Ericka Johnson
Part time hiking guide. Full time outdoor lover and printmaking artist. Reconnecting with the earth is my soul food, sharing it with others is my passion.
Grandeur is a fun leg-burner with easy access and great views! In winter and early spring, be sure to bring microspikes (and trekking poles help too!) as of today, only the last quarter mile had enough snow to want to bust out the spikes. Also, bring sunscreen! The description is very accrurate when it says there are few (but not zero!) shady spots. There are some spots beneath the Junipers along the way that make for great snack break. And the summit has a register you can sign! If you only have a little time in the evening, theres a nice viewpoint 20-30min up the trail that you can hike to for sunset ☀️🏜️
5.0
Beautiful and fun hike with many variations to choose from! Lots of steeper sections to get the heart going, and pretty views of the valley and foothills. Very social trail and may cute doggos to pet along the way🐶
5.0
Frary Peak is filled with natural wonders! From singing meadowlarks to herds of bison and echoes of coyotes in the distance, Antelope Island is a sanctuary for wildlife. The trail feels like walking through Scotland with it’s rock encrusted hills surrounded by the Great Salt Lake. There’s a decent amount of elevation gain (~2200ft) so bring some fun snacks and drinks to enjoy at the summit. Starting around 3pm made for a wonderful sunset hike down with only a handful of people sharing the trail. 10 out 10 would recommend a day trip here!
5.0
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A must see in RRG! I recommend hiking counter clockwise starting with viewing the bottom and crossing over the top of the arch to finish! Lots of parking and great bathrooms, short enough to enjoy on a rainy day :)
5.0
A local gem of a trail system! Whether you’re a family looking for a short, scenic walk or looking for a cute spot to grab a coffee and catch up with friends— The South Bay trail has something for everyone. Overlooking the Bellingham Harbor, walk run or bike along the 2.5mi (one way) trail. Along the way you’ll find two restroom facilities and water fountain spots, a coffee shop, and parks with beachfront access. The last .5mi drops you in downtown and has some fun murals along the route. Otherwise, that section is along a road rather than its own pathway. Free parking off of 11th in a gravel lot near the trailhead. Restrooms from this point are about 5min walking distance.
4.0
Samish Overlook is a magical sunset spot! The winding forest roads are an adventure in itself. The trailhead has bathrooms, trails, picnic tables, and a large clearing for a cute romantic picnic if thats your thing! Swainson’s thrush will serenade you while the foxglove sweetens your senses. Bring your camera, journal, yoga mat, binocs, or loved ones as you soak in the last beautiful rays of the day.
5.0
Mount St Helens is in prime condition for a climb up the Summer Monitor Ridge route! Buy the mandatory $25 climbing permit at rec.gov in order to hike to the summit. You’ll also gain access to car camp at the Climbers Bivouac the night prior. You’ll gain 4,665ft over 4.5ish miles, so be prepared for a long slog up. I recommend bringing microspikes and an ice axe this time of year. The snow softens up around 11am, making it great conditions to descend via glissading. Imagine shaving 2500ft of downhiking by sliding down the snow! Practice your self arresting and technique on lower grade slopes. If snow travel is not your thing, be prepared for a load of boulder hopping and scrambling along Monitor Ridge instead of spiking your way up snow slopes. The higher you ascend, ashen scree will test your patience with two steps forward, one sliding back. Regardless of skill level, this climb offers stunning views of neighboring Mt. Adams, Mt. Hood, and Mt. Rainier (seen from the summit). Be mindful of the cornice at the top— it is currently well-marked— as you take photos of the crater and summit ridges. I started at 3am to get great sunrise views, but saw dozens of folks hiking up around 10am. Either way, hiking guides recommend budgeting 12hrs if not glissading and bring lots of layers for the changing conditions on the mountain! And last but not least, download the map! It’s super helpful if you are navigating at night, and for staying on the right snowfields when descending. Have fun out there 🌋
5.0
If you are looking for a pleasant walk by the water, this trail is so magical! The Riverside Pedestrian Path is a great place to walk with your coffee in the morning, have a picnic, read a book by the river, or go for a shaded run. I recommend parking at the Riverside Park lot if it’s not full. There are porta potties there, but no other restrooms along the trail. Everyone on the trail was so friendly, and there plenty of pups and families— so bring your loved ones! This map will take you up to a bridge that connects with the Greenbelt if you are looking for a longer walk/run, but this highlighted section was my favorite. Lots of flowers, reflective pools, and places to cold plunge if you are feeling so bold. 10/10 highly recommend!
