5 Best Day Hikes in Grand Teton National Park

5 Best Day Hikes in Grand Teton National Park

Wow!  What more can you say when you first lay your eyeballs on the Grand Tetons?  This jaw-dropping mountain range juts straight up to the heavens at 13,775 Feet and is the second tallest mountain range in Wyoming.  You’ll also notice that the mountains here are incredibly steep and rocky.  Hiking and climbing here are not for the faint of heart.  Most trails in this park have big vertical climbs that vary from never-ending switchbacks to rocky scrambles, but every step is worth its weight when you reach your destinations amongst craggy peaks teeming with wildlife.  We spent a lot of time at this park, and it was hard to leave, not only because it’s so beautiful but also because our bodies were so beat from hiking over 50+ miles of some of the steepest terrain we've encountered.  If you have never been to the Tetons and want to know the best hikes, here are a few of our favorites.  

****You will want to carry Bear Mace. We encountered more bears in the Tetons than anywhere else we have ever been!! 

***Jenny Lake shuttle hot tip

***On a few of these hikes, you will want to take the Jenny Lake shuttle to the Cascade Canyon trailhead.  While this is not required, it will save you about 5 miles (roundtrip) of hiking around Jenny Lake.  The pro tip here is to catch the first boat shuttle at 7 in the morning for $5 per person; otherwise, it’s around $18! 

Lake Solitude (16 Miles, Hard)

Lake Solitude starts from the Cascade Canyon trail, a moderate trail up a canyon that ends at a split.  Most people hike up Cascade Canyon 4 miles to the end and back down to the boat dock.  Cascade Canyon is a beautiful hike on its own, and you can expect to come across plenty of wildlife along the way. We saw Moose, Marmots, and Bears.  If you are up to the challenge, you can continue the hike up to Lake Solitude, which adds another 8 miles round trip and the journey.  From the boat dock at Jenny Lake, you will climb 2,640 feet to the lake.  We did this hike in late June, and there was still plenty of snow at the lake, so bring proper footwear.  You do get some pretty spectacular views of the Grand Teton from the lake.  There’s also plenty of overnight backpacking opportunities on this trail, and you can get a permit here for a small fee (https://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/bcres.htm)

Lake of the Crags (4.5 Miles, Hard) 

Although this has shorter mileage and seems like it would be an easier option, don’t be fooled. This is a challenging hike up to an amazing alpine lake surrounded by jagged peaks.  Be prepared to scramble up rocky terrain at an alarming rate as this hike climbs 2,885 feet in 2.2 miles!  Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, sunhat, and sunglasses as you are very exposed to the sun and heat on this hike.  Although it’s challenging, the climb is actually very scenic. You’ll scramble up boulders along waterfalls, and at any given moment, you can turn around for amazing views of Jenny Lake.  Once you make it to the lower lake, be prepared to hike up a few snowfields.  If you aren't experienced in traversing snowfields or don't have the proper equipment, we recommend you don't go any further as a slip could be fatal.  We witnessed a helicopter emergency rescue at the lake.  A climber slid down a snowfield and collided with a boulder, and had to be airlifted out.  This National Park can kill you in many ways, so always be prepared!  Once we got to the lake, we celebrated with a small breakfast, caught our breath, and relaxed amongst the crags.  We started early (7 am), and we were the first people to the lake.  On the way down, we saw many hikers sweating it out on the climb in the heat of the day.  You don't want to be doing this.  

Surprise and Amphitheater Lake  (8.9 Miles - Hard) 

The next hikes don't require the Jenny Lake shuttle, and all start from the Lupine Meadows Trail Head.  Once again, be prepared with Bear Spray. We saw two bears on this trail.  This is a hectic trail so start early!  We started before dawn, hiked in the dark for a bit, and caught the sunrise from the trail.  Once again, we were the only ones at the lake.  This hike climbs 2,942 Feet to two beautiful alpine lakes.  Amphitheater Lake is the higher of the two lakes and only an additional climb from Surprise Lake, so don't cut yourself short here. You got this!  Upon reaching Surprise lake, we were planning on hiking to Disappointment Peak, but there was just too much snow and ice, and we weren't prepared for the conditions to make it to the peak.  So we scrambled and climbed around some of the rocks around Amphitheater Lake to get a view from above.  There is a really nice view from the ridge to the north of the lake, and it is easy and safe to climb up.  We headed down to an overflowing parking lot where we cooked lunch and relaxed.  

Delta Lake (8.8 Miles - Hard)

The shortest way to start this trail is from the Lupine Meadows Trail Head.  Once again, the key to having most of these hikes to yourself is to start very early!  This is an overly busy National Park, and it gets hectic out there.  This was easily one of our favorite hikes.  You can do Delta hike as an out and back, ascending 2,330 feet.  We actually combined this hike with the Amphitheater Lake Hike to make it an 11.5 Miles, 3670 Foot climb that included all three lakes (Surprise, Amphitheater, and Delta, Highly Recommended).  Delta Lake was our favorite of all the Teton Alpine Lakes!  Delta has an amazing teal hue, and the Grand Teton looms high above the lake, reflecting her glory across its glassy glacial waters.  It’s that beautiful. I had to get poetic.

Taggart Lake Loop (4.1 Miles, Easy) 

Taggart Lake is a nice hike for the less adventurous type that still wants to experience some Teton magic.  This is a very scenic and mellow hike to a large lake with great views of the peaks.  We even went for a swim in the lake it was very refreshing.  We did this hike later in the afternoon, and it wasn’t hectic.  However, we will note that the sun is better earlier in the day, and it was hard to take good photos of the lake at sunset.  The mountains are too big, and they block the sun out.  

We hope this is helpful to you!  We have more Grand Teton National Park Tips here! 

Planning Your Grand Teton National Park Trip - Five Activities to do in the park.

Are you planning a trip to Jackson to visit Grand Teton National Park and wonder what to plan to do inside the park?  Well, luckily for you, this National Park is packed full of activities that wear out any outdoor enthusiast.  

Hike the Tetons

Hiking and climbing in the Tetons is not for the faint of heart.  Most trails in this park have big vertical climbs that vary from never-ending switchbacks to rocky scrambles, but every step is worth its weight when you reach your destinations amongst craggy peaks teeming with wildlife.  There are tons of trails in this park, and they range from easy to difficult.  We have compiled a list of the 5 Best Hikes in Teton National Park here.  You can also plan a multi-day or overnight backpacking journey here.  Just remember to be prepared when heading out into the backcountry or on any trail at this park. We encountered plenty of bears and hazards; so, be prepared and make sure to stay sun-safe, as many of the hikes are exposed.  

