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Hikes

244 Articles
Aerial view of a waterway winding through a rocky desert landscape, framed by cliffs and a clear blue sky.
Aerial view of a waterway winding through a rocky desert landscape, framed by cliffs and a clear blue sky.

Ancient Lakes Hike

June 7, 2010
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ANCIENT LAKES, QUINCY, WASHINGTON :: Ancient Lakes brought together basalt cliffs, bright blue water, waterfall, and wide-open desert skies, creating one of the most distinctive...

Wide view of a grassy area with scattered boulders, hills, and a clear blue sky.
Wide view of a grassy area with scattered boulders, hills, and a clear blue sky.

Dry Falls Hike

June 7, 2010
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DRY FALLS, WA :: Dry Falls made the scale of the Ice Age floods visible, with enormous cliffs and lakes spread across the coulee below. ✖ Delphinium Wildflowers Swinging in...

Tourists walking along a sandy trail to Mesa Arch in the Utah desert.
Tourists walking along a sandy trail to Mesa Arch in the Utah desert.

Zion National Park

November 27, 2009
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SOUTHWEST FAMILY VACATION DAYS 2 & 3 :: ZION NATIONAL PARK, UT :: After our early-morning hike through Bryce Canyon and a great Thanksgiving lunch at Ruby’s Inn, we...

Stunning view of Bryce Canyon's unique rock formations under a clear sky.
Stunning view of Bryce Canyon's unique rock formations under a clear sky.

Bryce Canyon

November 26, 2009
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SOUTHWEST FAMILY VACATION DAYS 1 & 2 :: BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK, UT :: This Thanksgiving we spent some time with my parents, but not just for a large meal...

Grassy hills under a dramatic sky with a single tree on top.
Grassy hills under a dramatic sky with a single tree on top.

Eureka Dunes

October 23, 2009
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DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK, CA :: After exploring the Racetrack, I drove in pitch darkness to Eureka Dunes and camped there overnight. I was a little spooked out by being...

A lone sailing stone rests on the cracked mudflats of Racetrack Playa in Death Valley National Park. Photo by johnandkristie.com
A lone sailing stone rests on the cracked mudflats of Racetrack Playa in Death Valley National Park. Photo by johnandkristie.com

The Racetrack

October 22, 2009
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DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK, CA :: Kristie attended another education conference in Los Angeles, which we somehow magically coordinated with U2’s concert at the Rose Bowl...

A stunning view of a turquoise mountain lake surrounded by lush forests and towering peaks.
A stunning view of a turquoise mountain lake surrounded by lush forests and towering peaks.

Larch Lake

September 26, 2009
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WENATCHEE NATIONAL FOREST, WA :: I was eager to return to the mountains and wanted to spend a night outdoors, but I didn’t want to camp in the freezing cold....

A historic stone building with a pointed roof overlooks a valley filled with greenery. People are seen walking on a paved area beside the structure.
A historic stone building with a pointed roof overlooks a valley filled with greenery. People are seen walking on a paved area beside the structure.

Tuck & Robin Lakes

July 24, 2009
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ALPINE LAKES WILDERNESS, WA :: The guide books recommend three to four days for a hike up to Tuck and Robin Lakes. Roundtrip, the trail is over 16 miles long...

A picturesque stone château perched on a hillside overlooking a serene river, bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun.
A picturesque stone château perched on a hillside overlooking a serene river, bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun.

Sand Point

July 18, 2009
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OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK, WA :: I joined some friends for a weekend of hiking and camping on the Olympic Coast. Our destination was Sand Point via the Ozette Triangle. A...

A rocky hill topped with a lone tree, set against a backdrop of rugged mountains, showcasing the vast and serene wilderness.
A rocky hill topped with a lone tree, set against a backdrop of rugged mountains, showcasing the vast and serene wilderness.

Swakane Canyon

May 9, 2009
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SWAKANE WILDLIFE AREA, WENATCHEE, WA :: Swakane Canyon is just five miles north of Wenatchee. A scenic trail twists up the canyon’s northern slopes via a federal forest...

A breathtaking view of rugged coastal islands surrounded by vast blue waters, with lush green forests below under a partly cloudy sky.
A breathtaking view of rugged coastal islands surrounded by vast blue waters, with lush green forests below under a partly cloudy sky.

Mt. Constitution

April 11, 2009
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MORAN STATE PARK, ORCAS ISLAND, WA :: Kristie and I joined our friends for a weekend of camping and hiking on Orcas Island. We pitched our tents on a small...

A skull illuminated by a warm light against a dark background.
A skull illuminated by a warm light against a dark background.

Actun Tunichil Muknal

November 30, 2008
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UNBELIZEABLE VACATION DAY 7 :: TAPIR MOUNTAIN NATURE RESERVE, CAYO DISTRICT, BELIZE :: Actun Tunichil Muknal is a Mayan term that I love to chant. It just sounds cool when...

A street view of Casa Blanca with a Coca-Cola sign hanging above.
A street view of Casa Blanca with a Coca-Cola sign hanging above.

Calcite Mine

October 24, 2008
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ANZA-BORREGO DESERT STATE PARK, CA :: I love slots. Slot canyons, that is. While Kristie was attending her conference today, I was excited to check out two popular slot canyon...

