Exploring Death Valley National Park was one of my most memorable experiences as a traveler and lover of unique places. Even though Death Valley is famous for scorching temperatures, there is so much to see and do in this distinctive desert landscape that most visitors can suspend the unbearable heat for a few days.

CT and I did that when we set out to see as much of Death Valley as possible in a three-day trip.

The most challenging thing about seeing Death Valley National Park in just three days is that it is enormous (5,270 square miles / 13,600 square kilometers) and situated in the remoteness of the expansive desert on the eastern side of Central California. The nearest large city is Las Vegas, Nevada.

Getting To Death Valley

Driving to Death Valley National Park is a long process from Los Angeles and other Southern California cities. Plan on a nearly 5.5-hour drive over 280 miles (450 kilometers) from any of those locations, but it is only a two-hour drive from Las Vegas.

Day 1

On the first day, we left early in the morning to do some sightseeing before dark. We arrived at the Furnace Creek Visitor's Center around noon, and even though we took this trip in February, it was hot when we got out of the car.

Where to Stay

Death Valley National Park has hotels in various small villages scattered around the park, but the main entrance and visitor center are at Furnace Creek. Many of the most popular and accessible sites are near Furnace Creek, so it is an excellent place to stay if this is your first time at the park.

While many Death Valley National Park visitors arrive in recreational vehicles, Sprinter vans, or tents to take advantage of the many camping sites, Furnace Creek has two hotels. We chose to stay in Furnace Creek at what is known as The Ranch.

We took a side trip up the hill to visit the crown jewel of hotels for hundreds of miles: The Inn at Death Valley. This four-diamond-rated resort has been serving tourists since 1927. Hollywood elites like Marlon Brando, Clark Gable, and Carole Lombard are on the historical guest list.

When we visited the Inn, it seemed like we had gone back in time. The hotel felt as old as it was, so we had drinks and dinner on the patio near the pool but chose to avoid the costly stay. A recent $100 million renovation has spruced up the place and added many more rooms and cozy casitas.

Hotels are Expensive

A quick check of the rates for staying in Furnace Creek revealed a wide range of overnight costs. On Monday, March 7, 2022, rooms or spaces were available at the Inn for $669, the Ranch for $319, and Fiddlers Campground for $29 per night.

If you choose to camp, Fiddlers Campground is adjacent to all the amenities at Furnace Creek Ranch, including the stores, gas stations, bars, restaurants, swimming pool, golf, and air-conditioned buildings.

Related: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

Many of the dozen or so campgrounds in Death Valley are closed for the hottest months of the year. With little shade and rocky ground, a day at 120 F (48 C) is undesirable and unsafe. Check the official Death Valley website for dates and conditions before you go.

Mosaic Canyon

After arriving at the park and eating lunch at the Furnace Creek Golf Club Cafe, we checked into the hotel and set out for our first day of adventure.

We decided to hike into Mosaic Canyon, a short drive (36 minutes) from Furnace Creek. We learned very quickly that Death Valley is huge, and everything is far away from everything else.

The canyon is stark and almost uniform in color; the hike is about four miles round trip and begins as a broad, rocky opening on the side of the mountain.

After a while, it narrows dramatically and even has some very skinny gaps to squeeze through to the end. It feels like I have been here before. As we turn a new corner, it looks familiar to me repeatedly.

Filming Star Wars

It turns out that Mosaic Canyon was used in the original movie Star Wars in 1977. As we hiked through the canyon, I could see the scenes in my mind where R2D2 wandered away from Luke into the canyon, where the Sand People later attacked them.

Every visitor to Death Valley should experience the short hike in Mosaic Canyon.

Mesquite Flats Sand Dunes

I have always loved climbing on and photographing sand dunes. Something attracts me to this remarkable geological feature. Many people mistakenly think Death Valley is all sand, but only about one percent of the park is covered in dunes.

Mesquite Flats Dunes are the best known and most accessible to visit in the national park. They're in the central part of Death Valley near Stovepipe Wells, a village with campgrounds and a hotel.

These dunes cover a wide area, and as the sun begins to set, we see very few people. We brought our headlamps to find our way back to the car, as it would be completely dark before long.

As the light fades and we find ourselves alone, we strip down to our birthday suits and run and jump around the dunes like we are little kids again. Such is the life of adventure and purposely found solitude. Once it is dark, we have lost our bearings and begin to wonder which direction to return to the truck.

There are moments of trepidation until we finally climb a very high dune, see a car's lights in the distance, and figure it's the road. With our lamps out, we climb up and down dune after dune in the dark, like sailors on a stormy sea with large waves, until we find our way back.

Related: Sandboarding in the Atacama Desert

Day 2

The Racetrack

I had wanted to explore the Racetrack in Death Valley National Park my entire life. The gigantic dry lake, mysterious moving rocks, and long, unexplained trails tracked into the hard lake mud are natural draws for travelers to Death Valley.

The drive from our hotel in Furnace Creek to The Racetrack is 83 miles or 134 kilometers each way. The last 18 miles are on a rocky, uneven road.

A display at the Visitor's Center gave dire warnings about driving on that road and the tire or suspension damage that could occur to your vehicle if you don't drive carefully or slowly. I scoffed at the information, thinking it was meant for someone else.

Ubehebe Crater

On the way to The Racetrack, we stopped at Ubehebe Crater to hike around its perimeter. While Ubehebe Crater is fantastic, I was anxious to get going and see the Racetrack dry lake.

The road is paved to Ubehebe, but from there on, a 4x4 vehicle with off-road tires is recommended. I wanted to get to the Racetrack quickly, so I drove up to 15 miles per hour. Not too far into the drive, our truck with street tires, going at those speeds, gave out.

Related: Hiking Diamond Head Crater in Hawaii

I floundered on the rocky and sandy road, trying to change to the spare tire for what seemed like hours in the oppressive heat and on top of some unhappy, stinging ants.

As I wrestled with the spare tire and jack, dozens and dozens of other visitors passed us, driving very slowly over the rocky road. I wish I had driven the same way. Lesson learned.

With the help of a Good Samaritan, the spare was finally on the truck, and the very present worry that we would pop another tire and be stranded forever began to set in.

We slowly headed back to Furness Creek and called it a day by swimming in the hotel pool. Regrettably, as of this writing, I have not yet returned to the Racetrack.

Day 3

We explored Badwater Basin, Artist's Palette, and Natural Bridge on day three.

Badwater Basin

Badwater Basin is the lowest elevation in the United States, at 283 feet or 85.5 meters below sea level. The drive to Badwater Basin is only 20 minutes from our hotel in Furnace Creek. We are all alone when we arrive and quickly run out onto the crusty, salty, flat, dry lake bed.

Human traffic has packed a large area near the parking lot smoothly, but as we go further onto the flat, it gets rough and strangely like a storm on the sea.

The vast lake bed covers over 200 square miles (518 square kilometers). In the distance to the east, we can see the snowy patches on Death Valley National Park's Telescope Peak, which is 11,048 feet (3,564 meters) high. It's one of the most dramatic rises in elevation, which can be seen simultaneously.

