Josiah RoeExplorer

Wire Mesa off the Smithsonian Butte Backcountry Byway is a fantastic place to camp in southeastern Utah even if you do not plan on visiting Zion, just a few miles to the north. There several backcountry campsites on the Mesa, with the northwestern-most site giving the best views overlooking the Virgin River Valley and the Grafton Ghost Town. To get there, take the Byway south off of Grafton Roa...

The Podi Menike train leaves daily from either Fort Train Station in Colombo or from Badulla, and takes approximately 10 hours to complete its journey. From Colombo and the coastal jungle, after the first couple of hours the train begins its slow climb into the mountains eventually reaching its highest point at Pattipola Station (6210').There are 1st (assigned seats, air conditioned), 2nd, and ...

World's End in Horton Plains National Park is perhaps *the* tourist destination in the central highlands of Sri Lanka, featuring a 4,000' drop and breathtaking views of tea plantations and the Indian Ocean some 50 miles way.The park itself sits on the southern plateau of the central highlands with an average elevation of between 6,900' and 7,500', and features numerous plants and animals found ...

The village of Ella is a perfect little backpackers stop on southwestern edge of the central Sri Lankan hill country on the main train line between Badulla and the capitol, Colombo. No trip to Ella is complete without a quick hike to the top of Little Adam's Peak, or "Little Sri Pada" to locals. It gives incredible views of Ella, the surrounding tea plantations, and southwest through the Ella G...

To get to the trailhead, enter Crystal Cove State Park through the Crystal Cove El Moro Campground entrance immediately next to El Moro Elementary School. Follow the road behind the school which leads to the main gate where you will need to pay a day-use parking fee of $15. Drive past the Campground and down into El Moro canyon to the day-use parking. The trailhead is on the northeast side of ...

Limestone Mountain on the southern end of the Wind River range is famous for the nearby climbing mecca, Wild Iris, but it is also an excellent place to camp with ready access via forest roads to all manner of outdoor adventure activities including hiking and mountain biking. The top of the mountain is covered by radio towers leaving most to camp down the hill, but past the radio towers on fores...

Located along the Applegate Trail, Black Rock Hot Spring was the first watering hole for emigrants as they crossed the vast playa of the Black Rock Desert. Getting there today is no easy task, particularly after it rains when the playa is totally impassable. The only "road" on official maps (whether Google or USGS topos) is an unmaintained dirt/mud trail that leads directly south from the north...

Corno Piccolo (8710') or "Little Horn" as part of the Gran Sasso Massif, is the rocky, limestone heart of the Italian Peninsula, providing epic views from Adriatic to Tyrrhenian Seas. There are numerous world-class climbing routes to the summit, the most straightforward being a hike from the ski resort Prati di Tivo, which can be reached off the A24 via SS80.From Prati di Tivo, you can either t...

The Owl Trail runs between Slide Ranch and the Muir Beach Overlook and is a great way to take in the breathtaking views, flora and fauna of the Northern California coast.  The easiest way to access the trail is to park at the Muir Beach Overlook and to take the trail down to Slide Ranch and then back.

The Gila Wilderness is the oldest wilderness area in The United States, and Jordan Hot Springs rests right in the heart of Canyon of the Middle Fork of the Gila River, along a stretch of the Continental Divide Trail and some 7 miles from the nearest road. The most direct road by either car or trail is to take New Mexico State Road 15 north out of Silver City through Pinos Altos for four miles u...

From Wanaka-Mt. Aspiring Road, head west out of town and past Glendhu Bay (and Roy's Peak). Go right on West Wanaka Station Road and follow it until the obvious split towards the Homestead Bay / Minaret Burn Track parking area to the right.Take the Minaret Burn / Homestead Bay track approximately 10 kilometers to the obvious Daniel Spur Track to the left. There are excellent campsites at the mo...

Known informally as "San Javier" or "Mission San Javier", the officially named Misión San Francisco Xavier de Viggé-Biaundó is Spanish mission founded in 1758 and is surrounded by the tiny hamlet of San Javier. Trips to explore the mission are one of the most popular side trips for people visiting the Loreto area. Behind the mission is short path to an olive tree which at 300+ years old is said...

