Wind River Cirque Towers
This is a Wind River story of a training adventure from the Big Sandy Trailhead to the Cirque Towers…
Half Dome
Over the last 100 million years a crystalized magma chamber was uplifted, weathered, exfoliated, and glacially eroded into Yosemite National Park’s Half Dome. The granite dome formation has three smoothly rounded sides and a sheer cliff on the fourth. At 8,839′ Half Dome is the dominant feature of the eastern Yosemite Valley.[….]
Grand Canyon Rim to Rim
Six million years ago the Colorado River began carving the Grand Canyon. Exposing metamorphic and igneous rock dating back 1.8 billion years to a time known as the Paleoproterozoic Era. When the most advanced life forms on Earth were single cell structures living in the black ocean(s).[…]
Humphreys Peak
The San Francisco Peaks are the backdrop of Flagstaff, AZ. Originally, a single stratovolcano, the mountain stood at about 15,000’. However, over the last 400,000 years it has collapsed and eroded into the six peaks remaining today. Humphreys Peak being the tallest at 12,633’. It is also the highest point in Arizona.
Granite Mountain
Standing in contrast to the surrounding Prescott National Forest, the aptly named Granite Mountain, is an iconic feature of Prescott, Arizona.[…]
The Petrified Forest
After two and a half days of driving toward a Northern Arizona adventure it was a pleasant and worthwhile break to stop at the Petrified Forest National Park. Which is really not a forest as much as a painted desert with a lot of wood chunks that have literally transformed into rock over the eons […]
Big South Fork Trail Race
The Big South Fork Trail Race is a small but well-regarded event In the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.[….]
Twin Arches
The Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area (BSF) encompasses 125,000 acres of the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee and Kentucky. The Big South Fork River is the south fork of the Cumberland River. [….]
Mount LeConte
My system for choosing a mountain to fast pack was straight forward. Start at the highest peak and work down. [….]
Mount Sterling
With heavy forestation, many peaks In the Great Smoky Mountain National Park (GSMNP) provide only limited views of surrounding ranges. Fortunately, while the modern age has diminished their utility and numbers, a handful of fire towers remain standing and accessible to the public. Perched above tree line these towers offer splendid 360 sight lines. At […]
Pikes Peak Ascent
I had looked forward to signing up for the 2020 Pikes Peak Ascent for months. The trip was already planned. 3-4 weeks fast packing and hiking the Wind River Range and calling that training for the Ascent. So, when registration opened on New Year Day 2020, I signed up first thing.
Seneca Lake
A hydration vest with a few snacks stuffed inside is my preferred pack weight. But in the Wind River Range, it is usually six miles of forested trail before you get into the mountain range.[….}
Teton Tourist Meets Bear
After the Wind River Peak fail it seemed like a good time to take a step back, pay the $35 entrance fee and join the throngs of tourists for a safe and easy day hike in the Teton National Park.[….]
Sacred Rim Trail
The Sacred Rim Trail may be the highest – scenic views reward to hike effort in the Wind River Range.[….]
The Green River Lakes
The Green River Lakes are the northern gateway of the Wind River Range. The lakes are the source of water for the Green River which is a main tributary of the Colorado. The lakes are at an elevation of a little more than 8,000’ and are located about 50 miles north of Pinedale. The Lower […]