Paddle the Tetons

There are plenty of options to take your watercraft out onto the lakes in this park.  We highly recommend getting up for a sunrise paddle on String Lake.  You may find you’re the only person on the lake as you glide across glassy reflections of the Tetons glaciated peaks.  This is a magical experience, and we couldn't recommend it more.  If you get up that early, you can find the best place to park for the day.  There are nice picnic tables and plenty of beaches on the lake to relax and spend the day reading and taking in the splendor of mother nature.  

Bike the Tetons

There’s a pretty nice bike trail through the park that even extends all the way to Jackson, WY.  While there is no mountain biking trails, this is one of the most scenic bike trails we’ve ever been on.  All ages can handle this paved bike path, and it’s very convenient to bring your bicycle if you are camping within the park.  The bike trail goes right through the campsites and you could bike to most Trail Heads if you don't want to lose your spot.  

See Wildlife in the Tetons

This park is teeming with wildlife!  There’s almost some sort of critter at every bend in the trail.  We saw plenty of moose, bear, dear, birds, and marmots, to name a few.  The hotspots to see wildlife is on the Cascade Canyon trail, and Lupine Meadows.  We also saw a bear at the Jenny Lake ferry.  Make sure to follow proper wildlife guidelines provided by the park and carry bear spray, once again.  

Photograph the Tetons

It’s no coincidence that one of Ansel Adams most famous photographs is of the Teton Range form the Snake River Overlook.  These mountains are so beautiful that they take the picture for you.  You could be blindfolded and still take good photos here.  Some of our favorite photo spots are.  String Lake, Snake River Overlook, Taggert Lake, Delta Lake, and Form Shadow Mountain Across the valley.  Don't forget to charge and bring extra camera batteries; you'll thank us later.  

We hope this was helpful if you are looking for more Teton tips and tricks we have more articles with our favorite hikes and campsites!  

Five of the Best Free Camping Areas Near Grand Teton National Park

Five of the Best Free Camping Areas Near Grand Teton National Park

Are you planning a camping trip to Grand Teton National Park?  Having a hard time finding where to camp?  This is a busy park and campsites in the area book quick.  While there is camping available inside the park, it’s first come first served and we’ve seen people in line at 6 am waiting for campers to leave to nab their spots.  You can check camping options inside the park here, but don't be surprised if it's full and overpriced.  However, there is some good news for the desperate camper at GTNP.  There are tons of amazing campsites outside of the park; some are just 30 minutes out while others are an hour or so.  But it’s a National Park and usually to find camping spots around NPs requires a good deal of driving.  Here is a list of our favorite spots around Jackson and the Tetons. 

None of these spots have toilets; so be prepared with a shovel and dispose of your TP properly. I don't want to have to take this post down.  

Shadow Mountain - (43.70418, -110.62170) 

Camping at the base of Shadow Mountain provides incredible views of the Teton range.  All the campsites are at the base of the mountain.  Be careful if it has rained; it can be impassable.  We almost got stuck in some nasty mud leaving one day.  Here at Shadow Mountain, there are probably about 10 spots at the base, these spots will go the fastest.  It sometimes helps to carpool into the park and leave a vehicle at your spot. If you leave your spot it will be gone almost immediately.  There are more options up the mountain and these will provide better views, but the road can be treacherous so enter at your own risk. 

Free National Forest Camping - (43.76777, -110,54171)

This is dispersed camping fairly close to the north entrance of the Tetons.  It’s really just a large dirt lot with more options if you continue to follow the road.  We used this spot as more of a desperation camp when we left the park too late to find a good spot at Shadow Mountain or elsewhere.    The road in is manageable but can be very rutted out so larger older vans will have to take it easy. 

Buffalo Valley - (43.85031, -110,34161)

If you want to escape the madness of the National Parks in this area Buffalo Valley is a great place to boondock for a few days or even weeks.  This is a bit further away but you will be able to find peace and quiet as the other spots are quite overrun.  We stayed out here for a few days and drove into the NP at the north entrance and it was about an hour drive into the Park.  There are plenty of awesome spots; you can even score a spot right on the river.  

Curtis Canyon- (43,52167, -110.62763)

These dispersed campsites are closer to Jackson than they are to GTNP and is a great place to stay if you need a place to camp near Jackson, WY.  The road up to Curtis Canyon starts just east of Jackson and is fairly convenient.  We will note that it’s a very bumpy ride in here, so if you don’t live to take your rig on rough roads you may want to skip this spot.  There are plenty of spots and the views here are incredible. We posted up on top of the mountain for a few days and enjoyed the scenery and peace and quiet before we headed back to the park for some adventures.  We did camp a few nights in Jackson and had no issues, the town seems overran by vans and RVs anyways.  

Granite Creek - (43.31147, -110,45902)

This is an amazing spot worth checking out!  While it’s not really close to GTNP or Jackson, it was one of our favorite places to camp in the area.  The road up Granite Creek is very bumpy but it can be done in any vehicle. We saw plenty of RVs driving this road.  There is also a paid campsite with a hot spring at the top of the road.  We stayed at this place for over a week.  We stopped over after climbing the Hobuck Shield.  The Granite Creek area has lots of recreation options from hiking, fishing, and even kayaking.  We took our buddies pack rafts down the creek a few times and had a blast!  We highly recommend a stopover here just to unwind from the crazy scene that's going down in Jackson every summer.  

There are plenty more options for camping in this corner of Wyoming. We also highly recommend checking out Alpine, WY.  There’s a nice reservoir with plenty of options for camping.  We hope this was helpful!  See you kookz on the road!  

Best Places to See Wildlife in Yellowstone National Park

Best Places to See Wildlife in Yellowstone National Park 

Where do we even start with this massive National Park?  First off, we will warn you that this is a very busy National Park that requires quite a bit of driving to really experience all of its wonders.  We had no idea where to start when we headed up to Yellowstone so we just went with the flow.  Our Yellowstone adventure turned into a DIY safari of sorts and we loved it!  We couldn't believe the amount of wildlife we saw in Yellowstone, it was mind-blowing!  Here are a few of the places we encountered the most wildlife.  

Hayden Valley 

This is the hot spot for seeing wildlife.  You will have better luck in the early morning and in the late afternoon/early evening.  You will want to bring some good binoculars if you want to spot wildlife in Yellowstone.  While you will be lucky enough to see some action right off the side of the road.  Most of the time a good set of binocs will really improve your chances of spotting elusive species.  We were able to spot a grizzly bear off in the distance, bison, elk, and even wolves are some of a few larger species that you will spot out in the Hayden Valley. It’s like a Nat Geo TV show sitting out there with your spotting scopes or binoculars.

