Michelle OlmsteadExplorer

Kaanapali Beach is about a 45-minute drive from Kahului Airport, and only two miles from Lahaina.  Nearly all of the seaside resorts here back right up to the beach, making it an ideal place to stay if beach time is your top priority.  If you are not staying on Kannapali, there are several pay-to-park lots, and some of the resorts have beach access lots that are open to the public. This beach ...

Located at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon, Solitude Mountain Resort is known for it's quaint atmosphere and great downhill skiing. But for those who want to get away from the crowds, try something different, and get a great workout in the process, it also offers 20 Kilometers of groomed cross-country trails that run right through a beautiful conifer and aspen forest.Your adventure starts at ...

During the summer and fall seasons, this trail is easily accessible, with a large parking lot just off of highway 191, and a smaller lot closer to the cabin. In the wintertime, you must make the hike from the main parking lot to the cabin, since the road leading to the smaller lot is not plowed. The hike in is only about one mile, and you follow along a classic buck and rail fence as you gaze...

Just four miles from the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway, this limited site campground is a great alternative to the larger, busier campgrounds at lower elevations. There are just 11 sites here, a few of which are first-come, first-serve. Amenities include picnic tables, campfire rings, vault toilets, drinking water, and trash collection. There is also a camp host from which to buy firewood, but check...

Winter is a special time in Grand Teton National Park.  The landscape is transformed into a winter wonderland, and there is a stillness and quiet that you won't find in the busier tourist seasons.  It is also a prime time for spotting wildlife as many species move down from the surrounding mountains to congregate on the valley floor. In winter you can only access the park by vehicle via U.S. hi...

The Uintas are a high elevation, pristine mountain wilderness located in Utah. This range receives over 400 inches of precipitation annually, and you can find water everywhere.  There are 400+ miles of streams, waterfalls, and more than 2,000 lakes!  One of the prettiest and most accessible of these lakes is Ruth Lake.    The trailhead is located just off of the Mirror Lake Highway (State Road ...

A trip to Grand Teton National Park would not be complete without a visit to the iconic Oxbow Bend at sunrise. It is simply one of the most beautiful scenes on Earth, no matter what the conditions.Prime time for photographing this spot is usually the last week in September and first week of October, when the golden glow of the aspens reaches it's peak, although it can vary from year to year. ...

If you've ever visited Antelope Island State Park, there is no doubt you've seen the stump. This dead, bleached focal point with it's gnarled branches stands out in the middle of the vast landscape of the Great Salt Lake. It is located on the South side of the causeway, approximately two miles from the toll booth entrance.This stump is a favorite subject of many local photographers. Each captur...

String Lake is a great place to spend time in Grand Teton National Park. There are many options for fun here including kayaking, canoeing, swimming, and picnicking. The warm, shallow waters make it a great lake for families, and there are many options for hiking here, from easy to difficult. This trail-head is the starting point for the loop around the lake as well as the access point for the...

Antelope Island State Park is a gem within the Utah State Park system. With over 28,000 acres, it is the biggest island located in the Great Salt Lake...the largest salt water lake in the Western hemisphere. It is incredibly scenic, with beautiful shoreline and beaches, grassy plains, mountainous areas, and interesting geology. It also hosts a variety of flora and fauna, including bison, big...

One of the prettiest drives in the park, Signal Mountain Road is located just about a mile from the Signal Mountain Lodge. This 5 mile drive (10 miles round-trip) switchbacks up a tree-lined paved road to the top of Signal Mountain Summit. Once at the top, you will be treated to beautiful views of the Teton Range, Jackson Lake, and the Snake River, as well as the Teton Valley below. The driv...