Dan DeubleinExplorer

The Cliff Dwellers is a unique tale that takes place the same year Prohibition began. Bill & Blanche Russel were driving through Marble Canyon when their automobile broke down. After several attempts to fix it, they found themselves camping overnight.  As the sun rose the next day, they ironically found themselves drawn to the natural beauty of the desert. At this point, they built a roadsi...

The trail begins towards the backside of Kicking Horse camp area near the washrooms. Please know that access to this area is typically closed between October and June. Look for the large trail sign and be sure to grab a brochure  to enjoy the self-guided tour. The brochures may not be available, so I would advising downloading it here before you arrive. The trail will initially pass a fallen tr...

Pacheta Falls is spectacular and worth the several hour drive over washboard roads and you explore the high country of Arizona.  You will be on the White Mountain Apache Reservation, so please take note: You need to purchase a Special Use PermitNo swimming allowed4x4 with additional clearance recommendedThis is very rugged country. Finding the falls can be difficult and the terrain hazardous. ...

The Campground is seasonal and is located on the left just before the lake. There are 33 well-developed units that offer fire-rings, grills, drinking water and vault toilets. No reservations are accepted and you will need to check in with the camp host. From central Phoenix, take Loop 202 east to Arizona 87 (Beeline Highway and go north to Payson. From there, take Arizona 260 east about 29 mile...

Mather campground provides forest camping at its best while visiting the beautiful South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Spacious RV, tent, group and even horse sites are available in this well kept facility. The area also provides clean restrooms, water, dump station and showers (additional cost) if you don't like staying clean in the wild.  The stars are bright as they illuminate the elk that tend t...

The trailhead is located at Anaina Hou Community Park, off Kuhio Highway near the Kauai Mini Golf Course. A Waiver for the trail must be signed within the office located at Kauai Mini Golf. There is plenty of parking and the trail is open to the public from dawn to dusk. There is no charge unless you wish to rent mountain bikes.  The footpath, which can be very muddy, starts at the bottom of t...

Turtle Cave is located within a small bay on the Princeville side of Kauai. This hike requires swimming, repelling down a steep cliff and potentially high tides.  This particular access point is located on private property, so you should be staying in one of the rentals or traveling with a guest.  When you turn right on Edward Rd, make your second left just before the dead end. You will want t...

This hike begins at the Apache Wash Trailhead where you will find restrooms and a covered rest area. This loop is simple to follow and offers various shortcuts along with an access to an optional summit climb.  The loop begins from the north-east end of the parking lot near the restrooms. Turn left onto the Ocotillo trail, the trails marked to allow for easy navigation. after 0.35 miles, stay ...

Parking at the trailhead is limited to approximately four vehicles, so arrive early. If you are unable to park, continue down Highway 580 and you will find parking next to Kawi Stream. The beginning of the trail, an old fire road, starts with a gradual incline where you are exposed to a variety of native plants and fruits. This trail can get very muddy, so be prepared. At the 1 mile mark, you w...

As you drive towards Johnson Lake, the road will end at a parking lot where you should park. There are restrooms and picnic tables located in this same area.  Due to the low elevation, the trail around Johnson Lake is a gentle walk, but trail conditions should always be checked especially during snow season.  The main trail is 2.2 miles and will take you around Johnson Lake. To visit the cabin,...

The MineDixie mine was established in 1877, when mining scouts noticed the large amount of quartz in the area. The Dixie Mine was sold many times throughout the 20th Century and was ruled no longer efficient in 1977 when it was sold to the McDowell Mountain Regional Park. The PetroglyphsThe area above the mine contains several petroglyphs above the arroyo. These petroglyphs are represented by t...

The hike will begin at Washington Park in Payson, Arizona. To reach Washington Park, take AZ87 to Forest Road 199 (Houston Mesa Road) and turn east. Continue for 10 miles until you reach Forest Road 64 and turn west. Traveling less than a mile you will turn north on Forest Road 32 and in 3 miles reach Forest Road 32a. The Washington Park trailhead is located a half mile north of Forest Road 32A...

