Wilderness Hikes in the American West
Wilderness Hikes in the American West
Celebrating Health and Happiness
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APRIL 2026
We have just signed up for an 8-day hiking trek in the Italian/Swiss Alps for August! New Post: Hike Boulter Peak and Peak 8276 in Tintic Mountains, central Utah, plus a visit to mining ghost town of Eureka and Tintic Antique Motorcyle Museum. Live Longer, Feel Better, Lift Weights: Kneeling Kettlebell Exercise Videos: Get in shape for spring hiking! If you're hiking Grand Canyon Rim to Rim in One Day: It's time to start training! All of the North Kaibab trail will be open as of May 15, 2026. Link to opening of the north rim from NPS. The Dragon Bravo fire devastated structures at the North Rim in 2025. Kuhl - Born in the Mountains - "The Best U.S. States for Hiking, Based on Trails, Climate, and Safety." |
Kneeling Kettlebell Exercises
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The New York Times: Sue Birnbaum is quoted in an article on March 25, 2025 on the first ascent of Cactus to Clouds Challenge:
22 Miles on Foot, 10 minutes on a Tram: An "Extraordinary" Day Hike, by travel writer Dina Mishev.
22 Miles on Foot, 10 minutes on a Tram: An "Extraordinary" Day Hike, by travel writer Dina Mishev.
noun / Ex-plor-u-men-ta-ry
- an exploration documentary
- an account of travels over a new territory for adventure or discovery
- a written description of an exciting or remarkable experience for the purpose of sharing with others
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Latest Posts
Images of the Month
Quotes of the Month
"Earth. Mother. Goddess. In every culture the voice of the Feminine emerges from the land itself. We clothe her as Eve or Isis or Demeter. In the desert, she appears as Changing Woman. She can shift shapes like the wind and cut through stone with her voice like water. And when she approaches us with her hands open and carrying offerings of white shells in arid country, she reminds us that there was a time before drought when ancient seas covered the desert."
- Terry Tempest Williams, in When Women Were Birds.
"Don't explain your philosophy. Embody it."
- Epictetus
"Nobody sees a flower -- really -- it is so small, we haven't time, and to see takes time."
- Georgia O'Keeffe
"A map, it is said, organizes wonder."
- Ellen Meloy, award-winning nature writer of Raven's Exile, This Desert Hides Nothing and other books.
More Quotes
"Earth. Mother. Goddess. In every culture the voice of the Feminine emerges from the land itself. We clothe her as Eve or Isis or Demeter. In the desert, she appears as Changing Woman. She can shift shapes like the wind and cut through stone with her voice like water. And when she approaches us with her hands open and carrying offerings of white shells in arid country, she reminds us that there was a time before drought when ancient seas covered the desert."
- Terry Tempest Williams, in When Women Were Birds.
"Don't explain your philosophy. Embody it."
- Epictetus
"Nobody sees a flower -- really -- it is so small, we haven't time, and to see takes time."
- Georgia O'Keeffe
"A map, it is said, organizes wonder."
- Ellen Meloy, award-winning nature writer of Raven's Exile, This Desert Hides Nothing and other books.
More Quotes
Popular Posts
Adventure Blog Post Comments:
"Sue -I love your posts. I pour over the details. I hope to retire in December and begin my own adventures -likely including many of your recommendations. Thanks for keeping this desk jockey inspired." - Hike Crack Canyon.
"I enjoyed the article very much. Great pics and good job of explaining different plants at different levels. well done." - Tanque Verde Peak, Saguaro Wilderness.
"Visted Zion many years ago and fell in love with God's creation with the absolutely breathtaking views. So much to see!" Angels Landing, and Angels Landing inZion - Not for the Faint of Heart.
"Hello, Sue! I discovered your blog via Debra Van Winegarden's "Earthline". Really enjoying your Tucson stuff; I've done many of them.
