family-friendly Archives - Page 4 of 8

August 24, 2022August 24, 2022

Hunter Mountain via the Devil’s Path

August 2, 2022

Arrival at Notch Lake

I grew up roughly an hour from Hunter Mountain, in New York’s pastoral Hudson Valley. But ironically, Hunter would become the very last mountain I would hike among New York’s 4000-foot-plus set. Growing up, we never skied Hunter (“too many New Yorkers!”), and chose the Adirondacks over the Catskills for vacations (“too many New Yorkers!”). If there’s one thing New Yorkers despise on vacation, it’s other New Yorkers. Especially ones from farther south.

August 19, 2022August 23, 2022

High Point, New Jersey

August 1, 2022

A short journey on the Appalachian Trail

I arrived near High Point, New Jersey, on a rainy Monday in August. This hike would mark the first of seven northeast high points on my summer road trip. I parked alongside a quiet county road just a quarter mile south of the New York border.

August 16, 2022August 16, 2022

Hanging Lake

June 26, 2022

Arrival via i-70

My day began zipping along the winding curves of Interstate 70 through Glenwood Canyon. This breathtaking stretch of highway involves a continuous series of bridges and tunnels over the Colorado River and through rocky canyon walls. This short section opened in 1992, among the last major links in the interstate system. At its heart, lies Hanging Lake Canyon.

July 22, 2022July 25, 2022

Beaver Lake Trail and the Royal Elk Trail

June 17, 2022

Hiking at Beaver Creek

Beaver Creek ski resort offers ample hiking opportunities in summer. Many routes stay within the confines of the ski resort, crossing grassy ski slopes and ducking into lush, piney tree islands. A few other trails connect into the adjacent Holy Cross Wilderness, where they amble on for miles into the alpine.

July 1, 2022July 5, 2022

Glymur Waterfall hike

May 20, 2022

Arrival at Hvalfjörður

Glymur waterfall marked the final hike of my Spring 2022 trip to Iceland. I had spent a week encircling the island nation along the Ring Road, seeing literally dozens of waterfalls. That said, Glymur would prove particularly spectacular.

June 19, 2022June 19, 2022

Hverfjall Crater Rim Hike

May 18, 2022

Arrival and ascent

I drove into the Lake Myvatn area of northeast Iceland on a moody, mid-May morning. After touring some belching, sulfurous thermal vents, I headed over to Hverfjall Crater for the day’s only ‘proper hike‘.

May 30, 2022September 9, 2022

Skógafoss and the hike of never-ending waterfalls

May 16, 2022

Arrival

Skógafoss lies in the south of Iceland roughly 2 hours from Reykjavik. The famed waterfall sits just off the “ring road” near the eponymous town of Skógar. The massive falls appear from the Ring Road, and tower above the large, dirt parking area.

May 30, 2022May 30, 2022

Gullfoss

May 15, 2022

I visited Gullfoss on a drizzly day in Mid-may, 2022. The Waterfall lies at the furthest point from Rejkavic along the famed Golden Circle route. Gulfoss means Golden Waterfall in Icelandic, and it lends its name to the route itself. The massive falls lie just 10 minutes down the road from Geysir. It thus provides an incredible one-two-punch of natural wonders for day-trippers from Iceland’s capital.

May 27, 2022May 30, 2022

Geysir and Strokkur

May 15, 2022

Along the Golden Circle

I arrived at Geysir on a drizzly Sunday in mid-May. Driving through thick fog and intermittent rain, I assumed I’d arrive to find a deserted area. In contrast, the complex of parking lots, walking paths, and visitor centers were bustling with fellow tourists.

April 27, 2022April 27, 2022

South Boulder Peak and Bear Peak Loop

April 12, 2022

Arrival at South Mesa Trailhead

My day began with a morning rush hour drive along US-36 from Denver towards Boulder. Traffic moved thick but fast. I pulled off onto CO-170 and suddenly found myself deposited onto rolling ranch land, dotted with deciduous tree stands and farmhouses. Just beyond this bucolic scene, the Flat Irons and foothills loomed large, aglow in the morning light.