One Big Field Trip

HIKES

The following are the hikes we have taken thus far on our adventures. Hopefully this will help others (as it helps us to remember them).

LITTLE DEVIL’S TOWER – CUSTER STATE PARK – SOUTH DAKOTA

  • DISTANCE: 3.6 miles out and back
  • TIME: 2 hours
  • SEASON: Summer
  • DIFFICULTY: Moderate/Strenuous
  • ELEVATION GAIN: 750 feet
  • PROS: Beautiful 360 degree view at the top
  • CONS: Steep scrambling up rocks towards the top

CASPER RIDGE TRAIL – TETON NATIONAL PARK – WYOMING

  • DISTANCE: 2 miles out and back
  • TIME: 1 hour
  • SEASON: Summer
  • DIFFICULTY: Moderate
  • ELEVATION GAIN: 400 feet (after 1,000+ ft gondola ride to top)
  • PROS: Beautiful views, wildflowers
  • CONS: Steep start but then along a level ridge

TAGGART LAKE LOOP – TETON NATIONAL PARK – WYOMING

  • DISTANCE: 3.3 mile loop
  • TIME: 2 hours
  • SEASON: Summer
  • DIFFICULTY: Easy/Moderate
  • ELEVATION GAIN: 300 feet
  • PROS: Beautiful view of the Tetons, wildflowers, and a chilly glacial lake midpoint to cool off
  • CONS: Not a lot of shade

CRATERS OF THE MOON NATIONAL MONUMENT – several short hikes

  • Inferno Cone – 1 mile out and back, 30 min, moderate, 160 ft elevation gain, highest point – great views, steep climb.
  • Tree Molds – 2 miles out and back , 1 hour, easy, no elevation gain, awesome “molds”, or petrified wood in the hardened lava, no shade.
  • Devil’s Garden – 1/2 mile loop, 30 min, easy, totally flat, not a lot of shade, pretty and paved trail.

JUMP CREEK (& FALLS) – BOISE, IDAHO

  • DISTANCE: various (we went around 2-3 miles)
  • TIME: 2 hours
  • SEASON: Summer
  • DIFFICULTY – easy/moderate
  • ELEVATION GAIN – 100+ feet
  • PROS: View of canyons from above, water fall and wading area to cool off
  • CONS: very little shade

BLUE LAKE – NORTH CASCADES NATIONAL PARK – WASHINGTON

  • DISTANCE: 4.4 mile out and back
  • TIME: 2-3 hours
  • SEASON: Summer
  • DIFFICULTY: easy/moderate
  • ELEVATION GAIN: 1,000 feet (gradual)
  • PROS: A lot of shade, views, glacial lake
  • CONS: A lot of forest with only interspersed grand mountian views

EVERGREEN – ROCKPORT STATE PARK – WASHINGTON

  • DISTANCE: 2.2. mile loop
  • TIME: 1 hour
  • SEASON: Summer
  • DIFFICULTY: easy/moderate
  • ELEVATION GAIN: hardly any
  • PROS: very mystical and magical with lots of shade
  • CONS: humid

SKYLINE TRAIL – MT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK – WASHINGTON

  • DISTANCE: 6 mile loop (with optional 5 mile version or longer 8 mile)
  • TIME: 3 hours
  • SEASON: Summer
  • DIFFICULTY: Moderate
  • ELEVATION GAIN: 1,700 feet
  • PROS: 360* view!! Wildflowers, wildlife, views of Mt St Helens, Mt Hood, and Mt Adams
  • CONS: Can’t think of any!! (Often clouds cover the sky so that would be a con but we were blessed with clear skies!)

TRAIL OF TEN FALLS via Rim & Canyon Trails – SILVER FALLS STATE PARK – OREGON

  • DISTANCE: 5-8 miles (we chose the 6 mile option)
  • TIME: 3 hours
  • SEASON: Summer
  • DIFFICULTY: easy
  • ELEVATION GAIN: 800 feet and a few stairs
  • PROS: Waterfalls! Walking behind half of them was super fun!
  • CONS: Can’t think of any

PILOT BUTTE – BEND – OREGON

  • DISTANCE: 2 miles out and back
  • TIME: 1 hour
  • SEASON: Late summer
  • DIFFICULTY: easy/moderate
  • ELEVATION GAIN: 490 feet
  • PROS: 360* view of Bend and mountains (Three Sisters) in the distance
  • CONS: No shade

FERN CANYON – PRAIRIE CREEK SP – REDWOODS – CALIFORNIA

  • Several small hikes in this state park along the Drury scenic drive.
  • Fern Canyon – 2 mile loop (but can just walk down and back)
  • Corkscrew tree – 1/2 mile out and back hike
  • Several others we went on for just 20-30 min but can’t remember what they’re called.

BUMPASS HELL – LASSEN VOLCANIC NATIONAL PARK – CALIFORNIA

  • DISTANCE: 3 mile (out and back)
  • TIME: 90 minutes
  • SEASON: Late Summer
  • DIFFICULTY: easy/moderate
  • ELEVATION GAIN: 300 feet
  • PROS: Several volcanoes, steam geysers, boiling pots, and evergreens. Partly shaded, gradual climb, and amazing views.
  • CONS: Can’t think of any

KINGS CREEK – LASSEN VOLCANIC NATIONAL PARK – CALIFORNIA

  • DISTANCE: 3 miles
  • TIME: 90 minutes
  • SEASON: Late Summer
  • DIFFICULTY: moderate
  • ELEVATION GAIN: 32 feet
  • PROS: 40 foot waterfall at the end
  • CONS: Not too easy to get down to the waterfall

STEWART FALLS – SUNDANCE / ALPINE LOOP – UTAH

  • DISTANCE: 4 miles (out and back)
  • TIME: 90 minutes
  • SEASON: Fall
  • DIFFICULTY: Moderate
  • ELEVATION GAIN: 646 feet
  • PROS: Waterfall midway, a few open areas with mountain and valley views
  • CONS: VERY BUSY and narrow trail hard to pass people

DONUT FALLS – BIG COTTONWOOD CANYON – SLC, UTAH

  • DISTANCE: 3.5 miles (out and back)
  • TIME: 90 minutes
  • SEASON: Fall
  • DIFFICULTY: Moderate (lots of rock/stream scrambling towards the end)
  • ELEVATION GAIN: 526 feet
  • PROS: goes through some pretty wooded areas/shade
  • CONS: Can’t see the (“donut” part of the) falls well unless you scramble up steep rocks; VERY BUSY

THOR’S HIDEOUT – CEDAR CITY – UTAH

  • DISTANCE: 3 miles (out and back, little loop at the end)
  • TIME: 90 minutes
  • SEASON: Fall
  • DIFFICULTY: Easy/moderate
  • ELEVATION GAIN: 400 feet (lots of gradual up and down)
  • PROS: Beautiful red rock, loved the gradual up and down
  • CONS: very little shade (since it’s in a canyon though sunset comes quickly)

COSTAL HIKE – PALOS VERDES – CALIFORNIA

  • DISTANCE: 4 miles
  • TIME: 90 minutes
  • SEASON: Fall
  • DIFFICULTY: Moderate (some steep sections)
  • ELEVATION: 500 feet
  • PROS:
  • CONS:

VASQUEZ ROCKS – AGUA DULCE – CALIFORNIA

  • DISTANCE: 2.6 miles but we just climbed and explored, rarely staying to any trail.
  • TIME: 90 min (but we spent 3 hours)
  • SEASON: Fall
  • DIFFICULTY: Moderate (some steep sections)
  • ELEVATION: 500 feet
  • PROS: It’s like a giant playground for big people (I’d be nervous with kids under 10yo)
  • CONS: I wish the main trail was better marked

SPLIT ROCK & BARKER DAM – JOSHUA TREE NP – CALIFORNIA

  • DISTANCE: 3 miles (total both hikes)
  • TIME: 90 minutes
  • SEASON: Fall
  • DIFFICULTY: Moderate (some steep sections)
  • ELEVATION: 500 feet
  • PROS: Joshua trees were cool but AWESOME rock formations
  • CONS: very little to no shade

PAINTED CANYON/ LADDER CANYON – MECCA HILLS WILDERNESS – CALIFORNIA

  • DISTANCE: 2-5 miles
  • TIME: 1-3 hours
  • SEASON: Fall
  • DIFFICULTY: Moderate (the ladders make it fun but add a sense of adventure)
  • ELEVATION: 1800 feet
  • PROS: Beautiful, different, amazing views at the top and stunning canyons at the bottom.
  • CONS: Trails not marked well and need 4×4 to get into the parking area.

