Weekend Wanderer: Hiking Valley of Fire

A visit to Valley of Fire only requires about an hour drive from Las Vegas and lots of water. Especially in the warmer months, Valley of Fire, gets very warm, even early in the day.  Plus, you may be out of Las Vegas, but you are still in the desert!

On a recent weekend trip to Valley of Fire, I was able to catch an awesome Ranger Led Program and get a few short hikes in before the afternoon hit and temperatures started to reach close to 100 degrees.

For your day trip from Las Vegas, leave early, preferably before 9am in order to be headed home before the heat of the day sets in.  Valley of Fire is a State Park, so National Park Passes DO NOT gain you free entry.  Entry into the park is based on car; a car is $10/$8 for locals (Be sure to show your Nevada ID!)

Once you pass through the entrance gate, Valley of Fire is waiting to grace you with its vibrant colors and awesome views.

The first stop you come across is the Beehives.  This is a nice short stop to get out, stretch your legs and get a good look at the awesome rock formations that are Valley of Fire.

Just a tiny view of what Valley of Fire has to offer; taken from the Petrified Logs Turn-Off.

From there, head down the road a bit more to the left will be a turn off for Atlatl Rock.  There are two campgrounds down this road (addition fee) but at Atlatl Rock there are some Petroglyph's that are worth the trek up the stairs.

A glimpse of the Atlatl Rock Petroglyphs 

Check the State Park Website for events; while visiting they were hosting a session on how to throw Alatl Spears, and I got a chance to try it out!  Good thing we didn't have to rely on me for dinner, my skills need some work!

Working on my spear throwing skills!

From here, you can skip the Petrified Logs (west) and continue down the road to the Visitors Center.  Inside there is a really nice museum complete with petrified wood, live snakes, lizards and spiders, and tons of well displayed information.  Here you can refill you water bottles and take a restroom break before heading up White Domes Road.  If it is already starting to get warm, opt to stop at Rainbow Vista.  The red sand here is worth the stop alone.  There is a mile long trail here, with warning posted to avoid in hot weather, even if it is hot take a short walk out and return to the car, it is well worth it!

What animal does this rock remind you of?

From here you can head home, or continue down the main park road.  If you are lucky, you might come across some big horn sheep, I did!

Can you see them?

As always, check the state park website for additional information before you go and ALWAYS pack water!

DISCLAIMER: Prices, locations, tours, policies and attractions may have changed.  Please use websites listed for the most up to date information.

Getting the Most Out of 2 Days at the Grand Canyon

Let me start by saying, this was a family trip so we did not get in much hiking and instead tried to get a glimpse of the Grand Canyon from every angle possible.  I recommend staying in Williams, AZ.  The town is adorable and has some nice attractions as well, but feel free to look for lodging in the park as well.  There are some hotels in Williams, but if you prefer a more home-like feel check out some of the VRBO options in the area!

Day 1:
Early AM: Head to Grand Canyon from Williams, AZ (<1 hour drive)

Once you arrive at Mathers Point Visitors Center, take your time to look around and take “first look” of Grand Canyon.

Walk(other options to drive or ride YELLOW shuttle) approx. 1 mile to the Yavapao Geology Museum.

From there, either walk approx. 2 miles to Verkamps Visitors Center and Hopi house or take YELLOW shuttle back to Mathers Point and catch BLUE shuttle to Verkamp and Hopi House.

Walk along Rim Trail from Verkmap to view Bright Angel Lodge, Trailhead, Lookout Studio and on to RED shuttle bus stop.

Lunch on the Rim Trail before heading down Hermits Rest Road (We packed a lunch)

Take RED bus to Trail Overlook(0.7m walk), Maricopa Point (0.7m walk), Powell Point (0.5m Walk) and Hopi Point (0.3m walk)

Continue on RED shuttle to Mohave Point (0.8m walk from Hopi), The Abys (1.1m walk), Monument Creek Vista (0.9m walk), Pima Point(1.7m walk) and ending at Hermits Rest(1.1m walk).

Refill water at Hermits Rest. Then a short hike from Hermits Rest (Also be sure to check out the Ranger Programs!)

Prepare for Sunset viewing at Hopi Point (If crowded, Pima point).               

