Category Archives: Southwest hikes

Fall Hiking Season is Here: Coalpits Wash Backpack in Zion’s Southwest Desert

Posted on September 13, 2013 by westerner54

It’s time to start thinking about some desert hikes, don’t you think?   The area that Zion National Park calls the Southwest Desert offers some dandy fall hikes, particularly if you’re wanting to get away from the crowds that sometimes jam up … Continue reading →

Posted in Backpacking, Hiking, Nature, Outdoors, Southwest hikes | Tagged , , , | 20 Comments

Solitude in Zion: Not on Angel’s Landing

Posted on May 1, 2013 by westerner54

The National Parks are certainly not lax about warning the public about the dangers that we will encounter within their borders – even cactus! – and Zion is no exception.  Warnings about falling from cliffs seem to pop up every … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Hiking, Outdoors, Southwest hikes, Travel | Tagged , , | 38 Comments

Relentlessly Steep: the Tanner Trail in the Grand Canyon

Posted on April 23, 2013 by westerner54

I’m watching the sun sink behind the canyon walls, three miles and a couple of thousand vertical feet below the rim of the Grand Canyon.  It’s a beautiful April evening, with a welcome breeze that keeps the desert flies away. … Continue reading →

Posted in Backpacking, Hiking, Nature, Outdoors, Southwest hikes | Tagged , , | 15 Comments

It’s All Downhill From Here: A Backpack to the East Rim of Zion Canyon

Posted on April 15, 2013 by westerner54

Zion is a perfect little gem of a national park.   The ruby red rock, the sapphire skies,  the incredible soaring cliffs and towers surrounding a beautiful little winding river:  it’s hard to believe that so much beauty can be concentrated in … Continue reading →

Posted in Backpacking, Hiking, Nature, Outdoors, Southwest hikes | Tagged , , | 22 Comments

The Time I Didn’t Fall into the Canyon

Posted on November 13, 2012 by westerner54

I don’t think you’d call me a cavalier, “throw caution to the wind” type of person, especially when I’m heading out into the backcountry.  I doublecheck lists, check the weather, and seek out all the information I can find about … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Hiking, Nature, Southwest hikes | Tagged , , , | 17 Comments

The pugnacious Pyrrhuloxia and a fancy Flycatcher

Posted on March 17, 2012 by westerner54

A couple of dandy Southeastern Arizona birds that never make it to Montana.   Love the birdbook description of the Pyrrhuloxia’s “pugnacious beak”, and the Vermilion Flycatcher is just all around dashing.   The flycatcher was at the Slaughter Ranch near Douglas, … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature, Outdoors, Photography, Southwest hikes, Travel | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Grand Gulch, Cedar Mesa, Utah

Posted on February 1, 2012 by westerner54

February.  Time to plan some desert hikes, because right now the trails from my back door are looking a little dicey.  (Dicey: a combination of dumb and icy?) Grand Gulch Primitive Area, in southeastern Utah, is an ideal spring destination.  Sunny, warm days, water … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Camping, Hiking, Nature, Outdoors, Photography, Southwest hikes, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Looking for the Procession Panel: Treasure Hunt in Canyon Country

Posted on January 9, 2012 by westerner54

I’m sure you can go on-line and find some pretty precise directions to the Anasazi petroglyphs called the Procession Panel, but we’re part of the group of stubborn hikers who like to pretend that we’ve found these cool ancient sites all on … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Camping, Hiking, Nature, Outdoors, Photography, Southwest hikes, Travel | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Coyote Gulch: Truly memorable.

Posted on August 26, 2011 by westerner54

Coyote Gulch, near Escalante, Utah.    A stunning 4 day backpack that Bill and I took in May, 2007. We started at the Hurricane Wash trailhead, and hiked in about 5 miles to our first camp, near the confluence with Coyote Gulch.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Camping, Hiking, Nature, Outdoors, Southwest hikes, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment