My Top 10 Favorite Hikes

1. Lundy Canyon
   Located in Inyo National Forest, CA. Take Highway 395 five miles north of Lee Vining and turn west onto Lundy Lakes Road continuing for another five miles until it ends at the parking lot. The trail is 10 miles roundtrip to Helen Lake. It is well known for outstanding displays of wildflowers in the summer, three waterfalls, and excellent birding.
   
   
2. Waterwheel Falls
   Located in Yosemite National Park, CA. Take Tioga Pass to Tuolumne Meadows and park at the Dog Lake Parking Area following the trail marked for Glen Aulin. This is a long hike with a big elevation change but well worth it as it follows along the Tuolumne River past three waterfalls before reaching the famous and gorgeous Waterwheel Falls and entering the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne. The trail is 17 miles round trip from Tioga Road to Waterwheel Falls.
   
   
   
3. Hop Valley
   Located in Zion National Park, UT. Take the road to Kolob Canyon. This trail is 14 miles round trip from Kolob Canyon Road through beautiful Hop Valley to Kolob Arch. The arch can be accessed by a much shorter but not nearly as scenic hike. The best part is going through Hop Valley which looks almost dreamlike.
   
   
4. Black Canyon of the Yellowstone
   Located in Yellowstone National Park, WY. This hike can be done as a backpack or shuttle hike as it is 18.5 miles one way. Take Tower Road to the Hellroaring Creek trail head. Leave your car or arrange to be picked up in Gardner, MT. Unbelievable scenery and amazing display of wildflowers. This trail first crossed Hellroaring Creek and then meanders along the Yellowstone River as it enters a gorgeous black canyon before teminating at the park boundary.
   
   
5. Lathrop Canyon
   Located in Canyonlands National Park, UT. This hike is not for everyone; not even the park is for everyone. It is a stark desert hike through an amazing canyon all the way to the Colorado River. 18 miles round trip and a big hike out of the canyon for the last two miles. The hike starts out through a meadow and then drops dramatically down an old mine road into the canyon with magnificent canyon walls towering overhead. It then drops down even further as it crosses the white rim to the river.
   
   
6. Harris Wash
   Located in Grand Staircase/Escalante National Monument, UT. This is a hike typical of this area. It can be made as long as you like with no particular destination in mind. Depending on the time of year it may require some stream crossings. It is well known as a prime Utah birding location and also has spectacular red rock canyon scenery.
   
   
7. Swiftcurrent Pass from Many Glacier Road
   Located in Glacier National Park, MT. Lakes, waterfalls, large mammals, incredible wildflowers, butterflies, birds, and an outstanding 360 degree view of the entire park that will knock your socks off. What more can you ask for? 16 miles RT with a 2700 foot elevation gain and well worth the effort.
   
   
8. Big Spring to the Confluence
   Located in Canyonlands National Park, UT. This is a great hike; it’s 10 miles round trip and passes through amazing hoodoos into a canyon. You have to climb a ladder and at the end you are rewarded with a great view of the confluence of the Green and Colorado Rivers well below you.
   
   
9. Bishop Pass
   Located in Inyo National Forest, CA. Take Highway 395 south of Mono Lake to the tiny town of Bishop and look for a sign for the highway heading west to the trailhead. This fantastic hike climbs dramatically on the eastern escarpment of the Sierra Nevada Mountains passing numerous beautiful alpine lakes before reaching the pass with incomparable views back at the many lakes below. 16 miles round trip, big elevation gain.
   
   
10. Half Dome
    Located in Yosemite National Park, CA. Take Highwya 120 to the valley floor and park in the day parking area near Happy Isles or take the park shuttle. Well, it’s overrated and definitely overpopulated but it’s still one of the all time greatest hikes passing two waterfalls and then ending at a challenging climb over the granite dome while clinging for dear life to cables before topping this famous piece of granite. 17 miles round trip with a 4400 foot elevation gain.
    

Honorable Mention

• Amphitheater Lake
  Located in Grant Teton National Park, WY. Take the main road to the Taggert Lake Trailhead. Most people start from another location which makes the hike shorter but my way is better because you get to see spectacular wildflowers and numerous birds. It is known as a good place to see Ruffed Grouse. The scenery is mind boggling. It is a tough hike at 13.5 miles round trip with a big elevation gain and often the lake itself will be frozen well into summer. But it is getting there that is so special.