Zach L

Midwestern transplant, recreational hiker and fun seeker.

Explorer

10/19/22

Great hike but be prepared for a full day. We started around 8am and it took 10 hours but we explored some other points of interest nearby, if you’re just going to the cathedral and back it should be around 6-8 hours. There will be cairns along the trail but having a map or digital route to follow is highly recommended, especially if you aren’t going up and down Fence Canyon. Save some energy for the climb back to the parking area, it’s not so bad going down with fresh legs but it feels long at the end when you’re hungry and thirsty!

I hiked this in January (low-snow year) so we didn’t need snowshoes but traction devices would have been helpful as it was icy coming down after the mid-day melt. The gate to the parking area was closed so we parked along the road and walked to the trailhead. The trail was a fairly gradual incline although you can often see the top and expect it to be harder/steeper. There was quite a bit more snow at the top and on the decent to Marlette but it’s worth the extra distance and there are Tahoe views throughout. This is a really nice hike in terms of length, difficulty, views, and payoff.

Explorer

10/18/22

Short uphill hike to a neat waterfall. Good for all ages, near to town, and has bathrooms at the trailhead.

Explorer

10/17/22

The most popular spot in Lassen and for good reason, it’s beautiful and bizarre and all visitors should embark on the short hike to see it. At the junction with Frying Pan trail, go either way and come back via the other trail. There’s a nice panoramic sign about the volcano that used to house Bumpass and another describing the origin of the name.

Explorer

10/17/22

I did this prior to the Dixie Fire so it’s a bit different now. The trail is easy to the Cascade Falls overlook but if you continue down to Kings Creek Falls there are some steep sections. I’d recommend making a loop by going to Cascade Falls overlook, continue down to Kings Creek Falls and back, then come up the steps along Cascade Falls (my favorite of the two). Where Kings Creek meanders through the meadow is also quite pretty and picturesque.

Explorer

10/17/22

This was a fun trail, it’s a pretty good incline the whole way but the switchbacks make it feel more manageable. Lots of good signage about Lassen Peak and the area, some even list the distance-to-summit which is helpful. Aside from the occasional scree/gravel, the trail was in great shape and accommodating young and old alike. Easier than Brokeoff Mtn but also significantly more traveled.

This is also a 5mi race course and it's a fun way to get some exercise, see the island, get a ferry ride, and take in the views of the surrounding bay. We got rained on a bit but it was fun and I'd recommend signing up for a race to add some excitement to your Angel Island trip!

Explorer

09/29/22

One of the classic Zion hikes so be prepared for crowds. There's a permitting system in place now so be sure to apply before you visit. Even if you don't get all the way up, the hike up through refrigerator canyon is a great trail and if you want to continue up Walter's Wiggles there's a great views from Scout Lookout. It's short and steep!

This is a fun loop that isn't too far down Hole-in-the-Rock road. Tunnel appears sort of dark and ominous (in the morning/evening) but it's short enough to see all the way through. We waded in thigh-deep and just bridged/chimney'd up and over the rest of the water. Some mild route finding between the end of Tunnel and getting over to Zebra. Zebra is pretty but quite short and is an out-and-back slot so you'll have to squeeze by other visitors.

Nice walk up the sandy/rocky wash. It doesn't get very narrow, maybe 8' at the narrowest, but the walls have some interesting features and there are 100+ year old inscriptions from previous travelers. A bit of history with your exploration of the park.

Fairly popular trail, plenty of elevation gain to make the pond at the end. Good views of the city from an overlook about 3/4 of the way up. Felt a bit like bushwhacking toward the end but the pond makes for a great lunch/picnic spot before heading back down.

Explorer

08/29/22

I hiked this a few years ago although I believe it is still closed. This trail offers many of the features of classic Zion hikes (chains, narrow canyons, beautiful views, and mild scrambling) while still flying a bit under the radar. If/when it opens back up, early/mid November is a beautiful time to check it out, it'll be decorated in some extra colors.

Regardless where you start this hike (Stinson, Steep Ravine TH, Whitegate Ranch TH, etc) this is a great trail and an inspiring route through some old growth forest. Would recommend going UP steep ravine and DOWN Dipsea using Old Mine as a connector at the Pantoll Campground. The signage is good and there’s so many different loops from Pantoll that you can add as much additional mileage as you’re up for. There’s also a ranger station that is staffed if you have questions or need recommendations.

