Stories from the Trails, Roads, Canyons & Camps That Shaped Us
Since 2018, our adventures have taken us from quiet Colorado trails and red rock canyons to scenic campsites, rugged backroads, alpine lakes, and wild places that keep calling us back.
This page gathers our adventure stories in one place — the hikes, camping trips, canyoneering routes, overlanding journeys, snow-covered escapes, and memorable moments that have become part of our story together.
Some adventures are big and bold. Others are simple days outside with good views, dusty boots, and a reminder of why we wander in the first place.
Start exploring below — every post is another chapter in the journey.
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Small Adventures Before the Big One
Between big adventures, we stayed close to home with local Colorado hikes, scenic drives, waterfall trails, dog-friendly outings, and mountain picnic moments. These smaller spring adventures carried us through the season with fresh air, good company, wild views, and a reminder that local miles still matter. Read more
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Out of the Needles: Wind, Overlooks & One Last Arch
The final chapter of our Canyonlands Needles backcountry series follows a wind-driven change of plans, the drive back over Elephant Hill, sweeping views from Big Spring and Needles Overlooks, a soft landing in Moab, and one last hike to Corona and Bowtie Arch. Read more
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Into the Stone: Joint Trail & Chesler Park
Day 4 in the Needles took us from a quiet sunrise at Horsehoof Camp into the cool sandstone passages of the Joint Trail and the wide-open beauty of Chesler Park — a day of hidden corridors, sweeping views, camp wandering, and cotton candy skies. Read more
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Into The Needles via Elephant Hill
Day 3 of our Canyonlands backcountry series takes us over Elephant Hill, through Devil’s Lane, out to Confluence Overlook, and finally into Horsehoof Camp — where the Needles surround us in sandstone, silence, and sunset. Read more
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The Long Way Into The Needles
The first chapter of our Canyonlands backcountry series begins north of Moab and winds through Bears Ears, Davis Canyon, ancient pictographs, sweeping overlooks, and sandy trails toward Lockhart Basin — setting the stage for our journey deep into the Needles District. Read more
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Presidents’ Day on the Ridge: South Ridge & Horsetooth Rock Loop
Beneath wide February skies, we walked South Ridge at Horsetooth Mountain Open Space. Dry golden hills below, snow-capped Longs Peak above. A quiet Presidents’ Day hike on a trail with history, ranching roots, and gratitude for protected land. Read more
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Eagle’s Nest Open Space: 3 Bar & OT Loop
A dry winter led us into open foothills at Eagle’s Nest Open Space, where wide skies, quiet trails, and ranching history shaped a 5.4-mile walk through high desert terrain, shared miles, and a season that asked us to adapt. Read more
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New Year’s Day at Gem Lake: Setting the Tone for the Year Ahead
No resolutions, no pressure—just movement, fresh air, and time together. Our New Year’s Day hike to Gem Lake offered quiet trails, dramatic granite, and cloud-wrapped views of Longs Peak—a simple, grounding way to step into the year with intention, presence, and steady forward motion. Read more
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2025: Depth, Distance, and the Wild Places That Shaped Us
2025 was a year of depth, distance, and unforgettable wild places. From solo backpacking through desert canyons to alpine lakes, glaciers, and bucket-list landscapes in the Canadian Rockies, this year blended challenge, connection, and awe—one trail, canyon, and campfire at a time. Read more
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Thanksgiving in Vermilion Cliffs: Wandering a Desert of Stone, Sky & Silence (Part 2)
Part 2 carries us deeper into Vermilion Cliffs—wandering White Pocket’s swirling sandstone, discovering ancient rock art, standing above Wrather Canyon, watching California condors soar, and celebrating Thanksgiving beneath a sky filled with stars and desert silence. Read more
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Thanksgiving in Vermilion Cliffs: Wandering a Desert of Stone, Sky & Silence (Part 1)
Snowy Colorado passes, starlit desert skies, and a tiny campground straddling the Utah–Arizona border. In Part 1, we trade winter for sandstone, camp in the San Rafael Swell, and settle at Stateline Campground on the edge of Vermilion Cliffs—quietly setting the stage for the adventures still to come. Read more
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Yoho: Where Rivers Meet & Journeys End (Day 9-10)
The journey from Jasper to Yoho National Park unfolds amidst breathtaking landscapes, with valleys, towering peaks, and roaring rivers. Highlights include Takakkaw Falls and Emerald Lake, capturing a blend of beauty and adventure. This ten-day trip reflects the lasting memories that travel inspires, signaling both an ending and a new beginning. Read more
Western Wanderlust Chronicles 