John MauriziExplorer

Castleton Tower is a popular destination for rock climbing when in the Moab area. However, if you are not a rock climbing, you can still enjoy the scenery of the tower and the surrounding desert. Located on BLM land, there are several access trails off the La Sal Loop road. You can't miss the tower! While there are several social trails to access the tower area, there is a trail head with parki...

This trail starts from a parking area just off Route 18.  Follow the obvious trail with the whiterocks to the right and views of Snow Canyon.  The trail descend steep, deep sand path until you reach some petrified sand dunes.  Great photo opportunities here.  This section is short lived as you continue down hill and through open desert. The trail ends when you reach the Lava Flow Trail.  Turnin...

The Elephant Terrace is part of the Royal Palace complex serving as part of the east wall.  The wall is located just north of Bayon and serves as an elevated path that connects the Leper King Terrace and the entrances to Baphuon Temple and Phimeanakas Temple.  It is said that the Elephant Terrace is where the King would watch parades of his army. The front wall of the terrace has beautifully ca...

This ride is one of the most popular in Moab, let alone the state of Utah. With that said, you probably won't have the trail to yourself so be sure to take time to hangout at the best vista points and chat with the other riders. Although the shuttles try to stagger the drop-offs, there will be riders coming in from the road at various times, so keep an eye out. Be sure to pack plenty of water a...

The Aztec Butte Trail is a two pronged out and back trail for a total of two miles. The trail is single track and easy to follow. After a third of a mile the trail splits. To the left, a trail takes you to the top of a small mesa. There is an informative sign marking the way. On the other side of this mesa is an ancient stone structure called a granary. Descend back to the trail split. The othe...

Phimeanakas is found within the walls of the Royal Palace. Directly north through the palace walls from Baphuon Temple. Phimeanakas is a three tiered temple constructed in the 10th century. The original structure had a tower on top. Legend states that a serpent spirit with 9 heads lived in the tower and would appear disguised as a women. The Khmer King would have to sleep with the woman every n...

Bayon Temple was built in the 12 century and about 100 years after Angkor Wat. Bayon is in the exact center of Angkor Thom. It is famous for over 200 stone Buddha faces that highlight the magnificence of Bayon. In Bayon's current state, it has 37 towers. Each tower has four faces point in four directions. It is very impressive. Entering from the direction of the South Gate, the road circles Bay...

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 Fria which has about 400 sites. The community was quite large.Today, few people visit the site because...

I'm always find dinosaur tracks fascinating. Willow Springs has a few cool tracks not as defined as others but definitely noticeable. There is also an interpretive sign describing the tracks installed by the Bureau of Land Management. To find the tracks, drive north on 191. Over the Colorado River and drive until you pass route 313 on the left. Willow Springs rd is the second right after route ...

This loop trail has two different starting points. You can start at the south end of Rogers Lake (which is what I did) or the north end. I hike in a clockwise direction. This is recommended if you are hiking in the late afternoon as I did. The sun will be at your back during the section that has full exposure to the sun as you hike along the basin. This direction also offers great views of the ...

From the Mossy Cave trailhead, follow the wide easy trail along the Tropic Ditch stream for .35 miles. At that point, the trail splits. To the left is Mossy Cave and to the right is Water Canyon Falls. The trail is lined with beautiful colored cliffs and hoodoos that Bryce Canyon is famous for. The trail is about 1 mile round trip, but further exploration is possible up Water Canyon along the T...

Faux Falls is located near the Ken's Lake campground off Route 191, 20 minutes south of Moab. When I was there it was during several days of thunderstorms. The waterfall was really gushing. Not sure how much water is running when there hasn't been rain in a while. The falls can be seen from the campground. Follow a dirt road that leads right the base of the falls but you cannot drive this sect...

