John MauriziExplorer

Rainbow Beach is one of the more popular beaches on St. Croix. It is not associated with any resort and only a few minutes outside Frederiksted on Route 63. There is parking on the side of the road but this fills up quickly, especially on weekends when most locals set up and have picnics and barbecues. There is a bit of a steep drop into the water but once in, the water is calm and clear. There...

Badger Spring Wash is a dry stream bed most of the year. This trail starts from the Badger Spring Trailhead just off Route 17 north from Phoenix. The trail follows the stream bed, sometimes in or along side for 1.5 miles. At about one mile, you reach the spring and a good amount of water which is surprising to find in the desert. The main trail is to the left along a rock outcropping. If you ta...

This is really a dirt road that is gated off from Bald Hills Road. The trail head parking can fit about 6 cars but seldom do people venture out this way. After all, the attraction of Redwood National Park is the redwoods but this high prairie is definitely worth exploring.The walk to the ranch is 2 miles in. It is an easy walk along a dirt road that weaves across prairie land and a few sections...

Surprise! You are now at what the Chinese call Everest Base Camp. Probably the most misleading part of advertising to see Mount Everest, travel agents and guides will not tell you this is a military outpost. A large part of the people going to see Everest from the north are tourist, not mountain climbers. So they really don't know the difference. A base camp is the initial camp and operational ...

Preah Ko, also known as Prasat Preah Ko, is part of the Roluos Group. There is a walkway approaching the temple towers which I found to be impressive and interesting to photograph. There are six towers in all, three in front and three behind.  The towers sit on top of a low platform and are closely constructed to each other. The towers are said to be built in the 9th century by the king to giv...

The trailhead to Piedra Del Fraile is on the right side of Ruta 23 just before the road crosses Rio Electrico.  There is signage a few yards into the trail that initially is easy to find.  There is a short section where the trail is difficult to find but it is marked with small cairns. After about one mile, you enter an amazing Lenga forest. The trail is well defined and very scenic.  The shade...

Bear Mountain is one of the more difficult hikes in Sedona but has very easy access. There is a parking area between Doe Mountain and Bear Mountain. The trailhead is across the street and the initial approach is very flat. The red rock bluff you first see on the approach is only part of Bear Mountain and not the top. In guide books it has the trail going about 3 miles to the summit and ...

From the parking area, walk through a make-shift barrier with the river on your right hand side.  The start of the trail looks as part of a dirt road, this is the correct way.  There are some great photo opportunities with the mountains towering over the river in the background.  Near the end, the trail enters a forest and soon there is a viewing deck for the cascade.  Not that impressive but a...

You can start this hike from any of the five gates.  However, the easiest starting point is the south gate because it is typically the first gate you encounter when entering Angkor Thom.  Have your tuk tuk driver drop you off and wait for you at the gate.  While the trail is very easy, it is long and allow for time to check out the gates and the corner Prasats. I hiked this is a clockwise direc...

The trailhead has space for about three or four cars. Watch for an obvious gap in the cliffs very close to the trailhead, this is where you should park. Just before exiting the gap, look to the left for some interesting petroglyphs. The trail follows a dry wash through some heavy vegetation for a short distance. When you emerge from the vegetation, the Little Purgatory Trail will be on your lef...

Castleton Tower is a popular destination for rock climbing when in the Moab area. However, if you are not a rock climbing, you can still enjoy the scenery of the tower and the surrounding desert. Located on BLM land, there are several access trails off the La Sal Loop road. You can't miss the tower! While there are several social trails to access the tower area, there is a trail head with parki...

Schunnemunk Mountain State Park is one of my favorite parks.  It offers many trails and possibilities for different loops.  The attraction of Schunnemunk Mountain is the long double ridges running parallel to each other and amazing views in all directions.This hike starts at the Taylor Road parking area.  Cross Taylor road and hike up the Sweet Clover Trail which is marked with white blazes.  T...