Lamar Valley

Situated in the Northeast quadrant of Yellowstone is the Lamar Valley.  This is a known hot spot for wolves.  Also, large herds of Bison roam this valley frequently.  We were very fortunate and able to spot a wolf right off the road corralling some bison.  There was a pack of wolves way back in the valley that we could barely spot, even with our binocs.  This is also where we found the largest concentration of bison.  There was about a 30-minute bison traffic jam when we were trying to get back to the Mammoth Hot Springs Area.     

West Thumb Geyser Basin

This was our first stop in Yellowstone.  We arrived very early from the south entrance and made the first stop at the West Thumb Geyser Basin. We weren't sure what to expect but upon arrival, we were greeted by a herd of Elk.  We walked the Geyser boardwalk and had to share the boardwalk with all the families of Elk.  Not sure if this is a hot spot for the Elk in the morning, but we did see a whole bunch of Elk and even a few babies.  

Fountain Flat Drive

After visiting Ole Faithful we head north towards Madison.  We were set on seeing more bison and just before Madison is Fountain Flat Drive.  We took the road because we saw a bunch of Bison off in the distance.  As we drove down the road we came across a large herd of Bison overtaking Fountain Flat Drive and roaming through the grass. Both times we detoured to this road we found herds of Bison!

5 Best Hikes in Glacier National Park

5 Best Hikes in Glacier National Park 

Glacier National Park is one of our all-time favorite National Parks.  There are so many trails in this park that it’s hard to decide where to begin your Glacier NP adventure.  The trails in this hiking guide are all off the Going to the Sun Road, and most start at the Logan Pass visitor center, which is worth visiting on its own if you aren't going to hit the trails.  We will note that we started all our Glacier hikes very, very early, sometimes at dark.  This is a bustling park, and you will be glad you got up early and still barely snagged a spot at the Logan Pass Visitor Center parking.  

Also, on all hikes in Glacier National Park, you’ll want to carry plenty of water, bear spray, sunscreen, and sun apparel (hats, SPF shirts)

Dragons Tail (5.4 Miles - Dangerous, Difficult)

Dragons Tail is not for the faint of heart, and like many Glacier NP trails, people die on this trail almost every year.  Please consider that this is a very exposed hike where you will climb a ridge with a sheer drop on both sides.  With all that being said, this was by far our favorite hike in Glacier.  It’s shorter than the other hikes, and the scrambling and exposure are actually really amazing.  It’s one of the most scenic hikes we’ve ever been on.  For a safer experience on Dragons Tail, you can always hike up to the gap in the ridge.  You’ll know when you’ve reached it and turn back.  You can also combine this hike with Hidden Lake and knock out two hikes in one, making it about an 8-mile round trip hike.  You’ll start this trail at Logans Pass, and you will take the Hidden Lake trail till you see a climbers trail that takes you to either Dragons Tail or Mt. Reynolds Peak.  

Highline Trail to Grinnell Overlook (15.5 Miles - Hard)

The Highline trail is one of the busiest and most scenic hikes in the park.  The trail starts from the Logan Pass Visitor Center.  This trail can be made in so many different ways.  On a non-COVID Year, when the shuttles are running, you can hike it through-hike to “The Loop” and take the shuttle back to the car and make this a much shorter hike.  We did it as an out and back, and it really wore us out!  The highland trail is a must-do for everyone visiting Glacier National Park.  Even if you walk a few miles on it and turn around, you will be in awe the whole time.  If you are doing the Highline Trail, we recommend adding the additional climb up to the Grinnell Glacier Overlook. You won’t be disappointed. This is another mind-blowing vista that you come to expect at Glacier National Park.

Siyeh Pass Trail  (9.7 Miles - Hard) 

This trail starts off the side of the Going to the Sun Road, at “Siyeh Bend.”  You’ll find parking easier over there, and this is also a less used trail, but it still has its fair share of people on it.  Another Glacier gem, this trail meanders through a forest and continues to climb up through glacially vandalized valleys and peaks until you come to Siyeh Pass.  Once again, per Glacier NP standards, this hike delivers all that you would want and more.  Once you top out, you'll be high up in the alpine. The views are incredible! You’ll be looking at Going to the Sun Mountain, Siyeh Peak, and St. Mary’s Lake below.  If you get to Logan Pass too late to find parking, you’ll most likely be able to park somewhere near the “Siyeh Bend.”

Lincoln Peak (15 Miles - Hard)

The climb up to Lincoln Peak begins at the Lake McDonald Lodge. You’ll use the Sperry Chalet Trail to approach the summit.  This has been said to be a family-friendly peak, but it’s a fairly strenuous climb.  If you don’t want to make the climb up to the peak, the Sperry Chalet is a great place to stop for a snack.  The peak is just over an additional mile of climbing from the Chalet, but it’s more difficult terrain than you have been hiking on to get to Sperry Chalet.  It’s worth the climb. There’s an amazing view of Lake Ellen Wilson overflowing to a 500-foot waterfall that spills into Sperry Lake.  We were really happy we added Lincoln Peak to our Sperry Chalet adventure.  I will note that the hike up to Sperry Chalet is through a burn area, and there is little sun protection, so you will want to start this hike early to prevent sun exposure and overheating if you are here in the summer.  

Hidden Lake (2.9 Miles - Moderate)

If you have skimmed through all these hikes and they seem too difficult, or you are short on time.  A must-do shorter, moderate hike is up to the Hidden Lake Lookout.  This is an amazing short hike along a boardwalk that is littered with wildflowers and glacier valleys in all directions.  This was a very popular hike. When we did it, we started at dark and watched the sunrise and light up the glacier-carved peaks.  When we were here, there was a lot of bear activity. So, be prepared with Bear Spray and be on the lookout for mountain goats; we saw a few on this trail.   

We hope this helps you get a better plan together of how to plan your Glacier NP getaway.  We will note that all the other park areas, Two Medicine Hat and Many Glacier, were closed due to COVID, so we didn't get to explore these areas.  Happy Trails!  

Best Hikes in North Cascades National Park

Best Hikes in North Cascades National Park

We had no idea what we were in for when we were driving along the North Cascades Highway. Thankfully, we had some local Washingtonians tell us a few hikes that we shouldn't miss out on.  Hiking in the North Cascades, for the most part, is pretty strenuous, requiring at least 2,000 ft of a vertical climb on most of these trails.  But we’ve been training all summer, so we were ready for a challenge.  We were blown away by this area's beauty. From the turquoise waters to glaciated peaks, this is one of America’s most beautiful mountain ranges.   

