EXPLORUMENTARY
  • Home
    • Cactus to Clouds Hike
    • More Quotes
    • Ann Zwinger Quotes
    • Mary Oliver Poems
  • Hikes by State
    • Idaho
    • Southern Utah
    • Arizona
    • California Desert
    • Nevada
    • Wyoming
  • BLOGS
    • Adventure Blog
    • Women and the Land
  • GALLERY
    • DESERT PLANTS >
      • Beavertail cactus
      • Brittlebush
      • Christmas Cactus
      • Arizona Barrel Cactus
      • Parry's penstemon
      • Agave
      • Arizona Rainbow Hedgehog
      • Claret Cup Hedgehog
      • Desert Agave
      • Palmer's Penstemon
      • Silver Cholla
      • Cristate Saguaro
      • Indian Paintbrush
      • Ocotillo
      • Santa Rita Prickly Pear
      • Spiny Cliffbrake
      • California Barrel Cactus
      • Engelmann Prickly Pear
      • Velvet Mesquite
      • Joshua Tree
      • Buckhorn Cholla
      • Hedgehog Cactus
      • Fishhook cactus
      • Thompson's Woolly Locoweed
    • NATURE
    • BOISE
    • EARTH + SKY
    • URBAN
    • WATER
    • PATRIOT
    • ORCHIDS
  • Fit After 50
    • Brian Holgate
    • Fred Birnbaum
    • Dave Brasuell
    • Bus' Little Black Book
    • Mike Carlson
    • Ray Wilson
    • Bryan Krouse
    • Vickie Kearney
    • Maria Keezer
    • DOUG TRAUBEL
    • Boise Cross Fit Masters Ladies
    • Tim Clemens
    • Marcia Bondy
    • Becky Borczon Blake >
      • Becky B Downtown
    • Jennifer Cera and Sue Birnbaum
    • Dave Brasuell
    • Vance Powell
  • About
    • CONTACT
Wilderness Hikes in the American West

Celebrating Health and Happiness
Idaho Hikes
Southern Utah Hikes
Arizona Hikes
Nevada Hikes
California Desert Hikes
Wyoming Hikes
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
Fit after 50
Hiking and Mental Health
Gear Reviews
Picture
  • GEAR REVIEW:  KUHL'S FREEFLEX ROLL-UP WOMEN'S HIKING PANTS AND RENEGADE CARGO MEN'S HIKING SHORTS  
  • ​THE 10 ESSENTIALS TO CARRY WITH YOU ON EVERY HIKE
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
More Quotes






Latest Blog Posts
Pyramid Peak - Death Valley
Corn Springs Petroglyphs, Southern California
Pyramid Peak - Death Valley
Corn Springs Petroglyphs:  Vision Quests, Steamboats and Ringing Rocks




Popular Posts


Tucson Mountains Tour
Utah's Red Rock Country
Kathryn Lake
Petroglyphs near St. George, Utah
Tucson Mountains Tour 
Utah's Red Rock Country
Collected images of Southern Utah.

Sawtooth Mountain Wilderness - Upper Redfish Lakes 
​In Search of the Rattlesnake Petroglyph - Southwest Utah
Previous Posts
Slickrock Nirvana - Part Two:  Yant Flat and Southwestern Utah - Slideshows


Mansard Benchmark, East Mansard Peak, Peekaboo slot canyon
Bowl of Fire and Jimbilnan Wilderness - Lake Mead NRA
Slickrock Nirvana - Part One
Sunflower Mountain - Nevada
Kanab:  Mansard Benchmark, East Mansard Peak and Peekaboo Slot Canyon
Bowl of Fire and Jimbilnan Wilderness - Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Slickrock Nirvana:  Part One
Sunflower Mountain - Meadow Valley Range Wilderness - Nevada



Gardner Peak
Mt. Holly and Delano Peak, Tushars
Ashdown Gorge
Signal Peak
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.




North Schell Peak
Mount Nebo
Freeman Peak Trail
Delano Peak
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
Freeman Peak Trail to Continental Divide - Salmon, Idaho
​
Beaverhead Mountains
Delano Peak and Skyline NR Trail - Tushar Mountains -highest summit in southwestern Utah. 


Mount Minerva Hoyt
Lost Horse Mountain
Cassidy Arch - Capitol Reef NP
White Domes - Canaan Mountain Wilderness
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
So. Utah Petroglyphs
Davidson Peak
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 National Monument
Pahrump Point Hike and Tecopa Hot Springs
Experiencing Flow - The Secret to Happiness
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
Jarvis Peak, Beaver Dam Mountains
Virgin Peak, Nevada
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
Mackay Peak and Mackay Mine Hill Tour, Idaho
Gardner Peak, Pine Valley Mountains, southern Utah
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
Mt. Heinen
Lucky Peak, Winter Ascent
Cervidae Peak
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: The Ridge Less Traveled II
Gallagher Peak, Salmon River Mountans
Red Mountain Trail
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 near Ketchum, ID
Wolf Mountain, Boise National Forest
Red Rock Country - Utah
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 - Pine Valley Mountains
Jackson Peak, Boise National Forest
Mt. Kinesava near Zion NP
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.


