Outdoor Project

The trailhead for the Riser Lake loop is off of Gunn Ranch Road.  From the parking area follow the wide gravel path near the entrance to the parking area.  This wide path narrows down and becomes and overgrown trail, difficult to find through a marsh area.  After one mile, the trail turns south and is open the rest of the route.

Copper Glance Lake is a beautiful alpine lake at the base of a cirque of mountains, Sherman Peak to the south, Big Craggy Peak to the north and West Craggy at the center.  While the Larch had not bloomed yet, there is an abundance of wildflower over the early summer this is quite impressive.

The trailhead only has room for several cars.  After parking, cross the road (NF-5130) and walk around a gate to access the trail.  The trail was overgrown a bit and had some downed trees but when I was leaving there was a 2-person crew cutting the downed trees to clear the path.

The Santa Clara Arboretum is an interesting area worth exploring and is not far from the large city of St. George, Utah. The Arboretum is located amongst a suburban neighborhood and near some little league baseball fields. However, once you begin your hike through the Santa Clara Arboretum you’ll likely forget that you are so near the city!

The Santa Clara Arboretum has a bit of a history. It was originally hand built in the 1980’s by Dr. Robert Shepherd. It was enjoyed for years, but eventually the wetlands became choked by an abundance of non-native Tamarisk.

Of all the hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, this one, in particular, is certainly at the top of my list. With all the beauty this hike contains it is worth doing in every season including the winter. Although the cold weather and snow may be a deterrent for some, going in the winter allows seeing a part of the park that rarely any people see. Hiking in the winter gives you the chance to miss the crowds, enjoy snow-covered trails and mountains, as well as magnificent sunrises and sunsets.

Ding and Dang canyons are located in the southern part of the San Rafael Swell, Utah.  Access to the canyons is much easy now with a paved road all the way to Little Wild Horse Canyon.  Ding and Dang is a great option to avoid the crowds at Little Wild Horse.  However, do not underestimate the difficulties in completing this loop.  Far too often people do not research the canyon before setting out.  While there is no true technical sections, this loop has many drop-off 8-10 feet high.

This loop hike encompasses the Hogencamp Mines and traverses over the top of Hogencamp Mountain. The parking area is at the northeast side of Lake Shannatati. If going on the weekend, make sure to arrive early as the parking lot can fill up quickly. However, parking on the road is permitted when the lot is full. Start at the Long Path trailhead (turquois markers), and follow it along Lake Shannatati and into the forest for 1.3 miles.

The Crazy Mountains Loop can be completed in either direction with little variation in the logistics either way. It is a lightly trafficked route that cuts right through some of the best scenery of the Crazy Mountain Range. Elk, moose, bears, and deer all inhabit the unique range and accentuate the remoteness of the area. 

This hike starts from the Lake Sebago parking lot.  From the parking lot, cross Seven Lakes Drive to access the trailhead and Seven Hills Trail (blue markers).  The start is a steep climb traversing to the top of Conklin Mountain for 0.35 miles until you descend to Diamond Creek.  Cross the creek and continue up a short way where the Seven Hills Trail makes a sharp right turn off the woods road you have been on. The woods road continues straight and many people miss the turn off because it is not well marked.

This loop hike is one of the more rewarding hikes in Harriman State Park due the number of great view points.  However, this is a difficult trail due to many rocks and steep climbs and descents, occasionally requiring your hands.  The trailhead parking area can get very congested because this is also the trailhead to access Pine Meadow Lake where the majority of the visitors go.  The parking lot is small however, parking is permitted on the road in certain areas at the lot entrance.  Be sure to read the street signs.  Reeves Meadow visitor center is also located here and has seasonal bathro

This loop can be accessed from the west via Tuxedo Station or the east via Johnsontown road. If accessed from Tuxedo Station, there is a trailhead parking lot. From there it is still a .5 mile walk by road to the start of the trail. It is also popular with commuters from NYC that do not have cars.  Hikers can take a train to Tuxedo and walk the road to the trailhead.