I really enjoyed this hike. I recommend doing the hike as an out and back from the Kinney Road parking area. Also, the best time to hike is just before sunset. The hike is just over 4 miles total out and back with only about 500 feet of elevation gain. It has a climb at the beginning then rolls along a ridge with beautiful views of the Tucson Mountains.  Be prepared for the trail conditions. Th...

There is two ways to access this loop hike.  The first is from the Englewood Picnic area just off Exit 1 from the Palisades Interstate Parkway.  Parking here requires a fee of $5 May through September. The second is to drive past the Englewood Picnic area turnoff on Henry Hudson Drive and continue until you reach the Undercliff Picnic Area.  I prefer the latter because of the free parking and s...

This loop hike is accessed from a short walk from the Bold Cypress Trail and the visitor center.  There are no views along this trail but the what I enjoyed was the pine needle covered trail itself.  The pine needles are like a soft carpet padding the trail.  I enjoy trailing running this loop more than hiking but either can be done. 

This trail starts from a parking area just off Route 18.  Follow the obvious trail with the whiterocks to the right and views of Snow Canyon.  The trail descend steep, deep sand path until you reach some petrified sand dunes.  Great photo opportunities here.  This section is short lived as you continue down hill and through open desert. The trail ends when you reach the Lava Flow Trail.  Turnin...

The Elephant Terrace is part of the Royal Palace complex serving as part of the east wall.  The wall is located just north of Bayon and serves as an elevated path that connects the Leper King Terrace and the entrances to Baphuon Temple and Phimeanakas Temple.  It is said that the Elephant Terrace is where the King would watch parades of his army. The front wall of the terrace has beautifully ca...

This is a nice 1/2 day trip. La Fortuna falls is popular with tourist and locals, not just for viewing the falls but there is excellent swimming holes just below the fall and you can also swim right in the pool the falls fall into but the approach to that pool is very rocky and wet.  The falls are about 70 meters high and the sound it makes if deafening.  The hike to the falls is about one mile...

This ride is one of the most popular in Moab, let alone the state of Utah. With that said, you probably won't have the trail to yourself so be sure to take time to hangout at the best vista points and chat with the other riders. Although the shuttles try to stagger the drop-offs, there will be riders coming in from the road at various times, so keep an eye out. Be sure to pack plenty of water a...

This loop hike starts at the Andante Trailhead at the end of Andante Road on the edge of Sedona. From the parking area, turn left (west) onto the Andante Trail and follow it for a short distance until the trail ends on the Thunder Mountain Trail. Turn left and follow the Thunder Mountain Trail until you reach the trail junction with the Lower Chimney Rock Trail. Turn right and follow it a short...

The Aztec Butte Trail is a two pronged out and back trail for a total of two miles. The trail is single track and easy to follow. After a third of a mile the trail splits. To the left, a trail takes you to the top of a small mesa. There is an informative sign marking the way. On the other side of this mesa is an ancient stone structure called a granary. Descend back to the trail split. The othe...

Phimeanakas is found within the walls of the Royal Palace. Directly north through the palace walls from Baphuon Temple. Phimeanakas is a three tiered temple constructed in the 10th century. The original structure had a tower on top. Legend states that a serpent spirit with 9 heads lived in the tower and would appear disguised as a women. The Khmer King would have to sleep with the woman every n...

Bayon Temple was built in the 12 century and about 100 years after Angkor Wat. Bayon is in the exact center of Angkor Thom. It is famous for over 200 stone Buddha faces that highlight the magnificence of Bayon. In Bayon's current state, it has 37 towers. Each tower has four faces point in four directions. It is very impressive. Entering from the direction of the South Gate, the road circles Bay...

This is a wonderful less traveled trail that is fairly easy hiking, at least until you reach the base of the Cockscomb. It does not have much shade. I recommend hiking this trail late afternoon into sunset as the trail weaves between Doe Mountain and the Cockscomb on the west side. The setting sun lights up the sandstone walls on these two mountains for some amazing colors. Signs and guide book...