Also, on all hikes in North Cascades National Park, you’ll want to carry plenty of water, bear spray, sunscreen, and sun apparel (hats, SPF shirts)

Maple Pass (7.1 Miles - Hard)

Located on the East end of the North Cascades Highway, Maple Pass is a great starter hike to get you warmed up for what’s ahead on your North Cascades adventure.  You’ll climb 2,188 Feet on this trail to the top of the pass.  Maple Pass is a fairly busy trail. We started at about 5 am so we could get to the summit for sunrise.  The hike begins at Rainy Pass and is a nice loop hike.  We did it in a counterclockwise direction, and we would recommend you do the same it was a more mellow climb.  Once at the top of the pass, you have the opportunity to scramble up some rocky peaks. We highly recommend getting up higher for amazing 360-degree views.  On the way down, we walked along the ridge and connected back up with the trail, which added a really cool dynamic to this already epic hike.  

Cascade Pass to Sahale Arm (11.6 Miles - Hard)

This is a pretty intense climb up Cascade Pass to the base of the Sahale Glacier and climbs 4,038 Feet in 11.6 miles, so be ready for non-stop climbing.  This is a great place to overnight.  But we will warn you that getting permits at the Cascades Wilderness Information Center (WIC) is pretty intense the citizens of Washington are outdoor enthusiast, so you might as well camp out at the center to get the permits you want in the morning.  When writing this article, the North Cascades WIC issued all backcountry permits on a first-come, first-served basis.  We had no luck getting any permits, so we just day hiked it and camped in the Cascade Pass Parking lot.  This was the premier hike in the area. Although it was tons of work, we loved it.  We highly recommend trying to get a backcountry permit to camp up here. This is a must-do hike if you are in shape for it.  We couldn't recommend it more.  We also saw three black bears on the trail, so be bear aware and carry bear mace.  

Ptarmigan Ridge (11.6 miles - Moderate)

This is an absolutely stunning hike!  If you don't want to hike lots of vertical that most of the North Cascades hikes require, you are in luck.  You can drive up to the Artist Point Parking lot, at about 5,000ft, making it much easier on your legs.  You will still climb 2,480 Feet on this trail, but it’s very gradual, and the views of Mt. Baker and Mt. Shuksan and the rest of the glaciated Cascade peaks are so stunning you won’t notice all the climbing that you are doing.  The trail ends once it gets way too technical and sketchy to go on without proper climbing gear and knowledge.  We headed back down and took a few side trails down to some lower lakes for a lunch break.  We hiked about 15 miles on this trail and couldn't recommend it more. 

Artist Point (Short and Easy)

If you aren't that into hiking and going on an all-day excursion, you’re in luck.  The hike to Artist Point from the parking lot is short, and it delivers amazing views of surrounding peaks and Baker Lake with its turquoise hue down below.  You’ll want to make sure that it's clear and sunny before heading up. We had a few days of fog and cold even in summer, so always check the weather before departing anywhere in Washington.  Artist point is a hot spot or wedding and family portraits for all the Bellingham locals.  Also, be aware that you will come across many Instagrammers and other social media addicts with their phones attached to their hands, taking selfies and photos to relive the moment, sometime later, rather than being present in the moment.  We camped in the parking lot for 4 days. We would wake up early and take in sunrise and sunset on the point every day.  This was one of our favorite parking lots to camp, ever!  

Best Hikes in Olympic National Park

Best Hikes in Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park is where the waves meet the wilderness, glaciated peaks soar high above ancient trees, and snow-fed rivers flow directly to the pacific ocean.  Coast, Forest, and Mountain Ecosystems team up to create an amazing outdoor playground that we now call Olympic National Park.  While there are tons of trails to explore in this park, it is a bustling park since it’s located near Seattle.  The Washingtonians don't mess around with their time off, and they almost have all the overnight backpacking adventures fully booked. So if you want to get out on the trails, we are here to show you the path less traveled.

Upon arrival, You’ll want to get to the (WIC) Wilderness Information Center ASAP! When you get there, grab a Wilderness Trip Planner map. Speak with the Rangers. If everything seems booked-out sometimes, they can book you sites that aren't on the webpage. If you have booked ahead, congratulations, you aren't an honorary kook!  If you plan on hiking popular trails in the area, like the High Divide Trail and The Enchanted Valley, you’ll want to book well in advance.  We really wanted to get out on an overnight trail, so we searched for a while, discussed with rangers, and finally decided on the Blue Glacier 40 Miles expedition.  We also made a few other trails we would like to share with you here.  

Obstruction Point to Deer Park (13.9 Miles Out and Back - Hard)

Obstruction Point is a secret spot. At least it seemed like that when we arrived at 8 pm to an empty parking lot.  Most days, you’ll find the Hurricane Ridge parking lot full to the max, but if you are keen like a kook, you'll know the secret road to Obstruction Point.  It’s a dirt road that climbs quite a bit to the trailhead, but it’s a really amazing spot up on the alpine slopes.  We camped at the trailhead and hiked Obstruction Point first thing in the morning.  We were the only humans on the trail. We saw a few marmots and other creatures out and about.  You don't have to do the full 13 miles. You will reach a high point about halfway. That’s a good place to summit Elk Mountain and turn around.  From the summit, you will be able to see the Straight of Juan De Fuca and the Puget Sound, as well as Mt. Baker and Mt. Olympus!  If you start early, you’ll notice that you’ll encounter more people on your way back, and the parking lot will probably be full.  We saw more cars in line at this park's entrance gate than any other park in the country.   

Hoh River Trail to Blue Glacier (40 Miles - Hard) 

We could book out an overnight 3 night 4-day backpacking trip up the Hoh River to the Blue Glacier.  If you are up for over 40 miles of backpacking, this trip is so amazing we couldn't recommend it enough!  We loved this trip. It may have been the highlight of our summer.  

Our camping Itinerary for this expedition was as follows.  

Night #1 - Lewis Meadows

Night #2 - Glacier Meadows

Night #3 - Olympic Gaurd Station

We had plenty of time, and we broke up the expedition into three nights, four days.  We met people who did this in two days, and they could barely walk when we saw them.  I thought one of them had a disability, but he was that sore.  The hike's first 12 miles are through the Hoh Rainforest along the Hoh River and pretty Mellow.  At mile marker 12.4, you’ll begin the climb up to glacier meadows, which is about 4000 feet of elevation, and this is where the training kicked in.  We didn’t have too many problems getting up.  The best part of this climb is that it is through the ancient forest and is nice and shaded, so you stay cool.  When we were there in September, it was pretty hot, and we really sweated it out on the lower section in the sun. 

