Christin HealeyExplorer

Be careful when heading up this 4.5 mile trail since there can be snow coverage into the summer. When you start the trail, you'll get a little tree coverage as you start climbing up. Unfortunately, the shade starts to dissipate after about a mile, where you'll cross over Sibley Creek and enter the basin. As you climb, the view gets better - take time to check out the valley below and Mt. Baker....

Makua, aka Tunnels, is known for its incredible mountain scenery. This beach also offers great snorkeling, where people will usually see turtles. Public parking, bathrooms and showers are available at Haena Beach Park located west of Tunnels. Be sure to head to the beach early, parking on the town's streets can be a little challenging.

This is a gorgeous beach with so much going on. It's a quick walk from the parking lot (about .8 miles), or you can do the entire Botanical Beach Loop which is 3.5km. Go at low tide for amazing tidal pools and exploring caves if the tide is at its lowest. You can beach hop and climb up to some amazing viewpoints, just be sure to be back before the tide comes back in! This beach is never cro...

The hike is part of the George Washington National Forest, and can easily be combined with nearby Crabtree Falls (300ft cascading waterfall with a hike to the top). The entire trip is 5.7 miles, and there are nice campsites at the base of the summit (no water source) if you want to add on this pretty overlook to a nearby longer hike. This is definitely a hike for locals, so it's never too crow...

Important: There is no "official" trailhead for this hike, but follow these directions and you will have no problem at all: Take the E10 towards the village of Fredvang and cross the two bridges. Direct Route:  After crossing the two bridges, follow the sign posts towards ‘Yttersand.’  You will pass the turnoff towards Fredvang, keep going straight, but now keep track of the distance; the par...

From El Calafate, the town of El Chalten is about 2 1/2 - 3 hours away. The entire drive is incredibly scenic as you will have views of Lake Argentina Viedma to start with, and as you get closer to the town, Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre get closer with each passing kilometer. There is also one place to stop with food and restrooms along the way - don't miss La Leona and their incredible empanadas f...

The parking lot for the trail is right before mile 40 on Skyline drive in Shenandoah National Park. The entire out and back is only .9 miles, so it's the perfect hike to take in a sunset after a long day, take a break from driving, or just pick a hike that is family and dog friendly as Stoney Man, a little further away, does not allow dogs and may be challenging for children. From the parking...

The trailhead begins on Rt 88 just past Kirkwood Resort or Silver Lake - depending on which way you are headed. There is plenty of parking but no other amenities. The trail begins at 7,900 ft and climbs steadily up Two Sentinels then along the ridge to Martins Point, ending at the 9,408ft summit of Thunder Mountain. The trail is very easy to follow even in the dark, so it's a perfect sunrise hi...

When you drive in to El Chalten, you will see the visitor's center directly on your left. Park here, and there are signs to the lookout from the parking lot. It's an easy 1.2 mile round trip hike, but the views of Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre are magnificent. Give yourself about 30-40 minutes though to get up before the sunrise as there is a little bit of a climb.

From Chautauqua Park in Boulder, follow Baseline Road west (if you are driving up the mountain, you are golden). Drive 3.4 miles up Flagstaff Road and look for the sign for Realization Point on your right. It’s a little tricky to see from the road, so keep an eye on your odometer. The trail starts just past the picnic tables that you can see from the parking area. The trail is well marked the...

From the Mount Pleasant Parking Area, take the blue blazed Pompey Mountain Trail that is just beyond the horse gate. As it's a loop, you can start at either entrance, but I prefer heading left to get the longer leg of the hike before the summit (always better to have an easy journey down in the am). At mile 2.5, you will intersect with the Henry Lanum Memorial Trail and there is a sign for the ...

The Park Point Trail is the highest point in Mesa Verde National Park, and being close to the four corners, you can see for hundreds of miles in every direction on a clear day. It's a very short walk from the car, and there are several nice lookouts along the way, but be sure to walk all the way to the top for the most spectacular lookout of them all.  Go for sunrise and sunset for the gorgeous...

