Spencer WilliamsExplorer

Victoria Harbor located on the southwestern tip of Vancouver Island, British Columbia is the southernmost port in Canada. Enjoying a moderate climate year round, one will quickly see why it is also known as Canada's busiest port. Pleasure boats, water taxis, large car and passenger ferries, tugboats with barges, cruise ships and lots of seaplanes operate throughout the immense harbor everyday. ...

Shady Rest Park is a peaceful, family-friendly recreation area located just off Sawmill Road, only minutes from the center of Mammoth Lakes. With easy access, tall pine forests, and gently rolling terrain, it’s a great spot for walking, picnicking, biking, or simply soaking in the beauty of the Eastern Sierra. Whether you’re looking for a quiet place to read under the trees, play with the kids,...

The Towsley Canyon Loop can be done in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise loop. The clockwise path starts with a gradual ascent through Wiley Canyon and steep descent into the Towsley Gorge while a counter-clockwise route starts with a steep climb out of Towsley Canyon and a gradual descent back to the parking area. I recommend the clockwise route, after parking in one of the free parking ...

Located in Washington State on the west shore of the Hood Canal, Mike's Beach Resort is a unique family run establishment offering waterfront cabins and rooms. Perfectly placed between the popular shore dives to the south like Octopus Hole, and Jorsted Creek, and the dynamic boat dives to the north such as The Pinnacle and Pulali Point, Mike's can be the ideal basecamp for a full array of divin...

To get to Pumphouse Falls take Interstate 70 toward East Vail, Colorado, get off at exit 176 S. Frontage Road headed east. At the traffic circle take the third exit and continue on South Frontage Rd. for 2.5 miles, turn right into the small parking lot next to the Nordic ski track. Follow the signs from the parking lot showing the footpath across the Nordic track and walk straight toward the gu...

This adventure is a strenuous 4-mile (3-5 hour) loop into the backcountry of ZNP and is not recommended for families or those with a fear of heights. It begins at the Canyon Overlook Trailhead located on the east side of the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. Parking in the area is very competitive and I recommend trying to park closer to your exit point of Upper Pine Creek, located 0.7 miles northeast ...

The Aileen Getty Ridge Trail is a singletrack trail that runs between Mt. Lee and Burbank Peak (the location of the Wisdom Tree). Though there are many options to access this trail, the most direct route is from the west via the Wonder View Trailhead. Start by parking on Lake Hollywood Drive near the Lake Hollywood Reservoir. Begin walking east along Wonder View Drive passing the yellow gate, a...

The Marina Del Rey harbor covers 1.5 square miles making it the world’s largest small-craft harbor. Located southwest of Los Angeles, it is the homeport to nearly 6,500 local boats, ranging from small fishing boats, large private yachts, and even a multitude of unique houseboats. The harbor is easily accessed via Admiralty Way, one street west of Lincoln Blvd. Renting a kayak in the harbor is e...

Finding the statue of William Wallace is a fun and worthwhile adventure suitable for the whole family. To get there begin by finding a small dirt parking lot located off B6356 between the towns of Bemersyde and Dryburgh. Be sure to not leave valuable belongings in your car, the area has historically been a target of thieves, (there is a sign posted by local police warning you), but don’t let th...

The Obsidian Dome Trailhead provides access to a large network of winter hiking trails through Inyo National Forest. These are marked trails that are groomed on an intermittent basis by the National Forest Service. To find the trailhead and parking area, drive north on highway 395 from Mammoth Lakes turning left (west) at Bald Mountain Rd. The trailhead is clearly visible from the parking lot a...

George L. Smith is a Georgia State Park located about an hour west of Savannah in the town of Twin City, GA. Originally the site of a combination gristmill, saw mill, covered bridge and dam built in 1880, the now refurbished and still working Parrish Mill and “pond” boast a multitude of new facilities. These include a group shelter near the bridge used for family reunions and parties, a full ho...

Castaic Lake is a man made reservoir located 41 miles north of downtown Los Angeles, CA in the town of Castaic. Made up of two bodies of water, separated by a 425-foot dam, Upper and Lower Castaic Lakes have a combined 29 miles of shoreline forming the Castaic Lake State Recreational Area. The small “lower lake”, also known as Castaic Lagoon, is open seasonally and reserved for swimming, and s...

