13. The back hills of Caliente

Nov. 26, 2013

I don't even know what to call this hike. This went up and down the rolling hills behind Caliente.
It was not one of my favorite. Not recommended for others. Although I found some canyons I would like to explore on some other outings and I did finally get to walk Caliente's bike path. Beautiful addition, Caliente!

12. Pahranagat Valley

Pahranagat Valley, NV

Nov. 29, 2013

Today I hiked around the hills of Pahranagat Valley.  Our goal today was... petroglyphs.  We promptly got kicked off the wildlife refuge land after we entered a "Authorized personnel only" area by two RUDE volunteers. So we headed to our next destination and found VaVa Voom Woman and Halleluiah Man.  Two of my favorites! Our third location was in the middle of nowhere but was beautiful! There are huge boulders everywhere.  The weather was fabulous and it was quite an adventure! I would recommend this to people traveling through this area (Alamo, NV) or for Lincoln Co. folks or for anyone who reads this to come and explore. So fun!

                                                                      Hallelujah Man

 VaVa Voom Woman (I outlined her since she is very hard to see. Yes, those are boobs. LOL)

11. Condor Canyon

Condor Canyon, Panaca, NV

Nov. 26, 2013

Another beautiful hike.  This one was down Condor Canyon a few miles from my home. Water hazards, cliffs, caves, petroglyphs. Oh, and a wolf or something. Ekk!

10. Highland

Today, my family and some friends and I, hiked part of Highland Mountain. It was a lovely day for a hike. We were in search of some rock art, which sadly we did not find. But the Ponderosa pines were majestic and it was fun to walk through patches of white snow.

9. Rock Cabin Trail

Spring Valley State Park, NV

Nov. 8, 2013

 Lincoln County.....You must take your children and friends on this hike! It is beautiful.  The rock formations are so amazing and different.  It is November and I had on a t-shirt and capri's and it felt fabulous.  The hike was about two miles and then maybe another mile back to the car.  It was truly delightful.

8. Table Rock

Table Rock, Caliente, NV

Nov. 6, 2013

This hike begins by ducking under a gate and walking through a private owned junk yard.   It continues along a dirt road and then up a wash.  This cliff faces is very pretty in a very deserty way.  Is 'deserty' a word? LOL. It was a beautiful day for a hike and we were sweating and panting up this slippery slope. Once on top, looking down down on Caliente, it makes you feel like you are in a helicopter because you have a birds eye view of the whole cotton pickin town. Funny how the junk yard cars look like toys and it seems like you can see ten mountain ranges each way.

7. Chuckawalla trail

Chuckawalla trail, St. George, Ut

Oct. 25, 2013

So I was just headed out of St. George and I was an hour ahead of schedule, (how the heck does that happen?) and I remembered this trail that I'd be passing on my way out of town and so I decided to do the trail as fast as I could.  The clouds over head were threatening rain. In fact, it must have already rained right here because there was the most delicious smell of rain and wet sagebrush in the air.  I had a hoodie on so I figured I was ok in case it rained again.  My only sadness was that I didn't have my beloved canon with me.  I did have my phone camera and so I decided that would have to do.
I was desperately hoping to spot a desert tortoise! I searched the rocks and ground as I hiked along, but sadly.... no luck! It was a beautiful hike, nonetheless.  The red sandstone with the moody grey sky was fabulous and all too soon I had to turn back and get on the road back home.

6. Zion National Park-The River Walk

The River walk, Zion National Park, Springdale, UT.

Oct. 25, 2013

This is one of my favorite hikes in Zion.  It is so beautiful walking through the tight canyon with the river running next to it.  There are interesting rock formations, the soaring cliff walls and the walk is nice and easy.  It felt like a stroll after the Grand Canyon!

5. Cindercone Hike

Cinder Cone Hike. Diamond Valley, Ut.

Oct. 25, 2013

I'm going to have to say that this hike was a bit deceptive.  Hiking this volcano took my 8 year old and I over an hour.  I thought it would take about half that time.  It was a warm day in So. Utah and a spectacular view from the top.  I have always loved Snow Canyon and this photo, shows the many varied colors of this area.