It is strange to think about how near places so high and so low in elevation can be to each other, let alone in the same National Park.

As diverse as the United States' geography is, the lowest and highest points in the contiguous states, Badwater Basin and Mount Whitney, at 14,503 feet (4,678 meters), are only about 100 miles (160 kilometers) apart. Badwater Basin was incredible, and we started to feel the sting of missing the Racetrack ease off a bit.

Our early morning arrival at Badwater Basin allows us to leave before it gets too hot and enjoy the peacefulness before two busloads of tourists arrive.

Artist's Palette

A short detour from Badwater Basin is a one-way drive through some of the most colorful natural landscapes I've ever seen. The rock and dirt of the Artist's Palette seems like a giant spilling his collection of paint all over a hillside. It is easy to get to and wonderful to look at.

Natural Bridge

Next to Artist's Pallet and Badwater Basin is a two-mile hike through an ancient river bed and around Natural Bridge, a carved rock feature.

The hike is easy but involves walking over sand and small gravel, which can be difficult without proper footwear. The most stunning rock feature is a natural bridge you can hike under, giving the hike its name.

Related: Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah

High walls on each side of the narrow canyon provide shade, so we are pleased with a not-so-hot hike. The lower sun angles of our winter visit help with the heat in some canyon hikes, as the sun's rays often hit one of the canyon walls while the trail is still shaded.

Even so, everywhere we went, we took loads of cool water in our packs and kept a cooler of cold drinks in the car for our return. After our morning activities, we returned to The Ranch, packed up our gear, checked out of the hotel, ate a quick lunch, and started our six-hour journey home.

While we didn't get to everything we came to do in the park on this trip, we returned a few years later to climb Telescope Peak. That story will be in another post, but I can say that we will surely visit Death Valley again and again.

Exploring Death Valley National Park should be on everyone's list of places to go and things to do in the United States.

Santa Elena Canyon Trail may be one of the most accessible hikes in Big Bend National Park, West Texas; however, that doesn't make it any less stunning. The Terlingua Fault line formed the canyon, tearing apart an otherwise impenetrable 1,500-foot rock wall reminiscent of Game of Thrones.

The Rio Grande River flows west through the canyon, allowing kayakers and rafters to explore further than is possible on foot. The river also acts as the official border between the United States and Mexico, as it does throughout Big Bend National Park.

Getting There

On our first of two full days in Big Bend, Kel and I drove into the park from Terlingua before sunrise. We arrived at the Panther Junction Visitor Center at 8:30 a.m., just as it opened. There, we paid the $30 vehicle entrance fee for the park.

Next, we enjoyed incredible views while driving for 30 miles to reach the end of the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive and the Santa Elena Canyon Trail. The 45-minute scenic drive through the Chihuahuan Desert was spectacular, and as it was early, we had the road to ourselves.

We hoped that by driving straight to Santa Elena Canyon, we'd have one of Big Bend's most popular hikes to ourselves. It was a bet that paid off, and we didn't miss anything because the only way back from this southwest region of the park was the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive.

Santa Elena Canyon Trail

We arrived at the small parking area near the Santa Elena Canyon Trail entrance around 9 a.m. Finding a spot that early wasn't a problem. Picnic tables and a few basic restrooms with flush toilets are available.

While we were the only hikers I saw, local outfitters were unloading kayaks ahead of a tour group's river trip. Mid-morning is an excellent time for this short trail, as the sun is high enough to illuminate the canyon entrance but not yet directly overhead.

The sheer cliff walls are so tall that they afford plenty of shade, keeping temperatures cooler. Remember, it can get dangerously hot if you go in summer-we were there in October.

The Santa Elena Canyon trailhead, like all those in Big Bend National Park, has a sign in English with key information about this popular trail, including:

• Duration of the hike (1.4 miles round trip)
• Elevation gain (80 feet)
• Geography
• Trail safety tips (watch out for snakes and mountain lions)
• Trail rules (no pets, bicycles, or camping)

Hiking in Santa Elena Canyon

The hike into Santa Elena Canyon begins with a short walk on flat ground, parts of which are covered with a wooden boardwalk.

Terlingua Creek feeds into the Rio Grande River at the mouth of the canyon. You'll need to cross the creek to continue on the trail, which extends along the river's northern (U.S.) side.

We were there in mid-October, and while there'd been heavy rains the week before our arrival, enough time had passed for the water levels to go down. The water was about ankle-deep and easily crossed by hopping on well-placed rocks.

If you arrive and the water level is too high, you can't safely access the canyon. It's also important to be aware of the weather in the region. While it's a short hike in and out, you wouldn't want to get stranded in the Santa Elena Canyon due to a flash flood blocking your way out.

Once you've crossed the creek, the Santa Elena Canyon Trail features a short but rocky series of switchbacks. A sign indicates that marine fossils, visible in the rock behind it, suggest that a vast sea covered Big Bend National Park during the Cretaceous Period 100 million years ago.

We were on our own walking into the canyon, but on our way out, we saw parents taking a break from hauling a wheeled stroller up this section of the trail (not something I'd recommend).

Related: Hiking to Big Bend's Hot Springs

The elevation decreased as we continued our hike into the Santa Elena Canyon until we walked on soft, sandy ground, about level with the Rio Grande River.

The sky was a beautiful blue, and a partially white moon was visible above the canyon walls. We passed several large boulders that must've fallen off the rock walls long ago.

To reach the Santa Elena Canyon Trail's endpoint, we walked casually for about 40 minutes. You'll know you've reached the end of the trail when it comes to an abrupt stop at the banks of the Rio Grande River.

Here, you can get a closer look at the striations in the rock walls, especially on the Mexican side. If it's calm, the water acts as a reflecting pool, making it an excellent photo spot.

Beyond this point, your only option is to cruise further into the canyon on a kayak or raft. We hadn't signed up for a tour, due in part to our limited time, so we turned around and hiked out the way we came.

Related: 10 Things To Do in Big Bend

On our way out, we passed more people on the hiking trail. At least we had it to ourselves for half the time! We ascended to the high point and saw Big Bend National Park's mountains in the distance.

More kayaks were lined up at the water's edge, and the clientele listened to a safety briefing on their excursion. We were back in our car after about 75 minutes total.

The Santa Elena Canyon Trail was a fun and easy hike to begin our Big Bend National Park adventure. The national park trail is easy enough for hikers of all ages, including kids, but more experienced hikers with limited time may prefer to skip it for the park's more strenuous options.

Check out the park's website for more info on visiting Big Bend.

"San Jacinto is the most sublime specticale to be found on this earth!"

- John Muir

Muir, the great environmentalist, mountain climber, and founder of the Sierra Club, was right. Mount San Jacinto is sublime. To be succinct, my partner, CT, has often called it her "happy place."

Mount San Jacinto in Southern California is not your first thought when thinking of the California lifestyle. Known for sunshine, sandy beaches, surfing, Hollywood, and amusement parks, the Golden State's southern half is also filled with mountains and snowy peaks. More than 26 named peaks are over 10,000 feet (3,226 meters) in elevation.

