John MauriziExplorer

The Mescal Mountain Loop Hike circles Mescal Mesa uses three different trails. Park at the Mescal Trail parking area on Long Canyon Road.  The Mescal Trail is 2.4 miles long and winds up to the base of the mesa where it travels along beautiful open slick rock. It is an easy hike but the trail is also open to mountain bikers. For them, the trail is rated difficult to moderate. There are a few di...

I'm always find dinosaur tracks fascinating. Willow Springs has a few cool tracks not as defined as others but definitely noticeable. There is also an interpretive sign describing the tracks installed by the Bureau of Land Management. To find the tracks, drive north on 191. Over the Colorado River and drive until you pass route 313 on the left. Willow Springs rd is the second right after route ...

Depending how you approach this 800 mile trail, I did the first 4 miles or last 4 miles as an out and back from Stateline Campground on the Utah/Arizona state line and the border of Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. This section of the trail does not pass through Vermilion Cliffs N.M. but offers amazing views of the mountains in the park. The trail is difficult and seldom hiked. It is...

The Eureka Mine was a gold mine founded by Shorty Harris and Pete Aguereberry. Pete won a legal battle and took control of the mine in 1909. It is said that the mine kept Pete making money for 40 years and earned $175,000 from the mine. That was at $20 per ounce. At current gold prices, the amount of gold pulled from Eureka would be $11,550,000! Makes you think of becoming a gold miner. But it ...

Take Rt. 10 east toward Benson and onto Cochise. Follow the sign to Pearce then to Sunsite. Take Ironwood Rd., Forest Rd. 84, for about 12 miles to the Stronghold Campground. Cochise Stronghold is about 1 hour from Tucson and well worth the drive. This is an out and back hike which makes for a long day hike. Guide books have it at 4.5 miles one way but it is longer. From where I parked my car, ...

This is one of the more popular hikes in El Chalten.  There are two trailheads with the main one being on the west side of town at the end of Avenida Charito.  There is plenty of parking along the road.  The trail ascends quickly from the road and once cresting the hill there are great views of the countryside ahead. After less than one mile you arrive at Mirador Margarita, a small distant wat...

Skidoo Road is the first dirt road on the left you encounter when driving Emigrant Canyon Road.  The road is suitable for any car until you reach an old mine on the right atop a hill.  Directly to the left is a prospector's wood cabin.  Both are in very good condition and worthy of a stop to check out. Beyond this point the road makes a sharp left.  After this point, a high clearance vehicle is...

Bakong Temple, also known as Prasat Bakong, is part of the Roluos Group located southeast of Siem Reap. It is the largest complex of the Roluos Group.  Bakong constructed in the 9th century as can be seen by the construction material and the outer tower styles similar to Preah Ko and Lolei, also of the Roluos Group. However, the single central tower and the inner buildings is in the design and ...

The Buster Island Loop hike is the longest hike in the park at 6.7 miles. It is completely flat and easy hike that goes through a varied landscape. The trail starts from the north side of the parking lot (only one parking area). Follow the blue connector trail a short way to a road. Here you will see a sign for the Buster Island trail to the left. Follow the road over a canal where the road the...

Phnom Bakheng Temple is refer to as a "temple mountain." The complex was constructed atop one of the highest points in Angkor in the 9th century, almost two centuries before Angkor Wat. It was built to resemble Mount Meru, a mythical mountain where Hindu gods live. This temple has a very long approach. It is all up hill and shaded for the most part. Because of this long up hill walk, Phnom Bakh...

Yungdrungling is one of the few remaining Bon Monastery's remaining in Tibet.  Often referred to as the original religion of Tibet, it came about during the 11th century.  The Bon teachings and terminology are very similar to that of Buddhism.  From an explorers point of view, they are relatively the same in appearance. One item to note in paying respect to the religion, enter temples proceedin...

The trailhead parking is at the end of Timberbrook Road, before the road enters Camp Winnebago (Boy Scouts). I hiked this in a clockwise directions starting on the Timberbrook Trail (yellow markers).  After about 1 mile the trail ends at a junction with the Four Birds Trail (white markers).  Turn right and follow for two miles to the top of Riley's Rise.  There is no view from the trail but you...

