Grand County, Utah

The best way to ride the Shafer Trail is to bring a support vehicle (one with 4WD and decently high clearance). If you're into a sufferfest, by all means climb your way out of there. You can also include it on a much, much longer ride like the White Rim Trail. But if you just want to experience t...

If you're looking to backpack outside of the highly publicized areas of Colorado (aka the Rockies), head out to Western CO for some amazing experiences. Located 4 hours west of Denver along I-70 is the McInnis Canyon National Conservation Area (NCA). Overseen by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM...

The Whole Enchilada trail covers a massive expanse of terrain and varying climates. The trail passes through a variety of terrains in very remote locations. Be sure to pack as much food and water as possible and be prepared to service your own mechanical issues on the trail. This is a very popula...

With minor changes in elevation, a couple easy scrambles and the opportunity to find your route by cairns, the Neck Spring Trail is the perfect way to get acquainted with Island in the Sky area of Canyonlands National Park.Starting at the Shafer Canyon Overlook parking lot, the Neck Spring trail ...

Moses offers some fantastic crack climbing. It is in the Island in the Sky area near the Taylor Canyon Campsite. The climbing is difficult but the rock is a really solid wingate sandstone. With one of the best summits in the world, this tower isn't one to miss.To get more information on the route...

Wow where to start… White Rim is one of those places where after the first day you will forget you are even on Earth anymore.  The unreal views just don’t stop either.  Every turn opens up to another amazing scene, massive canyon or beautiful vista.  Make sure to take a dip in the Green River if ...

To do the entire 26-mile float, put in at the Loma River access, several miles west of Fruita and just a short drive from I-70. From the Loma access there is no other easy access point until 26 miles later, at Westwater in Utah.Once on the water you will be able to relax and enjoy the beautiful s...

Access to this trailhead is a few miles south of the Islands in the Sky Visitor Center in Canyonlands National Park. An easy drive from Moab or Interstate 70. Remember to get permits and check in with the rangers if camping. If just doing a day hike then no permits are needed. REMINDER: There is ...

From the parking area at La Sal Pass, follow a well defined but unmapped trail though meadow, brief forest, and then switchbacks up the prominent ridge just east of the summit ridge of Mt Tuk. Once on the ridge bear west (climbers left) along the ridge as it narrows. Depending on conditions the r...

From the parking area at La Sal Creek, just east of Medicine Lake examine the mountain and identify the prominent gully which feeds into La Sal Creek. Follow the old road bed north until its end and then travel cross country. Ascend the gully the the summit ridge between the northwest peak and th...

Upheaval Dome is a geologic structure whose origins have remained hotly debated for years. Some scientists say it is the site of a meteorite impact while others theorize it is nothing more than a naturally occurring salt dome. No matter what the true answer is, there is no question that this shor...

Be advised, the NPS signs and maps that warn of a very difficult hike ahead are not hyperbole, as I thought at first. This hike is a loop around the famous Upheaval Dome on an unmaintained trail that leads you down over 1500 feet into the canyon, close to the Green River, then climbs back up 1500...

Alcove Nature Trail is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Grand Junction, Colorado.

Ute Canyon Trail is a mostly undeveloped 4.3 mile trail (8.6 round trip) in Colorado National Monument that offers technical descents, route finding, water crossings, and gorgeous red rock walls. The trailhead is just a few miles off I-70 from the town of Fruita—it's well worth the trip. Remember...

This is an easy 0.6 mile loop. The hike takes you out to Mesa Arch, which is one of the most famous structures of Canyonlands National Park. If you're out with your camera, you can get amazing shots of the arch with the rugged canyon as your backdrop. Some of the best photos of the arch are at s...

From the parking lot, the hike is a .6 mile loop (20-30 min hike round trip). It took 10 minutes to get to the Arch. I arrived at 2am and hiked to the Arch to get some Milky Way shots, definitely arrive earlier to shoot the stars. I explored around when I got to the Arch and came up with a bunch ...