Before you make it to Glacier Meadows, you will be warned of a washout section on the trail.  The NPS service will warn you to be ready for this trail washout.  They make it seem like it’s just a small ladder down a washout.  The ladder descends about 100 feet down to the rubble and is family safe, but if you fell, you would be pretty injured, so don't fall!  We will note it’s easier to go up this ladder than down. It’s also very exposed here, and we were burning up in the sun in the late afternoon for this section of the hike.  There are also a few more trailside creeks and streams to filter water on your way to Glacier Meadows.  

 Eventually, you will make it to Glacier Meadows, and you will be happy to see the campsites.  We will note a small stream at Glacier Meadows to filter water to drink and prepare food with.  From here, there is still about 1000 ft of vertical climb and about a mile of hiking up to the terminal arm.  This is where you realize that every step was worth the effort.  When you top out, you’ll see the Blue Glacier running down Mount Olympus carving a massive moraine.  This is one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen on a backpacking trip.  We got up there around sunset and stayed until it was dark.  We hiked down without headlamps back to Glacier Meadows and slept like babies.  

We headed back down in the morning to the Hoh River Ranger Station for our last night.  There are some really awesome campsites here at the Ranger Station.  We will also note that the Ranger came and asked us for permits, so if you are thinking of poaching this hike, you've been warned we saw a ranger here and at Mt. Rainier NP.  We wrapped up the hike the next day out through the Rain Forest. We saw a few Elk and we were stoked to get back to the car to eat some real food.  

We ate and then we headed out.  There are some decent free camping options outside the park along the Hoh River on the park's entrance road. They are surprisingly quiet at night as no one is entering the park after about 5 pm.

This was an amazing experience and we will never forget it.  If you are heading to the Olympic National Park and up for a tough and rewarding adventure and are having trouble booking other expeditions check with the WIC to see if you can plan a Blue Glacier expedition, you won’t regret it!  

Mt. Rainier National Park Backpacking - One Day on the Wonderland Trail

Towards the end of summer, we caught backpacking fever and knew the only cure was more backpacking.  However, since we are Kookz we are typically not prepared with a set scheduled itinerary.  This makes getting permits in popular national parks, like Mount Rainier a very difficult task.  We only had a few days in the area and the online permit system didn't have many openings so we made a decision to hike up to the Wonderland Trail for a one-day backpacking strike mission.  

There weren't many overnight camping availabilities online so we had to just make the best judgment call. Make sure to use the Wilderness Trip Planner before scheduling your adventure.   We decided on Devils Dream Camp solely because it was available and it was close to the Longmire entrance.  We were able to score two nights at Devils Dream Camp so the plan was to get up there and day hike the Wonderland Trail and hike back to the camp.  Well, mother nature didn't cooperate and it rained on us for the majority of the trip so we decided to head back feeling defeated by mother nature.  

However, we did learn a few things during this trip. The first tip we are going to share is that even though we didn't stay the second night at the campsite we did stay in the Longmire Parking Lot.  Our permits told us to park in the lot and our license plates were in the system so we figured we were good to go as long as we stayed in the lot for the night.  So tip #1 is if you want to camp in the park just reserve a backcountry permit and stay in your van in the lot.  The second thing we learned is to always be checking the recreation.gov website to get your permits ahead of time.  

We know how difficult it is to have a plan while on the road.  The permit system really doesn't work in the nomadic vanlifers’ favor.  But we can’t have it all.  

Happy Trails!

Hiking the Narrows, Spring vs Summer

The Narrows,  in Zion National Park, is one of the most well known and visited slot canyon hikes in ZNP. 

The Narrows starts at the last stop on the Park shuttle bus, the Temple of Sinawava. You will get off the bus and follow the river walk trail for about a mile to where the side walk ends. 

Then, as the trail continues, it is basically up the Virgin River. So plan on getting wet, very wet. Sometimes you are up to your ankles and sometimes you are up to your waist wading through water, zig zagging from high shorelines to low shorelines. 

You may go as far up the river as you feel comfortable. Then, you will turn around and retrace your steps down river, making the hike as strenuous as you wish to make it.

Is this hike seasonal?

This hike is mostly seasonal and ultimately dependent on water levels. The beginning of the hiking season is dependent on runoff and water levels if they are low enough to send hikers through. For instance, you typically don’t need a backcountry permit to hike the Narrows, but if the water levels are above 120 cfs, the Narrows will be closed to hikers. 

If it is over 150 cfs, the wilderness desk will probably be issuing kayaking permits for the Narrows, not hiking permits. Even with open hiking allowed with a water flow of 100 cubic feet per second, it is still pretty difficult and dangerous. While a flow of around 50 cubic feet per second, this indicates a relatively easier and safer hike.

Typically, the Narrows hiking seasons are Summer and Fall, where the water levels are pretty low and the water temperatures are pretty warm. We have hiked in both the spring and mid-summer and there are some huge differences we wanted to talk about here. 

Hiking the Narrows in the Spring 

We have visited Zion in Spring two different years 2017 and 2018. Water levels and run off levels were dramatically different.

May 2017, they were issuing the last of the Kayaking permits for the Narrows. So we didn’t even think of hiking those rapids. 

March 2018, earlier in the year and a couple days before the Spring Break madness, the water levels were actually low enough to allow hikers and there was no rain in the forecast.  So, we jumped on the opportunity. 

The water temperatures in late March were cold. There were less hikers than we saw in the summer, but there still a lot of hikers. About 98% of them were in rented Dry Suits and the Adidas waterproof Ankle supporting boots. 

Being thrifty vanlifers and having everything we need all the time, we avoided spending $55 on drysuits, as we threw on our  5/4 winter wetsuits, 5ml booties, and hiking poles. We were warm. It was perfect. To be honest, our foot and ankle muscles got quite the work out tho! If you have weak ankles, I would not recommend the booties, as the rocks are slippery and covered in algae and the booties offer no ankle support. Wear some hiking boots that offer ankle support. 

Others that are in our group did not have wetsuits and were not interested in paying $55 in rental gear to hike the Narrows. So they layered up and wore wool clothing items, hoping the wool would keep them warm even when wet. 

