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- www.kevin-palmer.com - After descending the steep sand dune on the Cowles Bog trail, this is the view.
I have found that selective color and light trails work well, so here is another one for you! Here and here are my earlier shots with selective coloring and light trails.
I feel that I have to give some of the credit for this picture to xyking, as the idea to photograph a roundabout at night was his.
Feel free to stop by the rest of my photos, or you can see the ones I like.
Sigma 10-20mm
Backpacking along the Superior Trail in Minnesota with my brother (left) and his son.
The extra weight of my camera is always worth it!
The 2.7 mile Old Post Trail starts from its north trailhead off Shelby Road, turns west after 100 yards at its junction with the Ridge Trail, and continues for .4 miles, then turns south. The end of the Carroll Canyon Trail is intersected .1 miles later. The Old Post curves west, gradually ascending with nice views to the north. It tops out, turns south and descends for .4 miles to its intersection with the other end of Carroll Canyon Trail. The Old Post bears right, goes west a short way on level ground, then descends to the south. As the trail bottoms out, it meets the end of the Herkenham Trail. There are good views of Cathedral Rock and Courthouse Butte. The trail ends after another .6 miles at the Chavez Road trailhead.
For more information about Carroll Canyon trails: www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino/recarea/?recid=72089
Photos taken 2/20/23 by Danika Thiele. Credit: US Forest Service, Coconino National Forest.
Star trails . But well its not complete . or could say its not even a 10 percent of it.. Well thats my first try .More to go .
The Munds Mountain Trail is a challenging, remote trail in the Munds Mountain Wilderness. The trail begins near Committee Tank in a remote area at 6,400' elevation where Schnebly Hill, Jacks Canyon and Hot Loop trails meet above Bear Wallow Canyon. The trail starts with a steep, switchback ascent, climbing 500 feet in a little over a half-mile. There are fine views over Jacks Canyon and the rim country all the way to the San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff. The trail flattens out as it emerges on the broad, open, flat expanse of the mountain top. The trail continues on, but it is never close to the edge. Careful exploration of the mountain top provides fantastic views of Bear Wallow Canyon, Oak Creek Canyon, Sedona, and the surrounding area. A GPS, map, and compass are strongly recommended for exploring off-trail. The only way off the mountain top is via the trail, so it's vitally important to know how to get back to the trail to descend the mountain.
Munds Mountain Trail approximately 2.8 miles. The trail is extremely remote. Hiking to the trail access via Schnebly Hill Trail is the recommended route. Driving to the trail access near Committee Tank is an extremely rough, rocky, remote route requiring a high clearance, four-wheel drive vehicle and off-highway driving skill. The trail can be accessed via Schnebly Hill Trail (2.0 miles one way), Jacks Canyon Trail (6.5 miles), or Hot Loop Trail (10 miles). A high clearance, four-wheel drive vehicle is required to access Schnebly Hill Trailhead. Mountain bikes are prohibited in Munds Mountain Wilderness, which includes Jacks Canyon, Hot Loop, and Munds Mountain trails.
Photo taken December 3, 2017 by Deborah Lee Soltesz. Credit U.S. Forest Service Coconino National Forest. For trail and recreation information, see Munds Mountain Trail No. 77 on the Red Rock Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest.
For more stories like this, visit www.jaysjourneys.com.
The Back-Story
I had tried unsuccessfully 3 times to hike the High Divide loop this year. The first time I just got lazy and decided that a weekend at home sounded nice. The second time, my job at the last minute required me to be at home for some on-line training over the weekend. The third time I was due for an overnight hike and thought I would drive out to the campground at Sol Duc on a Saturday, camp and get a really early start the next morning and do the whole loop in a day. As I was packing to leave on Saturday the 19th, I got a phone call and learned that my brother had passed away. Needless to say my plans for the weekend had changed. I won’t get into all the details but I will say that his passing was unexpected and the cause at this point is unknown. Needing time to reflect on his life, needing some time to myself to reflect on the things that are important to me and my family and really needing to finally get this trail on my ‘been there done that’ list, I decided to head out on Saturday the 26th of Sept 2009 to hike it.
