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Sonja SaxeExplorer

Seattle, WA based, adventuring everywhere. I'm on an endless journey to explore and photograph the national parks' scenic backcountry!

This is a great place to stop on the way to Canyonlands. I was blown away by the endless beauty in every direction. Definitely worth it!

Explorer

04/19/16

Delicate Arch is an iconic landmark and as such it is incredibly busy during the day. To beat the crowds I would recommend doing this as a night hike or a sunset hike and then staying past dark. There is something truly humbling about seeing Delicate Arch silhouetted in the night sky and having the scene all to yourself.

This hike is short and pretty easy to navigate. It took about 20-30 minutes to hike to the arch and it was well worth it. The arch is massive and impressive and definitely on par with Arches' arches. Like others have posted, if this was in the national park it would be a much busier hike but since it's not you can enjoy more solitude!

Yosemite Falls is especially pretty in the winter! It is not flowing at its full capacity but the snow covered rocks and icy sections give it beautiful wintry vibe that make up for the weaker flow.

Explorer

04/08/16

Mesa Arch is a gorgeous spot. The way the arch perfectly frames Island in the Sky is picture perfect - but don't expect getting that picture to be easy. Since this is such a short hike and so near the entrance of the park the spot will be crowded with tourists and getting a shot with just the arch in the frame it will require some waiting. Also, please do not walk on the arch. There are signs stating it is not allowed yet I saw so many people doing it on my trip.

Tunnel View has one of the most iconic views in the park. It can get crowded at times, but during the day people are often coming and going frequently enough that you won't have to wait long for a nice vantage point (really, all the vantage points from here are great). However, if you are planning on watching sunset here arrive early! Photographers start staking out their spots an hour (or more!) before sunset and won't be leaving until after the show is over!

Explorer

04/08/16

This hike is a quick one with beautiful views! I went in the winter and part of the lake was frozen making it a little difficult to see the reflections it is so famous for but it was enjoyable nonetheless.

Backpacking in the dunes was one of the most unique camping experiences I have ever had. It is hard to grasp the scale of the dunes from photos but rest assured they will leave you in awe time and time again. I highly recommend this adventure to anyone. I also recommend bringing sandbags to keep your tent secure!

This is a gorgeous spot to watch sunrise in Rocky Mountain National Park. Since it's relatively short it makes it a great low effort, hike reward hike that is perfect for sunrises. Alpenglow lights up the surrounding mountains and if there are any clouds in the sky they glow pink and orange!

This is one of my favorite hikes I've ever done. Just wanted to add that if anyone wants to shorten their morning hike there is a backcountry campsite along the Longs Peak trail. Goblin's Forest is located 1.1 miles from the trailhead. Although shaving off only a mile from the hike doesn't seem like much it was also convenient to not have to worry about driving in and finding a parking spot in the overflowing parking lot. All in all I would highly recommend this adventure!