Chris Engelsman

Surrounding the Castle Rock Campground on the East and West sides are slot formations that have formed over centuries by wind and rain as it erodes softer earth from the harder rock. There are no designated trails, but footpaths are visible, follow them up and start exploring. This area is part of the Fremont Indian State Park, so there is an $8 day-use fee if you are not camping.  To get there...

The RTS trail at Utah's Olympic Park (ski jumping, bobsled, skeleton, and luge), is a fantastic beginner-to-intermediate trail. Since it's a short loop at only 2.6 miles and 366 feet of elevation gain, it's perfect for kids and beginners. Most of the sections are smooth dirt that winds through aspen groves and meadows. The lower trail has a few more rocks - just enough for beginners to test the...

With it's easy access from Rodney Street, Rodney Ridge Trail is a locals favorite. The trail heads up the ridge and provides fantastic views of Helena below.  The trail is rated as moderate, and is used primarily for mountain biking and hiking. Dogs are allowed, so, you'll most like encounter a 4-legged furry friend on the trail.  From Rodney Ridge Trail, you can link up to a whole bunch of oth...

McMillan Springs Campground is south of Hanksville, Utah and within the Henry Mountains, which run north and south between Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef National Parks.  Situated at 8,400 feet, McMillan Springs Campground has moderate temperatures and is managed by the BLM, so fees are donation based. The campground has 15 spots, two outhouse toilets, and water. As of June 2017, they were updat...

The Quarry Mountain trail is a less-traveled option than the Iron Mountain trail in Park City offering unique views of McPolin Farm to the west, Kimball Junction and Old Ranch Road to the north, Park City to the south, and Promontory Ranch to the East. The trail starts at the McPolin Farm parking area on the east side Highway 224 (the main road from I-80 to old town Park City) and ends at the t...

Mission Canyon Natural Bridge is located on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation just outside Hays, Montana. Fort Belknap Indian Reservation is home to the Assiniboine (Nakoda), and the Gros Ventre (aaniiih) tribes, and is the forth largest Indian reservation in Montana.  The People's Creek flows from the Little Rocky Mountains through Mission Canyon. Over centuries, the river has carved it's wa...

Did you know that Fort Benton was considered the "World's  Innermost Port" until the railroads started moving goods and people across the west? Nowadays, some people call Fort Benton a "sleepy little river town", but paddlers and history buffs seek the solitude and beauty of the Upper Missouri River.  Fort Benton is also the gateway to the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument and locat...

The trail to Duck Lake in the Uinta Mountains starts at the Crystal Lake Trailhead  and is a popular starting off point for many trails like Cliff Lake, so the parking lot fills up quickly.  Starting off, follow the signs for Long Lake. At about 1.3 miles you'll come to a junction. Follow the signs to the right leading you to Long Lake. After Long Lake, continue on the trail towards Island Lak...

The Kings Hill Pass Trail is located off Highway 89 in the Little Belt Mountains of the Helena-Lewis & Clark National Forest. Kings Hill is considered a scenic byway and climbs to an elevation just over 7,200 feet at the pass.  Kings Hill Pass Trail is considered a more difficult trail and sees little traffic. The trail is available for activities all year long. In the winter you can snowsh...

The Dry Fork Trailhead at the end of Weber Canyon Rd is the starting point for the hike to Round, Sand, and Fish Lakes in the Uinta Mountains of Utah. In the early spring and summer, this trail can be wet due to snowmelt runoff, but by mid-summer, it dries out and is a fantastic hike. The trail is rocky and a constant climb so you have to pay attention to your foot placement so that you don't t...

Mount Ellen is considered an Ultra Prominent Peak. What's that you may ask? Well, Ultra Prominent Peaks are determined by how high the summit rises above its surroundings. Rising 5,812 feet above the desert floor with a summit elevation of 11,527 feet, Mount Ellen is the third most prominent peak in Utah behind #2 Mount Peale in the La Sal Range, and #1 Kings Peak in the Uinta Mountains. In cas...

Due to the cold water being released from the bottom of Holter Lake, it creates excellent habitat for trout. The section of the Missouri River from Holter Dam to Cascade, MT is the main area for trout fishing, and has excellent access to the river.  This section of river runs through the valley with sparsely forested hillsides. Montana Fishing Permits  $10 conservation license (non-resident age...