This loop hike can be started from several different places.  I chose to start from Allison Park which overlooks the Hudson River in Englewood Cliffs, NJ.  From the parking area, walk out to the entrance road and travel south to Saint Peter's College.  The Long Path Trail, which you join from Allison Park, travels along the college property and the Palisades Interstate Parkway.  At times the tr...

Hawk Falls is located in Hickory Run State Park, Pennsylvania in the Poconos Mountains. The trail is mostly downhill, with some slippery sections so wear adequate shoes and take caution when you approach the falls. A rock outcrop at the top of the falls makes for a great lookout point. The 0.7 out-and-back trail is a good option for families as it is fairly short and manageable for hikers of al...

Beaver Pond is a small body of water created by a dam that was constructed during the days of iron ore mining in the area.  The pond is crystal clear and has a wonderful tree line right on the water.  The best time to visit here is early morning in the fall.  With the leaves changing color they make an awesome reflection in the water.  There is several places here to relax and have lunch or jus...

From the parking area, pass through a gate and hike up the trail which is lined with fields of Buttercup flowers. This lasts for about 0.5 miles when you gradually enter the forest. At this point, the trail gets incredibly muddy. Some attempts at trail maintenance are apparent with logs placed across the trail, but many have sunk into the mud. There is really no way around the mud, and it lasts...

A Kora is a walk or trek that circumnavigates a holy location, typically a monastery or stupa. The Potala is the former home of the 14th Dalai Lhama. It was built in the 7th century and has over 1000 rooms and tens of thousand historic Buddhist text and relics.  It is one of the most holy locations for Tibetans. Many locals and pilgrims walk or prostrate the Kora daily. Most people start from e...

Not many people visit this petroglyph site because of the steep access trail. From the Poison Spider parking lot, walk the trail that leads to the slab with an obvious dinosaur track highlighted when people put plaster in the track to make a mold. This, of course, is prohibited.  Work your way up to the cliff above. Along that wall and on a few fallen slabs are some very nice Petroglyphs.  Expl...

Along Point Arena Lighthouse Road there is an access trailhead to Stornetta Public Lands, which is part of the Bureau of Land Management system. There is a wonderful coastal trail that offers great views of the rugged coastline. From the trailhead, you will be walking south across an open field with views all around. I walked about 2.5 miles out and back. The trail went on further. I wish I had...

Pete Agueberry came Death Valley in 1905. After a legal battle, Pete gained control of the Eureka Mine in 1909. He worked the mine alone for nearly 40 years before his death. The original cabin that Pete lived in is still on the site. The buildings in the front were built in the 1940's as guest houses. These buildings seem to have more items intact. One building still has a water heater and old...

This is a difficult loop hike that has several different starting points.  I chose to start at the Washburn Trail Head, which is the lowest starting point you can select.  Nearly on the Hudson River, the trail ascends immediately along a well maintained road designated by white disc markers.  After a short way you will reach a quarry. The trail turns right here and ascends a shoulder as several...

There is only one company that has a permit to go on Martillo Island, while all the other tours take people to shoot photos from a boat. The company that has the permit is Pira Tour. We paid $100 usd (it was a little less because we drove ourselves one hour to Harberton. It was so worth it!!! If you don't do anything else while in Ushuaia, please don't miss this experience! From the Acatushin M...

The trailhead parking is at the end of Timberbrook Road, before the road enters Camp Winnebago (Boy Scouts). I hiked this in a clockwise directions starting on the Timberbrook Trail (yellow markers).  After about 1 mile the trail ends at a junction with the Four Birds Trail (white markers).  Turn right and follow for two miles to the top of Riley's Rise.  There is no view from the trail but you...

To access this trail, you must pay the $16 park entrance fee. It's a 1.25 mile from the entrance gate along a gravel road but there are signs marking the way to the trailhead.  Translated, Sendero Punta Catedral means Cathedral Point Trail. It is a 1 mile long trail that circles Cathedral Point peninsula. This trail has been improved quite a bit since the very first time I hiked it. Now, the tr...