Katie YExplorer

If you are on your way to Iceland to trek the incredible Laugavegur trail, and you've read about the first part of the trek in this article, then don't miss out on the last 15 miles you should be adding to the trek. This trail actually continues on to Skógar, but some backpackers choose to end at Þórsmörk. Don't make that mistake.  In my opinion after hiking the full 6 days on this trek, the la...

Day 1: Cusco to Ayapata (10 miles) The trail starts at 8,923 ft at the main gate operating the permit and passport check-ins at KM 82, Piscachucho. You'll cross the Urubamba River on a suspension bridge and proceed towards Ayapata at 10,829 ft. It's an easy day on the first day and should take about 7 hrs total with average speed and break for lunch. You will briefly hike beside the rushing Uru...

Wanting a short and sweet sunset or sunrise spot in Sedona away from some of the crowds? This easily accessible trail is great for people wanting picnics, a quick photography spot (we saw a couple from their wedding doing a photo shoot here), and a cool spot to watch the sun rise or set with the grand view of Cathedral Rock! This trail is a connector trail to the Ridge Trail. Our group decided ...

The main hiking trail at this small state park follows the wall of Old Stone Fort which was used by the Native Americans as a ceremonial gathering place. The trail threads through dramatic scenery where you can see the original entrance of the fort which was designed to face the exact spot on the horizon where the sun rises during the summer solstice. Visitors can learn about the Old Stone Fort...

This waterfall is a fun short hike that can be done quick, or a nice place to hangout for the day in your hammock to read a book! From Nashville, take I-65 south and take the Saturn Parkway toward Columbia. Turn right on Hwy 43 and proceed about 21 miles. The natural area parking area is on the right once you have passed over the Judge Workman Bridge. It is about three miles northeast of Summe...

One of the best trails in the Smokies is the Middle Prong Trail. The trail passes three major waterfalls, in addition to numerous smaller falls, cataracts and cascades. Once you've parked, you'll start at the trail head and immediately see your first cascade. From the trailhead hikers will cross a metal footbridge over Lynn Camp Prong. Over the course of the first couple of miles you should ...

You'll enjoy seeing this waterfall in Slovenia's Triglav National Park with such a short hike and easy access. If you park you car at the hut, it costs 2 Euros. You can also drive right past the hut and park on the side of the road. Most people did this instead. The hut offers food and drinks, if you're needing some snacks for the hike. In front of the hut is a sign pointing you to the main tra...

Located at my coordinate is the pull off point for you to shoot the beautiful and perfect view of the church. There is a small pull off at this location, which is hard to find in Slovenia! It's the perfect space for a couple cars. Jump out and walk over next to the guardrail and keep your eyes open for oncoming cars flying around the bends. Make sure to bring your tripod and set up for that gre...

Short Springs Natural Area is where these falls are located. There is a decent amount of hiking trails that are a nice getaway for a day to hang out at for waterfalls. Put into your gps "machine falls parking." The gps will take you to the exact parking area. The directions go as follows from Nashville: From I-24 east near Manchester, TN, take exit 111, Hwy 55. Go west toward Manchester. Contin...

Great short hike. Hard to find trail head, it is not marked at the parking area or where you leave the road.  Put in your gps the coordinate spot tagged above off Clara Point Rd. To get to the trailhead, you have to cross the road from small parking area and go back 20 - 30 yards, where you will find a small marker pointing out the trail on the right side of the road. Cross the bridge and turn ...

This great waterfall can be accessed by a dirt road, where the trail marker is placed. Just above Camp Koren you will spot a signpost for Kozjak waterfall, which directs you to the left. A dirt road will take you across the meadow and bring you to the turquoise Soča river. There is a small parking area to the right before the road dead ends. It's possibly big enough for 3 to 4 cars. If there is...

Located in the beautiful state park of Fall Creek Falls, you'll find this overlook along with Millikan's Overlook. Both overlooks showcase the views shown in my photos, however, Buzzard's Roost is a short walk down the side trail that gives a more solitude experience that you may be looking for. This overlook is also the spot the rangers utilize at the state park for their semi-annual rock clim...

Lake Clark National Park has officially made it to my Top 3 of all the national parks I've visited--35 and counting. I'm quite sure my summer home will be right here at this location, when I retire. It only took me 3 days of kayaking and fishing from these very shores to make that decision. I hope you fall in love with this place like I did. You can start kayaking from the docks at Port Alswort...

Someone in my group was lucky enough to find this very cabin available to stay at in the national park, while we all were doing our research for camping spots in our big Alaska National Parks' Trip. We were stoked to be able to stay at such a historic and beautiful place. Getting there was definitely a little bit pricey, but so is getting anywhere in The Last Frontier. Less than a week before m...

Point Mugu State Park offers some amazing rolling mountains, sweeping meadows of tall grass, and beautiful coastal views. I suggest going in the spring. I recently went, and the wildflowers were blooming everywhere. There are campgrounds available in different parts of the park that you can make reservations at. Point Mugu State Park starts from Newbury Park in Ventura County through the massi...

The Harpeth River State Park has a handful of good trails to hike at the park. One of those trails includes the Bluff Overlook trail. That post can be read here. There are two trails leading to the tunnel waterfall. One is the tunnel trail that's connected to the Bluff Overlook trail. It is only .15 mile from the parking lot one way. Follow the directions to the intersection for the Bluff overl...

Located in South Cumberland State Park in the Savage Gulf section, this is a somewhat difficult 5 mile out-and-back viewing two waterfalls, cascades, creeks, rock shelters, and high bluffs. 2 miles past Suter Falls you'll come to Horsepound Falls, a unique waterfall formation with overlooks and lush wildflowers in the spring! The two falls are located on the Collins Gulf Trail. This intermediat...

There are many options to go about your adventure in Kenai Fjords National Park. Once you've finally decided on this spot, you'll be glad you chose it! First step on how to get here is by making a reservation with a company to get out there. Most people start from Seward or Homer, as it's the closest send off to the Aialik Bay. You can kayak, fly, or use a water taxi/chartered boat; those are t...

This location was recently opened back to the public by Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and the Tennessee Department of Conservation and Environment in the fall of 2014 after being closed for over a decade! It is one of the most spectacular spots to watch the sunset in east Tennessee. This overlook is down the road beside Virgin Falls, where there is an abundance of waterfalls and hiking t...

Located in Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park, Point Park is a ten acre memorial park that overlooks the Lookout Mountain Battlefield and the city of Chattanooga. There is a paved walking path around the park that takes visitors by several historic tablets, monuments, confederate artillery positions, and scenic overlooks.  It is at this park that you will see one of the great ...

I like to describe this waterfall as the "elusive" corkscrew falls. A couple years ago, only one or two people had blogged on the internet about these falls. They were not super, descriptive details, so most of the time I wondered around till I found the trail. There is no big official park sign that says the trail starts here. Here are the best directions on how to hike to the coolest falls in...

The famous Italy Dolomites are littered with numerous great hikes to showcase them, however, this trail is the cream of the crop. It will not disappoint. You have the option of hiking up to Rifugio Auronzo from Misurina, which is detailed out here. The other option that makes it easier if you're on a time crunch is to drive up to Rifugio Auronzo and park, where I've placed my GPS marker above. ...