The Hike
I got up at 4:45 AM and was out the door by 5:00. Driving from Silverdale, I got to the trailhead at 7:15 AM, beating Google Maps drive time prediction by 15 minutes. I was on the trail at 7:20 and it was already light out but the sun had not yet arrived in the Sol Duc River Valley. Taking my time hiking, not wanting to maintain a breakneck speed, yet not taking much in the way of rest breaks, I figured if I maintained a 2 mph pace throughout the hike I would be done with the hike in about 9 hours or so. I figured I should be done around 4:30 PM giving me plenty of daylight left as this time of the year it gets dark around 7:15 PM. So after hiking for a couple miles, I had Yogi on the brain and I was intermittently calling out “hey bear, Yogi bear” to give warning to any bears that might be in the area, even though I knew they were probably all up in the higher alpine zone eating berries. After calling out to the bears on my third or fourth time, I heard a crashing in the woods to my left. I looked up to see what was moving and it was a big Roosevelt bull elk. He ran up the trail in front of me and paused long enough for me to take his picture but my flash went off and the picture came out black. The elk ran again and I figured he was gone so I put my camera away. No more than 500 yards up the trail, I look up and there he is again, standing in the middle of the trail. I dug my camera out to shoot him but he was on to me and he bolted again. OK, this time I’m not going to put the camera away. I hiked on and he was on the trail again just like last time except now I had my camera out, I just needed to turn it on. Snap, damn flash again! This time he runs up hill. I tried desperately to take his picture but it just wasn’t meant to be I guess. I did get one but it was so blurry you can barely tell there is an Elk in it. Oh well. I hiked on. Before coming here I had asked a few people which was the best direction to go on the loop. Clockwise or CCW? I received advice from both people claiming one way was better than the other. In the end, I listened to my friend Mike’s reasoning that the lighting was better for photos during the time of day I would be hiking if I went CW, but I can see why a lot of people would go the other direction, the views are different. If you go clockwise, you will have a long gradual approach before you gain much elevation. It is mostly a river valley hike in the woods for a good 5 or 6 miles before you get many views. Eventually you do start to climb a little and you will get to Sol Duc Park where there is a campground. I didn’t see anyone at the campground when I arrived, in fact I only saw one couple on the trail up to this point. They were camped at the little campsite at Rocky Creek near the Appleton Pass junction and it looked like they had just woke up. I had already been on the trail for a couple of hours by that point. When you get close to Sol Duc Park, the forest opens up a little and there are some nice meadows filled with blueberries. My sense of smell is not what it used to be, due to allergies and medications to allergies I have taken in the past. Something has to have a pretty strong scent usually before I can smell it, so maybe it was my imagination or maybe it was real, but I could swear I could smell the blueberries. It smelled just like blueberry pie to me, and it was such a strong scent. The blueberries themselves were everywhere. I stopped several times to munch on them, they were fantastic. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many blueberries, the bushes were just loaded with them. The bears wouldn’t go hungry this year! So after Sol Duc Park, the trail climbs again for a mile or two and crosses a little stream. The creek is the outlet stream of Heart Lake. I have seen Heart in pictures on-line and in books for many years and was excited to see it in person. When I got close, a couple returning from their overnight hike stopped and I asked them if they had seen any bears. The gentleman said that he saw the biggest bear he had ever seen the night before near the privy and said it must have weighed at least a thousand pounds. I pointed out the bear I could see up on the mountainside that looked like a speck it was so far away. Him and his wife said they saw it earlier but had lost track of it and were happy to see it again. Now I don’t know if black bears get up to a thousand lbs or not, but I will take his word that it was a big bear. I’m not surprised really with the amount of berries they have to eat this year. So I finally reach Heart Lake and I’m not too impressed. Maybe it’s all the people congregating near the outlet stream as I first see it, I don’t know. I didn’t even stop. I just kept on hiking past it. Once I got near the top and looked down, I was much happier and could see the famous heart shape it was named for. I was very close to my first views of Olympus and I was pretty stoked! I hiked on and finally