Images of the Month
Snow Canyon State Park, Utah
Quote of the Month
"Looking out over the pure sweep of seamless desert, I am surprised to realize that the easy landscapes stifle me - closed walls of forests, ceilings of boughs, neat-trimmed lawns, and ruffled curtains of trees hide the soft horizons.  I prefer the absences and the big empties, where wind ricochets from sand grain to mountain.  I prefer the crystalline dryness and the unadulterated sky strewn from horizon to horizon with stars.  I prefer the raw edges and the unfinished hems of the desert landscape.
Desert is where I want to be when there are no more questions to ask."
   -  Ann Zwinger, 3/12/1925 - 8/30/2014 - Happy Birthday!      More Ann Zwinger Quotes
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Gardner Peak, Utah:  The Summit Less Traveled in the Pine Valley Mountains.
Mount Holly/Delano Peak Loop:  Goats and Gales on the Tushar's highest
Ashdown Gorge to Rattlesnake Creek Falls:  A gorgeous hike through a stream to waterfalls.
Signal Peak:  10,369' - Outstanding autumn colors on hike to the highest point in the Pine Valley Mountains.
Mt. Minerva Hoyt, Joshua Tree Wilderness
5/9/22:  Named after the woman who lead conservation efforts for what is now Joshua Tree NP.
Lost Horse Mountain, Points 5196, 4957 via Lost Horse Trail, Joshua Tree NP
5/31/22:  Three high points and historic Lost Horse Mine.
Cassidy Arch via Frying Pan and Grand Wash Trails, Capitol
Reef NP  6/17/22:  Spectacular loop hike over open slickrock, through towering Grand Wash walls.
White Domes via Water Canyon - Canaan Mountain Wilderness
7/5/22:   Surreal slickrock on an extraordinary hike in a gorgeous, remote, and rugged wilderness.
Moving Makes You Feel Better:   Latest Research
2/28/22:   Evidence on how exercise helps our brain and immune system,  and decrease anxiety and depression, plus scenes from Snow Canyon SP.
In Search of the Rattlesnake Petroglyph
4/5/22: 
Petroglyphs near St. George, Utah and beyond.
Davidson Peak, Eastern Great Basin, Nevada
4/23/22:  Fun ridge scramble on ancient sea limestone to a high point in the Basin and Range province in Nevada.
Gold Butte NM and Little Virgin Peak
12/23/21: Making images in the photogenic northern Mojave Desert and a quick hike up Little Virgin Peak.
Pahrump Point and Tecopa Hot Springs, CA
1/16/22:  Another rugged summit from the Sierra Club Desert Peak Section's list completed!  Reward:  soaking in Tecopa Hot Springs afterward!
Experiencing Flow - The Secret to Happiness
​1/31/22:  What is flow and how can we achieve it?  How it helps us through challenging times.
Wheeler Peak:  13,063' - Great Basin NP
10/06/21:  Astounding view of eastern Nevada from its second-highest peak, way above treeline on a well-maintained trail.  
Jarvis Peak:  Beaver Dam Mountains, Utah
11/06/21:  Get off the beaten paths in southern Utah's national parks to discover more remote and interesting backcountry adventures.
Virgin Peak - 8,071':  In Search of Solitude in the Mojave.  11/26/21: ​ Remote ridge ramble on fossil-filled limestone in Gold Butte National Monument.
Leatherman Peak:  12,228' - On Top of Idaho
7/19/21:   Challenging climb up the loose-rock north side of Idaho's second-highest peak for spectacular views from the "roof" of Idaho.
Mackay Peak: 10,280' and Mackay Hill Mine Tour,
Idaho.  9/29/21:   There's a lot to explore in Mackay, Idaho, especially its historic Mine Hill.
Gardner Peak: 9,488' - Pine Valley Mountains, southern Utah.  8/29/21:  Perfect combination of on- and off-trail hiking, eroded rock formations and aspen-lined meadows.
