Petroglyph National Monument – Boca Negra Canyon

Petroglyph National Monument - Boca Negra Canyon - Mesa Point Trail

Boca Negra Canyon is another site within Petroglyph National Monument and is easy to find just a few minutes drive north from the visitor center along Unser Blvd. The location is more developed as compared to Rinconada Canyon with a small restroom and some picnic sites. On a weekday early afternoon there is enough parking … Read more

Petroglyph National Monument – Rinconada Canyon Trail

Petroglyph National Monument - Rinconada Canyon Trail - Petroglyphs

Second attempt at the Rinconada Canyon Trail area of Petroglyph National Monument. First try was on the weekend, and the signs posted from the park service warning about thefts & break-ins plus the local crowd told me to move along; today on a Tuesday at noon I nearly had it to myself. Be sure to … Read more

El Morro National Monument – Inscription Rock Trail

El Morro National Monument - Inscription Rock Trail

Continuing from the Headland Trail you’ll naturally connect to the Inscription Rock Trail that leads along the bluff and observes the other significant focus of the monument – several ancient petroglyphs and hundreds of historic rock inscriptions. A careful eye will notice several petroglyphs on the large vertical faces of the cliff where big circular … Read more

Pipestone National Monument

Pipestone National Monument - Old Stone Face rock formation

Thus far on my road trip I’ve basically been making up plans as I go along. But my main goal for sticking around in this area was to visit Pipestone National Monument in Pipestone, Minnesota. I’ve had this on my “to do” list now for a few years and it never came together but happily … 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

Joshua Tree National Park – Barker Dam

Joshua Tree - Barker Dam Nature Trail

From Keys View I stayed on the western side of the park and hiked the short 1 mile Barker Dam Nature Trail loop. Overall this hike is quite flat & easy.  Much of the area is covered in sand or bare stone with minimal rock hopping. Although if rocks are your thing, this is a … Read more

Red Rock Canyon

Red Rock Canyon - Panorama Views

Headed back towards Vegas to get cell reception for funeral arrangements & ended up not needing to cut the trip short.  Was already past Pahrump so decided to stay close to Vegas.  Camping was done for now but booked my best AirBnB to date (seriously if you’re solo check for a listing called “Vital Vegas”, … Read more