RIM TRAIL – SABINO CANYON – ARIZONA

  • DISTANCE: 2 miles
  • TIME: 1 hour
  • SEASON: Fall
  • DIFFICULTY: Moderate
  • ELEVATION: 2,200 feet
  • PROS: Beautiful views. Lots of cacti varieties. Not busy at all.
  • CONS: Not a lot of shade. Had to walk or take tram up to the canyon.

FOOTHILLS LOOP & GUINDANI LOOP – KARTCHNER CAVERNS – ARIZONA

  • DISTANCE: 2.5 (Foothills) & 4.3 miles (Guindani)
  • TIME: 1-2.5 hours
  • SEASON: Fall
  • DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate
  • ELEVATION: 4,700 feet
  • PROS: Great views, well maintained and easy to follow trails
  • CONS: Not a lot of shade, gets hot. One canyon area we were nervous about Mountain Lions….

ECHO CANYON / MESSAI NATURE TRAIL – CHIRCAHUA NATIONAL MONUMENT – ARIZONA

  • DISTANCE: 3.5 miles combined two hikes
  • TIME: 2 hours
  • SEASON: Fall
  • DIFFICULTY: Easy to Moderate
  • ELEVATION: 5,000 feet
  • PROS: Amazing rock formations and views! Probably one of my favorites.
  • CONS: This National monument should be a national park but is quite remote and takes awhile to get to.

FORT DAVIS EASTERN LOOP – FORT DAVIS – TEXAS

  • DISTANCE: 1.5
  • TIME: 45 minutes
  • SEASON: Fall
  • DIFFICULTY: Easy/Moderate
  • ELEVATION: 4,800 feet
  • PROS: Great view of the fort from the top. We lucked out and visited on Veteran’s Day!
    CONS: Not a lot of shade, still hot in November!

LOST CANYON & SANTA ELENA CANYON – BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK – TEXAS

Lost Canyon overlooking the Chisos Mountains
Santa Elena Canyon along the Rio Grande
  • DISTANCES: Lost Canyon (4 mi), Santa Elena (1.5)
  • TIME: 1-2 hours each
  • SEASON: Fall
  • DIFFICULTY: Both have some steep parts but overall easy/moderate
  • ELEVATION: Ranges from 1,800 along the Rio Grande to 7,800 in the Chisos Mountains.
  • PROS: Amazing views! Get to wade through water at Santa Elena.
  • CONS: Just takes a long time to get to the park and then plan on 30 minutes drive time within the park between hikes.

LADY BIRD LAKE PARK – AUSTIN – TEXAS

  • DISTANCE: 4-5 miles
  • TIME: 1.5-2 hours
  • SEASON: Fall
  • DIFFICULTY: Easy
  • ELEVATION: 500 feet approx.
  • PROS: Beautiful day, easy walking paths around Colorado River
  • CONS: Not a lot of shade and obviously in a busy city.

MANDALAY NATURE TRAIL – HOUMA – LOUISIANA

  • DISTANCE: 1 mile
  • TIME: 20 minutes
  • SEASON: Fall
  • DIFFICULTY: Easy
  • ELEVATION: 0
  • PROS: Beautiful at sunset
  • CONS: Can be muddy and a little nerve racking that alligators can be near.

SUTTON RIDGE OVERLOOK & NATURE TRAIL – SMOKEY MOUNTAINS NP – TENNESSEE

  • DISTANCE: 4 mi. combined
  • TIME: 2 hours
  • SEASON: Early Spring
  • DIFFICULTY: Easy (until last 1/4 mi climb to overlook)
  • ELEVATION: 6,000 feet
  • PROS: BEAUTIFUL! Hikes were well marked and crossed several streams on log bridges
  • CONS: Can’t think of any….maybe it’s a little buggy in summer??

