabins. You’ll gain about 1,000 feet. If you make it past the ca...

Kane Creek is a massive canyon, with the Colorado river at it's feet and red cliffs towering on either side. There are numerous trail heads and campgrounds the farther you explore into the canyon. However, these sites fill up fast. The canyon restricts camping to only designated sites, capping the n...

NOTE: Cliff jump at your own risk and only do so when conditions are great (calm seas, clear skies, good water visibility). Do NOT jump if you don't think it's safe for any reason or if you think you can't climb back up. Getting to South Point on Hawaii's Big Island is relatively straightforward. Us...

From the trailhead, the trek starts off pretty step. You will reach a fork near the top of the plateau which starts the official loop. At the junction go left (counterclockwise). The trail offers wonderful views along the way. The loop will bring you on top of "chimney rock" for views over Hwy 24 as...