nature – Page 2 – On the Loose Live

Off to See the Wizard! Wonderful Wizard Island, Crater Lake National Park, OR

October 14, 2025October 14, 2025livevigorously

Wizard Island, named for its resemblance to a wizard’s hat, is a striking volcanic cinder cone rising from the western side of Crater Lake in Oregon’s Crater Lake National Park. It was formed over 7,700 years ago during the cataclysmic eruption of Mount Mazama.

Exploring Wizard Island is one of the most unforgettable ways to experience Crater Lake up close — from its pristine shoreline to the sweeping panoramic views from the rim. It’s easily one of the top highlights of the entire park. I’m so glad my friend insisted we make the boat trip out there!

Unfortunately, the Cleetwood Cove Trail — the only public access point to the water at Crater Lake — is now closed for the 2025 season and may remain closed for up to three years due to a major rehabilitation project. As a result, boat tours to Wizard Island are suspended until the trail reopens.

I was lucky enough to visit Crater National Park this past August, just before the closure. The excursion to Wizard Island was, without a doubt, the highlight of my trip there. While I enjoyed a few beautiful hikes in the Park (posts coming soon), it was on Wizard Island that I truly felt the spellbinding magic of Crater Lake. The colors are spectacular—the many blues of the water and the neon green of the moss and trees are surreal.

What truly made the visit unforgettable was standing on Wizard Island, surrounded by mesmerizing views of Crater Lake, and then immersing myself in the deepest, bluest, purest lake in the country (in the refreshing summer temps of ~57 F)—priceless.

Cleetwood Cove Trail

Distance: 2.2 miles RT

Elevation Gain: ~700 ft on the return (comparable to 65 flights of stairs)

Difficulty: NPS lists this hike as “steep and strenuous”, AllTrails lists it as “moderate” – it depends on your fitness level and altitude sensitivity. (It’s easy footing, and runnable though the pumice surface can be slippery.) I’d rate it easy++.

To the Top of the Wizard’s “Hat” (Cindercone Rim) & Lower Cove area, Wizard Island

Distance: 3.6 miles

Elevation Gain: 798 ft

Is Crater Lake National Park Worth Visiting If You Can’t Get To Wizard Island?

Knowing what I know now, would I visit Crater Lake if I couldn’t get to Wizard Island? Probably not. While the hike samplers I took in the park (posts to come) were wonderful, I don’t find them compelling enough to warrant a special trip here. Disclaimer: I would never discourage a visit to a national park if you’re in the area, but if you need help deciding when and where to go, and what to prioritize, this might be helpful. Also, if you feel Crater Lake is absolutely worth it, even if you can’t get to Wizard Island, comment below to let people know.

Notes: Boat reservations to Wizard Island must be made in advance. Since it’s likely the park will have a new system in place when the trail and boat excursions reopen, here’s a direct link to CLNP.

Swimming is only allowed within 100 yards of Cleetwood Cove and within 100 yards of Wizard Island. To keep the water pristine, the following items are not allowed: scuba and snorkeling gear, wet suits, masks, goggles, fins, inner tubes, kayaks, canoes, inflatable rafts, SUPs, flotation devices, personal life jackets or vests, waders, and personal boats.

Pro tip (wink): Apparently, it’s a “thing” to wear a Wizard’s hat to Wizard Island. There’s plenty of time for you to find one before it reopens if you’re so inclined. (No, I didn’t wear one.)

Happy Trails!

Is Pinnacles Worth Visiting? My Honest Take.

September 27, 2025September 29, 2025livevigorously

I wouldn’t rank Pinnacles near the top of my National Park experiences. To be fair, I’ve been lucky enough to hike in some of the most stunning areas across the U.S. and around the world—so I’ll admit it, I’m a bit of a hiking snob. That said, Pinnacles didn’t quite feel like it earned its National Park status. Honestly, it felt more like a solid regional park—State Park caliber at best.

The landscape reminded me of the local parks I used to trail run back when I lived in California: pleasant, but not particularly awe-inspiring. The park offers about 30 miles of runnable trails. Yes, there are some unique features, like interesting rock formations (which is where the name ‘Pinnacles’ comes from—but since I live in southwest Utah, that’s something I see daily), the cool, dark caves—Balconies and Bear Gulch (bring a flashlight, headlamp, or a charged phone), a short tunnel on the trail, and a “steep and narrow” section on the High Peaks trail that might feel adventurous to hiking novices. But for anyone who’s tackled something like Angel’s Landing, it’s pretty tame, and some might say lame. There’s also Bear Gulch reservoir, which is mildly scenic, but small and stagnant (NOT a spot for immersion). These trails (except for the caves and the tunnels) are completely exposed—hot in the summer, so go early or late in the day to avoid the heat.)