Four "Grand Slam Peaks"  
Late winter/spring training hikes in Boise National Forest, Idaho
Kepros Mountain - Boise NF
5/6/2018:  A spacious ridge ramble in the Danskin Mountains views of snow-covered Trinity Mountains and Arrowrock Reservoir​. 
Mt. Heinen:  Grand Slam Peaks Completed!
6/5/2018:  This  steep ridge hike out of Arrowrock Reservoir in the Boise Mountains is a good challenge.  
​Lucky Peak - Winter Ascent
March 26, 2018:  Snowshoe climb to Lucky Peak in Boise River Wilderness Management Area after a March snowstorm.
Cervidae Peak - Southeast Ridge 
March 16, 2018:  Short and steep ridge hike close to Boise overlooking Lucky Peak Reservoir.
Lucky Peak, Boise:  The Ridge Less Traveled II
2/20/21:   In search of new routes and solitude on Lucky Peak, an historic mining district, Boise.
Gallagher Peak:   6,074' - Salmon River Mountains, Idaho
3/22/21:  Get a taste of true Idaho wilderness on this short climb to a lush and undisturbed summit with a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) history.  
Red Mountain Primitive Trail - St. George, Utah
5/31/21:  "Hidden gem"  in Red Mountain Wilderness that elevates the traveler from city to peaceful plateau in southern Utah's red rock wilderness.
Johnstone Peak: 9,949', This Hike for Henry Brown
10/20/20:  Navigate off Pioneer Cabin Trail's beaten path for a massive view of Idaho's rugged Pioneer Mountains.  We return to remember our great friend.
Wolf Mountain: 8,876' and Point 8610 via Jennie Lake Trail in Boise National Forest
11/16/20:  Seldom summited, this remote and jagged peak is a great combination of on-trail and Class 2 scrambling and navigating.
Red Rock Country
1/7/21:  Reflections on Southern Utah's warm colors, great images of past hikes, and a remedy for the winter blues.
Burger Peak: 10,320' - Pine Valley Mountain Wilderness, Southern Utah
6/16/20:  We escaped scorching St. George to a cool forest to navigate through snow drifts.
Jackson Peak: 8,124' - Boise National Forest, Idaho
8/1/20:  Lightly-traveled single track to fire lookout and views of Sawtooth Mountains.
Mt. Kinesava - Zion National Park
7/3/2020:  Attempt at a relentless scramble and Class 3-4 climb with spectacular views of Zion Canyon.
4/22/20:  Utah Hiking and Biking in a Pandemic:  Zion, Snow Canyon, and Wire Mesa
Cat Mountain:  3,852' - Tucson Mountain Park
​3/19/20:  Climb the ash tuff rocks of Cat Mountain for a dual view of  the sprawling city of Tucson and other high points in this ancient caldera.
Elephant Head Peak, 5,641' - Santa Rita Mountains, Southern Arizona
​2/20/20:  combination trail and off-trail fun Class 2-3 ridge climb to view of Arizona's sky islands.
Tanque Verde Peak, Saguaro Wilderness, Tucson
6/30/19: From saguaros to pines, hike through 4 biomes to immense view of southern Arizona.
Thimble Peak - Pusch Ridge Wilderness, Tucson
5/19/2019:  Hike through beautiful Upper Sonoran chaparral to a distinguished Tucson landmark with steep rock chutes.
Lucky Peak Winter Hike:  The Ridge Less Traveled
4/22/2019:  Our own spin on Robert Frost's  poem, "The Road Not Taken," we hiked a ridge less traveled to Lucky Peak in the Boise NF.
My "Neck of the Woods" - Autumn
2/27/2019:  You don't have to go far from home for adventure and beauty.  These scenes are within a one-mile radius of my house.
Haystack Mountain - Palm Desert, CA
2/13/2019:  Great desert hike off the Art Smith Trail with a spectacular view of Southern California's mountain ranges, and our old summit register entry from 2011.
Pinto Mountain, Joshua Tree Wilderness
12/30/2018:  The reward for the long walk across Pinto Basin followed by a rocky climb is the outstanding 360° views of the Mojave desert.