The Four Birds Trail is about 19 miles long and is a great thru hike or can be done in sections as out and back hikes or part of loop hikes with other trails.  Starting from the north, the trail ascends gradually over easy terrain until you reach a cliff ridge.  There are several good view points to the east.  The trail (marked with white blazes) parallels a forest road.  It is best to stay on ...

From Warwick Road, parking at the northernmost road side parking area, cross the road, and the Terrace Pond North trail (marked with blue blazes) begins as a steady climb until you gain a ridge that offers some great views for several miles. Eventually, you'll reach a power line where you turn right. Keep an eye out when to re-enter the forest on the left. Once back in the forest, follow the tr...

I have been to many beaches in Costa Rica. I have never experienced a beach as beautiful (yet) as this one. The approach to the water is a gradual, barely noticeable ease into the ocean. From my first time here and all the subsequent visits, the beach and ocean floor were completely void of rocks and coral. The sand in the water is silky smooth. This is a perfect beach for a beginner surfer if ...

From the parking area, the trail travel west directly into the lava field.  This is evident by the sharp black rocks the trail travels through.  Watch for the first lava tube on the left.  All lava tubes have a steep short descent down in to explore a bit but the tubes are not deep and could be dangerous because of the sharp rocks. After a steep petrified dune view point on the left, the trail ...

This is the recommended place to sleep when visiting Mount Everest from the North. There are many Yak wool tents, each has a unique name outside the entrance. It's very interesting to see. A few issues with any of the tents. If you need to go to the bathroom, all the "toilets" are behind the tents on the right (when face Everest). All the "hotels" have tables in front selling Tibetan items and ...

Of course the main attraction at Preah Khan is the temples and sanctuary's.  There is amazing detail and numerous rooms to explore. They are beautiful and so much to see. But looking at the complex from the "outside" so to speak, gives a different perspective and great experience of this amazing temple.There is a well worn dirt path that encircles the complex from the outside of the surrounding...

This temple is of the "Mountain" style, meaning, it is built upward and is relatively a square layout. It has an outer wall and three tiers. The top tier has 5 towers, one tower at each corner and then one tower in the center.There are several other smaller towers around the complex as well.Pre Rup is very popular to watch the sunset. Many people go to the top to see the sun set on the horizon....

Pelkor Chode is the largest and main monastery in Gyantse. The entrance is unique as it is a walkway lined with prayer wheels on either side and leads directly to an extremely large prayer wheel that is housed inside a dedicated building and monitored by an attendant. To the left of this large prayer wheel is the main attraction, the Kumbum. This is a large three dimensional mandala which surro...

Phimeanakas is found within the walls of the Royal Palace. Directly north through the palace walls from Baphuon Temple. Phimeanakas is a three tiered temple constructed in the 10th century. The original structure had a tower on top. Legend states that a serpent spirit with 9 heads lived in the tower and would appear disguised as a women. The Khmer King would have to sleep with the woman every n...

Hank's Pond loop can be accessed from the south at the corner of Clinton road and Van Orden road or from the north, parking at the lot on Stephens road.  I hiked from the south on this trip.  Follow the wide trail known as Hank's East trail marked with white blazes.  Soon you will reach a trail connected marked with blue blazes.  Along this connector are several short access trails to Hank's Po...

Just at the entrance to Mason Neck State Park is the Woodmarsh Trail. The entire loop is about 3 miles. This is a pleasant easy hike that is relatively flat with no rocks to speak of. The trail wanders through a forest and passes by a large swamp along the Potomac River. There is one well built observation platform along the way called Eagle Point. After this point the trail approaches the mars...

This was the very first beach I found off the radar about 15 years ago.  Every year I travel to Costa Rica, I make a point to return to Barrigona.  While there are a few people, mostly locals, that go to this beach, many times I have been the only person here.  On several occasions I've found turtle track out of the water during the nesting season.The beach is crescent shaped with volcanic rock...