I covered the main highlights of the Park with a 7.5 mile loop that included the High Peaks Trail, Tunnel Trail, and both cave areas. The elevation gain was nearly 2k ft, but the climb was gradual and spread out, so I would rate it as easy effort and terrain, but of course, it varies depending on your fitness level. I kept myself engaged by playing photographer.

Most of the rocks in the High Peaks area are rhyolite breccia. These angular fragments were ejected by volcanoes and cemented together by ash and mud, giving them a slightly golden hue. (They are rare in the volcanic areas of Utah and Hawaii. In Hawaii, the volcanoes primarily erupt low-silica, low-viscosity basalt, which flows easily rather than fragmenting. And while rhyolite eruptions do occur in Utah, the conditions needed to form substantial rhyolite breccia are less common than other volcanic processes.)

Inside the Caves

Dark Skies, Rock Climbing, Birds, Bats, Bees, and a Small Pool at the Campground

While not designated as an official dark sky site (they should apply for it), the remote Park is committed to dark sky preservation and boasts about its night sky in its pamphlet. (I left before sunset, so I can’t speak to that.) I do know that the Park is out in the middle of nowhere, so it’s certainly free of light pollution. Apparently, there are hundreds of rock climbing routes here. And if you’re a birder, there are over 180 species here, including the endangered California condors, peregrine, and prairie falcons. (I did see a couple of wide-winged condors gliding high above the trail.) If you’re batty(?), the talus caves are home to Townsend’s big-eared bats, and 13 other bat species live in the park and roost in rock crevices and trees. Notably, the park has over 500 bee species, the highest diversity on earth!

The Locals

Any time spent being active in nature is worthwhile. Still, while pleasant enough, perhaps Pinnacles is best suited for families with kiddos who would enjoy exploring the caves, climbing on the rocks, and cooling off at the small campground pool. It’s a one-and-done for me.

Have you been to Pinnacles? What did you think? Take it or leave it?

Happy Trails! Leave No Trace!

Getting There

Backcountry Vibes Without a Big Hike, Tokopah Falls Trail, Sequoia National Park, CA

September 9, 2025livevigorously

Distance: 3.4 Miles

Elevation Gain: 615 ft

Difficulty: Easy, depending on your fitness level and sensitivity to altitude (as the trailhead is at 6,700 ft and the falls are at ~7,315 ft)

If you know me by now, you know I like a big hike and chasing waterfalls. Topokah Falls, in this case, offered neither, but in my opinion, it was still 100% worth it. Perhaps the pictures below will convince you why.

Even when the 1,200-foot falls were but a trickle, as is often the case in late summer, this is still a delightful little hike on a well-groomed, easy trail alongside a stream, glades of wildflowers, and gradually up to some impressive granite slopes. As you near the falls, you’ll encounter short sections of rocky footing.

This area has a wonderful “back-country” Eastern Sierra vibe; it reminded me a bit of Yosemite.

(Given its easy accessibility, you may be sharing it with a Boy Scout troop or other large groups.) Go early and have it all to yourself.

From the Lodgepole Campground, there are other trails to add on if you have the time and inclination, including Cahoon Meadow (2.6 miles) and Twin Lakes (6.5 miles). If there’s a next time for me, I’d probably take the Twin Lakes Trail. If you’ve done these hikes, let me know how they were.

Happy Trails! Leave No Trace! Tread Lightly! (Note, I’m not tromping on the wildflowers; there’s a path going through them that’s obscured in this photo, but perhaps it’s a good time for a PSA: As pretty as wildflowers are, please don’t pick them. They are essential for the ecosystem, including the pollinators, birds, and wildlife. Also, it’s illegal in most areas, including National Parks, though you’ll often see people doing it.)

Forest Bathing Under the Giants, Sequoia National Park, CA

September 3, 2025September 3, 2025livevigorously

Visiting the Forest of the Giants is an awe-inspiring experience. It has to be the ultimate forest bathing destination on the planet. The ancient, colossal, towering Sequoias will fill you with a sense of wonder and quiet reverence. Since it’s a National Park, you can expect to share the experience with many others. But don’t let that deter you—a network of enchanting, less-traveled trails extends beyond the main viewing areas. Once you wander past the beaten (paved) path, you’ll leave the crowds behind and discover soft, winding trails that weave through fern-laced glades and alongside serene meadows, with each step taking you deeper into the heart of this magnificent forest.