reached the divide. It was magnificent. Olympus was much bigger than I imagined. Of course I had seen Olympus before, just never this close. I was very impressed. I hiked a little further and stopped to take a bunch of pictures and videos. I could see clouds down in the Hoh Valley and I wanted to make sure I got some good shots before any clouds obscured the view. After taking a bunch of photos, I was standing there just mesmerized by the beauty of the whole thing, reflecting on the hike. Thinking about my brother and the life he led. Thinking about my life and what I could do to improve upon it, how I could be a better husband and father. All of a sudden, during my reverie, some of the clouds from the valley started spinning around all crazy like and I took what I consider to be one of the better photos I have ever taken. It certainly is odd to say the least. I won’t go so far as to say I see Jesus in it or that its anything other than a big swirl in the cloud, but look at it and let it speak for itself. I don’t think I could ever come close to taking that picture again, even if I made it my life’s ambition. I think it was a one in a million shot, at least for me. So getting done with the photo shoot, I hike on and start seeing more people on the trail. I get to a point where I can finally see the Seven Lakes Basin and I pass a guy with a day pack coming from the other way. I said to him “nice day for a day hike”. He said it was and that he thought we were at about the half way point. I looked at my GPS and we were indeed about 9 miles into it. The trip was half over. On I hiked with Olympus on the left of me and the Lakes Basin on the right. Expansive views in every direction. These are the reasons for which I hike. Soon I came to a little side trail and there was a guy sitting there picking blueberries. After consulting my map I came to the conclusion that this was the side trail to Bogachiel Peak. I asked the blueberry picker how far it was to the top and he said “only five minutes, definitely worth it”. Two minutes later as I stood at the top, someone’s cell phone rings and he starts a conversation with someone else, laughing about how he can’t believe he has reception up here blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. Bogachiel was too crowded for me so I took a couple pictures and left. The berry picker asked how I liked it and I said it was nice but a little crowded. He apologized and said that was his group up there which made me feel like a jerk for saying that. Sometimes I forget that the mountains are for everyone and not just my own pleasure. It’s hard to share sometimes but I don’t go there to be around people and phones and all that nonsense. I go to the mountains to free myself from it. To be able to fart or scratch my butt whenever I want to, or unlike when I’m in my car, to actually be able to pick my nose and not be seen doing so! I won’t go so far as to say that I’m looking forward to hike naked day, but I think you catch my drift. Soon I’m walking over to the junction of the Hoh Trail which rests on a neat little saddle. There are more people congregating here so I pass them and take a few shots of the junction which also marks the beginning of my downhill trek and final leg of the hike. Only 8 miles to the car! So on the way down, the trail skirts below Bogachiel Peak and with the fall colors, the hillside is very beautiful. As I’m hiking down I keep hearing a shrill whistle that I think is a hawk but all I see flying around is a big raven. I keep hiking and the whistle gets louder and louder occurs every time the big raven flies by. I notice movement on the hillside and see a great big old marmot watching me and I realize that it is the marmot whistling not a hawk. So this is why it’s called a whistle pig. I have seen lots of Marmots before, but I never recall hearing one whistle. It is much louder than I thought it would be. It must have been whistling to warn it’s friends of the big raven that was flying around. Down the trail I went, looking over my shoulder the whole way to see what I might have missed by doing the trail clockwise. Soon I was at the Seven Lakes Basin trail. I passed a couple of ladies on their way up and they said hi as we passed. One of the ladies turned and said “oh by the way there is a big bear sitting on the trail about 40 paces down the way”. I say oh really? She says no just kidding. Hardy har har. I actually wanted to see a bear other than one so far away it looked like a little speck, oh well. After a while I let a couple of people pass me as they keep gaining on me every time I stop to take a picture. Before long I am passing them again as they stop to throw rocks in an un-named lake just before Deer Lake. I stop too as I haven’t had lunch yet and I wanted to give them a chance to hike ahead of me so I don’t have to listen to them prattle on about God knows what (did I mention I enjoy my solitude?). It must have