NEW RIVER GORGE NATIONAL PARK – WEST VIRGINIA

  • DISTANCE: 3 hikes: Tunnel Trail (0.5 mi), Castle Rock (1.0), & Grandview Rim Trail to Turkey Spur Rock (3 mi) = 4.5 mi total
  • TIME: 2 hours
  • SEASON: Early Spring
  • DIFFICULTY: Moderate (lots of rocks and this time of year a little ice/slippery in a few places)
  • ELEVATION: 2,400 feet
  • PROS: Amazing views; rock formations; really cool overall feel – and it’s a brand new National Park!!
  • CONS: Can’t think of any…well because of early spring the trees were not filled out so I’d recommend summer or fall for best views.

DICKEY RIDGE – SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK / SKYLINE DRIVE – VIRGINIA

  • DISTANCE: 3.5 miles
  • TIME: 1.5 hours
  • SEASON: Spring
  • DIFFICULTY: Easy/Moderate (if you go clockwise you’ll feel like you’re climbing 3/4 of the way)
  • ELEVATION: 4,000 feet
  • PROS: Amazing, beautiful view (I use singular because this hike is mostly through woods with one big grand opening half way through- but even with just one view it is worth it!!)
  • CONS: Mostly through woods so not a lot of views and a little buggy.

OCEAN PATH & GORHAM TRAIL – ACADIA NATIONAL PARK ~ MAINE

  • DISTANCE: 3 miles
  • TIME: 1.5-2 hours
  • SEASON: Summer
  • DIFFICULTY: Easy/Moderate
  • ELEVATION: 500 ft climb
  • PROS: Amazing, beautiful views of both forest and ocean! Thunder Hole is en route- check it out an hour or two before high tide for best views.
  • CONS: A little busy but worth it!

BEEHIVE TRAIL – ACADIA NATIONAL PARK ~ MAINE

  • DISTANCE: 1.5
  • TIME: 1.5 hours
  • SEASON: Summer
  • DIFFICULTY: Moderate to Difficult (because of climb/heights)
  • ELEVATION: 500 ft climb
  • PROS: Feels like an adult jungle gym with the most amazing views of the park!
  • CONS: Might be scary for those scared of heights

SQUARE LEDGE IN PINKHAM NOTCH – WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST – NEW HAMPSHIRE

  • DISTANCE: 1.1
  • TIME: 1 hour
  • SEASON: Summer
  • DIFFICULTY: Moderate to Difficult (because of climb/heights)
  • ELEVATION: 320 ft climb; 2300 feet elevation at top
  • PROS: Doable short hike with amazing views of New Hampshire’s White Mountain from ledge.
  • CONS: It was a bit steep in areas and the wind is really strong on ledge.

BINGHAM FALLS – STOWE, VERMONT

  • DISTANCE: .5 mi
  • TIME: 30-60 min
  • SEASON: Summer
  • DIFFICULTY: Moderate
  • ELEVATION: 144 ft gain
  • PROS: Short hike to amazing gorge, waterfall, and swimming hole; the water is crystal clear/aqua.
  • CONS: Might be scary for those scared of heights; not little kid friendly.

STOWE PINNACLE via PINNACLE MEADOW TRAIL – GREEN MOUNTAINS in VERMONT

  • DISTANCE: 3.2 mi
  • TIME: 2 hours
  • SEASON: Summer
  • DIFFICULTY: Moderate
  • ELEVATION: 1,000 feet
  • PROS: Good workout; amazing 360* views
  • CONS: Can’t think of any

HACKENSACK MOUNTAIN – ADIRONDACKS – NEW YORK

  • DISTANCE: 2 mi
  • TIME: 1-1.5 hours
  • SEASON: Summer
  • DIFFICULTY: Moderate
  • ELEVATION: 574 ft elevation gain
  • PROS: Great views of Adirondacks at top
  • CONS: very steep, slippery ground and rocks; buggy.