My partner, CT, and I have climbed to the top of all 26, but our favorite is the highest point on the San Jacinto massif. The peak is 10,834 feet high (3,611 meters) and is accessible from seven different trails.

If you are hardy, fearless, and unafraid of the cold, you can climb the mountain all year. The view from the top of Mount San Jacinto goes in all directions and for many hundreds of miles. We have seen the Pacific Ocean, parts of Mexico, the Sultan Sea, and Telescope Peak in Death Valley.

Where is Mount San Jacinto?

Hiking to the top of Mount San Jacinto can begin from either side of the mountain. The resort city of Palm Springs sits at the base of the mountain and is on the east side, and the little town of Idyllwild is on the west side. You can choose either side. It is a 2.5-hour drive from San Diego or a 3-hour drive from Los Angeles.

Every trailhead I list below is accessible through Google Maps, which will guide you directly to the parking area. Over the last seven years, I have climbed to the summit of more than 430 mountains, but only a few peaks have received a second hike. Conversely, since I have climbed Mount San Jacinto 21 times, it is my favorite mountain.

San Jacinto Routes to the Top

Climbing Mount San Jacinto never gets boring. There are eight routes to the top, and we have done seven of them.

• Via the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway / Round Trip 11 miles (17.8 kilometers) Elevation gain 2,200 feet (709 meters).
• Marion Mountain Trail / RT 11 miles (17.8 kilometers) Elevation gain 4,500 feet (1,451 meters).
• Skyline Trail or Cactus to Clouds RT 30 miles (48.3 kilometers) Elevation gain 10,100 feet (3,258 meters).
• Deer Springs Trail / RT 19 miles (30.6 kilometers) Elevation gain 5,121 feet (1,652 meters).
• Devil's Slide Trail / RT 16 miles (26 kilometers) Elevation gain 4,410 feet (1,422 meters).
• Fuller Ridge Trail / RT 15 miles (24.2 kilometers) Elevation gain 3,950 feet (1,274 meters).
• South Ridge Trail / RT 20.5 miles (33 kilometers) Elevation gain 6,500 feet (2,100 meters).

In addition to trying many trails to the top, we often used a snowshoe route in the winter when all the trails and bushes were covered in snow. We were able to hike Mount San Jacinto's summit every month of the year using snowshoes, crampons, or even microspikes.

Some of the trips we made in the winter were thrilling, and some were brutally cold and miserable. Each of them was memorable.

If there had been a recent snowfall, we would wear snowshoes the whole way. By springtime, the snow had begun to melt and become hard ice as it froze each night. Under these conditions, we used crampons and an ice axe.

See also: Sierra Nevada Adventure - White Mountain Peak

We have started our journey to the peak via the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway more than ten times. This ride not only saves time on the hike but also makes it safer and more reasonable in winter.

It is common to be in line for the first ride up the tram and see a dozen or more folks ready with snowshoes to try for the summit of Mount San Jacinto. The tram is not just for summit hikers, though.

Thousands of people take the tramway up to 8,500 feet daily for the viewing decks, to eat and drink in the restaurants, to play in the snow, or to stroll through the easy trails in Mount San Jacinto State Park.

The Tram is billed as the world's largest rotating tramcar. It takes guests 2.5 miles up the mountain in less than 15 minutes. It's also a great place to start a hike to the summit of San Jacinto Peak.

Mt. San Jacinto Camping

CT and I have often stayed in Idyllwild before climbing one of the peaks on San Jacinto. We have twice stayed at a friend's cabin and twice at a small hotel in Idyllwild. We have tent-camped at two places on the west side of San Jacinto near Idyllwild.

Idyllwild County Park is a Riverside County-owned RV and tent camping campground with 88 sites. We stayed here and hiked right out of the camp to the Deer Springs Trail and made it a long 24 mile (39 kilometer) round trip hike to the peak and back.

Marion Mountain Campground is the most secluded and pleasant of all the choices. It comprises just 24 sites and is at the trailhead for the Marion Trail to the peak. We stayed at campsite number 20, the best site in the campground.

Other sites for tent and RV camping at the base of the mountain include:

• Idyllwild Campground at Mt. San Jacinto State Park
• Stone Creek Campground
• Boulder Basin Campground
• Hurkey Creek Campground (best if you have a large recreational vehicle)
• Yellow Post Campsites are a good choice for primitive camping. There are no services or water, but the camping is free.

Backpacking

We have backpacked into San Jacinto State Park twice and pitched a tent in the wilderness area. While I have seen tents pitched in various places on the mountain, the three spots for camping are Little Round Valley, Round Valley, and Tamarack Valley. The official rules are designed to mitigate the wilderness's degradation and keep guests safe.

Permits and Fees

To hike into the wilderness areas of Mount San Jacinto State Park, which include the peak, you must have a permit. There is no permit fee, but volunteers and official rangers will check for permits on the trail.

If you plan to hike from the western side, permits can be obtained at the Idyllwild Ranger Station, 25905 Hwy 243, Idyllwild, CA 92549. Pick them up the day before your hike, or get there early, as the permits are limited.

If you ride the tram up the mountain or hike from the east side, you must stop in the Long Valley ranger station after getting off the tram to pick up and fill out a wilderness permit.

A backcountry wilderness permit is needed to backpack into the wilderness and stay the night, and a $5 per person fee is required.

Related: Climbing the 10 Highest Peaks in Joshua Tree

Staying Safe on the Mountain

During the summer, the peak and the trails are crawling with people trying to reach the top. We have been on the summit on a summer's day with perhaps 50 people crowding the boulders. You will be in good shape if you bring enough water and stay on the trail.

However, if you decide to climb this peak in the dead of winter as we did, be ready and trained to take care of yourself. There have been many days when we have hiked to the summit in winter, and we have been the only people on the peak for hours.

Avalanches and slipping and sliding to one's death on mountain slopes are possibilities. We found that the best trip reports come from a blog called Sanjacjon.com. He hikes to the peak several hundred times annually and runs the blog to inform folks about the mountain and the current conditions.

Whatever your dreams may be, when it comes to climbing mountains, Mount San Jacinto can fulfill nearly anyone's climbing fantasies.

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is one of California's best-kept secrets. The park is known for spectacular desert vistas, hidden wonders, slot canyons, 4x4 vehicle exploration, solitary hiking, desert mountain peaks, and alien-like landscapes.

If the U.S. State of California did not already have nine national parks, Anza-Borrego could easily become another one.

Where is Anza-Borrego Desert State Park?

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is located well into the middle of nowhere. It is a two-hour drive from San Diego and just north of the desolate international border with Mexico.

From Los Angeles, you can count on a four-hour trip over 157 miles (252 kilometers) and some beautiful winding desert mountain roads. This remote location is part of what makes Anza-Borrego so fantastic.

The park is enormous, nearly the size of the state of Rhode Island at about 100 square miles or 640,000 acres (260,000 hectares). Such a large area, far from major cities, creates a feeling that you are almost alone in the park.