They toughed out the cold water temps for as long as possible, but we ended up turning around a little before Wall Street. Feeling like we didn’t “finish” the hike from turning around early, we needed to go back!

Hiking the Narrows in the Summer

In late May 2018, we crossed Utah again and made the mandatory Zion detour. We needed to hike the Narrows as far as we could go.

This time it was a completely different experience. It was summer. There were heaps of people all along the river bank swimming, playing, picnicking, not just hiking. This is the spot to be in this park on a Hot summer day. The shadows created by the tall canyon walls keeps the canyon pretty mild. It is a great escape from the heat. 

This time around, we hiked in shorts, tank top, and hiking boots. We were sure to bring extra layers, because being wet and in the shadows can be pretty chilly no matter how hot of a day it is outside that canyon.

What was the main difference?

The main difference between the two times of year was the air and water temperature. 

In the Spring, mostly the prepared and dry suit equipped braved the cold air and water temperatures. If we didn’t have a wetsuit, we would have been in a lot of layers, like our friends, just to stay warm from being soggy in the cooler air temps. 

In the Summer, it was a shady oasis for all looking to escape the heat. It was a very busy hike up stream with the groves of other tourists that varied in skill levels and ages. 

Things to remember

Flash floods can occur from storms miles away from the canyon, even if there is no rain predicted in the National Park. Make sure to check for potential weather in the area before you go hiking in any narrow canyon. Water levels can raise 12 feet within minutes, with no high ground to scramble to. Please take this seriously!

Bring some shoes with ankle support. And use a walking stick or hiking poles to give yourself more points of contact while hiking upstream. 

Bring a headlamp. It gets dark in those canyon as the sun sets. To be on the safe side, make sure you carry an emergency light source, it could help you from spending a dark and unintended cold night in the canyon.

If you don’t have a Dry Bag, this would be the time to get one for your electronics that you would like to bring that you do not want to get wet. 

Olympic National Park

Back when we were living in Seattle we we're able to head out to the Olympic Peninsula a few times and get out of town and enjoy the lush forest of the Pacific Northwest.  I made this edit with my good friend Rod on a camping trip.  We packed up the Subaru and hopped on the ferry for an epic getaway.  

ABQ to Burningman Road Trip

After getting the Subaru all rigged up for the road with a fold out bed and other accessories (Check it out here), we took it out to Black Rock City for our annual pilgrimage to Burning Man.  We don’t stay in the Subaru at Burning Man. We build a hexayurt, although we have tried the car and it was miserable.  (More info on hexayurts here)  We’ve only traveled to BM from California and Washington, so coming from New Mexico was going to be a mission. We figured we would break it up into a road trip.  So all you New Mexico burners out there, we found a pretty awesome and fun route with multiple stopovers on your way to BRC.

Sedona

Our first stop was a five hour cruise over to Sedona. Being our first time in Sedona, we had no idea what to do. So, we headed to the Dry Creek Area for some exploration.  We wanted to see Devil’s Bridge, but we knew it would be swarmed with people since it is one of the top hikes and easiest in Sedona. Plus, it has jeep trail access. So you already know the Pink Jeeps are blowing this spot up.  So, we explored the surrounding exotic red rock territory until sunset and then headed up to Devils Bridge after sunset.  Per usual, on our way up everyone was heading down, we got to the bridge and had it to ourselves once the stars were coming out.  We shot a few photos, watched the stars, and had a drink.  We were getting very comfortable until we saw a few scorpions, so we decided to head down.  We drove to Forest Road 525, off  HW-89, for some free camping.  We drove past the first few occupied pull offs and found our own exclusive spot and set up for the night.  We woke up, cooked breakfast, and headed out towards our next destination. 

Trona Pinnacles

We made the long haul from Sedona to the Trona Pinnacles in Death Valley.  It’s best to arrive at the Trona Pinnacles later in the day, around sunset, because the late summer daytime temperatures are boiling.  It was about 102 degrees at 7pm, when we pulled up.  We braved the heat and shot some magic hour photos and set up the rig for another night.  Thankfully, for us, it cooled down at night and we slept without the rainfly to have an amazing star show that night.  If you’ve never heard of the Trona Pinnacles, it's a pretty cool place to stop over for a night of camping in Death Valley.  We woke up and headed for HWY 385 that heads up the heart of the Sierra Nevada.  

Highway CA 385

This is some of my favorite stretches of highway, for life on the road.  There are so many amazing and scenic spots throughout this area.  We stopped in Lone Pine for some supplies. If you have extra time, you must camp at Alabama Hills, outside of Lone Pine, it’s one of our all time favorite campsites.  We headed up the 395 for some hot spring action.  There are plenty of hot springs out here, you just have to find them and it’s not very hard. Whitmore Springs area is just one area with multiple hotsprings, some you can camp near. After soaking in three different tubs in the area, we found a campsite around June Lake. We stayed at a free site that wasn't anything special, but it was free and in route!  The next morning and headed towards Yosemite. 

Yosemite - Tuolumne Meadows

We’ve been to Yosemite many times, but we've never been to Yosemite from the East Entrance.  We thought it would be a better to head to Tuolumne Meadows during peak season since the Valley is a nightmare in late August.  Unfortunately for us, there was some serious smoke from a forest fire and we had to bail on hiking Clouds Rest.  So, we headed to the info center to get some tips on where to find something that would have better visibility.  We debated an overnight, but decided with all the smoke we should just hit a day hike and get out of the smoked out valley.  We chose Lembert Dome which ended up being a great hike considering the conditions and it was relatively short and easy for the awesome reward. We were actually really stoked on Tuolumne Meadows, on the backside of Yosemite. It’s really nice with half the crowds and you are able to get an amazing perspective of the Yosemite Valley from fairly easy hikes, and roadside pullovers .  

Jeffery Pine Camping

We headed out and talked with someone at the visitor center in Lee Vining that recommended Jeffery Pine Forest for a nice overnight camping stop over.  After about and hour + of adventuring around this area on the dirt roads, thank god we were in the Subaru,  we finally stumbled across one of our best campsites of the trip.  We were able to get lucky and find a pretty rough road along a ridge to our own little hilltop camping spot.  We set up and enjoyed a smoked out sunset cooked and slept in the car that night because it was a bit cold still in the high country.

Mono Lake 

After our camp at Jeffery Pine, we headed down to Mono Lake to see the famous Tufa formations in the morning before a bunch of people showed up. There were some kayakers on the water, but there was no one walking around yet. If you have not been to Mono Lake, this place is crazy. It's actually hard to explain, but it is worthy of taking 30-45 mins to pull over and check out how crazy the earth is. Although we missed both magic hour's at this spot, I am sure that Mono Lake would be pure magic for sunrise and sunset.

