Category Archives: Hiking

A while ago, I wrote a post about my hiking wish list — all of the places I want to hike in the near future.  I went looking for that post the other day to get some inspiration.  Summer vacation is inching nearer (okay, there are still a few months to go, but what can I say?  I get excited thinking about my summer plans!).  Anyhow, it would seem the awesome post outlining my hiking fantasies disappeared.  Poof!  It’s gone.  This makes me sad, yet at the same time — gives me an excuse to make a whole new list!

There are four big hikes I would like to undertake this summer.  I’m planning a five week trip to Guatemala and Honduras around the same time, so this makes planning a bit tight.  Luckily, as a teacher, I get summers off.  With the right hiking partners, this should be doable.

Here’s what’s on my mind this hiking season:

Havasu Falls.  A friend of mine hiked to Havasu falls last year and put it this way:  the turquoise rivers looked straight out of a Disneyland ride.  Enough said.  I’m a sucker for water, waterfalls and the color blue.  Turquoise rivers?  Yep, that’ll get me there.  It would seem the waterfalls of Havasupai are quite literally an oasis in the midst of a desert.  This one has been on my list for some time, and this June, come hell or high water, I’m going.

Lost Coast Trail, California.  I learned of this hike last year and haven’t been able to shake the thought of hiking along the coast of Northern California.  Three days spent along the Lost Coast Trail, the way it looked prior to masses of people moving in would be fabulous.  The trail is described as a spectacular meeting of land and sea.  My experience with the California coast in the area leads me to believe that description is likely spot on.  I’m also planning this trek for June.  (So much awesomesauce to look forward to, peeps!)

The Subway, Zion National Park.  This one involves a bit of route finding, down-climbing and rappelling — even a few bone-chilling swims.  The hike is about 7 hours, and from what I hear, it’s worth it.  (Besides, isn’t any great challenge in the outdoors worth it?)  What you get in return for all that work is simply awesome.  I would like to do this hike in August.  Who wants to go?

The Narrows, Zion National Park.  This is a 16-mile hike and requires an overnight stay (in a lovely lodge called Pop-Up-Tent).  The Narrows is a slot canyon, and my friends tell me it’s breathtaking (as do the pictures).  The route takes you through water and perhaps a few swims.  Nature at its finest.  I also plan to take this one on in August.  Any takers?