been around 2:00 PM or so when I stopped and it was nice to take a break after so many hours without really stopping for more than five minutes at a time. I took a good 20 minute break, ate a sandwich and took some pictures of the little lake. Soon I was hiking again and came to another lake, could this be the Deer Lake I see on the map? More photos of the nice reflections on the lake and I was off again. Not much further and I see a little wooden boardwalk style trail going through a marshy area and I see a sign that says welcome to Deer Lake. Oh good, now only a little over 3 ½ miles to go. Up to this point in my hiking career, the farthest I have ever hiked was a trip I did when I was much younger up to Flapjack Lakes and back which, if memory serves me correctly is about 16 miles round trip. On this hike I felt pretty tired at about mile 12 but once I got to around mile 16 I felt like a second wind had come on. Down the trail I went, deeper into the valley towards the Sol Duc. I eventually came to a bridge crossing the Canyon Creek which the trail follows from Deer Lake. Not much farther now. I finally reached Sol Duc Falls. There were people milling about and I felt kind of sorry for them. Sol Duc Falls is pretty but nothing compared to what I had seen today. Oh yeah, as an afterthought I took a picture of the falls too. Only .7 miles to go! Up ahead I saw someone that looked familiar. It was the day hiker that I passed going the other way at the top of the divide. I called to him and he slowed down to let me catch up so we could chit-chat. I compared notes with him and found out that he started hiking only five minutes earlier than I did. Upon further investigation I discovered that he had been to several of the same hikes that I had done this year. We both hiked Burroughs Mountain at Mount Rainier on the same weekend. We both hiked some of the same hikes in the gorge this spring. We both hiked Umtanum over near Yakima this year. What a small world, and how odd to go in different directions of the loop starting and ending at almost the exact same times. Before I knew it I was back at my car. The time was 4:40 PM so I was pretty close to my estimation of 9 hours hiking time. What a great hike. Maybe I will do it again next year from the other direction.
This trip report is dedicated to the memory of my brother Jeff Steveson.
Aug 25th 1959 – Sept 19th 2009
Rest in Peace Brother
Looks creepy but actually it's very beautiful here. I love how the trail and the shadows are playing with each other.
This 2.4 mile moderately easy hiking trail rises from 7,362 feet to 8,215 feet in elevation to the top of Slate Mountain. The trail takes you through pinyon pine, ponderosa pine, and mixed conifer vegetation types. At the top, you'll discover a tremendous view of the San Francisco Peaks, Kendrick Mountain, and surrounding area.
This trail is one of the Coconino National Forest's premier day hikes. Actually an old jeep track, now used solely as a foot trail, the trail climbs gradually, but steadily, along a wide gravel track to some of the most fantastic views on the forest.
Near the top of the climb, the path spirals up the mountain's narrow summit like a stripe up a barber pole. The effect is as if you were riding past some of the Forest's most spectacular scenery on a huge lazy Susan. The San Francisco Peaks, Kendrick Mountain, Red Mountain, the Grand Canyon, Painted Desert, you can see them all, just by turning your head, from the top of Slate Mountain.
Photo taken July 3, 2017 by Deborah Lee Soltesz. Source: U.S. Forest Service, Coconino National Forest. Visit Slate Mountain Trail No. 128 and the Coconino National Forest for more information.
Plateau Trail at Oak Hill Trailhead, Cuyahoga Valley National Park
It’s important to hike the whole trail. Yes, the miles will add up, but the hike isn’t strenuous. Basically, make a left at the trailhead onto Plateau Trail and hike all the way to Sylvan Pond where the trail connects to Oak Hill Trail and back to the trailhead. There are shortcuts, but what is the fun in that.
Explore the outdoors 😊
Assiniboine Forest
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The above image was taken during a Welshot Imaging Chester Academy Evening during which the subject for the evening was "light trails".
For more information about Welshot see their website here:
(See links) Although businesses occasionally purchased the Frozen Head area for its natural resources throughout the 19th-century, the area remained largely undisturbed until the state of Tennessee purchased it in 1894 for the location of Brushy Mountain State Prison. The state hoped to use convict labor to mine the Cumberlands' ample coal resources, with the heavy forest providing wood for construction of mine shafts. In 1911, the Emory River Lumber Company purchased the Frozen Head area and cut most of the forest's commercial timber. Major logging operations in the forest commenced in 1925.