Boreas pass is a high mountain pass in the Rocky Mountains that sits on the Continental Divide at 11,481'. Forest Service Road 33 goes over the pass and has numerous campsites all along its length, with several near the summit that feature breathtaking views of the Tenmile Range and the Breckenridge Valley. To get there from the town of Breckenridge, go south out of town on Main Street and take...

The Bowl of Fire, tucked away in the Muddy Mountains Wilderness, is made up of the same dramatic conglomerate as that of the Valley of Fire, only almost no-one stops to visit as they blitz by on Northshore Road in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.To get there take the Northshore Road 16 miles from the turnoff from Lakeshore Road just inside the west entrance to the Recreation Area. You ca...

Lone Mesa Campground off Utah Highway 313, 8 miles from Highway 191, and 20 miles from Moab serves as an excellent basecamp for accessing the fantastic Navajo Rocks mountain bike trail system, Dead Horse State Park, and Canyonlands National Park. In fact, the Big Mesa trail goes right through the campground along with several other small hiking trails. The views of Big Mesa from the park are br...

Sinks Canyon State Park 6 miles south of Lander, Wyoming is a treasure of hiking, trail running, and rock climbing. Rightly considered the gateway to the southern Winds, Sinks is a great way to get a taste of some of the most beautiful mountain scenery to be found in the United States and the Popo Agie Nature Trail is a great way to begin. To get there take Sinks Canyon Road / 131 southwest ou...

The Santa Ana to Lake Casitas via Foster Park segment of Santa Ana Road is a gorgeous, 6.5 mile road that cuts through the heart of Ventura Canyon. Santa Ana Road eventually ends at Casitas Road and the Lake Casitas Recreation Area. From there you can go west over over the pass and down to the Rincon Trail, or you can head east to Ojai and the numerous segments there. To get to Foster Park, tak...

Granite Dome is the signature peak in the Emigrant Wilderness, with fantastic views north to the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness, east to the Hoover Wilderness (Sawtooth Ridge), and south to Yosemite including, on a clear day, Cathedral Peak and the Cathedral Range.There are several routes up Granite Dome, all of which eventually lead offtrail and require minor wayfinding, as it's easy to reach a dea...

The Valido Trail trailhead can be found just off West street off the Pacific Coast Highway, just south of Aliso Beach. Park on West Street past the trailhead. The trail proceeds approximate .5 miles till it intersects with the Aliso Peak Trail. Go left .4 miles to the obvious summit and wooden park bench. The canyon immediately to the north is Aliso Canyon, created by Aliso Creek. From here y...

Though lesser known than its neighbors the Yuba and the American, the Bear River still features fantastic hiking, swimming, river-raft, tubing, and rock-jumping but without the crowds.A local favorite spot, the "Jumping Rock" near the Dog Bar Crossing, provides an excellent hike with several swimming holes along the way. To get there you can either take Dog Bar Road from Grass Valley if you're ...

Cathedral Canyon is located just south of Page, Arizona and west of Coppermine Road and is entirely on Navajo Land, so access is possible only by permission from a local or with a permit from one of the licensed tour companies, of which Chief Tsosi is currently the only one permitted to give permits. The Canyon itself is accessible by numerous 4WD and high-clearance 2WD roads off Coppermine Roa...

Waterholes Canyon is a gorgeous slot canyon located just south of Page, Arizona that empties into Glen Canyon. The Upper Part of the Canyon is an easy, largely non-technical section that is easily accessed from Highway 89 and a clear parking turnoff on the left side of the road if you're heading South, just past Horseshoe Bend and just before the bridge over the canyon. The Upper Canyon is on N...

One could a lifetime exploring, and attempting to describe, the beauty of the Channel Islands National Park and Santa Rosa Island in particular: its wildly diverse terrain, endemic flora and fauna, and also the only of the Islands to allow backcountry beach camping. While the opportunities for discovery are endless, heartier souls looking for a view of the rugged southeast coast *and* seal lion...

The Bellvue Dome, known locally as "Goat Hill", was created by the same geological forces that made the Rocky Mountains, but what makes this structure unique is its shape, the steep cliff on its western edge carved by the Cache la Poudre River at the base, and its prominent location dominating the skyline just north of Fort Collins along Highway 287. Despite this, the Dome is rarely if ever cli...