Derek Mathewson

Note: Hermit Falls is Temporarily Closed From Roberts Camp, many hikers will head to Sturtevant Falls, which is an amazing 60-foot waterfall. But, if you choose to head in the opposite direction on First Water Trail, you’ll be rewarded with a fresh water swimming hole at this 35-foot tumbling waterfall, Hermit Falls. At the swimming hole, you can slide down the rock cascades or watch people c...

This 3.8 mile out-and-back hike takes place on a very easy to use trail. The first 0.75 miles on Winding Way are paved, leading you up to Escondido Canyon Trail. As you head up Winding Way, it’s safest to stay on the side of the road on the dirt. You’ll take this paved road up roughly 200 feet before descending into Escondido Canyon Park. After a shaded mile in the park, you’ll arrive at lower...

...When you research hiking gems to explore in New Mexico, this cave most likely won't be one of the first ones to pop up. This amazing landmark, called Kit Carson Cave, is a short drive off the I-40 and is located near the town of Gallup.  After a long day of driving, or if you're just looking for a little adventure to stretch your feet, this cave is a cool spot to check out. Getting there......

Bonneville hot springs is just one of the many amazing hot springs to check out in the state of Idaho! ...Bonneville hot springs are about 19 miles East of Lowman, Idaho off highway 21. It sits at an elevation of around 4,700 feet. Getting here, you'll take the 21 hwy and will turn onto Bonneville Campground road. You'll drive 0.7 miles before getting to the parking area for the hot springs....

...Who doesn't enjoy a beautiful scenic hike that takes you to a remote hidden arch?! Rifle Arch is a hidden gem that hasn't gotten a lot of recognition, but maybe that's a good thing. Up until recently discovering this arch, I had never heard of it or seen photos of it. It sits just North of the town of Rifle, driving about 5.5 miles off the I-70. Once you exit the 70 highway, head North on t...

Are you looking for a hike that offers trail running, scenic views, hiking, and CAVE exploring? This short, but exciting trail leads you on a short 0.8 mile hike to the Cave of Munits. When starting at the main trailhead, El Scorpion Park, take the wide paved dirt road all the way till you get to the large tree near the hills. The trail will then split three ways. Taking the trails to the left ...

There's no better feeling then camping out and having a whole site to you and your friends...wouldn't you agree?!?! ...Deep in the Sespe Wilderness in Ojai, California sits a tucked away, well-managed campsite called "Bear Trap Campground". This campsite can be reached at any point of the year and is rated as intermediate. If you're coming from Ventura, drive North on the 33 for about 42 miles...

...The hike through Fay Canyon goes 1.25 miles to Box Canyon and is rated easy to moderate. To see Fay Canyon Arch though is a much shorter hike. From Boynton Pass Rd, park at Fay Canyon parking lot. The parking lot offers restrooms and a few picnic tables to relax at. The start of the trail is directly across the street. Follow the trail for a little over a half a mile until you see a few cair...

...After spending my 3 days exploring and capturing the partial lunar eclipse at North Cascades National Park in Washington, I was eager to find another adventure that I haven't done yet or others didn't know much about. As I was driving East leaving Gorge Creek Falls, .9 miles on my left I spotted a dark area that looked to be either another gorge, slot canyon or waterfall. Pulling over instan...

…Who doesn’t enjoy a hike that gives you views as if you’re on top of the world! I know I do, and this hike to Water Canyon Arch (Eye of the Heavens Arch) will do just that!There’s two ways of getting to the arch, but the route I took was the squirrel creek trail, to the Canaan mountain trail. Once you park your vehicle in the obvious, large parking lot, follow the property fence to the right f...

Note: This trail is temporarily closed. For more updates, please visit the Forest Service website for more updates.  ...If you've read most of my blogs, you'll probably notice I have a fascination for waterfalls! I've done this hike multiple times, but it wasn't until this day where I saw these falls truly in action and what they're meant to look like. Getting here, you'll drive 13.4 miles nor...

...Nevada has got some amazing "under the radar" hot springs, but this was one of my personal favorites. Nevada has got some hidden gems, especially hot springs throughout the state, but this one really stuck out to me the most. It was probably because of the amazing scenery, the humble people and the wild burros. Plus, the time that I was there (early September), the weather was perfect. This...

