Category: 52 Hike Challenge

  • Peyto Lake Viewpoint (Bow Summit) & Icefields Parkway in the Winter [Photo Diary]

    Peyto Lake Viewpoint (Bow Summit) & Icefields Parkway in the Winter [Photo Diary]

    This was my favorite part of my birthday trip in the winter wonderland that is Banff! The views are some of the best I’ve ever seen— and we’ve even been to Switzerland. 🙂 This viewpoint is off the Icefields Parkway which is a must-do item in itself, and during the winter the upper lot closes […]

  • Tunnel Mountain Hike [Banff, Alberta, Canada]

    Tunnel Mountain Hike [Banff, Alberta, Canada]

    After a quick lunch, we wanted to squeeze in another hike before heading to Calgary for the night. Tunnel Mountain is a great and quick option near downtown Banff that offers a lot of “bang for its buck” with views of Bow Valley and Mt. Rundle. Trail Stats Time: 2-3 hours Distance: 2.7 miles, round-trip 
Level of […]

  • 2018 in a Nutshell

    2018 in a Nutshell

    Life is great in the Pacific Northwest! 2018 was a jam-packed year! If I could sum it up in a few words: mountains, Seattle, hiking, friends, photography, travel in the PNW, Switzerland, and so many photos of our fur-kids. January January started off with a 1500-mile move from Salt Lake City to Seattle with a […]

  • 52 Hike Challenge 2018: Completed

    52 Hike Challenge 2018: Completed

    I did it— 52 hikes in 52 weeks! Remember in January when I first posted about doing this challenge? I feel that I rarely keep up New Years Resolutions, but I did this one! It was definitely a commitment, but I enjoyed doing it. 172 miles and 34,329 feet of elevation gain! This was a fantastic […]

  • Johnston Canyon [Banff, Alberta, Canada]

    Johnston Canyon [Banff, Alberta, Canada]

    Visiting Johnston Canyon is a must for any visit to Banff. It’s accessible year-round, and the frozen hanging icicles, stopping time in their tracks is a worthy winter destination. Another bonus about visiting this destination is that it’s an easy to moderate hike with multiple features— Lower Falls, Upper Falls, Ink-pots, and the Secret Cave. […]

  • Capilano Suspension Bridge Park [Vancouver, BC Attraction]

    Capilano Suspension Bridge Park [Vancouver, BC Attraction]

    The Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is Vancouver’s top attraction (by the way, this is Hike 41/52)! The park is more than just the bridge as it also features their CLIFFWALK, Treetops Adventure, Story Center and other stops along the way. The suspension bridge created in 1889 crosses the Capilano River in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. […]

  • Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park & Mesa Verde National Park [West & Central Colorado]

    Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park & Mesa Verde National Park [West & Central Colorado]

    During the month of October, I was sent back to Utah for work. During the free weekend, Kelli & I went on a quick road trip to West/Central Colorado to check out a couple new national parks (Hikes 39 & 40). Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park This quiet national park is not to […]

  • Lake Valhalla and Mount McCausland [Hike 38/52]

    Lake Valhalla and Mount McCausland [Hike 38/52]

    Distance: 8 miles (to both destinations), roundtrip Elevation Gain: 1500 feet to the lake, 1800 feet to the summit Pass: Northwest Forest Pass Hiked: 10.7.18 The alarm goes off at 4:45am. It’s dark and my bed is a little too comfortable. As I rub sleep out of my eyes, I grab my pre-packed daypack and […]

  • Sheep Lake [Hike 36/52]

    Sheep Lake [Hike 36/52]

    Distance: 3.6 miles, roundtrip Elevation Gain: 400 feet Pass: Northwest Forest Pass Hiked: 9.30.18 I loved this easy, fall hike! With the colors popping all around us, I wanted to get out and enjoy them before they were gone. In Utah, it’s mostly aspens putting on the show, so there are a lot of yellows. […]

  • Heather Lake [Hike 35/52]

    Heather Lake [Hike 35/52]

    Distance: 4.6 miles, roundtrip Elevation Gain: 1034 feet Pass: Northwest Forest Pass Hiked: 9.23.18 As the fall sets in, I try to pick good wet-weather hikes. Since I wasn’t looking for views on this trip, we chose Heather Lake which had been on my list of hike options since the spring. Heather is a nice […]