If I ever return, I’ll aim for a sunrise visit or perhaps a backpacking trip. I imagine that those moments in the early light, when the forest is just beginning to stir, would be the best way to connect with this sacred place.

Sequoia facts:

Only grow on the western slopes of the California Sierra Nevada Mountain range, as they require a specific climate: moderate winters, minimal rain, moist-well-drained soil, and moderate temperatures overall. (Attempts to grow them elsewhere have failed.)
Rely on natural cycles of fire to open cones and prepare the soil for seedlings.
Have exceptionally thick (up to 3 ft thick), spongy, fire-resistant bark that’s rich in tannins, providing a natural shield against wildfires and insect infestations. Their high branches (up to 8 ft wide) stay out of reach of most fires. (We saw many trees with fire/lightning damage that were still living.)
Require water from snow melt, which they absorb through their shallow, wide root systems that are only ~5 ft below the surface.
Grow up to 300 ft high and live for 3,000 years!
Are an endangered species due to the threat of droughts and more intense wildfires.

General Sherman Tree – The largest living single-stem tree on Earth! (Can’t capture the scale with a picture.)

Height: 275 ft Weight: 4.1 million lbs Circumference: 101+ ft Age: ~2,700 years old

Happy Trails! Leave No Trace!

Havasupai Part 2: Revisiting Mooney Falls and Exploring Beaver Falls

August 21, 2025August 22, 2025livevigorously

Mooney Falls

~ 3 Miles from Supai Village

The descent to Mooney Falls requires ducking through a narrow, low sandstone tunnel carved into the cliffside, followed by cautious navigation down eroded and slippery sandstone “footholds” to the ladder far below. While there are chains bolted into the rock for handholds in the most exposed sections, even with them, it feels a bit sketchy. The new wood ladder was slick with mud and mist, and its rungs were spaced wider than a comfortable leg stretch for me. With 6 years of rugged hiking, scrambling, and the occasional canyoneering adventure in Utah under my belt, you’d think I’d have less trepidation navigating this than I did in my younger years. But still, it gave me moments of pause. (On the way back up, I saw a toddler and a young boy scramble ahead of their parents up the cliffside. Yikes!)

The power of the waterfall and the amount of mist the rushing water created were tremendous! The sunlight through the mist caused a magical effect in my photo on the right.

Beaver Falls

~3 Miles from Mooney Falls

I’d never ventured beyond Mooney Falls before—there was never enough time. So I was especially grateful for the chance to explore further on this trip. The 3-mile hike from Mooney Falls to Beaver Falls is both enchanting and engaging, winding through a lush corridor of vines and trees along the turquoise creek. It feels like stepping into a jungle, with hidden oases revealing themselves around every bend.

After a few refreshing creek crossings, the trail leads you through a striking sandstone archway to a short make-shift mini-bridge water crossing, followed by a ladder cliff climb. Thankfully, the footing here was drier and more stable than the slippery ladder at Mooney Falls.

Beaver Falls was truly stunning—cascading tiers of turquoise water —but it was also crowded. I hardly took any photos. A brief moment of uninterrupted zen there below.

Thankfully, there were plenty of quieter “private” oases along the way, perfect for a peaceful dip or simply taking a moment to soak it all in. Beaver Falls is absolutely worth it, and the hike to it is fun—just be sure to get an early start if you’d like to experience it in solitude.

On the hike back, it was nearing critter hour. Much to my surprise, a bighorn sheep was just off the trail, seemingly scouting out a peaceful spot by the water to settle in for a nap. I had no idea that there were big horn down here!

Closer to the campgrounds, I spotted a blue heron, focused, mid-hunt—clearly having some luck with its evening catch. Pics are a bit blurry due to distance.

Leaving Eden

We started our return hike from the village just after dawn, hoping to beat the heat. Fortunately, most of the trail remained shaded until the final climb out of the canyon, which is fully exposed. Fortunately, there are a few rocky overhangs along the way—perfect spots to catch your breath and escape the unforgiving sun for a moment.

This adventure was nothing short of epic. I felt a pang of sadness as it came to an end, but also immense gratitude for the chance to return (thanks to my friend Bernie for securing the permits) and the opportunity to explore more than I ever had before. Among all my adventures near and far, the exquisite beauty and spiritual essence of Havasupai will forever hold a special place in my heart. I’ve never experienced anything quite like it. It remains one of my all-time favorites.

Happy Trails!

Leave No Trace!