There are more than 500 miles (800 kilometers) of dirt roads and an infinite number of hiking routes within the park boundaries. At times, my better half and I have been completely alone for hours while hiking in Anza-Borrego State Park.

We have visited Anza-Borrego four times, and I can't wait for the opportunity to go back again. The massive distances from significant cities also eliminate light pollution.

When we first camped in Anza-Borrego, we kept singing the Eagles' song Peaceful Easy Feeling and repeated the line about "sleeping in the desert with a million stars all around" over and over.

In 2018, the International Dark Sky Association named Anza-Borrego Desert State Park a Dark Sky Park. The stars on a clear night are better than anywhere else.

Most days and nights are clear, with only occasional rain clouds; our photos capture these bright blue skies. The weather in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is usually scorching.

Our four trips have been in January or March when the temperature is pleasant. However, it will be well over 100 F (38 C) or more every day in the summer.

How Did Anza-Borrego Get Its Name?

Borrego is the common Spanish language name for the bighorn sheep found in the Colorado Desert and mountains in Southern California. The "Anza" is named after the Spanish explorer Juan Bautista de Anza, who visited the area as early as 1774.

Where To Stay

Whether you are looking for luxury accommodations or a primitive campsite, Anza-Borrego has it all. In the middle of the park sits the small town of Borrego Springs. It offers a variety of accommodations, including motels, hotels, and RV campgrounds, to suit all tastes.

We have stayed at La Casa Del Zorro twice, a full-service luxury resort with exceptional restaurants, five swimming pools, and six tennis courts.

We have camped in Borrego Canyon Campground on other trips; there are several sites available for parking an RV, a Sprinter van, or pitching a tent. It's easy to find a spot camping at Anza-Borrego State Park.

If you're looking for a place to eat away from the resort or camp stove, we've found the best little restaurant in Borrego Springs for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. With an organic garden on the property and fantastic food, the Red Ocotillo has become our favorite place to eat in Borrego Springs.

Anza-Borrego Activities

Anza-Borrego offers hundreds of things to do in the park or the city of Borrego Springs. The choices of things to do are endless, from golf and dining to spa treatments and off-road travel in 4x4 vehicles. However, we prefer getting out of the car and away from the resort to delve deeper into the adventure side of the desert.

With hundreds of square miles of wild places and hidden gems of yet-to-be-discovered places, we know that we have only scratched the surface of discovering all of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in four trips.

I will provide a list of the things we have done and recommend to adventurous people, but before that, please do two things before you go.

1. Stop at the visitor's center, pick up information, and ask questions.
2. Purchase Lowell and Dianna Lindsay's guidebook: Anza-Borrego Desert Region. It is billed as "Your complete guide to the State Park and adjacent areas of the Western Colorado Desert."

We have treated this book like a bible for Anza-Borrego, and it has not let us down. Below is a list of our top activities for adventurous individuals.

Explore Slot Canyons

There are slot canyons and other places to stomp around in the park. Explore and go wild in your wanderlust.

Hike To the Top of Whale Peak

Whale Peak is one of the highest points in Anza-Borrego State Park. The route starts at the Pictograph Trail and ascends to an elevation of 5,349 feet (1,725 meters).

The trail's total length is almost nine miles (15 kilometers) and is steep, rocky, and full of sharp, prickly plants. The view from Whale Peak is unreal. Get details of Peakbagger.com or Alltrails.com.

Spring Wildflowers

Nearly every year, the wildflowers in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park are a big tourist attraction. Keep tabs on the timing of the blooms and the intensity of the seasonal wildflowers at the Anza-Borrego Foundation.

Climb Villager Peak

This is a brutal 15-mile (24-kilometer) climb to one of the park's most iconic peaks. There is no water on the route, and you will need to take more than you can carry. We ran out! Store water in the car to drink when you return to the start.

Climb Coyote Peak

Situated in the middle of the park, Coyote Peak is one of the real challenges of Anza-Borrego. At 3,192 feet in elevation, it goes straight up from the valley floor. We saw no humans on the mountain all day.

Borrego Palm Canyon

Just a 3-mile (4.5-kilometer) hike from the trailhead near the visitor's center, this is a great hike to see bighorn sheep and a desert oasis.

Fonts Point

Get up early for the sunrise at Fonts Point. You will need to drive in the dark on a sandy 4x4 road to get there, but the views are truly exceptional. Bring your camera.

The Elephant Tree

Park information claims this is the last known Elephant Tree in the United States. It is worth the two-mile walk to see the tree and the surrounding desert fauna.

Clark Dry Lake

This was a highlight of our last trip to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. The lake is vast and flat with strange and weird properties. We were all alone in this expansive place, and it was a bit unsettling but very cool.

Elephant Knees and Wind Caves

This area is on the far eastern side of the park, but it is well worth the trip. I brought my camera and found this place to be a goldmine for artsy photographs. The black-and-white photos I took were stellar. Plus, it was a great place to explore and have fun.

The Wind Caves were similar to a playground. We climbed, darted, ducked, and ran around like school kids.

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in California is one of the best adventure areas in the United States. If you have the chance to visit Southern California, be sure to make a stopover at Anza-Borrego. You will never be the same again. That is why I call Anza-Borrego the real California adventure.

Plan a three-day Sierra Nevada adventure to hike one of the most accessible 14,000-foot peaks in the United States and experience the world's oldest trees in the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest.

A 2-for-1 Adventure

White Mountain Peak and the nearby Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest will give any adventurer a two-for-one accomplishment over a three-day trip.

For starters, White Mountain Peak and the Bristlecone Forest are very remote. We found this out the hard way when we went for the first time. But we were determined to climb to the top of one of the 14 or so 14,000+ foot peaks in California.

Getting to the top will not only secure bragging rights and provide storytelling prowess around the next campfire, but you can also share how you stopped along the way to see the world's oldest living trees.

The Bristlecone pines in the White Mountain Range are 4,000 to 5,000 years old. Scientists have concluded that they are the oldest living things on planet Earth.

Where Is White Mountain Peak?

White Mountain Peak and the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest are nestled in the Inyo National Forest on the California/Nevada border.

Getting to these unique places for an adventure in the Sierra Nevada mountains takes some driving. When coming from the north or south, travelers will approach via the world-famous Highway 395.

There is no way to come from the other directions as the mountains provide a huge natural barrier to roads and automobiles. Any good internet map app will guide you to each destination.

The nearest city with a hotel is Big Pine, California, but trips could originate from touristy outdoor adventure places like Yosemite National Park or Mammoth Mountain Resort.

Not as Easy as It Seems

White Mountain Peak is the third-tallest mountain in California at 14,252 feet (4,344 meters). It is just below the elevation of Mount Whitney, the highest point in the contiguous 48 states, and it can be seen across the valley from the peak of White Mountain.

White Mountain is often called the easiest 14,000+ foot peak in California to climb. Since hikers can drive to the trailhead at 11,680 feet (3,560 meters), getting to the summit requires much less elevation gain than most big mountains. However, this can cause significant problems with altitude sickness.