RED shuttle only stops at Pima, Mohave and Powell Points on the return trip.

                http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/upload/grca_sunrise-sunset.pdf.pdf

Sunset: Be sure to check the time so you arn't late and miss the show!!

Shuttle back to parking area

Day 2:

Head to Yaki Point to view Sunrise.  See Sunrise-Sunset PDF above to check the correct time! Dress warm if visiting in the off-season sun-rise can be COLD!!!

Desert View 25-mile driving tour to Desert View Watchtower

                Stops at Grandview Point, Moran Point, Tusayan Museum and Ruin, Lipan Point, Navajo point, ending at Desert View Watchtower, point and visitors center.

Tour Desert View Visitors Center and Watch Tower.  Lunch then short afternoon hike.

This was a great way for us to get in the Grand Canyon, take in the view and make plans of what we wanted to do on our next trip.  The Grand Canyon is so vast I feel like I need to return over and over again just to make sure I can take it all in.

As always, before you go, check the National Park Website for updates, closures and special events!

All Photos by: https://www.facebook.com/KristinaTeresePhotography?fref=ts
Check out her blog here: http://kristinateresephotography.blogspot.com/

Weekend Wanderer: Devils Backbone Open Space

Hi explorers! Sorry I have been gone so long, life and warmer weekends have gotten in the way of me telling you about awesome adventures and hiking trips to try out.

This weekend, Colorado is foretasted to have some amazing spring weather.  Anyone else with me that this is incredibly welcomed after the cold winter we have had??

This weekend, grab your kids, your bike, or even your dog and head out to the Devils Backbone Open Space in Loveland, CO.

This trail-head tends to get really busy and fill up fast so arrive early, or plan a hike for later in the afternoon.

The trail is pretty flat and an easy stride with a few uphill sections.
Also, you can choose a short hike or a long hike just turn around whenever you want and head back to the trail-head!

Enjoy!

Weekend Wanderer: Pineridge Natural Area

To me, Pineridge Natural Area is one of Fort Collins best kept secrets.  Which is really no secret at all, but it seems to have less traffic than the A-Hill and the atmosphere makes you feel like you've been relocated to somewhere far, far away from the city traffic and noise.

Pineridge NA is located adjacent to the Maxwell NA in Fort Collins, CO.  There are 3 loops; a small loop around the pound that is about 2 miles, a longer loop that is a little over 3 miles and a loop that extends from that.

With the recent snow, pack your snowshoes and take a trip out to Pineridge this weekend to take in some amazing views, a little snow and the great outdoors!

As always, check the Fort Collins Natural Areas website for closures before heading out!

Weekend Wanderer: A-Hill

Its supposed to be a lovely weekend in Norther Colorado so take the quick hike up the A-Hill for some amazing views!

A-Hill Trail: Fort Collins, CO:

You can start at one of two trail heads.  Either the Maxwell Parking area, just past Hughes Stadium.  Or you can start at the trail head off of Banyan and Prospect, just west of Overland Trail.

No matter your starting location, you will head out up and over a few small hills before you start to really climb.  One the climb starts, the trail does some long switchbacks across the hill, making the climb less steep.

Keep in mind, this is a multi-use trail!

Once you reach the top, take in the amazing views of Fort Collins and beyond.

Don't miss the opportunity to cross the road and take a look a Horsetooth!

Always check the natural areas website for trail conditions and closers before heading out.

Trail Rating: Moderate
 

Trek South Dakotas Black Hills in 5 days

For us, the Black Hills of South Dakota are only about a five hour drive away, so we planned a windy drive through Wyoming to go visit all the Black Hills have to offer.

Day 1: Arrive in Rapid City, South Dakota and visit Mount Rushmore

Since our arrival time was early afternoon we stopped at Mt. Rushmore.  Mount Rushmore is about 20 minutes from Custer, SD and around a hour from Rapid City.  Parking at the site is $11.  

NOTE: National Park Passes DO NOT cover the cost to park at Mt. Rushmore.

For us, it took us about a hour to walk around the Memorial, check out the bookstore and gift shop.  Those with children can take advantage of the Jr. Ranger program.