Utah Hiking and Biking
Cat Mountain, Tucson
Elephant Head Peak, southern Arizona
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.


Picture
Picture
Picture
Norton Peak, 10,336' via Miner Lake, Smoky Mountains, Idaho
10/31/19:  
A "grudge peak" no  more, we summited Norton Peak this time near Ketchum.
​Bald Mountain via Station Creek - Garden Valley, Idaho
1
1/30/19:  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.


Scotchman Peak - Northern Idaho
Alpine Peak - Sawtooth Mountains
Reward Peak - Sawtooth Mountains
Scotchman Peak, 7,009' -  Cabinet Mountains, ID
7/29/19:  
Mountain goats and renewed appreciation for northern Idaho's rugged and remote wilderness.
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.
Reward Peak, 10,074' via Upper Redfish Lakes, Sawtooth Wilderness
9/29/19: 
Hike cross-country from Upper Redfish Lakes to one of the best views in the Sawtooths. The rewards are solitude and Idaho beauty.



Tanque Verde Peak
Thimble Peak
Lucky Peak - Boise
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
Haystack Mountain
Pinto Mountain
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
Death Hollow
Breakfast Ridge
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
In Memory of Roger Keezer
Dry Creek/Shingle Creek
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.
Picture
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.
Picture
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!
Picture
Sunset Mountain Lookout Snowshoe
​
This winter's snowshoe hike to
​Sunset Peak in the Boise National
Forest was the most spectacular yet.
Picture
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.
Picture
Tucson:  4 days, 40 miles, One Rattlesnake
Tucson hike highlights:  Finger Rock Canyon, Mt. Kimball, Pima Canyon, Pontatoc Trail.

2013 EXPLORUMENTARIES
Picture
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!
Picture
Never Stop Climbing Mountains​​
Alpine Peak Summit - Sawtooth Mountain Wilderness

Picture
Cowboys and Hot Springs
4th of July trip to Challis, Idaho:  Gold Bug Hot Springs and Merriam Lake in the Lost River Range​
Gear Reviews
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!
Picture
KÜHL Freeflex Roll-up Women's Hiking Pants
Picture
Picture
KÜHL Renegade Cargo Men's Hiking Shorts
HOME

Cactus to Clouds Hike
More Quotes
HIKES BY STATE

Idaho Hikes
Utah Hikes/Bikes
​Arizona Hikes
​California Desert Hikes
​Wyoming Hikes
​Nevada Hikes

BLOGS

Adventure Blog
Women and the Land
GEAR REVIEWS
FIT AFTER 50
Fred Birnbaum
Dave Brasuell
Bus' Little Black Book
​Mike Carlson
​Ray Wilson
​Marcia Bondy
Bryan Krouse
​Maria Keezer
​Tim Clemens
​Doug Traubel
​Brian Holgate
​
Becky Borczon Blake
​Jennifer Cera and
​Sue Birnbaum

​Vance Powell
​Boise Cross Fit Masters Ladies
​Vickie Kearney

GALLERY

Desert Plants
Nature
Earth + Sky
Urban
Water
Patriot 
​Orchids
Boise
​
  ABOUT
    Contact

​
© 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
  • Home
    • Cactus to Clouds Hike
    • More Quotes
    • Ann Zwinger Quotes
    • Mary Oliver Poems
  • Hikes by State
    • Idaho
    • Southern Utah
    • Arizona
    • California Desert
    • Nevada
    • Wyoming
  • BLOGS
    • Adventure Blog
    • Women and the Land
  • GALLERY
    • DESERT PLANTS >
      • Beavertail cactus
      • Brittlebush
      • Christmas Cactus
      • Arizona Barrel Cactus
      • Parry's penstemon
      • Agave
      • Arizona Rainbow Hedgehog
      • Claret Cup Hedgehog
      • Desert Agave
      • Palmer's Penstemon
      • Silver Cholla
      • Cristate Saguaro
      • Indian Paintbrush
      • Ocotillo
      • Santa Rita Prickly Pear
      • Spiny Cliffbrake
      • California Barrel Cactus
      • Engelmann Prickly Pear
      • Velvet Mesquite
      • Joshua Tree
      • Buckhorn Cholla
      • Hedgehog Cactus
      • Fishhook cactus
      • Thompson's Woolly Locoweed
    • NATURE
    • BOISE
    • EARTH + SKY
    • URBAN
    • WATER
    • PATRIOT
    • ORCHIDS
  • Fit After 50
    • Brian Holgate
    • Fred Birnbaum
    • Dave Brasuell
    • Bus' Little Black Book
    • Mike Carlson
    • Ray Wilson
    • Bryan Krouse
    • Vickie Kearney
    • Maria Keezer
    • DOUG TRAUBEL
    • Boise Cross Fit Masters Ladies
    • Tim Clemens
    • Marcia Bondy
    • Becky Borczon Blake >
      • Becky B Downtown
    • Jennifer Cera and Sue Birnbaum
    • Dave Brasuell
    • Vance Powell
  • About
    • CONTACT