Acclimatization Is Key

To make for a more pleasant hike, spend a couple of nights up on the mountain at mid-level altitudes to acclimatize to the lack of oxygen.

Grandview Campground is the best place to spend your first night. Sitting at 8,600 feet (2,775 meters), Grandview Campground is the perfect place to enjoy a night under the stars and acclimate.

There are no reservations required to camp in one of the 23 sites, and the Inyo National Forest managers classify the campground as "very lightly used."

There is a $5 fee per night, and there are developed toilets but no running water. Bring your H2O in gallon jugs.

There are no city lights visible from the campground, and the stars, planets, and Milky Way galaxy are stunningly bright on cloudless nights.

The road to Grandview Campground and beyond to Schulman Grove Visitors Center is paved but steep and narrow. Large recreational vehicles are discouraged.

Besides, getting to the trailhead for White Mountain over dirt and rocks will require a short wheelbase and high clearance or another very hardy mode of transportation.

See also: Get Ready for a High-Altitude Mountain Climb

The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest

Methuselah, the world's oldest tree, was our first stop after a night at Grandview Campground. The Visitor's Center is just a few minutes up the road, and we went intending to hike the 4-mile (6.5-kilometer) trail to see Methuselah.

While we probably saw it, the tree is intentionally not signed to prevent vandals from marking it up or taking pieces of it away.

The old trees are gnarled, and at times, do not even seem alive at all, as the oldest trees no longer produce many needles.

After the hike through and around the oldest living things on earth, we made our way back to camp to eat lunch and lounge around in the tent. Later on, we packed up for the long dirt road journey to the trailhead at Barcroft Gate.

Barcroft Gate Trailhead

Beyond Grandview Campground, it is another 21 miles (34 kilometers) to the next campsite at the Barcroft Gate. Most of those miles are on winding, muddy, rocky, and dirty roads. Drive slowly to avoid punctures and suspension damage. It took us more than 1.5 hours to arrive at the gate.

When we pulled off to the side of the road to set up our tents, the sun was already setting behind the Eastern Sierra mountain peaks, and it was also getting really cold. Even though this trip was taking place in late July, at an 11,680-foot elevation, it got down to 16 F (-9 C) overnight.

The night spent sleeping in our tents gave us more time to fully adapt our respiratory system to the thin air. The White Mountain Peak hike was waiting for us when we got up the following day.

We all shivered over coffee and breakfast. There is no way to build a fire to warm up, as there are no trees or wood of any kind at this elevation.

Climbing White Mountain Peak

The White Mountain Peak hike would be just over 14 miles (22 kilometers) round trip on an old jeep road.

After just an hour of steady work, we came across the Barcroft Research Facility, where Sir Joseph Barcroft, a British physiologist, started a program to study the effect of high altitude on the human body. Scientists also built a rock and mortar summit hut at the top of the mountain.

Our group of 12 hikers found the going relatively easy as we were on an old road graded for cars, and we had spent two nights acclimatizing for the high elevation. Near the top of the mountain, we ran into snow.

We reached the peak's summit hut just before noon and enjoyed lunch behind the rock walls out of the brisk wind. It was the third different 14,000 peak climbed for CT and me. We had previously climbed both Mount Whitney and Mount Langley twice each.

Since the snow near the summit had fallen deeply a long time ago, the sun's rays for the weeks and weeks of summer had melted it into what is known as sun cups.

Sun cups are peaks and valleys about 1-2 feet high and are usually rock-hard ice. They are challenging to walk on.

Adding Mount Barcroft

As the members of our group made their way down the trail back to the cars in the afternoon sun, CT and I decided to make a 3-mile (5-kilometer) detour and climb to the top of Mount Barcroft at 13,040 feet. (3,975 meters).

We would meet the other ten group members back at the trailhead, but with an additional peak on our accomplishment list. We invited the others, but none came as there was no trail to the top or any defined route. That issue never bothers us.

Climbing both White Mountain Peak and Mount Barcroft in one day felt good. We were disappointed that no one else joined us. However, it was a Sierra Nevada adventure to remember for our entire group.

Our long journey to Inyo National Forest to see the world's oldest trees and climb a prominent White Mountain Peak was one of our best trips ever.

This journey also offers some features that many iconic mountain peaks do not:

• Camping Reservations: None needed for both Grandview Campground and scattered camping at Barcroft Gate.
• Wilderness Hiking Permits: None needed. This area is in the Inyo National Forest and not inside a Federal Wilderness Designation.
• Dogs and Bicycles: Yes! This excursion to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest and the climb to White Mountain Peak are accessible for dogs, and you can even ride your ATB to the summit.

White Mountain Visitors Center: 1-760-873-2500

Information on Inyo National Forest

Saguaro National Park is one of Arizona's hidden gems. Named for the huge and unusual cactus plants abundantly growing in the area, Saguaro Park is an excellent example of a preserved Sonoran Desert landscape.

Saguaro National Park is split into eastern and western sections. The city of Tucson divides the two areas into Saguaro National Park West and Saguaro National Park East.

Both sides of the park are a spectacle of the wild, untouched desert on the outskirts of a large metropolitan area. Temperatures in the summer months can reach more than 110 degrees (43 C).

The hot climate makes the winter months the perfect time to visit the park and even enjoy some of Saguaro National Park's hiking opportunities.

The park's west side is just off U.S. Interstate Highway 10 as you travel south from Phoenix, Arizona. CT and I drove through the park to get our bearings before checking in at our Tucson hotel.

Places To Stay Around Saguaro National Park

There are no recreational vehicles or car camping places in Saguaro National Park. However, because it is touching the city boundaries, it is just a few miles away from hundreds of hotels, motels, and Airbnb locations in Tucson.

There are, however, two nearby Arizona State Parks where camping is available:

• Catalina State Park
• Coronado State Park

Additionally, many private RV and tent campgrounds are scattered around the greater Tucson area.

Related: 5 Amazing Places To See in Arizona

Saguaro National Park West

Wasson Peak

The next day, we planned a Saguaro National Park hiking excursion to Wasson Peak, the highest point on the park's west side at 4,687 feet (1,511 meters).

There are several ways to reach Wasson Peak, but we chose to start at the King Canyon trailhead because the route is shorter, and it allowed for a loop hike, rather than just an out-and-back.

Our primary focus on this hike was to reach a new peak on our long list of summit goals and enjoy the saguaro cactus up close. The loop hike would be 7.1 miles (11 kilometers) and would include a quick detour to reach Amole Peak as well.

When To Hike

We made our visit to Saguaro National Park during the week between Christmas and New Year's Day, so the weather was cool and comfortable for a long hike. Regardless of what time of year you hike in the park, there's no water available out on the trails, so come prepared.

The hike to Wasson Peak was fantastic as we had views of Tucson and the surrounding area as far as the eye could see. After a long lunch break, we started back down to the trailhead and the warmth of the truck in the parking lot.

