Kings Canyon National Park is often overshadowed by neighboring Sequoia and Yosemite but it is definitely worth a visit. A popular way to visit this park is to lump it in with a trip to the other two. That is exactly what we did – two days in Yosemite, one day in King’s Canyon and then one day in Sequoia National Park. In this post, we will discuss the best things to do in Kings Canyon National Park in one day….
While most people might think tropical beaches, coconut drinks, and luaus when they think of Hawaii, there is a whole different side if you are into the outdoors. If you are planning on hiking in Oahu, you are in luck. It is an absolute paradise and hikers dream. This post will review some of the best hikes on Oahu and lead you to some of the most incredible views in the world. Note: Hiking on Oahu can be dangerous and…
Like most incredible destinations, you could spend forever in Yosemite. However, if you are a weekend warrior like myself, you may be visiting with more limited time. This post will cover a fairly aggressive, 2 day Yosemite Itinerary and you will leave the park feeling seriously accomplished. Note: Due to COVID-19, Yosemite requires a reservation to enter the park in addition to the entrance fee. The reservation costs $2. For up to date information and to make your reservation, check…
As it starts to warm up, most people start transitioning from skis and snowboards to hiking boots in Utah. If you are looking to go hiking near Salt Lake City, here are my top trails to get you started. Top trails near Salt Lake City If you are visiting from out of town or are local but new to hiking, these are my recommendations for hiking near Salt Lake City, Utah. For those new to hiking, before setting out check…
Back before I knew much about COVID, I applied for an overnight permit for The Enchantments hike in Washington State. After lockdown began, I found out I won the golden ticket – an overnight permit lottery win for 2 to the Core Enchantments – one of the most coveted wilderness permits out there. Before I go too much further, this hike is incredibly difficult and if you are considering it, please be prepared, both physically and mentally as it was…
Neither words nor pictures could possibly describe the beauty of New Zealand. And while I thought that the North Island was incredibly cool, I can see why some people only ever make it to the South Island of New Zealand. It was incredible and the country really has something for everyone. While we chose to go on more adventurous hiking in most of our destinations, there were plenty of short walks and stunning sights to be seen from the comfort…
The Stairway to Heaven in Hawaii is one of my favorite hikes of all time. Also known as the Haiku Stairs, this is one of the most well-known hikes on Oahu. Unfortunately, over concerns of safety as well as privacy of the neighborhood where the trailhead is located, this hike has been closed for a while with significant (read: $1000) fines. In April 2020, it was decided to transfer ownership of the stairs. The ownership of the stairs was officiallly transferred…
Visiting the turquoise blue waters of Havasupai is high on many people’s Arizona bucket list. This May marked my second trip to Havasupai so I wanted to provide a comprehensive overview of my Havasu Falls Hike. This is a trip of a lifetime so you want to be prepared. Permits First off, you need a permit in order to go to Havasupai. It is not something that you can day hike or even get remotely close without a permit. There…
For the second year in a row, my trip to Havasupai included a trek down to the confluence of the Havasu Creek and the Colorado River. And for the second year, hiking to the Confluence at Havasupai was the most dramatic part of my backpacking trip. Let me start off right away by saying I’m just sharing my experience and not looking for anything other than that… My first time hiking to the Confluence at Havasupai last year my girl…
There are eight main Hawaiian islands, seven of which are permanently inhabited. However there are four main islands that people visit when they head to Hawaii: Oahu (Honolulu is located here, along with Waikiki Beach and Pearl Harbor), Maui (has the beautiful Road to Hana and Haleakela National Park), The Big Island of Hawaii (Has Volcanoes National Park), and Kauai (nicknamed The Garden Island and much more lush and untouched). Considering Kauai is nicknamed “The Garden Island”, it’s fitting that…