Panum Crater 

After Mono Lake, we stopped at Panum Crater, after seeing signs for it exiting the South Tufa area of Mono Lake. So, we decided to take the dirt road and check it out. The trail head starts out on a rough pumice trail that leads to the rim.  0.2 miles of further hiking will take you to the spectacular obsidian core of the volcano that erupted over 600 years ago. Fun fact we learned on the trail, dependent on how rapid the cooling process is, lava becomes Pumice or Obsidian. It is crazy the cooling process can change the look and feel of a rock so significantly! 

Tahoe - BRC

We headed out that morning to soak in the Travertine Hot Springs.  After a nice mud soak, we headed out to the Tahoe area to meet up with a good friend of ours.  We had great timing, as we arrived he was at an art car fundraiser for Burning Man, so we got to get in the groove and even got our first gift at the event.  From here, you could head to Reno and skip Tahoe however, we had to begin the prep for our camp “Camp Happy Hour” based in Auburn, California. So we headed out to Auburn to begin the prep and the final haul to the Playa.  

The Great Sand Dunes National Park - Free Camping

Nestled on the western side of the 14,000 ft peaks of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains lies the Great Sand Dunes National Park.  These sand dunes are the tallest sand dunes in North America, at 750 feet high.  We decided to stop by the dunes on the way up to Vail for an overnight stop, on the way up HWY 285.  

The Dunes are about an hour detour from Alamosa, off highway 285, and it is worth every minute.  Upon arrival, the dunes are much more larger than I expected.  We made our first stop at the first empty picnic area and prepared a quick diner before venturing off on the dunes for sunset.  There are no hiking trails on the dunes so you can basically go wherever you want.  It’s an incredible place for photography.  It's a very surreal place walking around in what seems like the Sahara Desert surrounded by 14,000ft peaks all around.  

This is a very light used national park so you won't have to worry about hoards of people everywhere.  After the visit, I read that this is one of the quietest parks in the US.  However the night we were there, the Pinon Flats campground was completely full.  So we ended up sleeping in the car in the lower parking lot and had no trouble.  We woke up for sunrise and continued the journey to Vail.  

Besides hiking around and photographing, we discovered that there are also a few hike in camp sites at Buck Creek and Escape Dunes.  Also, you can receive overnight camping permits and camp on the dunes.  There is also a 4x4 track that leads to Little Medano Campground.  

The GSDNP is a great place to spend multiple days at or just a few hours.  It’s a great park with some incredible scenery.  

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Southwest Desert Road Trip

We arrived in LAX after our trip abroad and were ready to get back on the road.  We were fortunate enough that our good friend Omar was in need of an adventure.  We joined forces and decided that we should tour the Desert SW back to our hometown Albuquerque, NM.  It was late April, so we figured the weather wouldn't be too hot.  We crammed all our gear in to Omar's Jeep Cherokee and began our to be 1,600+ mile road trip with 0 plans, but to have fun and explore new countryside.  We left the first port city of Venice, CA, after some amazing surf and headed towards our first desert alien landscape.  

We entered the Joshua Tree orbit around noon.  The first thing I would highly advise is buying the $80 America the Beautiful pass. It worked at almost every planet we landed on.  We bought our pass headed to Big Rocks Campground ($15 per site).  J-Tree is a mix of exotic granite rock formations and awkward Joshua Trees scattered throughout this bizarre landscape as far as the eye can see.  This is a great place for rock climbing and Scrambling around.  We explored and climbed around at the Hall of Horrors and Hidden Valley. We would definitely recommend these two spots.  There is amazing rock climbing, scrambling, and photo options at these spots.   

That night we stayed up a bit for star gazing and photography, but were shut down by a thin as cloud layer.  We woke up and cruised for a while on the Geology Tour Road to check out the park more, explore, and take some pictures.  After about an hour or driving, we left J Tree’s orbit and blasted off to another dimension.

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The Alabama Hills BLM land outside of Lone Pine, CA, is camping heaven.  Upon surveillance, this alien landscape seemed to be something out of another galaxy.  Amidst the enormous rock fields, stands Mt. Whitney, at 14,505ft, looming down on the valley below.  ‘Bama Hills is on BLM land where dispersed camping is allowed.  However, it is on you to clean up after yourself. There are no toilets. So, come prepared.  

After our first night of camping, we woke up and did the very short loop hike to the Mobius Arch.  We then headed up to the Mount Whitney Portal to check out some hikes.  After a heavy snow season, we were shut down pretty quick on the trails up at the Whitney Portal.  We did learn that permits for hiking Whitney in the summer are required. So, look into obtaining one before you head up. 

After some 4x4 and beers, at an old cowboy bar in Lone Pine, we arrived at a very wind destroyed campsite.  After getting camp set back up, we settled in for what was one of our windiest nights of the trip.  We woke up the next day had breakfast and hit the road for a long haul to Nevada. 

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We exited the Alabama Hills solar system and hit hyperdrive and time warped to a new desert planet. Death Valley is a drive through park, meaning a majority of the experience is driving through the park, at least in the summer.  I could imagine some amazing activities in the other seasons. 

We stopped and made lunch at one of the first outpost we saw.  It was already heating up and I couldn't imagine this place in the midst of summer.  We set down our landing gear on the Beatty Sand Dunes and walked until the footprints started to subside it was already 96 degrees in late May.  Down the road a bit is Zabriskie Point, which is an amazing overlook over the Zabriskie Badlands.  There looks to be an amazing hike, if you were around in the fall/winter and it was cooler, but the heat was too much. So, we just took a few pictures and explored for a bit before we headed on. 

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A few miles outside the bright lights of The Las Vegas Spaceport lies a gem known as Red Rock Canyon.  The mars like terrain will have you feeling as if you were actually on the red planet.  If you want to score a campsite at the Red Rock Canyon Campsite ($10 Per Site) you better be there early.  We showed up and it was completely full.  We ended up having some fellow travelers allow us to stay with them since they were just crashing in their amazing van.  We got in set up camp cooked and had a good chat with our neighbors.  We woke up the next day and headed into Red Rocks Canyon.  We hiked around Calico Basin for about 3 hours climbing and scrambling around and getting lost in dark red slot canyons.  We cruised around the park took in the views and started our auto pilot for Las Vegas.  

