White Pine Lake | A Windy Overnight in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains
A short but steep climb to Utah’s Wasatch Mountains led to a beautiful alpine lake, an exposed campsite and one seriously windy night. Not every night in the backcountry is peaceful, but that’s part of the adventure.
Lake Blanche: Beyond the Crowds | An Overnighter in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains
A quick but steep overnighter into one of the Wasatch’s most popular basins, finding a quieter camp beyond Lake Blanche between Florence and Lillian.
Bryce Canyon Backpacking Guide: Under-the-Rim Trail & Riggs Spring Loop
Four days backpacking through the Bryce Canyon backcountry. Yovimpa Point to Bryce Point. Incredible views, quiet camps, unforgettable night skies and a few hard-earned lessons about heat, water and adapting when the trail changes your plans.
Why I Like Backpacking the Same Local Trails
Not every backpacking trip needs to be somewhere new. Sometimes returning to a familiar local trail is exactly what I need. A quick escape, a chance to test some gear and a reminder of why I love backpacking in the first place.
Kayak Camping the Colorado River: A Father-Son Adventure
An overnight paddle through the towering walls of Glen Canyon, with a night camped beneath Horseshoe Bend and plenty of time to simply enjoy being on the river together.
Backpacking Salt Creek Canyon: Canyonlands Needles District
Four days and three nights from Cathedral Butte to the Needles Campground, exploring ancient ruins, rock art, arches, desert springs and some of the quietest country I’ve experienced in Canyonlands.
Havasupai Falls: 4 days in Arizona’s Desert Oasis
Four unforgettable days backpacking through Havasu Canyon. From the hike into Supai to turquoise waterfalls, Mooney Falls and Beaver Falls.
8 Days on the Appalachian Trail Through the Smokies
Eight days backpacking through Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Fontana Dam to Standing Bear, with long climbs, foggy ridgelines, shelters and plenty of lessons along the way.
Zion East Rim: Two Days Above the Canyon
Two days backpacking Zion’s quieter side, with a night on Cable Mountain and a morning hike to Observation Point overlooking the canyon.
Lake Desolation: A Fall Overnighter in the Wasatch
A quick autumn backpacking escape to Lake Desolation, with golden aspens, crisp mountain air and a quiet night in the Wasatch.
Death Hollow Loop: 4 Days Through the Escalante Backcountry
Slickrock, canyon water, route-finding and miles deep in the Escalante backcountry. The Death Hollow loop was four days of everything I love about backpacking in southern Utah.
Backpacking Canyonlands: Elephant Canyon to Devil’s Pocket
Three nights through the Needles District, linking Elephant Canyon, Chesler Park, Joint trail and Devil’s Pocket through some of Canyonlands’ most incredible desert terrain.
Backpacking Coyote Gulch, Utah
A three day father-son backpacking trip through Coyote Gulch, exploring towering canyon walls, natural arches and one unforgettable campsite beneath Jacob Hamblin Arch.