Death Canyon Trailhead is easily accessed by heading south on Moose-Wilson Rd. from Grand Teton National Park Headquarters for 3 miles. Once at the junction turn right onto an uneven dirt road and go north 0.7 miles to the parking area.Day 1: (8.3 miles) From Death Canyon Trailhead hike west for 1-mile to the Phelps Lake overlook (7,200 ft.), this will be your first of many photo opportunities....

Located 1 mile east of the Mt Waterman Ski Resort, Buckhorn Ski Hill is a great place to enjoy a leisurely stroll through a snow-covered forest, complete with views of towering Mt Waterman. To get here take I-210 toward La Canada, exit on to California Highway 2 (Angeles Crest Highway) heading northeast for 35 miles. Parking is located 1 mile past the Mt Waterman Ski Resort on the north side of...

The Verdugo Mountain Range is a small, rugged range spanning across the northeast end of the San Fernando Valley from Sun Valley to Glendale. With close to 50 miles of graded and well-maintained trails, the Verdugos are surprisingly underutilized and make a great place for someone looking to escape the crowds of surrounding Griffith Park and Runyon Canyon.  Hiking the Verdugo Mountain Traverse...

The Old Youth Camp Loop is a 2.6-mile loop with over 700 feet of elevation gain that can be ran, hiked, or even mountain biked if you prefer. While not completely empty the area receives very little visitors and is a great place to enjoy a little more solitude than near by hiking locations. The loop begins at Stough Canyon Nature Center, a free and easy parking area, located a quarter mile nort...

Your adventure will start at the Brand Library parking lot. Walk behind the library towards the gated day use area and you will find the start of the trail on your right, Las Flores MTWY. The first half-mile rises over 500 feet to a plateau, equipped with benches, a park map and views of Griffith Park and Downtown LA. Next is the grueling 1000 foot/1-mile climb to the first in a string of radi...

The starting point for your run is at the Griffith Park Southern Railroad. From the parking lot walk east crossing Crystal Springs Drive and find the Coolidge Hiking Trail. Begin running up Coolidge Trail toward Upper Beacon Trail making sure to stay straight at the first intersection (0.2 miles). You will pass a golf course driving range on your right before coming to a second intersection (0....

Glendale Peak is often passed over by people hiking to Mt. Hollywood, and while it is not as high as its neighbor summit, it boasts arguably better views that you will enjoy all to yourself. While not really a full hiking trail and more of a small detour, Henry's Trail is worth the small uphill climb to Glendale Peak.  The trail is accessed via the East Ridge Trail (Hogback Trail), about 2.6 m...

At 1,625 feet Mt Hollywood is the second highest point in Griffith Park and provides picturesque views of the Hollywood Sign, Griffith Park Observatory, Downtown Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Mountains. The hike to the Mt Hollywood Summit begins on the northeast side of Griffith Park near the famed Griffith Park Merry Go Round. Start in the merry go round parking area and head toward the fir...

Verdugo Peak, at 3000 feet, is accessible from multiple directions and trails along the Verdugo Range. The most direct route to the top is Hostetter Fire Road, a 3.6-mile hard-packed dirt trail that climbs 1600 feet to the 3,126-foot summit. The hike begins at the dirt parking lot off of La Tuna Canyon Rd next to the I-210 entrance ramp. Start by crossing the yellow gate and hiking up a paved r...

The Verdugo Mountain Range is a small, rugged range spanning across the northeast end of the San Fernando Valley from Sun Valley to Glendale. With close to 50 miles of graded and well-maintained trails, the Verdugos are surprisingly underutilized and make a great place for someone looking to escape the crowds of surrounding Griffith Park and Runyon Canyon.  The Chandler Fire Road is located in...

Mount Thom and Tongva Peak are accessed by using the 6.2 mile out and back trail, Las Flores Motorway located in the north part of Glendale, CA. Roadside parking is not allowed near the trailhead, you will need to park in the nearby residential area along Sunshine Drive about 0.15 miles away from the starting mark. Now that you have legally parked, begin walking up Sunshine Drive to the start o...

The Vital Link Trail is a steep and narrow out-and-back trail accessed though the Wildwood Canyon Park located in Burbank, CA. Parking at Wildwood Canyon is free and easy, and will be determined by which of the four trailheads you choose to start from.  For the shortest and most direct route you can drive to the top of Wildwood Canyon where you will find a fire road that takes you directly to ...