Chris MongeauExplorer

Skaftafell National Park is a portion of Vatnajökull National Park and easily accessible by car by Route 1 (the Ring Road). Sjónarnípa is a viewpoint overlooking the Skaftafell glacier and surrounding mountains. To hike to Sjónarnípa, begin at the Skaftafellsstofa (visitor center) and follow the blue trail leading towards Svartifoss. You can access Sjónarnípa by trails S5 and S6, but to do the ...

Seeing the sunrise on top of Cadillac Mountain is an absolute must when in Acadia National Park. Not only is it awesome to catch the first sunrise in the U.S., but the views from Cadillac Mountain are unparalleled. At 1,532 feet, Cadillac Mountain is the highest point along the North Atlantic seaboard, and because of it's close proximity to the ocean, it feels even higher than inland mountain t...

The Window Trail is one of the most popular hikes in Big Bend National Park. Whether you're visiting for a day or camping at one of the sites in the park, the Window Trail is a hike worth doing, and can be done in just a couple of hours at a leisurely pace. The Window itself is a V-shaped canyon that overlooks the desert into Mexico and offers stunning panoramic views, especially at sunset. To...

The White Mountains offer some of the most prime foliage sightseeing (aka 'leaf peeping') in New England. Tourists flock to the Franconia Notch State Park area and surrounding parts of the White Mountains every October, but camping is generally less common. October can be a cold month in New Hampshire, with an average low of about 36 degrees Fahrenheit, but if you have the right gear, the foggy...

Liberty Springs Trail is a moderately trafficked out and back trail in the heart of Franconia Notch State Park and the White Mountains. The trail is a part of the Appalachian Trail, which allows it to remain very well maintained throughout the year. The trail is listed as difficult and strenuous in many reviews, but I find this route to be an easier way up to the Franconia Ridge than the Old Br...

To begin this hike, drive to Marshfield Station on Base Station Road in Jefferson, NH. There are several large parking lots capable of holding both hiker and Cog Railway traffic even on busy days. Parking in the lots at the Marshfield Station costs $5.00/day, there is a lot for hiker parking at the beginning of the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trailhead but this can sometimes fill up early on a good day. ...