Happy Trails!
Category: National Parks
Zooming around the Zabriskie Point Loop, Death Valley National Park
Miles: ~7, options for additional explorations along the way in Gower Gulch, Gold Canyon, and Red Cathedral. You can also take the shorter, easier Badlands Loop (2.5 miles) for a quick immersion. If you’re not up for a hike, you can take the ¼ mile walk up a hill on a paved path to the lookout.
Elevation gain: 827 ft
Difficulty: Easy to moderate, depending on your fitness level. The trail is “runnable” when crowds are light.
Rated # 3 top hike in Death Valley National Park.
Among the most photographed spots in Death Valley National Park, Zabriskie Point boasts expansive views of yellow and brown striped hills, the badlands and salt flats beyond, and the Eastern Sierras in the far distance. Great for sunrise and sunset pics! I got there just before sunset so made it a fast zoom around. I’ve explored Golden Gulch before that’s worth it too!
The dance of light and shadow on the stark dramatic landscape is compelling in color and black and white. It’s obvious why this area was one of Ansel Adam’s favorite photography playgrounds.
If you look closely at the picture on the right above, you can see the trail tracing its way up to the ridge.
Fun Fact: Death Valley is the hottest place on earth and the lowest, driest place in North America.
Getting there: The Zabriskie Point lookout and trailhead parking lot for both Badlands and the Zabriskie loop is a 15-minute drive East on Highway 190 from Furnace Creek Visitor Center.
Happy Trails!
Wonderful Mount Washburn, Yellowstone National Park
Distance: 7.3 Miles RT (According to my Garmin, 6.8 miles according to Alltrails, and 5 miles according to the sign in the parking lot-lol.)
Difficulty: Easy (depending on fitness level and altitude acclimation), gradual ascent and descent on an old service road.
Elevation Gain: 1,332 ft over 3.5 miles to reach the fire lookout at the peak.
Wonderful Mount Washburn, at an elevation of 10,219 feet, is the most popular summit hike in Yellowstone National Park. It’s easy to see why. Named in 1870 after Henry D. Washburn, the Washburn–Langford–Doane Expedition leader, the hike features panoramic views from the start, wildflowers, wildlife sightings (only chipmunks and a grouse for me), a fire lookout tower with interpretive exhibits, an enclosed observation deck, and restrooms. Bagging this peak is relatively easy as you ascend gradually on an old service road.
Notes: No dogs. Be prepared for rapid weather changes and afternoon thunder and lightning storms, especially in the summer. Be bear alert and bring bear spray just in case. (They love this trail too.)
South & North Trailhead options: The South Trailhead is located along the Grand Loop Road between Canyon and Tower (7-mile route). To access the north trailhead (shorter route with a little less elevation ~5 miles), take the unpaved Chittenden Road 1.3 miles to the trailhead. From the top, I spied a couple more trails to explore, but alas, I ran out of time.
Happy Trails!
Picturesque Point Sublime Via Artists’ Point: An Awesome Yellowstone Must-Do
Distance: ~2.7 with optional add-ons
Elevation gain: ~350 ft
Difficult: Easy
Enjoy spectacular views and leave the crowds behind in the parking lot at Artist’s Point. Fortunately, few people venture beyond the overlook. In fact, of all national park visitors, it’s estimated that only 10% ever leave the comfort of their car or camper, and of those, only 5% take to the trails. Unbelievable to me, but I’m certainly not mad about it. 😊 Most agree (as do I) that the views are more sublime along this gentle rim-side trail than at the actual destination/dead end of “Sublime Point”.
Most agree (as do I) that the views are more sublime along this gentle rim-side trail than the actual destination/ dead end of “Sublime Point”. It’s mesmerising to take in the multicoloured canyon walls that plunge 1,200 feet below and frame the turquoise, rushing Yellowstone River and waterfall. It’s obvious why photographers and painters and ordinary folks like me can’t get enough of this awe inspiring landscape.
Don’t believe me? Perhaps these pictures will convince you.
Fun Fact: The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone is nearly 25 miles long and up to 4,000 feet wide, and 1,200 feet deep.
Happy Trails!
Backcountry Zion—Magnificent. Magical. Mesmerizing.
Challenging and strenuous ~16 Miles RT, including some sketchy scrambles, several slick rock traverses, and multiple MILES of exposed DEEP SAND SLOGGING. (Explains why no other humans are present.)
The scariest part was getting my phone wet despite it being in a dry bag and it blacking out. I feared the worst. Not really caring about the phone itself, but the prospect of losing all these hard-earned photos and videos!
My bliss—splendid solitude and immersion in the sublime natural beauty!
Excellent navigation skills, a GPS, First Aid kit, water, and a water purifier are essential for backcountry adventures.
Lucky for me, one of my best hiking buddies is an experienced backcountry guide who is always prepared for every eventually, including me forgetting my water back at home in the fridge.
He always points me in the right direction.
Happy Trails!
PSA: It’s the season for heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Play it safe— avoid hiking in the heat of the day on exposed trails. Wear sun protection—sunblock, hats, and light clothes with SPF and bring plenty of water and a water filter!
On the Loose Live 