Winter Storm Warning

We began the trek to Wasson and Amole Peaks under a bright, nearly cloudless, cool day. However, the winter storm we'd been informed of at the Visitor's Center began to take shape as we hiked down off the mountains.

In the distance, we could see the rain falling over the world-famous Sonoran Desert. Getting wet in the wind and cold of December can be very uncomfortable, even in the desert.

We made haste down the Hugh Norris Trail, turned right onto Sendero Trail, and then finished hiking out on Gould Mine Trail as we followed the Saguaro National Park West trail map.

We were pelted with large raindrops during the final 10 minutes of hiking. Despite the late rain, the hike was a big success, and we looked forward to climbing to the top of Mount Lemmon on the other side of Tucson in the Santa Catalina Mountains the next day.

Rain Turns To Snow

Instead of climbing Mount Lemmon, we woke to snow in the Santa Catalina Mountains and the foothills of Tucson. The mountain roads were closed down by the local authorities. We began to formulate another plan for the day.

After a driving tour of Tucson and eating lunch at a downtown restaurant, we made our way to one of the highlights of our trip.

San Xavier del Bac Mission

The San Xavier del Bac Mission is seven miles south of Tucson, Arizona. It can be seen for miles and miles as the bright white paint creates a strong contrast of colorful beauty against the blue sky and the stark brown earth of the desert floor.

The mission still holds Catholic services every day and is a museum and historical tourist attraction.

In 1783, the local Native Americans, the Tohono O'odham Nation, built the mission "under the direction of" the Franciscan Priests from Spain. It is affectionately known as "The White Dove of the Desert."

The self-guided tour takes you inside both the building and the walled grounds. A visit to the gift shop is also a must.

Picnic and Petroglyphs

The next day, we planned to return to Saguaro National Park West. We met some friends for a short hike to the petroglyphs and had a picnic lunch in the park.

Both the east and west sides of the park have dozens of trails for all levels of hikers. The hikes near the West and Eastside Visitors' Centers are easy and historically informative. One of those trails leads to a set of ancient Native Peoples' petroglyphs.

See also: Road Trip to Zion National Park

Saguaro National Park East

After lunch on the west side of the park, CT, her friends, and I drove about one hour to the east side of the park on the other side of Tucson. There is a Saguaro National Park Visitor Center on each side of the park, and we stopped to see both of them.

While much of the main entry and popular parts of the east side of the park are flat, there are a series of very long trails to explore and some places to backpack and stay in primitive campgrounds.

Distant, multi-day hikes to Rincon Peak and Mica Mountain at 8,666 feet (2,641 meters) are available to very hardy climbers.

Near the Visitor's Center, take your vehicle around the circuitous Cactus Forest Drive to see the giant Saguaros and the Sonoran Desert in comfort. However, if you want to get a close-up feel for the area, park the car and hike the Cactus Forest Trail, which bisects the asphalt drive.

Cactus Forest Trail is 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) one way, but it is mostly flat and easy going. The hike is gorgeous, and by going in the winter, it's not at all hot.

Sabino Canyon Recreation Area

Our hike up Bear Canyon in the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area was our favorite hike during our week in Tucson. We made our way to the city's northeast side during our last day in Tucson to take in some of the scenery and hiking in the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area.

After a short tour of the visitors center and talking to the volunteers, we decided to hike to "Southern Falls" along the Bear Canyon Trail. They warned us that it was 8.3 miles round trip.

The warning came with the advice that we did not have enough time left in the day to make the trip before dark. We gave a polite little laugh and got underway, knowing we could hike that far in just three hours.

Bear Canyon is so lush and green in places that you can forget that you're in the desert. Monsoon rains and winter snowmelt off the Santa Catalina Mountains provide Bear Canyon with a year-round, healthy stream.

Our hiking trail was lined with tall and exotically wild grasses, and we were shaded in places by sycamore, walnut, ash, cottonwood, and willow trees along the route. Eventually, we arrived at Southern Falls, and the many pools and short waterfalls were an incredible sight.

See also: Hiking to Havasu Falls

My advice for nature lovers who visit Saguaro National Park and Tucson is to make the extra effort to explore Bear Canyon and the Southern Falls. We could only imagine what a water playground this place would be in the summer heat.

That said, Saguaro National Park is a great place to visit in the wintertime, as for much of the year, this location is scorching and therefore challenging to enjoy fully. In addition, while in Tucson, Arizona, make your way to San Xavier del Bac Mission and the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area for a complete experience.

Climbing in Joshua Tree National Park can mean two different things: mountain climbing or rock climbing. While I once did some rock climbing with ropes and safety harnesses in my younger days, I'm now a mountain climber. Joshua Tree bouldering and single-pitch rock climbing are world-famous and a great way to enjoy the California desert year-round.

However, the park also features ten peaks exceeding 5,000 feet (1,600 meters) in elevation, and only one has a trail to the summit.

Most tourists visiting Joshua Tree National Park in California never venture into its wilderness areas. Even fewer set foot on distant peaks, which demand a four-wheel-drive vehicle, off-trail navigation, scrambling over rough terrain, and caution around dangerous plants and wildlife.

Climbing all ten peaks in Joshua Tree was a big goal for me and CT, my climbing partner. In completing all ten ascents, she and I not only reached our objective but also spent countless hours alone in some of the most serene and wild places on Earth.

All ten Joshua Tree peaks we climbed are part of the Sierra Club's Hundred Peaks Section list for Southern California.

Joshua Tree Mountain Peaks

Although both of us had been to Joshua Tree National Park several times, the quest to climb all ten 5,000-foot peaks took us three dedicated trips over 26 months.

Ryan Mountain

The first peak we climbed was Ryan Mountain. This mountain is the easiest to park your car on and find the route, with the least risk of injury or getting lost. It's a tourist peak, but it's still fun nonetheless.

Climb Ryan Mountain before sunset and enjoy one of the best experiences in the park. The Ryan Mountain trail is marked with a big sign and an oversized parking lot. The path is wide and well-manicured. The other nine mountains have trails that are only partially developed or none at all.

Eureka Peak

The last mountain we climbed at Joshua Tree National Park was Eureka Peak. It was the only one left on our list, and we made a memorable trip to the park during our birthday week. CT and I were born a few days apart, so we always celebrate our birthdays for a week.

Like most of the mountains in the Joshua Tree wilderness, it's a no-trail, find-your-own-way undertaking to the top. Few things bring me more satisfaction than climbing a rarely summited peak with no trail or route and no other people for miles around it. Sitting on top and enjoying the spectacular view is worth the effort.

We use sites like Peakbagger.com and Alltrails.com to help us get there. Additionally, it's easy to download a route to your GPS device to guide you. We consider these downloads significant in our successful climbs and safe returns.

Queen Mountain

After enjoying the sunset on Ryan Mountain, we climbed Queen Mountain and Queen Benchmark the following day. These twin peaks are just a few hundred yards apart, and this climb was tough.

As there was no trail, we made our way to the summits by hiking up a drainage area, which is dry most of the time. While there was no water in the drainage, there were plenty of cactus, yucca, and other sharp and needle-filled plants that would mess you up.

