Observation Point ♦
Location: Utah, Zion National Park
Hike to one of the most iconic views in Zion National Park – worth the elevation gain for these views!
Subway (Bottom Up) ♦
Location: Utah, Zion National Park
Great non-technical way to visit the most scenic portion of Zion’s iconic “Subway” canyon
Angel’s Landing
Location: Utah, Zion National Park
Classic Zion hike with some nice elevation gain and a little exposure to get to breathtaking panoramic views
Emerald Pools Trail
Location: Utah, Zion National Park
Easy trail past two waterfalls to a set of pools with pretty vegetation
Taylor Creek Trail
Location: Utah, Zion National Park, Kolob Canyons Area
Pleasant trail with very little elevation gain, ending at the “Double Arch Alcove”
Calico Hills
Location: Nevada, Las Vegas, Red Rock Canyon
Notable red rock hills with pretty striations; home to over 200 sport climbing routes
The Wave
Location: Arizona, Vermilion Cliffs National Monument
Iconic sandstone formation of sculpted, beautifully colored slickrock
Coyote Buttes North ♦
Location: Arizona, Vermilion Cliffs National Monument
Fabulous area with outstanding rock formations, multiple natural arches, dinosaur tracks, and more!
Crane Beach
Location: Massachusetts, Ipswich
Pretty beach with several miles of trails and boardwalks
Echo Lake State Park
Location: New Hampshire, Conway
State park with some short hiking options and a well-known area for very nice climbing
Mount Washington
Location: New Hampshire, White Mountains
Classic hike to the summit of Mt. Washington, famous for its unpredictable and remarkably bad weather
Frankenstein Trestle ♦
Location: New Hampshire, Bartlett area, Crawford Notch State Park
Hike to the scenic Frankenstein Trestle, which bridges a sheer cliff face along the Conway Scenic Railroad; particularly great during the autumn with fall colors
Arethusa Falls
Location: New Hampshire, Bartlett area, Crawford Notch State Park
Nice hike to a pretty waterfall; can be combined as a loop hike with nearby Frankenstein Trestle
Kalaw
Location: Myanmar, Western Shan State
Former British hill station with a nice hike through pretty scenery to a hill tribe village
Moanalua Valley to Haiku Stairs ♦
Location: Hawaii, Oahu, Southeast
Excellent ridge hike with Jurassic Park-esque views leading to the top of the famous Haiku Stairs (where they can be legally viewed without trespassing) and World War II era top secret military radio station
Olomana Ridge
Location: Hawaii, Oahu, Southeast
Legendary hike along a nice-edge ridge
Pololu Valley/Beach
Location: Hawaii, Big Island, North Shore
Beautiful valley with a rocky black sand beach
Emesine Cave
Location: Hawaii, Big Island, Hilo area
Unmarked, rarely visited pristine lava tube
Flowing Lava! ♦
Location: Hawaii, Big Island, Volcanoes National Park Area
If lava is visible and accessible, it’s the experience of a lifetime to go and see it up close. Kilauea (presumably) won’t erupt forever, so go if you can!
Son Doong Expedition ♦
Location: Vietnam, Phong Nha Ke-Bang National Park
Multi-day technical cave expedition through a massive and other-worldly cave
Cathedral Lakes
Location: California, Yosemite National Park, Tuolomne Meadows Area
Nice hike through pretty scenery to two lakes, both with views of Cathedral Peak
Mist Trail (to Vernal Fall)
Location: California, Yosemite National Park, Yosemite Valley
Short hike to the impressive Vernal Fall; spray from the falls creates impressive rainbows in morning sunlight
Mirror Lake
Location: California, Yosemite National Park, Yosemite Valley
Seasonal lake offering reflections of the surrounding cliffs when it’s not being used as a swimming hole; in the off season, it’s a meadow/sandy field with mountain views
Upper Yosemite Falls ♦
Location: California, Yosemite National Park, Yosemite Valley
Historic trail to the top of Upper Yosemite Falls, providing outstanding views of some of Yosemite’s most iconic landmarks
North Fork of Big Pine Creek ♦
Location: California, Eastern Sierras, West of Big Pine
Great trail through mountain scenery to a series of lakes providing views of the Palisades and Palisade Glacier.
Bishop Pass Trail to Long Lake
Location: California, Eastern Sierras, West of Bishop
Extremely rewarding hike to an expansive lake surrounded by rugged mountains
Limekiln Trails
Location: California, Central Big Sur
Nice hike through forests to historic limekiln ruins and a waterfall
Ewoldsen Trail
Location: California, Big Sur, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Nice trail through redwood forests to rolling hills and sweeping coastal views
Tanbark Trail and Tin House ♦
Location: California, Big Sur, Northern
Great hike through redwood forests with a waterfall and great views, ending at the ruins of an old tin house
Volcanoes National Park
Location: Hawaii, Big Island, Volcanoes National Park
National Park based around the highly active Kilauea volcano; features views of the caldera and crater and the dramatic, scarred volcanic landscape via roads and hikes
‘Akaka Falls
Location: Hawaii, Big Island, North of Hilo
Very tall and impressive waterfall accessed via a scenic 1 mile jungle hike
Kealakekua Bay ♦
Location: Hawaii, Big Island, Kailua-Kona Area
Fantastic spot for snorkeling that generally sees a lower volume of tourists due to more difficult access
Kepler Track Day Walk
Location: New Zealand, Southland, Te Anau area
Short, scenic section of one of New Zealand’s Great Walks, featuring a great swing bridge and lake views
Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park
Location: New Zealand, Canterbury, Aoraki/Mt. Cook area
New Zealand’s highest peak; various hikes provide views of the peak and surrounding scenery
Northern Katmai National Park
Location: Alaska, Northern Alaskan Peninsula
National park with great scenery, hiking, and fly fishing options
Becharof Lake
Location: Alaska, Northern Alaskan Peninsula
Great spot with multiple nearby fishing locations and nice hiking
Goat Canyon Trestle ♦
Location: California, Anza Borrego Desert
Off trail hike to the famous and historic Goat Canyon wooden trestle
Distance: 6 miles round trip, 3000 feet of elevation gain
Calcite Mine & Slot Canyons
Location: California, Anza Borrego Desert
Old calcite mining area with multiple options for non-technical slot canyons
Distance: 4.2 miles round trip, 800 feet of elevation gain
“The Slot”
Location: California, Anza Borrego Desert
Very short non-technical slot canyon with easy access
Distance: 0.8 miles round trip, 100 feet of elevation gain
Wind Caves
Location: California, Anza Borrego Desert
Short hike to cool sandstone formations with pockets, tunnels, and shallow caves.
Distance: 1.25 miles round trip, 250 feet of elevation gain