Explorer

08/01/22

This is a beautiful trail, especially on a clear day where you’ve got views both into the bay and out to the ocean. Even when conditions are foggy you can get lucky and see elk, quail, coyotes, and other wildlife. It’s not all up or all down which is nice but the end is a bit sandy so have a picnic while you rest up for the return trip.

Explorer

07/29/22

Agree with the other review, a must-do trail. There's marked plants along the way to brush up on the local flora and then you can just admire the rugged views from the end. I happened to be out there for sunset and it was a great cap to a day exploring Black Canyon.

Explorer

07/29/22

We parked our rental in Doolin and took the walking trail from town all the way to the O'Brien Tower then caught a shuttle back to Doolin. We had blue skies and sunshine all day in mid-July but we may have gotten lucky, In my opinion this was a great way to see the cliffs, get some exercise, and work up an appetite for some Irish Stew and a Guinness back at Gun O'Connors when you return to Doolin.

Explorer

07/29/22

A friend of mine and his wife recommended renting bikes in Killarney, taking the boat across the lake, and then biking back to Killarney. While we couldn't get the boat shuttle across the lake, I dropped off a bike at the top, parked at Katie's Cottage, hiked up, then biked back down. However you do it, this is a beautiful valley with sheep, stone bridges, and iconic Ireland countryside.

Explorer

07/29/22

Visited in July and the weather was rainy and a low fog obscured the top of the mountains before moving down and shrouding most of the views. This was the top of my Ireland bucket list and it was beautiful, I can't wait to return to hike when the skies are clear.

This is a paved trail along the rim with terrific views down into the eroded amphitheaters. I've visited Sunrise Point for sunrise and Sunset Point for sunset and I don't think you can go wrong with either point at either time of day. If you're not up for the steeper Navajo Trail from Sunset Point I would recommend the Queens Garden Trail, it's more gradual and even going out only part way and gets you down among the spires and offers some great views.

The time I visited in February, Wall Street was closed so I had to go down/up the same section of the Navajo Trail. Bryce is higher elevation (8k ft) so they get more snow and colder temps than Zion and other areas below the plateau. I didn't need spikes but the switchbacks were full of sloped ice from packed/melting snowfall. I definitely wouldn't recommend it for those who aren't sure-footed. With that said, Bryce is a beautiful destination in the winter!

Explorer

07/28/22

Nice hike up and over Smith Rock SP and a great stop even for non-climbers. The beginning is a decent climb which gets your heart rate up but the views of the Crooked River and eventually out toward the Cascades are well worth the effort. I made it a loop and took the Mesa Verde Trail down to the River trail which is a very serene and peaceful riverside walk to bring you back to the bridge.

Explorer

07/25/22

To be honest, the dunes were less “pink” than I expected but they were still a fairly vibrant orange/salmon color and this probably changes a bit seasonally, and based on time of day. The sand was very fine and it was fun to ditch the shoes and walk around the dunes barefoot (until it got too hot). It’s a state park and there’s an entrance fee but it’s a good spot for a picnic, there’s even an observation deck (grandstands) where you could sit and watch a sunset dance over the dunes.

Explorer

07/25/22

This trail follows a sandy/rocky wash as one entrance into Buckskin Gulch. It is flat, easy, and relatively bland until you get close to the entry into Buckskin. When you reach the first “slot canyon” there’s a dry fall that you’ll have to navigate, in the past there have been rocks/logs for some assistance. It can be a little intimidating for some but it is passable (both ways) and easier than you might think. Wire Pass is not the real attraction, it just happens to be the trail that gets people to The Wave or Buckskin Gulch, the two stars of the show.

Started at Sunset Point, took the Navajo Loop down through Wall Street and then branched off on the Peekaboo Loop. It’s all down until you begin Peekaboo, then it’s quite a bit of up and down. If you want to spoil the surprise, watch the faces’ of people coming toward you: if they look happy it means they just had a nice downhill stretch which means you’re in for a climb…if they look sad, then you’re about to get a break. Take plenty of water, it’s unlikely you’ll get any until you return to the rim, and watch for the horses (and horse poop). Keep in mind that you’re around 8k feet so there’s some added challenge to this hike, especially once you’re done with the loop but still have to climb out on the Navajo trail. Regardless, anytime you can get down amongst the hoodoos in BCNP is a good hike and this one is no exception.