Michael GrawExplorer
I'm a landscape and adventure photographer based out of Corvallis, Oregon. Backpacker, triathlete, and skiier - always with a camera in hand. Look for me in the mountains or online @WanderingSolePhotography.
The Ape Caves are such a perfect example of lava tubes in the Cascades, and they're pretty family-friendly to explore. We stuck to the shorter of the two having just climbed St. Helens, but it would be neat to take the longer cave and pop out the far exit in the forest somewhere.
4.0
Masada is worthwhile in itself, but absolutely make the effort to be at the top for sunrise. The desert sunrise over the Dead Sea and the hills of Jordan are spectacular and well worth an early start. The route up (from the highway along the Dead Sea - the "Snake Path" route) is relatively short, but steep. For fit hikers, it takes less than half an hour, but it can take much longer if you have to stop at every switchback. Going at sunrise also saves you from the worst of the heat - be sure to bring a bottle of water even if you're not expecting to be there long. Also note that Birthright trips frequent Masada at sunrise, so if possible plan your trip to avoid being there at the same time (the Birthright trips bring in hundreds of people hiking all at the same time). And since you're already in the area, be sure to float in the Dead Sea afterwards - it's really unique!
5.0
This is an absolute must-do for any trip to Zion, and it's worth taking a trip to Zion just for this hike. The climb up the canyon wall is a beast, but the trail itself is incredible in that there are stairs carved into the sandstone walls! And Angel's Landing itself is unlike any other summit you'll find on a hike - the views are beyond spectacular, and the drop is more than enough to get your heart racing. In winter, be sure to bring microspikes for traction, as a lot of the trail ices over - and even with microspikes, I'd think twice (or three times) about stepping onto the landing if there's any ice present.
5.0
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