5.0
5.0
Great spot for any time of day! Grab some za from the Pizza Deck and zoom in with your binocs. El Cap meadows is a truly special place to watch climbers do their thing on one of the world’s most famous walls. Around sunset, you can see climbers set up their portaledges (little tents that allows them to sleep on the cliff). There are creekside picnic tables in the area, and great spots for flyfishing. Tack the meadows onto any day for a relaxing hang in the valley!
5.0
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Do yourself a favor and bring a rain jacket for the misty stairwell up to Vernal Falls! The views are spectacular! Definitely get here early for a parking spot in Curry Village, and prepare for lots of elevation gain. This is a hike you won’t soon forget!
5.0
The Hammond Creek Trail System at Lee S Jones Park is a wonderland of surprises. This multi-use trail is great for mountain biking, nature photography, cross country/trail running, orienteering, and picnicking. Pros: -Ample parking at the trailhead, with a pavillion for setting up a picnic or party -Short distance to well-maintained bathroom near the concession stand between fields 1&2 -Playground, baseball and soccer fields, and dog park for kiddos and pets. Cons: -Extremely easy to get lost, even with the map downloaded. Some of the mtb trails lead across Hammond Creek, so keep an eye on which trails you choose. -Muddy conditions after rain and lots of roots— mind your step! -Trail often runs next to roads, so be prepared for the musical stylings of passing traffic. There are many multi-use trails with varying distances marked by different color-coded trail blazes attached to trees. There are several map guides aprinkked throughout the trail system, but definitely download the map for this area! The current map does not reflect all of the trails offered here, so consider tracking yours to the app!
3.0
Tried out the green, blue, red, and orange/black trails today. Blue was the most engaging and fun, as it is follows a Hammond Creek bed. The trail blazes (markers) felt like a scavenger hunt, and the views were beautiful. Green is the shortest and best maintained of all the options, great for kiddos and beginner hikers! Red and Orange/Black are longer hauls. Make sure to bring plenty of water and snacks for those! May encounter multiple creek crossing where you have to walk ovee or crawl on a log to continue the trail!
4.0
The (Blue) Frisco Recreation Path has just over 6mi of paved pathways for biking, running, and nature walks. This section strolls past Frisco Bay and alongside the Dillon Reservoir. In the spring this area is a wonderful spot to birdwatch and photograph the snowmelt waterways. In winter conditions the pathway stays mostly clear of snow and ice, making it a great option for a short jaunt from town. There is parking at the Frisco Marina and on Main Street to access this section, which extends all the way to the Dillon Marina.
4.0
This is a great place for nature walking, mountain biking, trail running, or picnicking. The trails get muddy and there are signs with specific directions to go depending on the day. Plenty of parking and river access!
4.0
Liberty is the Central Park of Salt Lake City. It’s a beautiful green space with lots of lovely shady trees. Liberty Park has beach volleyball courts, the Tracy Aviary, picnic tables, running and biking paths, fun vendors, and tennis courts. There’s something for everyone!
5.0
The International Peace Gardens are a great place for a nature walk in the city. Representing 26 nations, it’s like a mini botanical Epcot in Salt Lake City! Theres plenty of parking and its ADA accessible. Dogs are welcome too! Roam around the world to see the architecture of Japan and then walk over to the mini Matterhorn of Switzerland! This park is my favorite place to meet up with friends, plan a family picnic, or hop on the Jordan River Trail. 10/10 would recommend.
5.0
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