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After indulging in provisions in the wild space port Las Vegas, it was time to set our sights on a new frontier.  We set out for St. George, but as most vessels leaving Vegas, we had a very delayed take off.  We headed toward Lake Mead and our radar picked up the Valley of Fire State Park.  We decide to veer off track and check it out.  We arrived late and the gates were open.  Driving through this park seems like something out of the Martian.  There seems to be lots of hiking activities in the park.  Its even amazing just driving though it if it’s a blistering hot summer day.  After little or no trip research, we headed straight to the Fire Wave.  It takes about 20 minutes to walk to this rock formation with amazing rock coloring.  We shot pictures until it was too dark and headed on.  That night we slept in the middle of nowhere, where a dirt road ended, definitely the worst campsite of the trip, but it was free.  

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Zion is an amazing place!  I had no idea the size of this park before arriving.  Massive sandstone peaks with names like The Great White Throne, and The Alter of Sacrifice tower over a thousand feet above the valley floor.  Per usual, we were very unprepared for the busy National Park and had no reservations or any clue what we were going to do inside the park.  We got very lucky scoring a spot in the Zion South Campsite later in the day, (We literally just asked someone if they would share with us because of course the site was full.)

We set up a quick camp and set out for the Hidden Canyon Trail.  The Zion Canyon Road is only accessible via a shuttle system but it’s fast and effective.  We took the Shuttle to the Weeping Rock Stop.  The hike up to the Hidden Canyon is an awesome track that exposes you to trails along huge cliff faces.  It is a climb to access the Hidden Canyon, but it’s not anything too difficult.  We went up and back in about 3 hours.  If we had more daylight we would have done the trail to Observation Point, which is supposed to be on of Zion’s best overlooks.  

We woke up the next day, ate breakfast and prepared snacks and provisions for Narrows and Angels Landing.  Unfortunately for us, The Narrows were closed due to high water levels.  We didn't want to hike Angels Landing in the middle of the day due to crowds. So, we hung out in the valley for a bit and headed to Angels Landing around 4pm. 

The trail to Angels Landing is 2.4 miles.  It begins at the Grotto drop off point.  The hike up to Angels Landing isn't too difficult it is all uphill, but it’s paved and it's a really nice trail.  On the Angels Landing Trail, after you head up Walter’s Wiggles, if you have a fear of heights, you may struggle in points.  You basically hike along a knife ridge, with the valley 1,400 feet below you, with only chains to hold onto.  After a half mile of high risk hiking, you reach the 5,790 feet summit of Angels Landing and you will be glad you did this hike.  The views from Angels Landing across the valley of the Great White Throne towering overhead are amazing.  You will literally feel like an ant on top of this rock formation.  It’s a hike you will definitely want to do while in Zion.  We headed down and luckily caught the last shuttle back to the campsite.  

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We left Planet Zion late as expected with our Crew and set auto pilot for Bryce Canyon.  We set up camp right outside of the park off of forest road 1173 where we saw other people camping.  We set up camp rested a bit then drove into the park.  

We once again flashed our America the Beautiful card, that we already made our money back on, and headed towards Sunset Point.  We started with the Navajo Loop trail that takes you down to the Valley Floor and up through Wall Street canyon, named for obvious reasons. 

We hoped in our lunar rover and headed to the Bryce Overlook viewpoint for sunset.  Bryce Canyon is the Grand Canyon’s younger smaller hippie brother.  This place has some of the most interesting and trippy hoodoo rock formations in the US.  Bryce Canyon would be an amazing place to do some backcountry camping and we wished we were more prepared with permits and such to partake in what must be an incredible experience.  

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From Bryce, we originally set sights on the Grand Canyon North Rim, but the park wasn't open yet. So, we decided to go off a hot tip from another traveler and check out a road less traveled.   The Burr Trail is in the Escalante Grand Staircase National Monument and is a road that access some amazing opportunity for freedom camping in areas. 

The strips of pastel pinks, whites, and, reds confirmed that we were in Jupiter’s orbit.  We were sucked straight into the this landscape as if we were imbedded into a transcendentalistpainting.  We first headed to Kiva Koffeehouse before we headed to Calf Creek Falls.  We highly recommend checking out this little gem of a cafe with amazing views of the Escalante River Valley.  The trail to Calf Creek Falls is easy and along the valley.  It’s an awesome little hike and the waterfall is like an oasis in the desert.  We camped in the BLM land along the Burr Trail overlooking Long Canyon.  The next day we headed out on one of the more scenic drives of the trip along the Burr Trail.  We stopped along the way to witness thunderstorms sweep across the desert landscape.  Originally, as we set out that day, we felt like going deep into the belly of the desert.  We set out for a pin on the map to put the Jeeps 4x4 to the test.  We set out for Moody Canyon with a stop at the Wolverine Petrified Forest.  

The journey out to Moody Canyon is a long one and you could possibly go a few days without seeing anyone in certain times of the year.  With the being said, I would advise to have emergency food/water and a back up batter charger or way to jump your car if you needed to.  We found an amazing campsite overlooking Moody Canyon.  The road was easily manageable in the Jeep, but wouldn't be possible in a camper van.  We were isolated out on the desert and it felt amazing. We cooked and enjoyed a moonlit campsite. 

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We jetted out early in the morning so we could enjoy a few activities in the Capitol Reef National Park before we headed toward the Utah/Colorado border for the night.  The drive through Capital Reef is pretty spectacular on its own.  We wished we had planned better and spent some more time in this area.  We randomly stopped and did the hike as far as we could up Surprise Canyon.  I would recommend this to anyone looking for a quick day activity while heading down south along the Burr Trail.  

We made breakfast in the parking lot at Surprise Canyon and headed out to catch out ferry across Lake Powell in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, which we our America the Beautiful pass worked for!  We enjoyed a quick swim at Stanton Creek, near Bullfrog before we caught our ferry which was a reasonable $20.  

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Thanks to a mixture of freecampsites.net and WIkiCamps, we found the most incredible campsite at Muley Point overlooking the San Juan Goose Necks.  We watched a massive lightning storm roll through Monument Valley with enough charge to make all the hair on our heads stick straight up into the air.  We got in late had inclement weather.  So, we set up camp and fell asleep.  

Durango 

From Muley Point, you can head through Monument Valley which is only 20 miles away and head down into Arizona or you can head into Colorado and one of my favorite mountain towns Durango.  Dani and I have family in Durango. So, we enjoyed relaxing and catching up.  Omar got sick. So we returned to Albuquerque, after a year and a half of being abroad.  Our original plan included one more stop at Bisti Badlands for a few nights but we lost our captain to a stomach bug.