In south-central Colorado, you’ll find 1.8 million acres of mountain peaks, rugged canyons and ancient calderas – all located in Rio Grande National Forest. With four-season weather, there’s lots of opportunities to hike, camp, fish, hunt and even cut down your very own Christmas tree in the winter. Being so massive, Rio Grande National Forest …
By Courtney Essary Messenbaugh At the height of summer, when the snow has (mostly) melted and the wildflowers are exploding in the high country, you can embark on a breathtaking 10-mile hike along Maroon Pass from Crested Butte to Aspen (or the reverse). Yes, you’ll rise with the sun and must push yourself physically and mentally …
Located in far northwestern Colorado along the Green River, the Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge is a 12,150-acre park below the Flaming Gorge Dam. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, which operates the refuge, calls it “an oasis to both wildlife and humans seeking shelter from the surrounding harsh, semi-arid environment.” Surrounded by BLM land, …
Story and photos by Dorothy O’Donnell Meat and dairy aren’t on the menu at Stanford Inn by the Sea. But even if you’re a die-hard carnivore, the gourmet plant-based fare served here will win you over. While the food at this sustainable resort on the Mendocino Coast is delicious, it’s the idyllic setting and Zen …
Story and photos by Sara Hall Adventurers in search of the world’s oldest living tree need not look any further than the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest in central California. The forest is located in the White Mountains within Inyo National Forest, just east of Bishop off of Highway 395. Within the Schulman Grove is the oldest …
Story and photo by Jill Hedgecock Angel Island, a California State Park and the largest natural island in the San Francisco Bay, is a hidden gem for Bay Area tourists. Not only is it one of the most historically significant features of the bay, but on clear days, its scenic views are unparalleled. The rich …
If you’re only going to have time for one hike next time you’re in the Pacific Northwest, you ought to make a beeline for the magnificent and exhilarating Goat Rocks Traverse. It’s one of the few areas of the North Cascades us non-birds can access with relative ease for bucket list-worthy, drop-dead gorgeous landscapes.
A visit to New Mexico conjures up images of relaxation, adventure, art, history and gastrotourism. Usually folks flock to Taos or Santa Fe or Albuquerque for their New Mexican excursion. In 2023, leave the big cities behind and hit the backroads – you’ll see a whole different side of The Land of Enchantment.
The Lost Sierra’s promise of a less crowded, untamed version of alpine bliss had tantalized me since I’d first heard of it a few years ago. Situated among the rugged 8,500-foot peaks of the Sierra Buttes in Plumas County, it also boasts some 50 pristine, glacier-carved gems.
If you haven’t been to Marble Canyon, you’re missing out. Located just southwest of Page, Marble Canyon is the easterly route to get you to the Grand Canyon’s North Rim, but it’s worth a stop on its own. For photographers and those who enjoy awesome views, the most logical first stop is the Historic Navajo …