Hike along the shoreline of beautiful Lake Pleasant. This 4.0 mile out-and-back trail is worth its weight in beautiful views. The path is well maintained and perfect for beginner hikers who enjoy leisurely hikes while looking for wild burros. The Wild Burro trail starts with a small descent from across from Desert Tortoise Road. Hike 0.5 miles and you will come upon a small parking lot with res...

As you travel down Forest Road 116, approximately 200 yards before the trailhead, you will see the remains of the old Thompson Cattle Ranch - hence, Thompson Trail  #629. The trail begins atop an old railroad grade, a reminder of the very successful logging days that went on for many years. The railroad, which ran from Maverick (ghost town) to Holbrook was owned by Southwest Lumber Mill.  Today...

A Tonto Day Pass is required for this hike as you will park your vehicle at the Blue Point Picnic Area. The trail starts North of the restrooms which are located at the backside of the parking lot. The trail takes you through a mesquite filled area alongside large rock faces. Be sure too look for white scat along the rock walls as that may be an indication of an eagle's nest! The trail continue...

Oak Creek is spring fed from the upper reaches of Oak Creek Canyon. It flows into the Verde River and the upper sections provide for some excellent trout fishing. The trout is stocked from Page Springs Hatchery, below this area the water becomes to warm for trout to survive. While in the area, you will need to purchase a Red Rock Pass. During the summer months, the lower section from Page Sprin...

Bankhead is a ghost town which flanks Cascade Mountain and lies just south of Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park. The main portion of the ghost town is located in Lower Bankhead, which can be reach by traveling North on Range Rd 1158 (closed Nov - Apr), following the signs to Lake Minnewanka. The turn-off on the right is easy to miss, but is located at (51.232523, -115.524069). Upon turning...

The Shadow of the Giants National Recreation trail is an amazing 1.1 mile self-guided hike through the heart of Nelder Grove. Take Hwy 41 north from Fresno; continue thru Oakhurst to Sky Ranch Road (6S10 or Forest Road 10) travel approx. 5 miles to Nelder Grove, when you reach the camp area take the first left (small road) and wind down the road until you reach the Shadow of the Giants trailhea...

Hamilton Falls trail sign is across the parking lot from Emerald Lake and points you in the direction of the trail. The trail will start with a gentle incline which immediately places you into a lush forest as the noise of tourism begins to fade. Approximately 0.4 miles up the trail, you will reach a junction that offers a significantly longer hike to Hamilton Lake. To reach the falls, continue...

Be ready to embark on this 17 mile monumental scenic drive. The loop includes 11 numbered viewpoints and you can expect to spend between 2-4 hours in the park. For the best experience, check park hours and arrive early before the 15 mph traffic begins to stack up.  You will find the beginning of the loop at the northwest corner of the View Hotel parking lot, near the view cabins. Here are the v...

Built in 2012, this loop is part of the white mountain trail system and you may park directly at the trailhead. A paved walking path starts at the trailhead and leads you to a bridge that provides a beautiful view of Show Low Creek and the surrounding meadow. After crossing the bridge, you will embark on a subtle incline that enters the tall ponderosa pine. Do not mistake the dirt road on the r...

You will need a 4WD high clearance vehicle to reach this trail. To reach the trailhead, take Highway 580 which will eventually turn to dirt. You'll cross over a couple of streams and when you reach a Y, take a left. In one more mile, you will reach a second Y which you will turn left. If the gate is closed, you will have to continue on foot.The road at this point starts to become extremely roug...

As you park at the trailhead, you have the option to take this trail in either direction. I recommend that you travel north, which will immediately provide 0.75 miles of elevation gain. You will then reach a pass with panoramic views of the Tonto National Forest. A bench in this area provides the perfect spot to catch your breath! As you continue North, you will start to descend as you note an ...

As with most areas in Sedona, you will need to have purchased a Red Rock Pass to park at the trailhead, which is located just south of Verde Valley Road. The trailhead, starting at an elevation of 3,950 feet, is well marked and the trail is defined. You have an option to either hike clockwise or counterclockwise, my personal recommendation is counterclockwise as it offers you the most dynamic v...