Superstition Mountain – Lost Dutchman Museum

Lost Dutchman Museum - Elvis Memorial Chapel

Last stop on this trip and for 2019 as a whole. I had to stay close to the airport in Phoenix to catch my flight. I tried a few local parks and attractions within the city area but it’s Sunday with perfect weather so everything is overrun and crowded. Struck out a couple times before … Read more

Tonto Natural Bridge State Park

Tonto Natural Bridge State Park - Bridge from Viewpoint 1

Driving back from Sedona towards Phoenix, I had time for just one more stop before sundown.  Took a quick look at my map & notes and decided to try out Tonto Natural Bridge State Park in Pine, Arizona. The entrance road is paved but very steep with extremely high grades. Once at the bottom there … Read more

Cochise Stronghold

Cochise Stronghold - Approaching the stronghold in the Dragoon Mountains

Leaving Chiricahua National Monument I didn’t have much of a plan other than heading west. Instead I decided to pick something randomly on the map that looked interesting and check it out. And that’s how I ended up at Cochise Stronghold in Cochise, Arizona. Took a quick photo from a distance on the desolate entrance … Read more

Chiricahua National Monument – Echo Canyon / Rhyolite Canyon Trails

Chiricahua National Monument – Pinnacles along the Echo Canyon Trail

Cold temps and rowdy neighbords meant not much sleep last night but that was okay. I had planned to rise early anyways and take the shuttle to Echo Canyon for a hike back down to the visitor center. Was definitely a nice bonus riding the shuttle so I could watch the scenery go by and … Read more

Chiricahua National Monument – Sugarloaf Mountain Trail

Chiricahua National Monument - Golden hour views from Sugarloaf Mountain trail

Might be a few days behind schedule but I finally made it to Chiricahua National Monument for actual hiking & exploration. To start the afternoon I slowed down a bit and just cruised through the park getting a lay of the land & soaking in the amazing scenery.  Eventually I booked a campsite and then … Read more

Coronado National Memorial

Coronado National Memorial - Amazing views at Montezuma Pass

Leaving the Gila Cliff Dwellings took longer than expected (as usual) and I had no choice but to spent last night in Benson, AZ (at the same hotel as before) so I could make the best decision on how to use my last few days of time. Weather is perfect so all options were open. … Read more

Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument

Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument - View from inside the cliff dwellings

Headed out from Las Cruces and bid my family farewell. Today was dedicated to a singular goal of visiting the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. I have made attempts in the past (see here in 2018) and always ran out of time or got turned back due to weather changes. No more barriers today and … Read more

Organ Mountains – Fillmore Canyon

Organ Mountains Fillmore Canyon Trail - Red rocks at sunset

Rolled into Las Cruces very early in the afternoon meaning I had a few hours of daylight for a hike – finally, A HIKE! Weather was perfect and I was dying to stretch my legs. Drove to a couple super off-beat trailheads I found on AllTrails but roads were impassable. Gave up and headed to … Read more

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum - Sunset over the desert

Winter weekends in Tucson apparently bring everyone out to play and crowds were swarming today. I left Saguaro N.P. because trails were packed and it was the same story at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Came here because I wanted to finally see a rattlesnake and mountain lion in person, and because everywhere I went people … Read more

Saguaro National Park (West)

Saguaro National Park - View of the mountains and petroglyphs from atop Signal Hill

Had enough of the Phoenix area for a while so I started heading east. Ended up at Saguaro National Park, West Section (Tucson Mountain District) which is of course in Tucson, Arizona. Weather was a perfect 72°F and partly sunny, however I forgot it was a Saturday which means National Parks regardless of location are … Read more