Located an hour and forty minutes east of Great Falls Montana, Crown Mountain is a fun day hike, and you'll see few if any other people. The nearest town is Augusta and a great place to stop for a burger and beer at Buckhorn Bar afterward.  From Augusta, head West on Benchmark Road for 20 miles. Just past Double Falls campground and on the left side of the road will be the trailhead for Trail 2...

A short 2-hour drive from Great Falls leads you to Yogo Peak and Lake Elva, an area of beauty, tranquility, and solitude. Yogo Peak is located in the Little Belt Mountains which are part of the Lewis & Clark National Forest.  Yogo Peak doesn't have a designated trail, but it is located to the south of the forest road. Be sure to download GPS maps before you leave since cell service can be s...

Neat Coulee is a slot canyon in Central Montana that was formed by water erosion of the white sandstone cliffs. To get to the Neat Coulee, you'll need to do a river trip. The nearest put-in in Coal Banks Landing. You could exit the river at Hole in the Rock road, but most people continue on to Judith Landing.From the Eagle Creek Campground, it's about a .9 mile hike to the entrance of the slot ...

Red Mountain Pass is the site of an historic silver mining boom from 1882 to 1893. During that time, over 10,000 people lived at over 11,000 feet! Today, it's turned into a backcountry ski and snowboard touring destination.  If you are coming from the North, you'll pass through the gorgeous box-canyon town of Ouray, CO. From the south, you'll pass through Silverton, CO. This section from Ouray ...

The Cave of 100 Hands is a fascinating archeological/historical site that is easy all-ages and strollers. Over a thousand years ago, the valleys along what is now Interstate 70 near Sevier, Utah were home to the largest community of Fremont Indians ever discovered, and the Cave of 100 Hands has some exceptionally well-preserved pictographs.  It's not clear why it's called, the Cave of 100 Hands...

As you head south on Hwy 89 south of I-70 in central Utah, you wind through a picturesque canyon along the Sevier River. As the canyon opens up, Big Rock Candy Mountain's caramel colored hillside comes into full view. The caramel color is a stark contrast to the other mountains covered in pinion pines.  Back in 1928, Harry McClintock recorded the song "Big Rock Candy Mountain" shortly after tha...

Berthoud Pass is 55 miles from Denver making it one of the closest places to get out and backcountry tour in the winter. At 11,370 Berthoud Pass crosses the continental divide. From the top of the pass you can do shuttle runs down the south side of the pass. Or, you can venture on the East or West side of the road and do out and backs. Down the pass towards Winter Park is the Current Creek pull...

Castle Rock Campground is located within Utah's Fremont Indian State Park just off Interstate 70, which according to the camp host, is a favorite place to camp for people traveling between California and Colorado.  At 6,200 feet in elevation, the temps are manageable in the summer, and the large cottonwood trees and bushes provide shade from the sun and privacy from your neighbors. Castle Rock ...

Clayton Peak is approximately 1.5 miles from Guardsman Pass (3 miles round trip), and you'll gain about 1,600 feet of climbing.  There is parking on top of the pass, but it fills up quickly with hikers and mountain bikers during peak season as this serves as the trailhead for Bloods Lake, Jupiter Peak, and Crest Trail.  From the parking lot, head south on the trail following the ridge. You'll s...

The hike to Fire Lake starts at the Crystal Lake Trailhead just off the Mirror Lake Highway in the Uinta mountains. The main trailhead parking lot fills up quickly on weekends since it serves multiple trail options. If it’s full, no need to worry, there is an overflow lot down the road.  The trail to Fire Lake heads almost due west from the trailhead and passes numerous lakes. At 2 miles you’ll...

If you are looking to ride one of Moab's famed mountain bike trails, then look no further than the Portal Trail. It's a short 2-mile trail that starts on the rim above the Colorado River and descends 1,388.  To access the Portal Trail you can take a shuttle from town to the top of the Magnificent 7/Gemini Bridges trail system and there are multiple shuttle services (Coyote, Poison Spider, Moab ...

The easiest way to start this hiking only trail is to jump on the Red Pine Gondola at the Canyons Village of Park City Mountain Resort. If you have an Epic Pass, the lift is free. Otherwise, you'll need to buy a ticket to ride to the base of Red Pine Lodge.  From the base of Red Pine Lodge (8,000 feet) head south past the Saddleback chair lift. Signs will lead you to the Tombstone trail. After ...