Note: Mt. Rushmore is lighted for 1.5 hours after sunset each night, with a nightly program.

Day 2: Jewel Cave National Monument (13 miles west of Custer and 53 miles from Rapid City) and Wind Cave National Monument (20 miles south of Custer)

We chose to have a cave packed day and explore both the caves in the Black Forest Area.  The first stop was at Jewel Cave.  Since it was the winter season only the Scenic Tour was offered for $8 a ticket.  You can call and reserve tickets for this tour up to 7 days prior to when you plan on visiting (1-605-673-8300)  This tour is great for those who have a little fear of caving or those who are not as sure footed.  The tour is completely on a raised metal pathway and an easy walk.  As someone who has been caving before, I thought this tour was way to commercialized, although I still enjoyed the opportunity.  One of my goals is to return and do the Wild Caving Tour.  Although this cave wasn't my favorite, I still recommend the visit and have had friends take other tours who had a 100% positive experience.

What to expect?  The tour starts at the visitors center where you load up an elevator and head down into the cave.  From here you are let out onto a platform for your first look at the cave before continuing on the tour.

Note: The caves stay at 49°F (9°C) so you might want to bring along a jacket.

From Jewel Cave, we headed to Wind Cave, having a picnic lunch in the car.  Again, since it was winter season, only one tour was offered, the Garden of Eden Cave Tour (Tickets for this tour are $7 per person). However, when we arrived they upgraded our tour due to the number of visitors that day.  This tour is also very accessible.  For this tour we took a walkway down into the cave with numerous stops along the way.  I thought this tour was a much better and even if we were on a paved path the cave seemed much more natural.

What to expect?  From the visitors center you head out down a paved path toward the cave and enter the cave through a set of doors.  At the end of the tour, we left the cave through another set of doors and headed back down a path to return to the visitors center.

NOTE: At Wind Cave you have the opportunity to see tons of wildlife!  We saw deer, tons of birds and BUFFALO!!

Day 3: Visit the Crazy Horse Memorial, Custer State Park and Mineral Springs, SD

Our first stop of the day was the Crazy Horse Memorial.  At $10 a person, I thought the entry price was steep; until we went inside.  Not only do you get to view the memorial, there are rooms and rooms of things to look at.  Everything ranging from artist drawings, to details about construction to handmade items.

After Crazy Horse we headed into Custer State Park, although there is tons of hiking we just did a scenic drive since it was snowing.

Due to the snowy weather, we ended up skipping the hot springs and decided to try out some of the Wineries we saw along HWY 385.  If time permits during your trip and wine is your cup of tea, I recommend trying one of South Dakota's Wineries out!

Day 4: Badlands National Park, Minuteman Missile Site and Wall Drug

Badlands National Park is a little over a hour drive from Rapid City due east on Interstate 90.  We chose to enter the National Park via the West Entrance and drive the main road stopping and taking short hikes at areas that peaked our interest.  When you come out on the other side stop at the Visitors Center to look at the museum then continue on HWY 240 toward I-90 and stop at the Minute Man Missile Silo Visitors Center.  We found this to be a little hard to find but with only a few other buildings in the area, its easy to regroup and figure out where you should be.  The visitors center has an informative video and will provide tours and directions to the actual missile site.  This site can be accessed on your way back to Rapid City on I-90.

After finishing up at the Missile Silo, head back on I-90 with a stop at Wall Drug, an iconic symbol and stop for those traveling in and around the Black Hills.  

Wall Drug Fact: Wall Drug started as a drug store in 1931 and survived the depression by offering free water to travelers.

While we chose to focus our time on the natural things the Black Hills have to offer, there is so much more to explore.  HWY 16 from Rapid City into the Black Hills has numerous tour attractions from Bear to the reptile center.  A little further away are the well known towns of Sturgis and Deadwood, two towns that would be worth a visit.

Day 5: The slow return home and a stop at the Mammoth Site

On our way home we decided to stop at the Mammoth Site, only to find they weren't open on Sundays.  I usually check all those things before we head out on our trip, but this one slipped through the cracks.

DISCLAIMER: Prices, locations, tours, policies and attractions may have changed.  Please use websites listed for the most up to date information.