4. The Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon, Rim to Rim.

Oct. 18, 2013

This was one crazy gnarly adventure! GC's website explicitly warns people NOT to do rim to rim in one day.  So what do I do? Hike rim to rim in one day.  Although, in my defense, it wasn't my choice.  I was with four other women and I hadn't been my brain child.  The day before, we had done our shopping and traveling. I told my traveling companion, Ginger, that I always get lost once on each trip and this trip was no exception. Even with a map, I zigged when I should have zagged. Luckily the detour to Kanab was minimal and laugh worthy. Arrived at Jacob's Lake, checked in, got settled in the cutest little cabin where Ginger and I would be spooning that night. LOL. We met a group of three men who asked us if we needed a guide on tomorrows trip, we said no but Ginger pipes up and asks if he knows someone who will drive my car to the South rim for us.  He tells us he'll do it and he gives us his card.  He had just done rim to rim that day by himself and was quite a lively character! Long story short, we googled him and decided (hoped) we could trust him.  We ate dinner and bought food from the bakery for breakfast and hit the sack.  I promptly felt ill.  All night I was hugging the white throne.  At 3:30 am, I finally decided that I wouldn't be able to hike.  So at 4:30 when the alarm went off, I told Ginger that I wasn't going.  She said she wasn't sure she wanted to go without me, so I called one of the other girls in our group to see if they had any meds, she said yes so I decided I would get ready and I would ride at least to the trail head and see how I felt.  Since I felt fine, I decided to go for it.  We started the hike in 17degree weather but the day was promising to be divine.  The scenery was never ending. The canyon just kept giving and giving.  Around every turn was something new and glorious.
Ribbon falls was one of my favorite things there.  It was a very unique waterfall.  I was definitely longing for my full size tripod but had to do with a small travel sized one. I would have loved to stay here at RF for hours exploring, relaxing, cooling my unhappy feet.  Next time. sigh.

Phantom Ranch was fun.  Lots of people hanging around, resting, eating, preparing for their trip out the next day. We rested for a bit here and ate and then hit the trail again.  The Colorado River was amazing.  Loved walking next to it.  Pretty soon it was dark and we all pulled out our headlamps. Walking in the dark as different.  It was a bummer not to see the sights of the South Rim but on the positive side, it was very peaceful. Nothing to distract you. The stars were out and the bright almost full moon was soon up.  We were all very tired but there was nothing to do except keep going.  The trail never seemed to end.  The cliffs just kept growing it seemed.  Hours and hours of walking in the dark.  Pretty soon we could see our breath and it was really cold. We finally topped out at 12:30 am, exhausted both mentally and physically.  It was a tough hike but beautiful.  I would definitely recommend taking two days for this hike!

3. Ash Canyon

Ash Canyon, Echo Canyon State Park, NV

Oct. 2013

I have lived in Lincoln County for 19 years and have never done this hike.  I loved it! Not in the same way I loved the Zions or The Grand Canyon but beautiful in a different way.  My friends and I started at the highway and worked our way up and around to the campground. The first half of this hike was full of interesting and bizarre rock formations (which I failed at capturing on camera). I will have to go back to do it justice.  The rocks had many different colors of lichen on them which I enjoyed looking at. 

2. Cathedral Gorge State Park

Cathedral Gorge State Park, Panaca, Nevada

October 2013

Beautiful caves and formations here in Cathedral.  Hikers can start at Millers point or here inside the park.  It is a 4-5 mile hike.   I hear there are two kit foxes that live in the caves.. I definitely want to locate them and photograph them.

1. Zion National Park-The Subway

Zion National Park-The Subway, Springdale, Ut

April 2013

This is my second time hiking The Subway.  The first time was with complete strangers that became friends.  This time I am with friends that are a bit strange. LOL.

We all arise early since we have a couple hour drive and on our way to the hike we stop and pick up our permit and head to the trail head.  We have decided to do bottom up since none of us are big on repelling. The beginning is a steep descent and by the time we are at the bottom, our knees hurt.  From here we are constantly crossing the stream and 'bouldering' the whole way.  It is a lovely day and we have small day packs with snacks and water inside.  Along the path one member of our 6 hikers, puts a lizard on me without me knowing and when I discover it, I nearly wet myself.  I thought I was the prankster! There are many small waterfalls along the way and many large pools of water that beckon some skinny dippers. LOL.

As we continue on, we start coming to the famous sites of The Subway.  The Grand Staircase, The Train Tracks, until we reach the main attraction. The rounded walls of The Subway. Beautiful and majestic and unique!

40 hikes is born...

The other day, I realized that I would soon be 40 years old..... 40...... Forty...... The big 4-0! After I shed a tear, I decided that I wanted to do something special. Something to celebrate turning 40.  40 wouldn't be so bad, right? It is what you make it.  So I'm going to make it something good.  So I put on my thinking cap. I love to be outside. I love photography.  I love to hike. I love to explore.  Thus 40 hikes was born.  So I will tell about each hike and post my photos and just enjoy my adventure of life and hiking and photography!
So here it goes...