I also have a blog at https://daringdayhikes.home.blog/ . Maybe I'll see you on the trails sometime!" - Larry.
"Thank you very much for this write up, very informative. I just hiked this peak last weekend (May 28, 2022). I was alone, it was about 95 degrees, no shade, and no one else in the entire area. It took about 9 hours including rest stops and spending about 1 hour at the summit. The descent is where it got hot and where water ran low. Thankfully there was a breeze that started and kept me relatively cool, along with multiple rest stops which helped avoid heat stroke.Overall this is a very beautiful area where one can experience extreme solitude. Not for the faint at heart or inexperienced though. Know your limits!"
BTW, your summit register entry is still up there in one of the books." - Pinto Mountain Hike, Joshua Tree Wilderness
"Sue -I love your posts. I pour over the details. I hope to retire in December and begin my own adventures -likely including many of your recommendations. Thanks for keeping this desk jockey inspired." - Hike Crack Canyon.
"I enjoyed the article very much. Great pics and good job of explaining different plants at different levels. well done." - Tanque Verde Peak, Saguaro Wilderness.
"Visted Zion many years ago and fell in love with God's creation with the absolutely breathtaking views. So much to see!" Angels Landing, and Angels Landing inZion - Not for the Faint of Heart.
"Hello, Sue! I discovered your blog via Debra Van Winegarden's "Earthline". Really enjoying your Tucson stuff; I've done many of them.
I also have a blog at https://daringdayhikes.home.blog/ . Maybe I'll see you on the trails sometime!" - Larry.
"Thank you very much for this write up, very informative. I just hiked this peak last weekend (May 28, 2022). I was alone, it was about 95 degrees, no shade, and no one else in the entire area. It took about 9 hours including rest stops and spending about 1 hour at the summit. The descent is where it got hot and where water ran low. Thankfully there was a breeze that started and kept me relatively cool, along with multiple rest stops which helped avoid heat stroke.Overall this is a very beautiful area where one can experience extreme solitude. Not for the faint at heart or inexperienced though. Know your limits!"
BTW, your summit register entry is still up there in one of the books." - Pinto Mountain Hike, Joshua Tree Wilderness
Previous Posts
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Gardner Peak, Utah: The Summit Less Traveled in the Pine Valley Mountains.
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Mount Holly/Delano Peak Loop: Goats and Gales on the Tushar's highest
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North Schell Peak: 11,883' - High Schells Wilderness, Eastern Nevada
Nevada's ninth highest summit. |
Mount Nebo: 11,928' - On Top of the Wasatch. An "ultra- prominent" summit in lower 48
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Freeman Peak Trail to Continental Divide - Salmon, Idaho
Beaverhead Mountains |
Delano Peak and Skyline NR Trail - Tushar Mountains -highest summit in southwestern Utah.
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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.
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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.
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Four "Grand Slam Peaks"
Late winter/spring training hikes in Boise National Forest, Idaho
Late winter/spring training hikes in Boise National Forest, Idaho
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Bald Mountain via Station Creek - Garden Valley, Idaho
11/30/19: This hike close to Boise offers a quiet Ponderosa pine forest and great views of Boise NF. |
Tucson Mountains Tour: Golden Gate Mountain, Bobcat Ridge, Little Cat Mountain
1/30/20: Summit three high points in the "Tucson Mountain Chaos" in an ancient caldera. |
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Alpine Peak, 9,861' -Sawtooth Wilderness: Never Stop Climbing Mountains
8/27/19: Scramble to Alpine's summit for tremendous views of Sawtooth Lake and peaks. |
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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. |
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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 |
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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". |
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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. |
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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. |
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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
If you don't mind steep drop-offs and want to witness an incredible view of Zion Canyon, this hike's for you!
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Alpine Peak Summit - Sawtooth Mountain Wilderness
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4th of July trip to Challis, Idaho: Gold Bug Hot Springs and Merriam Lake in the Lost River Range
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