Arizona

Kayak camping right on the beaches of Lake Powell and then paddling out into the stillness of the morning to hike antelope canyon is one of my all time favorite memories.  Just across from the Antelope Point Launch Ramp is a fantastic beach with several flat areas that are perfect for tent campin...

Saguaro National Park is split into two different "districts" found east and west of Tucson. In the East-Rincon Mountain District you can find over 130 miles of hiking trails. However, for folks who don't have much time in the park, are with friends and family who aren't hikers, or are literally ...

This hike beings at Spur Cross Ranch in Cave Creek, which is a lush riparian area flowing with Saguaros. Starting at the trailhead, you will start this loop by hiking clockwise on Tortuga trail which will connect with the Elephant Mountain trail at 1.5 miles. As you start to ascend the Elephant M...

The Mescal Mountain Loop Hike circles Mescal Mesa uses three different trails. Park at the Mescal Trail parking area on Long Canyon Road.  The Mescal Trail is 2.4 miles long and winds up to the base of the mesa where it travels along beautiful open slick rock. It is an easy hike but the trail is ...

There are many legends of a lost gold and buried treasures within the Superstition Mountains of Arizona.  The most famous is the story of the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine.  In the 1840's, the Peralta family from Northern Mexico mined rich gold ore from the area.  In 1848 during one of the families exp...

This beautiful State Park, which is the original location of the Pendley Homestead, is a historic apple farm (the apple trees are still there!). This is a favorite stop for families in the summertime, so if you come then, make sure to arrive early.  It’s common to find throngs of people in the cr...

This hike starts at the Kelsey Spring Trailhead. Park at the end of Forest Service Road 538G. There is parking for about 6-7 cars. Just past the signage for the trail, which is also called Kelsey Winter Trail, there is a trail registration box. Be sure to sign in. The trail descends steeply for t...

Its name says it all; this panoramic viewpoint at the north rim of the Grand Canyon is sublime: of such excellence, grandeur, or beauty as to inspire great admiration or awe. For newcomers to the Grand Canyon, this view might just leave you speechless! A relatively few people get to experience P...

These beautiful caves are located mid-way through a short 0.5 mile hike, rated moderate.  And if you weren’t looking, you would never know they were there…  note that they are before the end of the trail, on the right as you hike. The caves are well trafficked, so if you go, make sure to go earl...

Pueblo La Plata is the largest ancient Indian ruin in Agua Fria National Monument and dates back to before 1200 A.D. The ruin at one time had 80 to 90 rooms for living quarters. Now the sight seems like just a pile of rubble. However there is significant research continuing on the mesa of Agua Fr...

The Superstition Wilderness is a vast rugged landscape where you can find the cultural remains of ancient Hohokam, Salado, Apache, and Yavapais tribes.  Rogers Canyon Trail takes you to one of the most impressive and best preserved archaeological sites this region has to offer.  These Salado ruin...

Kofa National Wildlife Refuge near Quartzsite, Arizona is a must see when visiting the area. The refuge encompasses over 600,000 acres with a large population of bighorn sheep. One of the most prominent features are the Kofa Mountains and the towering 4,877 foot Signal Peak. I followed the GPS co...

From the Peralta Trailhead, start hiking on Bluff Springs Trail. This trail will wind over a few hills past incredible views, and then take you down into a wash. In the wash you will intersect with the Terrapin Trail. Turn left onto the Terrapin Trail, and it will take you out of the wash and pa...

Park at the Echo Canyon Parking Area.From the trailhead, hike up Echo trail until your reach the saddle.  At the saddle, you will turn south and start taking the climbers trail to the headwall, which is just past the sign that says "caution, active bee area."  Once you reach the headwall, there a...

The Broken Arrow Trail is stunning.  To reach the Broken Arrow Trail from the town of Sedona, head south on 179-S for approximately 1.5 miles and turn left on Morgan Road. Drive down Morgan Road until you reach the end of the asphalt and it turns into a dirt road. Drive down the dirt road approx...

Already starting off at elevation (about 9,560 feet above sea level), you first travel through a large stand of aspen trees during the beginning third of the trail.Depending on the season, the aspen can provide pleasant cover in summer, miraculous colors in fall and eerie creaking as the wind flo...