Blog – Travel & Adventure
From the towering mountains in my backyard, to the reefs of West Papua, and everything in between…
Driving Utah’s Burr Trail through Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Originally developed by a rancher named John Atlantic Burr to move his cattle between summer and winter grazing grounds, the Burr Trail is now one of those classic Utah “backways” that the State frequently advertises as it takes you into some of Utah’s most beautiful and extraordinary country with views of the Henry Mountains, the colorfully contorted Waterpocket Fold, red Circle Cliffs, and Long Canyon.
The Dry Fork Narrows of Coyote Gulch in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Peekaboo and Spooky were absolutely awesome, but as we finished up and were ready to start the short climb back to the cars, we once again found ourselves at the opening of this narrow canyon.
Spooky Gulch Slot Canyon in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Almost immediately upon entering Spooky Gulch Slot Canyon, the walls close in and the light gets low – It’s known as one of the thinnest, darkest, and therefore “spookiest” slot canyons in Utah.
Peekaboo Gulch Slot Canyon in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Requiring a short 15-foot scramble to enter, Peekaboo Gulch Slot Canyon is usually the first of the bunch to be tackled where you’re immediately greeted with an teardrop-shaped double arch.
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
The landscape of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument was the last area of the lower 48 United States to get mapped and charted and once people started poking around, they realized they were dealing with an incredible wealth of ancient and modern science and culture as well as a big empty playground for outdoor adventurers.
Beyond the Strip… Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada
Valley of Fire is a beautiful area consisting of bright red Aztec sandstone outcrops nestled within gray and tan limestone mountains.
The Goblins of Goblin Valley State Park
Along the edge of the San Rafael Desert, Goblin Valley State Park is a relatively unknown park when compared to the Mighty 5 of Utah that eclipse it.
Horseshoe Bend – Page, AZ
Of all the places along the Colorado that I’ve seen, including the Grand Canyon, for some reason I almost wanted to be let down by Horseshoe Bend.
Lower Antelope Canyon – Page, AZ
Lower Antelope Canyon is the less visited of the two (but still very busy!!) because there is some climbing up and down some steep ladders and at about a half mile long, it’s more of a hike.
Upper Antelope Canyon – Page, AZ
Upper Antelope Canyon is the most visited of the two because not only is it all ‘ground-level,’ not requiring any climbing, but being relatively short (only about 600′ long), it can be a quick and easy excursion.
Monument Valley: The Wild West
Monument Valley had been on my list to visit and photograph for a long time. I had driven by on US 163 a few times, always mid-day on my way home from other adventures, but I finally set aside specific time to stop and get into the park for some golden hours during a four day road trip.
The 2016 American Southwest Road Trip Through Utah & Arizona
There are certain iconic images that I seem to see everywhere. Some I can shake out of my head pretty quickly, but others stick with me to the point of near-obsession.