The Grand Gulch area, located within the Bears Ears region of Utah, holds one of the richest concentrations of ancestral sites in the American Southwest Towering canyon walls and alcoves have thousands of years of human history preserved in cliff dwellings, rock art, and pottery shards This is a place I had wanted to visit for years When I finally visited, I found it to be one of the most incredible places I've visited on the Colorado Plateau The hike described here is a brief introduction to Grand Gulch: hiking do...

Kessler Peak, sitting on the ridge between Mineral Fork and Cardiff Fork, is one of the more prominent peaks visible from the road up Big Cottonwood Canyon The peak beckons hikers to visit its lofty summit The summit you can see from the Big Cottonwood Canyon road is not the true summit, with the true summit a little bit south along the ridge The peak was the site of mining activity in the late 1800’s Today, a couple of ruins of shelters and tunnels near the summit are all that remain of the miner's efforts The tra...

Mount Ogden ~9,579' is the highest peak on the ridgeline directly east of Ogden From Ogden, it is the dramatic backdrop you see to the east This is a peak that has a couple of long routes with fairly big elevation gains or a much shorter and easier route via the tram at Snowbasin Ski Resort Our family opted for the tram route, which made for a very pleasant 1/2 day outing with a very civilized feel It was quite the treat to take the tram up, hike the peak, and then end with a summer music event at the base of the t...

The Torrey Creek Rock Art site near Dubois is part of a cultural landscape that has been used by Indigenous peoples for thousands of years The petroglyphs found here are believed to have been created by ancestors of the Shoshone people, possibly dating back as far as 1,000 to 2,000 years These images are not just random markings; they carry deep spiritual, ceremonial, and practical significance, often depicting animals, human figures, hunting scenes, and abstract or symbolic patterns This area of Wyoming was a seas...

Parriot Mesa offers one of the premier, if not the premier, hiking adventure around Moab for very experienced hikers, climbers, and canyoneers This is not a route to be taken lightly, as it offers breathtaking exposure, it also requires some technical ability to safely ascend Many hikers do this without any technical gear, but a harness, locking carabiners, and webbing for a teather is the minimum recommended gear Expect breathtaking views, a steep hike, and exposed scrambling Castle Valley and the surrounding towe...

West Canyon likely needs no introduction for the aspiring canyoneer It is often talked about by those who have been there, and several guidebooks rate it as one of the best adventures on the Colorado Plateau, including this write-up If access were easier, West Canyon would be full of people Due to the commitment to reach the canyon, however, you are unlikely to see many others while in the area For the uninitiated, West Canyon is one of the premier canyons on Lake Powell It deserves premier status not because of it...

Cathedral in the Desert is a magnificent natural alcove located in Clear Creek Canyon, a tributary of the Escalante River arm of Lake Powell Before the reservoir filled in the 1960s, it was considered one of the most beautiful sites in Glen Canyon, rivaling Zion Canyon and other iconic Southwest landscapes The centerpiece is a towering, cathedral-like chamber of Navajo Sandstone with high vertical walls and an elegant pour-off waterfall that trickles down a smooth, bowl-shaped recess The spot embodies the beauty th...

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Coyote Gulch is one of, if not thee, premier canyon in Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument The canyon, emblematic of the beauty of the Escalante region, is often near the top of desert hikers and backpackers bucket lists This is a canyon that has astounding beauty and charm, with seemingly each bend of the canyon revealing a scene to marvel at Arches, waterfalls, cavernous alcoves, rock art, and a plethora of color make this an amazing journey Because of its iconic status, the canyon sees many visitors and ...

Pleasant Creek is home to likely the largest petroglyph panels in Capitol Reef It is surprising the National Park Service doesn't promote this short hike The hike is short enough it is nearly a roadside attraction, and should be accessible to most who are up for a short walk The hike can be hot and buggy in the summer, but is short enough to be tolerable even in the heat and potential bugs Note: It should go without saying, but do NOT add to the graffiti or deface the rock anywhere in the park It is against federal...