A band performs on a well-lit stage during a live concert. The crowd in front raises their phones to capture the moment.
A band performs on a well-lit stage during a live concert. The crowd in front raises their phones to capture the moment.

The Slot

October 24, 2008
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ANZA-BORREGO DESERT STATE PARK, CA :: After exploring the Calcite Mine area, I only had a couple hours to check out another nearby canyon, “The Slot”. I nearly decided...

Kristie sits at an outdoor table with a cup of coffee, smiling. The setting is near a building with large glass windows and a green umbrella overhead.
Kristie sits at an outdoor table with a cup of coffee, smiling. The setting is near a building with large glass windows and a green umbrella overhead.

Torrey Pines Beach Sunset

October 23, 2008
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TORREY PINES STATE NATURAL RESERVE, CA :: On our way through La Jolla, we stopped at Torrey Pines State Reserve for a sunset stroll along its beautiful beach. The day...

A large orchestra performing on stage with a choir behind them, illuminated by stage lights.
A large orchestra performing on stage with a choir behind them, illuminated by stage lights.

Hoh River Trail

October 12, 2008
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OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK, WA :: This weekend I backpacked the Hoh River Trail with Jacob, Jayson and Pat, three great friends for over 20 years now. We camped two nights...

Silhouette of Haystack Rock at sunrise with smooth wet sand
Silhouette of Haystack Rock at sunrise with smooth wet sand

Point of Arches

September 6, 2008
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OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK, WA :: I joined a few buddies from work for a weekend at Point of Arches and Shi Shi Beach, certainly one of the most spectacular beaches...

A band performs live on stage with vibrant lighting effects.
A band performs live on stage with vibrant lighting effects.

Klapatche to Cougar Rock

August 2, 2008
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THE WONDERLAND TRAIL DAY 3 :: MT. RAINIER NATIONAL PARK, WA :: We started our third day early on another cold and misty morning. Today would be a challenge, requiring...

The photo is of a quiet street in a small town with a prominent Casa Blanca sign. Below is a vintage Coca-Cola sign.
The photo is of a quiet street in a small town with a prominent Casa Blanca sign. Below is a vintage Coca-Cola sign.

Golden Lakes to Klapatche

August 1, 2008
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THE WONDERLAND TRAIL DAY 2 :: MT. RAINIER NATIONAL PARK, WA :: We were still in good spirits as we began our second day on The Wonderland Trail, although the...

A serene meadow filled with white spire-shaped wildflowers against a bright blue sky dotted with fluffy clouds. Tall evergreen trees frame the landscape.
A serene meadow filled with white spire-shaped wildflowers against a bright blue sky dotted with fluffy clouds. Tall evergreen trees frame the landscape.

Mowich Lake to Golden Lakes

July 31, 2008
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THE WONDERLAND TRAIL DAY 1 :: MT. RAINIER NATIONAL PARK, WA :: We were in high spirits as we began our much anticipated and ambitious attempt of The Wonderland Trail....

John and Kristie pose in front of the vibrant and colorful Kooza Cirque du Soleil backdrop. They are smiling joyfully, sharing a moment of excitement and anticipation.
John and Kristie pose in front of the vibrant and colorful Kooza Cirque du Soleil backdrop. They are smiling joyfully, sharing a moment of excitement and anticipation.

Mt. Lillian & Naneum Meadow

July 22, 2008
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WENATCHEE NATIONAL FOREST, WA :: Kristie attended yet another conference at Suncadia Resort in Cle Elum. There is absolutely nothing to do in Cle Elum, but I tagged along to...

A majestic mountain with snow-covered peaks rises above a forested slope under a clear blue sky.
A majestic mountain with snow-covered peaks rises above a forested slope under a clear blue sky.

Navaho Peak

July 12, 2008
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WENATCHEE NATIONAL FOREST, WA :: I joined Jayson, Jessica and Jacob for an overnighter to Navaho Peak via the Stafford Creek trail in the Teanaway. Due to the heavy snowfall...

A woman writes in a notebook at a cafe table while enjoying a cup of coffee.
A woman writes in a notebook at a cafe table while enjoying a cup of coffee.

Horsetail Falls Loop

July 3, 2008
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COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE NATIONAL SCENIC AREA, OR :: On my way back home from Painted Hills, I made a stop again at the waterfalls between exits 31 and 35 on...

A wooden walkway winds through vibrant red dunes under a blue sky with fluffy clouds.
A wooden walkway winds through vibrant red dunes under a blue sky with fluffy clouds.

Painted Hills

July 2, 2008
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JOHN DAY FOSSIL BED NATIONAL MONUMENT, OR :: After a long drive through the Columbia River Gorge and Central Oregon’s scenic high desert, I arrived at Painted Hills. Pulling...

A serene view of a beige single-story home surrounded by tall evergreen trees and a vibrant green lawn under a partly cloudy sky.
A serene view of a beige single-story home surrounded by tall evergreen trees and a vibrant green lawn under a partly cloudy sky.

Lower Oneonta Falls

July 2, 2008
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COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE NATIONAL SCENIC AREA, OR :: On a whim, I took a couple days off from work before July 4th to enjoy a roadtrip to Central Oregon. My...

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