Queen Mountain is the second-highest point in Joshua Tree National Park. Its location, centered in the middle of the main attractions and paved roads, gives the climber a great overhead view of the area.

Not only was the path to the top of Queen Mountain filled with sharp plants and loose footing, but the last 15 minutes of "hiking" included some difficult and risky moves called Class 3 or 4 climbing.

In these situations, we often wear a climbing helmet in case of a fall. It only takes a short fall onto your head to do some significant damage. While not a long hike from the truck, Queen Mountain took hours due to the dangerous and challenging terrain.

Mount Inspiration

After a long rest and lunch break, it was time to take the 20-minute drive to the southwestern edge of Joshua Tree to a parking area called Key's View.

Mount Inspiration is a short 2.2-mile (3.5-kilometer) round-trip hike from the parking lot. However, there's no trail, and it's pretty steep. Mount Inspiration offers excellent views of Palm Springs, the San Andreas Fault, and the distant Mount San Jacinto.

Mount Minerva Hoyt

For our last hiking day in the park during our 2016 visit, we set out to climb Mount Minerva Hoyt and Quail Mountain, the park's highest peak. It turned out to be an interesting day.

We planned the route to go over several miles of open desert, through a valley, and then to Minerva Hoyt first. After hiking in soft sand and around the Joshua Trees and Yucca plants, something strange and manufactured came into view.

We were way off any roads and well past anything marked on a map. It was a house and a fenced yard in the middle of nowhere. Frozen in time, it looked like it was abandoned entirely and left "as is" for more than half a century.

We looked into the windows and saw that the home was completely furnished and decorated with 1950s appliances, dial-up telephones, and mid-century furniture. We were utterly stunned. I have since tried to find information on this ghost house, but have been unsuccessful in the search.

Later, after hiking more than eight miles, some of it in thick fog, we summited what we thought was Minerva Hoyt. It wasn't. Looking at our GPS device on the peak, we suddenly realized that we had not paid close enough attention when the fog rolled in, and we had climbed the wrong mountain.

It was a mountain without a name, unlisted on the map. So, we named it Lang Mine Peak and added it to the Peakbagger.com website. After this silly mistake, we laughed and found Mount Minerva Hoyt later in the day.

Lessons are sometimes hard to learn. Since we were exhausted from three days of climbing in Joshua Tree, we gave up on Quail Mountain and hiked out.

Quail Mountain, Finally

More than a year later, we returned to hiking at Joshua Tree National Park. This time, we were determined to climb Quail Mountain. The afternoon we arrived at the park, we climbed Warren Point in a quick 5.6-mile jaunt.

The following day, we set out early to reach Quail Mountain by a different route than the previous year, using the California Riding and Hiking Route for part of the way.

Success! After a 13-mile hike in the fog, rain, and cold, windy weather, we bagged Quail and drove to the other side of the park to get to Lost Horse Mountain and another 7.5 miles done before nightfall. By the end of the day, we climbed three peaks, spanning over 26 miles, in 24 hours. We slept hard.

Bernard and Little Berdoo Peaks

The following day, we set out on an hours-long 4x4 drive on a loose, sandy road to park at the base of Bernard and Little Berdoo Peaks. While this day was only supposed to be a 6-mile round-trip hike, we knew that it would be nearly straight up over rocks and cacti.

The wind was blowing steadily at the base of the mountains, but by the time we got to the top, we were getting buffeted around as fall leaves on a breezy day.

At the end of the long weekend, we felt a great sense of accomplishment. We climbed five mountains, hiked more than 31 miles, and saw almost no people in a popular national park. This is the way to get in touch with nature!

If you like climbing mountains and love places like the wilderness areas of national parks, strap on your boots and find yourself hiking and climbing at Joshua Tree National Park. Ten impressive peaks are waiting for you.

Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah is one of the most unusual and beautiful national parks. If you're planning a trip through Utah to some of the five National Parks in that state, consider a trip in the winter off-season for some relative peace and quiet.

Hiking in Bryce Canyon

Winter Weather

It is winter, or winter-like, for about seven months of the year in Bryce Canyon National Park. It just so happens that this is not the heavily trafficked tourist season. Sitting at an elevation of 8,000 feet (2,500 meters), it can be cold and snowy from October 1 to May 1 of any given year.

Our visit to Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah was in late November, two days before the Thanksgiving holiday. Although there was no snow on the ground yet, the weather had already turned very cold, even before the official start of winter.

The average temperature in November for Bryce Canyon National Park calls for a high of 44F and a low of 18F. For us, it was about those temperatures on day one, but the following day at sunrise, it was just 7 F (minus 14 C).

Empty Trails

As you may expect, this time of year is not crowded at the park. Our hikes and explorations on foot were nearly people-free, and there was always parking available at each sightseeing parking lot.

We arranged an itinerary for two full days at Bryce Canyon, including an overnight stay at a motel just outside the park entrance.

Bryce Canyon National Park is located in a remote area, so planning is crucial.

Some of the common locations where automobile travelers start their trip to Bryce are as follows:

• St. George, Utah                 2.7 hours
• Beaver, Utah                       1.4 hours
• Zion National Park              1.5 hours
• Arches National Park          4 hours
• Salt Lake City, Utah            4 hours

We left St. George at about 6 a.m. with plans to drive to Bryce Canyon National Park and begin hiking down into the hoodoos immediately.

Our research and hiking preferences guided us in creating an amalgamation of two different trails, combining them into a 5-mile double loop. We were convinced then that if you have one full day to spend in Bryce Canyon, this is the hike you should take.

Related: Where To Hike on a Road Trip to Zion

Red, White, and Orange Rocks

It is an up-and-down trail with a total elevation gain of 1,581 feet or nearly 500 meters. Additionally, we were hiking at an elevation of 8,000 ft., making it moderately strenuous.

We came prepared for the cold weather and packed a big lunch to picnic on the trail. Once we started hiking, it wasn't so cold, and we were thriving on the scenery.

Our plans called for starting at Sunset Point and hiking down Navajo Loop Trail past Thor's Hammer and the Two Bridges rock formations. Down, down we went on the winding human-made trail, which snakes between two sheer red rock cliffs.

Our hike took us through tunnels, some of the best slot canyons in Utah, in and out of hoodoos, and through red rocks and red sand, as well as the green forests of Pinion Pines and Quaking Aspens.

We stopped and marveled at the features known as The Alligator, the Wall of Windows, The Cathedral, and, toward the end of our journey, Wall Street.

When our hike was completed, our day was just getting started. We got in the truck and drove out to the lookout points, known as Inspiration Point and Bryce Point.

Arches and Windows

As the day wore on, we explored and hiked through the campground areas and around Bryce Canyon Lodge. 

By this time of year, the lodge was closed and the camping sparse, but as we quietly strolled through the forest, we saw dozens of deer, who seemed oblivious to our presence.

