Michael WigleExplorer

This trip works best with two cars where the first is dropped off at the Twelvemile Beach Parking Lot, and carpooled over to the Miner's Castle Parking Lot. Both lots can be easily found in the Pictured Rocks National Seashore Map, or on Google Maps. Start your day at Miner's Castle by checking out both the Upper Overlook and Lower Overlooks. In the morning around Golden Hour, the cliffs acros...

The road from the highway to the coast is packed sand and gravel. Fortunately the marine fog keeps the sand in good condition for traveling over. A 4x4 is not needed to make this drive, but a high ground-clearance is a must. The beach road erodes heavily during the winter months, so proper planning is encouraged. From Highway 1 in Baja California at kilometer marker 46 south of San Quintin, is ...

Located just north of the Cumberland Gap, Chained Rock is a local landform made unique by a long slung chain that comes with a tall tale of it's creation. According to legend the rock pinnacle overlooking the Cumberland River valley struck fear into the minds of young children, which was eased with the claim that it was safely held back by a chain. Word spread, and people came far and wide to s...

If you are new to canyoneering and want to do an adventure like this, reach out to the guys and girls at The Blue 8 target="_blank" who guided us through Rubio Canyon. They are a dedicated team of stunt professionals who train and offer personal instruction on everything action-adventure from canyoneering, to parkour, martial arts, and even tactical ops. Even if it is just to learn a new trick ...

Take the I-5 exit North of Castaic, CA at Templin Hwy. Turn onto Golden State Hwy heading the only direction it goes from the exit, North. When it dead-ends in a few miles at the National Forest Gate, you are at Frenchman's Flat.You can camp here, or hang with the day hikers. Heading North along the river will take you to some excellent fishing water downstream of Pyramid Lake. For a slightly m...

From Santa Ynez, CA take Armour Rd until it hits Happy Canyon Rd, and make a left. Follow this scenic drive through vineyards and oak shaded pastures into the Angeles National Forest. A half-mile section of asphalt is rough from winter storms, so drive slow. The road becomes Sunset Valley Rd and narrows to 1 lane. Drive 3.8 miles to the first road on the left past the Davy Brown Campground. Thi...

Tucked away, at the base of Inspiration Point in Palos Verdes is an outcropping of rocks, perfect for surf casting and catching ocean fish, away from the crowds. It's a challenge to get there, but the less travelled spot is used by many professional sportsmen, practicing their skills at fishing from the rocky Southern California shoreline.There are 3 places to park. Two free parking lots are lo...

From the 210 Freeway in La Cañada, take California Highway 2 north 14 miles up into the San Gabriel Mountains. Make sure you have your National Forest Pass (sold at REI or Ranger Station) or your Interagency Pass because they have started checking parked vehicles. At the Red Box Picnic area, make a right onto Mt. Wilson road. About 1,000 up the road and onto the right is a pull off and dirt par...

About 4 miles south of the Northeast Park Entrance, just past the Castle Trailhead, is the Cliff Shelf Nature Trailhead. It sits on the outside of the cliff formation facing open space just through Cedar Pass. There is a parking lot here typically filled with people soaking in the panoramic views. Park and head up the loop trail to step into Badland's past.The trail heads up stairs through boar...

Located only a few minutes south of Danang stands 5 solid stone mountains that jut out of the coastal landscape. Surrounded by vendors and covered in shrines, these sacred hills each represent one of the elements and are filled with endless discoveries.Head down Lê Văn Hiến road from Danang or take the coastal highway about 9 kilometers south. Huyền Trân Công Chúa road connects them both and is...

Head 12 miles south on Route 41A along Skaneateles Lake from Skaneateles NY. Make a left onto Appletree Point Road  and go a little more than a half mile to where the intersection of Carver Road is. There is a small gravel parking area off to the left with room for about 8 cars. The trailhead begins here.The path heading left will take you to the Carpenter Falls bowl in less than 600 feet. Here...

This adventure is not for the inexperienced. There is a campground on each of the Channel Islands and even camping at Water Canyon on Santa Rosa Island is moderately difficult, especially in the summer. The payoff is one unlike any other on the West Coast. It is an opportunity to backcountry pack through a unique island ecosystem to spend a night on a secluded Pacific Ocean beach.There are only...

There are only a few Hawai'ian snorkeling gems better than Kapalua Bay. Tucked into a narrow cover along the rocks of a long dormant volcano is a beautiful sandy bay that should be on any Maui snorkeling list. The neighborhood is quiet and relaxed that surrounds a picturesque beach. Getting here is both easy and rewarding almost any time of the day. To get here, follow Lower Honopiilani Rd. tow...

My favorite time to make this hike is just before sunrise. The alpine glow on the range above the cool canyon is a beautiful sight. There is enough time to make the hike and get back before the sun begins to heat the canyon floor, awakening rattlesnakes and Baja's intense midday heat.About 8.5km south of the arroyo bridge in Loreto on Highway 1 is a substation. Make a right as this is the ranch...

There are several ways to kayak to Coronado Island at the north end of Loreto Bay. The easiest way is to drive north from town on Davis Street. Davis Street begins as pavement before it crosses a wash and weaves along the dunes north of Loreto. Most of the street is fenced in, and it is easy to follow. There are signs pointing toward a restaurant called La Picazón that you can follow.  The road...

The best way to tack the Towpath Trail along the remains of the Ohio and Erie Canal is by peddling it. Start at the Lock 39 Trailhead going south toward the Botzum Trailhead early in the morning before the crowds to ride upstream is the best way to start. Located a little over a mile East of I-77 or a little over a mile South of I-480 where Rockside Rd. and Canal Rd. meet, is the Lock 39 Trailh...