The Bonanza Flat Loop Trial Trail has a few things going against it The trail is only open three months of the year, parking can be a nightmare, and as a hiker you have to contend with a constant stream of mountain bikers So what makes this trail so popular The answer was clear when I went in late September—the amazing fall colors! If you are patient and want to see some stunning aspen in all their yellow and orange, this is a hike worth doing Logistics There is limited parking at Bonanza Flat and it isn’t uncommon...

Nestled within the red rock landscapes of Snow Canyon State Park in Utah, the lava tubes are a unique and adventurous hiking experience Formed by ancient volcanic activity, these underground tunnels were created as molten lava flowed through the area, leaving behind hollowed-out passageways once the outer layers cooled and hardened Today, hikers can explore these fascinating geological formations, scrambling over rugged basalt rock and descending into the cool, shadowy depths of the caves The hike to the lava tubes...

The Sounds of Silence trail is, so far, my favorite trail in Dinosaur National Monument The trailhead is just a short distance from the visitor center, but once on the trail, you feel a world away and fully immersed in the geology and views of the monument Try as I might, I could not convince my 7-year-old that Sounds of Silence meant you weren't allowed to talk on the trail I am sure there is excellent silence to be had as well, depending on your hiking partners! The trail, a little over 3 miles, has a few steep a...

The Logandale Trails System in southern Nevada has over 200 miles of trails This stunning area reminds me of the Valley of Fire with its dramatic sandstone and dunes Though many come to ride the trails, there is also a short hike to the Indian Pictograph Park within the folds of sandstone I am not sure who named the area, but it is not pictographs, but petroglyphs! The hike and rock art site are quite interesting We thoroughly enjoyed the site, but be aware access is a bit challenging To reach the trailhead, requir...

To me, Devil's Kitchen, near the east entrance to Colorado National Monument, is one of the best hikes in the monument The hike, though short, visits a dramatic area surrounded by sandstone walls and towers On our visit, it was delightfully filled with families climbing around and exploring the area A playground for both young and old alike! Those looking for a longer outing can combine this hike with the bottom end of No Thoroughfare Canyon that starts on the same trail Doing both makes for a great, scenic half-da...

Whitney Pocket is likely most people's introduction to Gold Butte National Monument The sandstone outcropping is on the north end of the monument, and the one of the first places the main road passes by after leaving I-15 about 25 bumpy miles to the north The area, with its white, red, and orange sandstone stands out in stark contrast to the Joshua Tree covered craggy grey peaks that surround it It is a popular jumping off point for campers, ATV, and off-road enthusiasts The road to Whitney Pocket is a bumpy mix of...

Gold Butte is made up of mostly sandstone outcroppings, jagged limestone peaks, and some granite on its southern end Mud Wash, as it meanders its way down from the interior region of Gold Butte National Monument to the Virgin River cuts through a different layer than the rest of the monument The wash narrows and cuts through a layer of conglomerate rock creating the Mud Wash Narrows just before reaching the Virgin River above Lake Mead The narrows are quite different than the rest of the monument and are a good out...

One of the more popular places to visit in Gold Butte National Monument is Little Finland This is an area where the reddish Aztec Sandstone layer is exposed and has eroded into fantastic fins and interesting shapes Little Finland is at the edge of the sandstone layer, and the base of the layer is punctuated by an oasis created by small seeps where the water that has flowed between rock layers reaches the surface West of Little Finland are sand hills and open county This is a fun place to wander and take in the uniq...

Khota Circus is one of the more dramatic panels in Gold Butte National Monument The panel used to require about a 3-mile round trip hike from a sandy trailhead at the end of an ATV trail The closure of the ATV trail has lengthened the hiking distance and made visiting quite a bit more effort A stunning rock art panel and equally stunning scenery make this well worth the effort This is my favorite hike in Gold Butte if the hikes I have done so far The panel is perched in a lofty position that is difficult to safely ...

The short side road leaving Mud Wash intrigued me the on our first trip to Gold Butte National Monument, but we did not have time to check it out On our second trip, we followed the road to its end, then hiked the old road that is now closed and has become worn social trail beyond The trail, on the east side of the Little Finland formation, follows the base of the sandstone formation to its northern tip to visit the Lollipop Panel This panel appears to be quite old, and an interesting mix of figures It is easy to s...