Elsie Vanderveer

They don't call it the butt slide trail for nothing— the Okolehao Trail (translated to iron butt, for more than just the glutes involved) —is a short drive from Princeville, just before Hanalei Bay. Filled with lush vegetation, ample wildlife, and stunning viewpoints, the full trail isn't for the faint of heart, particularly if it rains at all.When I embarked on this route I had no idea having...

Starting at Hoover Dam and continuing 12 miles downstream to Willow Beach, this trip can easily be done in a day. (I had a late start after a last minute decision to shorten from an overnight trip to a single day trip, beginning at 9:00 and finishing at 3:00, well before my 4:00 pick-up and that included multi-stop explorations and a nap.) Most people do this as a two-day trip but as an Outbo...

Carving through highway 167 in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, 38 miles past the park entrance off of highway 93 take Lakeshore Road to Hwy 167 until the marked rest area of Redstone Picnic Area. The entrance will be obvious by the propped red rust formations, deserted parking lot, and spectacular boulder routes.The area is sandy, so walk to your route in sandals and prepare for a few h...

By far a favorite of mine--this backpacking excursion can be done as a one day one way or multi-day loop. Each way is over 28 miles with varying elevation, but considering it is backcountry, mileage will vary by adventures taken and routes observed. Each visit is different from the last. My favorite option is to hike 3/4 of the way north, starting at the Petrified Forest Southern Entrance (whe...