Stories from the trail
My love for hiking was sparked in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, a wild land of ancient mountains and hidden waterfalls against the backdrop of Gitchee Gumee. When we moved to Arizona in 2014 my flatland strolls were challenged by a harsh, dry landscape, and I’ve grown to enjoy the hot temperatures, rugged lands, and incredible variety that this state holds. Sometimes I hike with friends or family, tho I prefer solo adventures in the Superstition, Mazatzal, Sierra Ancha, and Galiuro Wildernesses, and sometimes dip into the Grand Canyon.
all downhill from here
- LatestBright Angel / Tonto / HermitCold, brisk air wrapped around me as I stepped out of my car near the Grand Canyon’s Backcountry Office. It was early on the Coconino Plateau, before four in the morning, and the high elevation up here made for a delightfully cool …
- Tortilla LoopA gentle rain pattered down on my windshield during the last few miles of the drive. Unexpected, though not …
- Grandview / Tonto / New HanceA welcome trickle of light brought my surroundings into a soft fade, and I paused my forward shuffle long …
- Flatiron with the KidsFlatiron, the classic Superstition Wilderness hike that challenges tens of thousands of hikers every year, is …
- Icy Hike along Miners Needle LoopIn early 2022, during a particularly wet and cold winter, I took all three kids out to Peralta Trailhead for a …
- Bringing Back the Sandy Saddle TrailA short distance into the Mazatzal Wilderness is an overlooked trail, a shortcut from Barnhardt Trail to Horse …
- Overnight on McFadden Horse MountainRecent signs of monsoon activity surrounded my drive up to the Sierra Ancha Wilderness. The hills were bright …
- Exploring the Galiuro WildernessI had a problem when 2022 started. I didn’t know where to go hiking. Now, this isn’t because …
- Cactus to CloudsThe night air felt thick, an inky black pool that my lungs struggled to pull in fast enough. Sweat dripping …
Featured series
Across the MazatzalsA four-day Labor Day loop that turned into a semi-emergency exit down Davenport Trail.
4 parts