Between mile 42 and 43 of Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park is the trailhead for WhiteOak Canyon. Begin at the trailhead from the parking lot and cross the Limberlost Trail in .3 miles. Continue on and you will cross your first footbridge shortly. After another mile you will cross the second footbridge and turn left to get to the lookout for the falls. This is well marked. In a few hu...

This hike is truly awesome, but get ready to climb! You can park at the Hotel Las Torres, then you will see the trailhead right past the hotel, clearly marked. The hike is 11.2miles round trip with 3,000 ft of elevation gain, much of it at the end over rocks.About halfway through the hike, you will arrive at Refugio Chileno, where if you are lucky and they are open, you can grab a coffee, beer,...

This campsite is great as you can be as adventurous or relaxed as you would like. You can choose to bring your own tent, or they offer rentals, as well as fully set-up domes. There is a restaurant on site, as well as a small camp store, and wifi available for purchase. The views from the campsite of Lago Pehoe and the Paine Massif in the distance are unbelievable, and it's a wonderful spot to s...

From the town of El Calafate in Argentina, the glacier is less than two hours away down route 15. There are easy signs the entire way. You will then reach the park entrance, where you will pay roughly $20SUSD/per person for entrance. About 20 minutes from the park entrance, you will reach the parking lot for the glacier. From here, there are many different angles to shoot the face of the glacie...

Of all the lakes in the Banff area, this was one of my favorites to get out on the water. Don't expect the bright blue glacial waters of some of the other lakes in the Canadian Rockies, but the water is pristine and it was one of the few places I went where it felt like it was all locals hanging out.If you are coming from the town of Banff, take the Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive until you reach...

This particular hike is great as there are multiple camping sites, both established and backcountry, and views for miles around almost every bend. Still not convinced? This high-altitude plateau has characteristics typically found in Canadian landscapes. so you can travel north without leaving your backyard below the Mason-Dixon Line -- high five y'all! From the parking area on FR75 (go to th...

There are quite a few companies that offer guided tours of ice caves throughout the country, but Extreme Iceland has the most options, as well as very experienced guides. Every fall the guides scout out the best caves, and they change weekly due to weather conditions. Although I have seen people doing this on their own, it's not recommended. A lot of the caves are not stable due to water flow a...

Take highway 89 out of Jackson, headed north, and turn on to Gros Ventre Rd. This will take you right past the campground, wild rivers, and ample hiking. Keep driving for about 20 miles as views of the Tetons appear behind you, and ample backcountry camping options become available.

Skyline Drive is a winding highway that cuts straight through Shenandoah National Park. Being that we are in the south, you will find that the road is closed for the majority of the winter, and usually at the very mention of snow. The first few years of living here it was incredibly frustrating, then I realized that walking the road is one of the most scenic, peaceful hikes around. It's total...

This cozy little overlook is very simple to get to. If you are coming from I 64, after taking exit 99 towards Shenandoah National Park, turn right onto the Blue Ridge Parkway when the exit comes to a "T-stop". From there, it's 10 miles down the Parkway on your right. You will see a clearly marked sign for Ravens Roost Overlook. There is plenty of parking, a few picnic benches, and lots of spot...

From the parking area at Reids Gap, start off on the white-blazed A.T heading south as the trail begins on the left side of a clearing. You will begin climbing Meadow Mountain shortly and in .8 miles arrive at the top of the ridge, where you will continue on downhill for another .8 miles until you reach the first intersection with the Mau-Har Trail. The Maupin Field Shelter is just down to yo...

From El Chalten, the trail starts Avenida San Martín, where El Chaltén town ends. There you can park your vehicle in a designated parking area, or just walk from your hotel. The slope is steep to begin with, but levels off after the first kilometer. In about 4 hours (with pack), you will reach the Poincenot campsite. It's a free campsite with no reservations, just note that there are no fires a...