Related:  Monument Mountain, Joshua Tree NP
Canaan Mountain via Squirrel Canyon - So. Utah
11/30/18:  Classic Southern Utah adventure to a
​towering plateau of Navajo Sandstone.
 No Mans Mesa hike 
 Boulder Mail Trail to Death Hollow 
​Boulder Mail Trail to Death Hollow in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
9/3/18:   Hike the remote cross-country route of the last mule U.S. mail delivery through slickrock sandstone and sagebrush flats.
Sabino Canyon in Tucson - Breakfast Ridge​
April 23, 2018:  A rugged and beautiful off-trail trek up Breakfast Ridge in the Pusch Ridge Wilderness through a saguaro, palo verde and ocotillo "forest".
Monument Mountain: 4,834' - Joshua Tree NP 
2/20/18:  Sublime and "mind-expanding" cross-country hike, and some of the oldest rocks in California.
In Memory of Roger Keezer
1/17/18:  Roger Keezer conceived the phrase,    "Cactus to Clouds",  a now well-known extreme hike.  We hiked to his memorial in California's  San Jacinto Mountains with Maria Keezer.
​Dry Creek/Shingle Creek Loop in the Boise Foothills
12/11/17:   Beautiful riparian vegetation along a rushing creek and a breezy Ponderosa pine forest just a few minutes from downtown  Boise.
Zion National Park - Double Arch Alcove Hike
October 28, 2017:  Taylor Creek Trail to Double Arch Alcove carved into Navajo Sandstone contains a treasure-trove of exposed  geologic features in a relatively short distance.   
Utah - The Cowbell and the Cryptobionic "Highway"
October 29, 2017:  Singletrack cruisin' at Hurricane Rim Trails near St. George, Utah and hittin' the bell.
Silver City Snowshoe
February 11, 2017:  Our attempt to snowshoe into the mining ghost town of Silver City, Idaho.     
Related:  Sunset Mountain Snowshoe
Miner Lake - Smoky Mountains, Idaho
​September 23, 2017:  A September snowstorm changed our plans for summiting Norton Peak, but the stunning scene at Miner Lake was worth the trek in the snow.
Angels Landing in Zion National Park - Not for the Faint of Heart
2013:  If you don't mind steep drop-offs and want to witness an incredible view of Zion Canyon, this hike's for you!
Sunset Mountain Lookout Snowshoe
​This winter's snowshoe hike to
​Sunset Peak in the Boise National
Forest was the most spectacular yet.
This Hike for Henry Brown
​October 9, 2016:  When Henry Brown passed away last August, we dedicated a hike to Johnstone Peak for him in a land that he loved.
Tucson:  4 days, 40 miles, One Rattlesnake
Tucson hike highlights:  Finger Rock Canyon, Mt. Kimball, Pima Canyon, Pontatoc Trail.
2013 EXPLORUMENTARIES
Angels Landing in Zion:   Not for the Faint of Heart
If you don't mind steep drop-offs and want to witness an incredible view of Zion Canyon, this hike's for you!
Never Stop Climbing Mountains​​
Alpine Peak Summit - Sawtooth Mountain Wilderness
Cowboys and Hot Springs
4th of July trip to Challis, Idaho:  Gold Bug Hot Springs and Merriam Lake in the Lost River Range​
We gave KÜHL pants and shorts a try on the hike to Mt. Breitenbach in Idaho and Wheeler Peak in Nevada.  Check out our reviews!
© 2017 - 2023 by Sue Birnbaum.  Photos on this website are the sole property of Sue Birnbaum unless otherwise indicated.  Please receive permission before publishing my trip reports and photos.
I try my best to be accurate with my hike descriptions; please research your adventures, always bring a map and compass and know how to read them, be prepared!  All of these hikes can be dangerous; hike at your own risk.  ALWAYS carry the Ten Essentials with you on hikes. 
​Please feel free to contact me with comments or questions, or if you see any errors that need attention.
Thank-you for stopping by!

EXPLORUMENTARY.com