...If you're into hot springs, and want one that's easily accessible, this is a great hot spring that's worth checking out. Cove Creek Hot Springs is only a 10-minute drive from the town of Stanley. It's not only one of the easier hot springs to get to, but I feel that it's one of the lesser visited in comparison to the many other hot springs in the area.  When I visited this hot spring, I w...

...If you love hot springs, this is a hot spring that's worth checking out. Alkali hot springs are a well taken care of "rock tubs' in the southern desert of Nevada. The area only consists of two tubs, but both are nicely maintained and offer a nice view. I honestly couldn't tell you how often the pools are cleaned, but when I was visiting, there was an older gentleman that was there cleaning t...

...Who doesn't enjoy a short adventure to an scenic location?! If I were to guess, I'd say a good majority of us. This four mile, low trafficked hike to the Broadway Cave will lead you to one of the best spots to hang out or watch the sunset. The Broadway trailhead is located by taking Highway 60 East of Mesa to Apache Junction, where the expressway ends but Highway 60 continues. Shortly after ...

...For this very short stroll to Elephant Arch, I'd like to clarify that it's more of a sightseeing and/or photo opportunity trip than a hiking trip. It's so close that it can be seen from the side of the road. So just forewarning! Nonetheless, if you love natural wonders then it's a landmark you'll be sure to appreciate! From the 60 freeway going East, you'll take a left onto N Queen Valley Rd...

...If you want to have an other-worldly experience that make you feel like you're almost on another planet, exploring these massive balanced rocks are a must! Not far from Page Arizona sits these amazing rock formations! They are located down Lees Ferry Road in Marble Canyon. Getting there is pretty easy. Once driving up the 89A, and over Navajo Bridge, you'll make a right on Lees Ferry Road. ...

...If you're in the MOAB area, this is an arch that's definitely worth checking out! This arch probably doesn't get the recognition that it deserves, mainly due to number of arches that are in the town of MOAB and inside Arches & Canyonlands National Park.  The hike itself was fairly easy, considering I was mainly hiking along the OHV dirt roads. The trail/road I was on to get to the arch...

…Beaver Falls is one of those spots where if you’re looking to avoid the crowd of the Columbia River Gorge, this is another good alternative on where you could go. Not only is that a huge plus, but it’s not often you get to experience a scenic waterfall that you don’t have to put in a ton of effort to get to. You’ll most likely see a few other people here, but not as many as you would at the CR...

...When arriving in the Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, take the drive and park at Sycamore Canyon parking lot. Parking is free and also offers restrooms and some history about the park. Follow the trailhead South until you come to the Satwiwa Culture Center on your left and a dome-like stick configuration. Just a bit of history for you: Satwiwa, which stands for "the bluffs", is the ...

Who doesn't love natural bridge formations?! I know I do! I always try to seek them out every time I hit the road for one of my photography road trips. ...Ayers Natural Bridge Park is a very well maintained and beautiful public park at the bottom of a red-rock canyon. It's about 15 minutes from Douglas, and is about 5 miles off the I-25. When entering the park, you'll pass an old power house...

...One thing about hot springs is that no matter where it may be, they always bring an attraction of people. I can honestly say I don't think I've ever been to a hot spring that didn't gather more then 20+ people in a single sitting. I mean, in all seriousness aside, what's not to like about a bathtub in nature! Getting there: Coming from Lake Isabella, take the Borel Road exit (just off the 1...

...As many of us enjoy a good hot spring to relax in, I think most will agree that it’s even better when it’s free and out in nature. If you decide to have a little bit more of a luxurious hot spring experience, you can continue to take that road about another mile to the Keough Hot Springs camping resort. That’s personally not for me, so I didn't check that out. The two-minute walk from the ga...

...If you're in the Casper Wyoming area and want to spend a little time out in nature, this fairly short hike will take you to an unexpected waterfall called Garden Creek Falls. The trail starts in Rotary Park, but there's no cost to enter or park your vehicle. From there the trail will lead you to an 80+ft. multi-tiered waterfall! When you start your hike, you can either take the .2 mile ea...