Goblin Valley State Park is one of Utah’s most unique and underrated landscapes — thousands of mushroom-shaped hoodoos scattered across a broad desert basin. Unlike most parks, you’re free to wander anywhere here: climb, explore, and weave through the “goblins.” It’s a photographer’s dream, a kid’s fantasy world, and one of the easiest ways to experience Utah’s wild desert beauty without the crowds. Quick Reference When to Visit Spring (Mar–May): 15–25°C (60–75°F) and wildflowers bloom at lower elevations. April is the sweet spot. Nights are cold but days are perfect for hiking and photography before the heat sets in. Fall (Sep–Oct): Similar…
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The Solo Trip That Started Because Nobody Could Come With Me
Last Updated: October 2025 | Reading Time: 20 minutes I’m standing at the edge of Grizzly Lake in the Yukon, alone, having just hiked 11 kilometers with everything I need for four days on my back. My family is fourteen hours and a barge crossing away. The tundra stretches out…
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Hiking PCT Section J Solo: 7 Days, 70 Miles, and Why Long Trails Are Different
If you’ve ever dreamed of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail but don’t have five months for a thru-hike, Section J in Washington is the perfect test piece. Stretching about 70 miles from Stevens Pass to Snoqualmie Pass, it’s rugged, gorgeous, and packed with alpine lakes. I hiked Section J solo…
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North Cascades Fall Larch Season Itinerary: 3 Days Among Golden Needles
There’s something magical about hiking through alpine meadows glowing gold while surrounded by mountain peaks. That’s larch season in the North Cascades — and it’s absolutely worth planning a trip around. Whether you’re planning months ahead or scrambling for a last-minute October weekend, this North Cascades Fall larch season itinerary…
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Scenic Hot Springs: Your Complete Guide to Washington’s Most Exclusive Alpine Soak
The ultimate resource for booking, accessing, and enjoying one of Washington’s most coveted hot spring experiences Last Updated: September 2025 | Reading Time: 12 minutes | Difficulty: Moderate to Hard There’s something truly magical about hiking 2.5 miles through dense Cascade forest, gaining over 1,000 feet of elevation, only to…
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Thru-Hiking the Enchantments: Complete Guide to Washington’s Most Coveted Alpine Adventure
If you’ve hiked in Washington for any length of time, you’ve probably heard about the Enchantments. Even if you haven’t hiked in Washington, the name might still sound familiar—it’s infamous in the hiking world. Granite peaks, glowing golden larches, turquoise lakes stacked one after another… it’s the kind of place…
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Blue Lake Trail Guide: Stunning in Summer, Glowing with Larches in Fall
Blue Lake is one of the North Cascades’ most accessible alpine gems. Right off Highway 20 near Washington Pass, this short out-and-back trail delivers turquoise water, jagged granite peaks, and (in fall) some of Washington’s most photogenic larches. If you’re planning a trip, you’ll also love my roundup of the…
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Washington Larch Timing: Historical Windows + How to Pick Your Week
Updated: September 2025 Larch season is short, sweet, and stair-stepped by elevation. Rather than guessing week by week, this guide uses historical windows to help you pick your trip dates—and a simple strategy to pivot if a zone runs early or late. I’ll also keep a Real-Time Notes section (starting…
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Backpacking Rialto Beach: Olympic Coast Adventure
It’s hard to beat backpacking Rialto Beach for a true Pacific Northwest adventure. The second you step out of the parking lot, you’re already on the sand with the Pacific crashing at your feet. Sea stacks rise from the surf, tide pools sparkle with anemones and sea stars, and massive…
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🍂 Fall Backpacking Gear Checklist: Cold Nights + Short Days
Backpacking in fall means golden larches, crisp mornings, and quiet trails—but it also brings frosty nights, early sunsets, and unpredictable weather. Packing right can make the difference between a magical trip and a miserable one. After years of fall backpacking, I’ve learned that being cold is the quickest way to…
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Hiking to High Hut: Complete Guide to Washington’s Best Backcountry Cabin Near Mount Rainier
High Hut is a backcountry cabin perched at 4,760 feet with spectacular 360-degree views of Mount Rainier, Mount Adams, and Mount St. Helens. Located in Tahoma State Forest just outside Mount Rainier National Park, this overnight hiking destination offers one of Washington’s most affordable and unique mountain lodging experiences. For…