We drove out to Fairyland Point for sunset, where we were the only car in the parking lot. A short hike later, we settled on the vantage point we were looking for and popped open a bottle of wine, watching the sun drop beneath the horizon.

After checking into the motel, we walked over to another hotel with a buffet and a warm fireplace roaring away. 

Seven Degrees

The morning coffee in the cozy bed of the motel room made us think twice about going out in the dark, pre-dawn, to find a spot to see the sunrise at Sunrise Point.

I put on every piece of clothing I could find in my duffle, and we headed out into what we now knew was a super chilly seven degrees Fahrenheit.

Most of the other visitors to the park were not braving the cold, so we were mostly alone on the trails leading to the photographic vantage points.

I noticed later that each of my photos of the brightly colored hoodoos, bathed in the morning light, is clear of distant people on the other paths below. It was just too cold, but not for us.

Rainbow Point

After a motel breakfast, we got back in the truck to visit Rainbow Point at the far end of Bryce Canyon National Park.   

This road is paved and in great shape, but may be closed during parts of winter when the snow is too deep to plow. It's an 18-mile, one-way journey, and it is lightly traveled.  

We watched a furry bobcat walk in front of us and saunter down the side of the road before jumping into the brush.

Along the route, we stopped to view Farview Point, Natural Bridge, and Ponderosa Canyon. Rainbow Point is the highest elevation in the park at 9,115 feet (2,778 meters). The views were endless, and the air was clean and clear. We loved Rainbow Point.

This end-of-the-road point marks the start of the Under the Rim Trail, a route backpackers take to enjoy nearly complete solitude on a two-to-three-day, 23-mile (37-kilometer) journey.

Backpacking in Bryce Canyon National Park requires a backcountry permit. In summer, the trail is hot, and the water is scarce. In winter, water sources could be frozen solid. Plan your backpacking trip in Bryce carefully.

It was afternoon by now, and we drove back to the park entrance, out to Highway 89, and looked for a place to have a late lunch before going back to St. George.

If you're considering a trip to Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah, consider visiting during the winter months. You won't regret it.

Volcanoes formed the Hawaiian islands, and a Diamond Head sunrise hike on Oahu is an easy way to experience this geology up close.

The Diamond Head (Leahi) crater was formed 300,000 years ago during an eruption of the Koolau Volcano further inland. Although Diamond Head is not a volcano, it has long been a symbol of Honolulu, Oahu, and the state of Hawaii.

The tall crater walls are visible from Waikiki Beach, where many travelers stay. I remember this view from 30 years ago when I visited Oahu on a family vacation. I don't recall us climbing it, though.

Fast forward to today, and I saw the Diamond Head crater from the summit when I returned to Oahu with my girlfriend. We went for sunrise, an excellent time for this popular hike, partly because it's cooler.

Getting There

Car

There's a $10 fee per vehicle to use the parking lot if you're driving. While we'd rented a car for our scenic drive around Oahu, it wasn't necessary for the Diamond Head crater hike.

Rideshare

Instead, we called an Uber at about 5:40 a.m. from our hotel in Waikiki Beach. It was about a 15-minute drive to the park.

However, rideshare drivers cannot enter the tunnel leading into the crater and park. They'll drop you off at the tunnel's entrance on Diamond Head Road, and you can safely walk through it in the pedestrian lane. It's well-lit.

We knew the park didn't open until 6 a.m., so that's when we arrived at the tunnel. But I wish we'd known to arrive at 5:45 a.m., as it takes 10-15 minutes to walk from the tunnel entrance to the ticket gate.

Had we already been waiting at the ticket office when the park opened, we would've reached Diamond Head's summit just as the sun broke the horizon. Instead, we were still hiking up when that magical moment happened.

The Uber ride there was $16, and the return trip was $9, for a total of $25 round-trip (plus tips).

Bus

The cheapest option is to take Bus 23 from Kuhio Avenue to Diamond Head, and you'll need to walk through the tunnel.

Waikiki Trolley

The blue line on this hop-on-hop-off trolley goes to Diamond Head State Monument, but the earliest departure is 9 a.m., so it's not an option if you want to catch the sunrise. It also costs $25 per adult, although it allows you to visit other points of interest on the same day, including the Halona Blowhole.

Diamond Head Trail

Once you've paid the $5 entrance fee (credit cards only; Hawaii residents get in free), you can walk the Diamond Head Trail to the summit. According to the state park website, the "trail to the summit of Leahi was built in 1908 as part of Oahu's coastal defense system."

The hike is 1.6 miles round-trip and begins with a gentle incline on a concrete path. Your final destination is visible atop the crater rim, as some old military base structures are up there.

As the terrain steepens, concrete gives way to natural rock outcroppings. They're not hard to navigate on foot, but I wouldn't recommend trying to take a stroller up the Diamond Head Trail.

At this point, we were already encountering some hikers making their way down. If I had the scenic summit to myself at sunrise, I'd also be keen to leave once more people arrived.

The rocky path eventually takes you to a steep staircase painted bright yellow -- you can't miss them. The staircase leads into a 225-foot, dimly lit tunnel. Claustrophobic visitors may not enjoy this part, but it doesn't last long.

Once you exit the short tunnel, you'll have to climb more steps before reaching the crater's summit. A helipad is visible on Diamond Head, which I imagine is used in emergency rescues.

Diamond Head Lookout

Once you reach the top of Diamond Head crater, you will see a bunch of old military bunkers with panoramic views of Oahu's coastline. Having something to climb on is fun once you're up there.

From the lookout point, you'll see Waikiki Beach and Honolulu to the west, the sunrise, and Koko Head Park and Crater (also walkable) to the east.

Overall, the Diamond Head sunrise hike was relatively easy for me, which is not to say I didn't need to stop and catch my breath at times. The views from the summit of Diamond Head were worth it, though.

Kel and I returned to our hotel for a well-deserved breakfast. We had plenty of time to hang out on Waikiki Beach and tour Iolani Palace, the former residence of the last royal Hawaiian family.

Plan Your Hike

When's the best time to hike Diamond Head?

Diamond Head State Monument Park in Oahu is typically open daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunrise hikes are a popular activity. I suggest planning to arrive at the visitor center ticket office by 6 a.m.

If you're not tied to sunrise, I'd still aim for the morning, as the sun is lower in the sky and temperatures are cooler. There's little shade once you begin the hike; bringing plenty of water is a good idea. Hikers cannot start the hike after 4 p.m.; visitors must leave the park by 6 p.m.

How long does it take to hike Diamond Head?

I'm 44 and able-bodied, and I reached the summit in 25 minutes. If you're more athletic than I am, you can surely get up faster or with less effort.

How challenging is the Diamond Head hike?

The Diamond Head sunrise hike is considered an easy hike. While there are steep sections, much of the hiking trail is paved, and there are guardrails. Heavier hikers or older folks may find it moderate to difficult.

What should you wear?

Since it's mostly paved, you could get away with wearing flip-flops or sandals, but I wouldn't recommend it. I'd suggest good walking shoes or sneakers, preferably with some cushion. I wore my favorite running sneakers.