Josiah RoeExplorer

World's End in Horton Plains National Park is perhaps *the* tourist destination in the central highlands of Sri Lanka, featuring a 4,000' drop and breathtaking views of tea plantations and the Indian Ocean some 50 miles way.The park itself sits on the southern plateau of the central highlands with an average elevation of between 6,900' and 7,500', and features numerous plants and animals found ...

There a numerous trails in the Laguna Coast Wilderness that proceed up and along the ridges and down into the canyons (or the reverse), and most are excellent for hiking, trail running, and mountain biking. A classic out-and-back (with many options for loops) begins in Irvine Bowl Park at the end of Lookout Drive, and proceeds up the ridgeline and past the Water Tank (and an excellent spot to ...

The climb to the summit of Arthur's Rock in Lory State Park provides relative isolation and solitude just 30 minutes from downtown Fort Collins along with great hiking, trail running, mountain biking, rock climbing, and horseback riding. Arthur's Rock Trail is the most direct route to the summit, and can be reached by entering the park (Lory Park Road off North County Road 25G) and driving sou...

The Podi Menike train leaves daily from either Fort Train Station in Colombo or from Badulla, and takes approximately 10 hours to complete its journey. From Colombo and the coastal jungle, after the first couple of hours the train begins its slow climb into the mountains eventually reaching its highest point at Pattipola Station (6210').There are 1st (assigned seats, air conditioned), 2nd, and ...

No trek to (or back from) Annapurna Base Camp in the Himalayas is complete without stopping at the Jhinu Hot Springs, just a short 15-20 hike down to the bottom of the Modi Khola river canyon from the village and tea houses of Jhinu Danda. Often a caretaker or priest will request a small donation to help maintain the pools (and well worth it) and during busier times of the year snacks and a wel...

Pig Rock, aka The Pig, as its name suggests, is a pig-looking outcrop of volcanic tuff that has a variety of routes great for training and being introduced to trad climbing. There is no approach to the routes themselves, as you can park right at the base of The Pig. To get there, take Hwy 445/Pyramid Way north out of Reno for 24 miles, where you will take a left onto a dirt road. There are seve...

Bahia San Luis Gonzaga or "Gonzaga Bay" is an absolute treasure and for many it is the first big expansive and empty-feeling section of Baja they reach as they head south down Highway 5. The wide bay is set against a backdrop of massive cacti and features a huge sand spit that leads out to Isla San Luis Gonzaga. While there are several vacation(ish) homes, the bay is home to only two restaurant...

Muley Point on the southern end of the Cedar Mesa is one of the finest camping (and car camping) sites in North America, towering some 2400' above the San Juan River Canyon (and The Goosenecks State Park) looking south directly into the northern mouth of Monument Valley. It is a breathtakingly beautiful place and easily missed. To get there from the South, take Highway 163 north from Mexican Ha...

The trail begins at the south end of Pine Street in Telluride, and proceeds 2.5 miles up the Bear Creek Canyon trail with an elevation gain of about 1,000'.Be sure to stay to the left at the divide with the Wasatch Trail.At the waterfall there is a small use trail that contours up to the right and across the cliff face for some incredible views down the canyon. Careful though, the rocks can be ...

Bahía de Concepcion on the eastern side of Baja California is one of the most iconic and beautiful places on the peninsula. It and its beaches are *why* people drive for two days out into the middle of nowhere. It is a place that makes Baja, Baja. Bill's Beach, so named for a Canadian man who came on his retirement trip in a 2008 Lincoln sedan and never left (and still lives in a tent next to t...

To say that Bahía de Los Angeles is remote is an understatement. It has one gas station, two "restaurants", no cell service, and one absolutely picturesque volcanic island just offshore, Isla Coronado. It is Baja in all its rustic glory.While there are a couple of campos where you can rent a palapa or park your RV/Westie, free camping is easily found by driving 5 miles north out of town to the ...

Sinks Canyon is named for the geological mystery known as "The Sink" and "The Rise", where the Popo Agie River disappears underground along an unknown course only to appear again hundreds of yards away. But what is no mystery is the fantastic beauty of the Canyon: the wildlife and wildflowers, the abundant trails and climbing routes, and of course the occasional glimpse of the glorious Wind Riv...

