HIKE/BIKE DESCRIPTIONS
Image of the Month
Bad Rock Peak, southeast from near Leatherman Peak's summit.
Quote of the Month
"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived."
         -  Henry David Thoreau - born July 12, 1817 in Concord, Massachusetts - Happy Birthday!
​More Quotes
Gear Love:  July
New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro trail running/hiking shoes with Vibram® Megagrip outsole.  The sole is super-grippy on trails and reduces slipping on rocks and gravel.  The Fresh Foam is comfortable for long hikes.  They have a little rubber gravel guard on the heel to deter rocks from entering the shoes, however these occasionally get in the way with wearing in the house going down stairs.  They are very comfortable.
Latest Blog Post
Leatherman Peak:  12,228' - On Top of Idaho
7/19/21:  A challenging climb up the loose-rock north side of Idaho's second tallest peak for spectacular views from the "roof" of Idaho.
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 with abundant wildflowers and 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 provides an exhilarating view of water and mountain ranges.  
​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 Route
March 16, 2018:  Short and steep ridge hike close to Boise overlooking Lucky Peak Reservoir to a summit with great views.
Popular Posts
Goat Mountain: 11, 913 feet 
​Pioneer Mountain Range, Idaho
9/22/18:  Tough hike/scramble to second highest mountain in the rugged Pioneers with a breathtaking view and steep drop-offs at your feet.
​No Mans Mesa hike in Grand Staircase-Escalante NM
7/21/2018:  A unique opportunity to see a near-relict, pristine desert ecosystem from Lick Wash Trail; solitary and remote.
​Table Mountain:  11,106 feet - Wyoming
10/29/18:  The sudden jaw-dropping view of the Grand Teton Mountain Range as you crest Table Mountain is worth the 4,000-foot gain; it's a view you will never forget!
Sawtooth Mountain Wilderness - Upper Redfish Lakes Cross-Country 
August 8, 2017:    Backpacking trip to Alpine and Upper Redfish Lakes, Lake Kathryn and Baron Lakes​​.
Related: Miner Lake, Smoky Mountains, Idaho
Previous Posts
Lucky Peak Hike, 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.
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 
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.
​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.
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
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 National Monument
February 20, 2018:  Sublime and "mind-expanding" cross-country hike, and some of the oldest rocks in California.
In Memory of Roger Keezer
January 17, 2018:  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
December 11, 2017:   Beautiful riparian vegetation along a rushing creek and a breezy          Ponderosa pine forest just a few minutes from downtown  Boise.
Picture


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​
© 2017 - 2021 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