Badlands National Park

Join us on this spectacular trip to Badlands National Park, a place with lots of hiking opportunities and endless, breathtaking views.

National Parks, HikesTimea ZilcsakFebruary 8, 2021Badlands National ParkNational Park, Hiking, Classic, Desert, Favorite, Loop, Meadows, Pass, Sunset, Views, Wildflowers, Wilderness, Wildlife, South Dakota, Featured, Trip, Camp, Ridge, CanyonComment

Great Sand Dunes National Park

The Great Sand Dunes National Park resembles a large fun playground, built by nature not only for kids but for all ages. Come along to explore with us.

National Parks, HikesTimea ZilcsakDecember 7, 2020National Park, Creek, Dunes, Featured, Hiking, Ridge, Summit, Sunrise, Views, Wilderness, ColoradoComment

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Enjoy with us the beautiful black sheer cliffs, powerful roaring river, clear evening skies, and endless majestic views of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.

National Parks, HikesTimea ZilcsakNovember 24, 2020Black Canyon of the GunnisonColorado, Camp, Canyon, National Park, Scrambling, Snow, Trail, Hiking, Wilderness, Wildlife, Wildflowers, FeaturedComment

Van Trump Park via Comet Falls - Day Hike With Majestic Views All Around

Hike beyond Comet Falls to reach Van Trump Park for colorful meadows, wildflowers, and fine views of Mount Rainier, Adams, St Helens, and the Tatoosh.

HikesTimea ZilcsakAugust 30, 2020Hiking, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington, Alpine, Waterfall, Favorite, Forest, Glacier, Less Traveled, Mountain, Meadows, National Park, Views, Volcano, Mount Adams, St. Helens, Featured Comment

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park

Monument Valley, no better name could describe the unbelievably breathtaking views of a vast desert valley with its scattered colorful sandstone buttes.

National Parks, HikesTimea ZilcsakMay 27, 2018Monument ValleyNational Park, Hiking, Camp, Desert, Arizona, Trail, Featured Comment

Olympic National Park

The Olympic National Park is America’s wildest and most remote park. Come with us on a journey to discover some of its finest coastline or mountain hiking and backpacking destinations.

National ParksDaniel ZilcsakApril 25, 2018Mount RainierHiking, Washington, Favorite, Nature, National Park, Olympic National Park, Olympic Peninsula, Beach, Mountain, FeaturedComment

Backpacking Mount Rainier's Wonderland Trail (video)

In this video, walk with us along the spectacular Wonderland Trail around the majestic Mount Rainier.

BackpackingDaniel ZilcsakAugust 26, 2017Article, Hiking, Backpacking, Backcountry, Multi Day, Washington, Mount Rainier National Park, Alpine, Camp, Classic, Creek, Crevasse, Fire Lookout, Glacier, Lakes, Mountain, Meadows, Off Trail, Pass, Ridge, Snow, Sunset, Sunrise, Views, Volcano, Waterfall, Wildlife, Wilderness, Nature, Outdoors, National Park, FeaturedComment

Mount Rainier National Park

Discover the majestic Mount Rainier National Park through some of our hiking and backpacking trips there.

National ParksDaniel ZilcsakAugust 12, 2017Mount RainierMount Rainier National Park, Hiking, Washington, Paradise, Sunrise, Wonderland, Favorite, Nature, National Park, FeaturedComment

Backpacking Shi Shi Beach and Point of the Arches

A short backpacking trip leads you to the heart of a remote Pacific Ocean beach for the most spectacular sunsets. Here’s what Shi Shi is about, and more.

The Secret to Getting a John Muir Trail Permit

The secret to a JMT permit? No magic incantations, just persistence and flexibility. Here's a short list of tips we believe will get you one this year.

Daniel ZilcsakJune 30, 2017John Muir Trail, California, Sierra Nevada, Backpacking, Multi Day, Hiking, Article, Guide, Outdoors, Backcountry, Permit, Yosemite National Park, National Park, Lottery, Most Popular Comments

Speaking at The Mountaineers' Walking the Wild Series

Come join us for a glass of wine and enjoy our presentation of the John Muir Trail. We prepared a narrative with lots of photos, stories from the trail, logistics, and more.

NewsDaniel ZilcsakJune 28, 2017John Muir Trail, Backpacking, Hiking, California, Sierra Nevada, Yosemite National Park, Event, The Mountaineers, Photography, National Park Comments

Gallery: Along the John Muir Trail

A collection of about 50 favorite photographs from our 18 day John Muir Trail thru-hike from earlier this summer.

Daniel ZilcsakDecember 1, 2016John Muir Trail, Hiking, Gallery, Photography, Trail, Backpacking, Backcountry, Wilderness, California, Sierra Nevada, Yosemite National Park, Alpine, Landscape, Nature, Outdoors, National ParkComment

Backpacking Marmot Pass and Buckhorn Mountain, a Weekend Trip

An Olympic National Park classic, Marmot Pass is an ideal destination for a weekend backpacking, panoramic views from Buckhorn Mountain and sunset camping.

BackpackingTimea ZilcsakJuly 23, 2016Marmot PassAlpine, Backcountry, Washington, Camp, Creek, Forest, Trail, Olympic Peninsula, Meadows, Nature, Pass, Ridge, Summit, Wildlife, Olympic National Park, Overnight, Backpacking, Favorite, Article, Views, Featured, National Park Comment

Gallery: Wind

Here's a series of photos about the wind, but also about our will to climb and explore, in the face of everything that nature may throw at us.

Daniel ZilcsakJanuary 2, 2016Mount Rainier National ParkMount Rainier National Park, Winter, Snow, Nature, Washington, Alpine, Hiking, Gallery, Snowshoeing, Landscape, Backcountry, Outdoors, National Park

Caulitz Rocks - Thwarted by Whiteout Conditions

Our attempt to reach Caulitz Rocks for a scramble on the south side of Mount Rainier failed due to whiteout conditions. Got to greet the marmots instead.

Mount Angeles - A Signature Experience Near Hurricane Ridge

Mount Angeles is a signature scrambling hike offering some terrific views of the Olympic National Park, accessible from the Hurricane Ridge.

Anvil Rock - A Secret Detour on Your Way to Camp Muir

Anvil Rock is a little secret 10 minute detour hiding in plain site on your way to Camp Muir, the Mount Rainier basecamp. See what you miss by not taking it.

Mountaineering, HikesTimea ZilcsakJune 14, 2014Snow, Alpine, Paradise, Favorite, Camp, Summit, Ridge, Volcano, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington, Glacier, Hiking, Scrambling, Mountaineering, Snowshoeing, Article, Views, Crevasse, Central Cascades, Creek, Meadows, Mountain, Nature, Off Trail, Overnight, Trail, Winter, Winter Hike, Outdoors, Ski, Snowboard, Featured, National ParkComment

Backpacking the High Divide/Seven Lakes Basin Loop

The best backpacking route in the Olympic National Park, with beautiful camps, clear lakes, high alpine, and sightings of bears in their natural habitat.

BackpackingDaniel ZilcsakSeptember 12, 2013Sol Duc Trail, WashingtonAlpine, Backpacking, Backcountry, Camp, Creek, Favorite, Forest, Hiking, Lakes, Meadows, Multi Day, Olympic National Park, Nature, Olympic Peninsula, Pass, Ridge, Summit, Trail, Washington, Wildlife, Most Popular, Article, Views, Featured, Loop, National Park Comments

A Journey on This Pale Blue Dot