The trek to the Annapurna Base Camp is, understandably, one of the most popular treks in Nepal. It is typically done as an out-and-back beginning in Pokhara, a short hour flight west of the capital of Kathmandu.Given the extensive trail system through Nepal, there are several variants that pass through scenic towns like Ghandruk and allow for summits of secondary peaks like Poon Hill. Even in w...

The village of Ella is a perfect little backpackers stop on southwestern edge of the central Sri Lankan hill country on the main train line between Badulla and the capitol, Colombo. No trip to Ella is complete without a quick hike to the top of Little Adam's Peak, or "Little Sri Pada" to locals. It gives incredible views of Ella, the surrounding tea plantations, and southwest through the Ella G...

The Bommer Ridge West Trailhead aka The Pacific Ridge Trailhead begins at the edge of Ridge Park Road, overlooking CA State Highway 73, and marks the northwest entrance to the Laguna Coast Wilderness and its neighbor, Crystal Cove State Park. From the well-marked trailhead follow the trail south-east, following the ridge line roughly parallel to Highway 73. Note that in places several use trai...

The numerous kelp forests, sea caves, and coves of the Channel Island National Park, coupled with its unbelievable sealife makes for some of the best diving in the world.  East Fish Camp off Anacapa Island is an excellent introduction to diving on the Channel Islands, with an average depth of 35' and a great array of wildlife and underwater nooks and crannies to explore. Like any coldwater, Cal...

Limestone Mountain on the southern end of the Wind River range is famous for the nearby climbing mecca, Wild Iris, but it is also an excellent place to camp with ready access via forest roads to all manner of outdoor adventure activities including hiking and mountain biking. The top of the mountain is covered by radio towers leaving most to camp down the hill, but past the radio towers on fores...

Father Crowley Overlook is an easily missed overlook on the western edge of Death Valley National Park off State Highway 190 overlooking Panamint Valley. It is easy to miss because the parking area doesn't appear to have a particularly notable vista, but leading off from the parking area to the south east is a dirt but maintained road leading to the actual (and epic) Father Crowley Vista.  Man...

Corno Piccolo (8710') or "Little Horn" as part of the Gran Sasso Massif, is the rocky, limestone heart of the Italian Peninsula, providing epic views from Adriatic to Tyrrhenian Seas. There are numerous world-class climbing routes to the summit, the most straightforward being a hike from the ski resort Prati di Tivo, which can be reached off the A24 via SS80.From Prati di Tivo, you can either t...

The Alta Via 1 is the definite trail through the Italian Dolomites, showcasing some of the most scenic terrain in all of the Alps. It begins at Lago di Braies and ends in the town Belluno, covering 150 kilometers and over 26,000' of elevation gain.Unlike backpacking or fastpacking in the United States, camping is forbidden along the trail and in much of the national park. Instead through-hikers...

From Wanaka-Mt. Aspiring Road, head west out of town and past Glendhu Bay (and Roy's Peak). Go right on West Wanaka Station Road and follow it until the obvious split towards the Homestead Bay / Minaret Burn Track parking area to the right.Take the Minaret Burn / Homestead Bay track approximately 10 kilometers to the obvious Daniel Spur Track to the left. There are excellent campsites at the mo...

Known informally as "San Javier" or "Mission San Javier", the officially named Misión San Francisco Xavier de Viggé-Biaundó is Spanish mission founded in 1758 and is surrounded by the tiny hamlet of San Javier. Trips to explore the mission are one of the most popular side trips for people visiting the Loreto area. Behind the mission is short path to an olive tree which at 300+ years old is said...

The Bowl of Fire, tucked away in the Muddy Mountains Wilderness, is made up of the same dramatic conglomerate as that of the Valley of Fire, only almost no-one stops to visit as they blitz by on Northshore Road in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. To get there take the Northshore Road 16 miles from the turnoff from Lakeshore Road just inside the west entrance to the Recreation Area. You ...

The main trail begins at the Cache La Poudre river on the Poudre Canyon Highway about 30 minutes from Fort Collins. After about .75 miles the trail splits. To go left on Greyrock Meadows trail adds 2 miles to your trip and provides excellent views of Greyrock Mountain and Meadows from the south, eventually connecting back with Greyrock Mountain trail. Going right on Greyrock Mountain Trail take...