The Cumberlands Brushy Mountain, more than a prison
Into Ruin The Brushy Mtn. State Mines – 70 Years of Hard Labor
Coal mining in the South - the history of labor at Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary
Frozen Head State Park & coal mining history
Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary - Wikipedia
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The Fascinating Story Behind Frozen Head State Park
Frozen Head State Park - Wikipedia
The Prison Mine Trail is a trail thats off of the Lookout Tower Trail which is a service road connecting Armes Gap with trail junctions atop Frozen Head mountain. The Brushy Mtn Prison Coal Mine trail (formerly a haul road). Prisoners at Brushy Mountain State Prison once hand dug coal beneath Frozen Head, and the mines operated until the 1960's. An old railroad tram led down the mountain to the prison. Imagine the toiling that went on here. This is a short hike on a gated dirt road, from Armes Gap on Route 116, to the old prison coal mines above Brushy Mountain Prison (or State Correctional Facility, or Penitentiary). Although not listed as an official camp site on the (1993) Frozen Head State Park trail map.
Two-story guard or control building. A thick iron cable and wooden rail ties remain on the ground near the mine entrance. The cable goes from the mine entrance to the two-story building. Topographic maps show a cable previously went down the mountain to the prison below.
Frozen Head State Park and Natural Area is a state park in Morgan County, Tennessee. The park, situated in the Crab Orchard Mountains between the city of Wartburg and the community of Petros, contains some of the highest mountains in Tennessee west of the Blue Ridge.
Frozen Head State Park consists of approximately 24,000 acres, all but 330 acres of which is classified as a state natural area. The terrain varies between 1,300 ft to over 3,000 ft with 14 peaks at or over 3,000 feet. Frozen Head, the park's namesake, is the highest peak at 3,324 feet.
The mountain's name comes from its snow-capped appearance in colder months. The park's highest elevations allow for unobstructed views of East Tennessee's three main physio-graphic features: the Cumberland Plateau, the Tennessee Valley, and across the valley, the Great Smoky Mountains.
Petros, TN. 112419.
Travel Utah’s Beautiful Backcountry Along the Burr Trail
Located just outside the northeast region of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in Bullfrog, the Burr Trail offers excitement for the adventurous explorer. Views of features like the Henry Mountains, Waterpocket Fold, the red Circle Cliffs, Long Canyon, and Pedestal Alley await the traveler who wishes to explore this interesting road. To fully enjoy the journey always be well prepared. Make sure you have plenty of water, a first aid kit, proper footwear, sunscreen, a hat and a means of communication.
History of the Trail
John Atlantic Burr was born in 1846, during his family’s journey from New York to San Francisco on the SS Brooklyn while sailing across the Atlantic Ocean. Once they arrived, Charles and Sarah Burr then set out to Salt Lake City with their new baby. As part of the early pioneers from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the Burr family eventually moved south in 1876 and founded the town of Burrville, Utah.
John Burr grew up to be a cattle rancher in the rugged backcountry of Utah. Living in such a desolate area, he needed to develop a route to move his cattle between winter and summer ranges, as well as to market. This cattle trail through the rough, nearly impassible country around the Waterpocket Fold, Burr Canyon, and Muley Twist Canyon came to be known as the Burr Trail.
Source: National Park Service
The Munds Mountain Trail is a challenging, remote trail in the Munds Mountain Wilderness. The trail begins near Committee Tank in a remote area at 6,400' elevation where Schnebly Hill, Jacks Canyon and Hot Loop trails meet above Bear Wallow Canyon. The trail starts with a steep, switchback ascent, climbing 500 feet in a little over a half-mile. There are fine views over Jacks Canyon and the rim country all the way to the San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff. The trail flattens out as it emerges on the broad, open, flat expanse of the mountain top. The trail continues on, but it is never close to the edge. Careful exploration of the mountain top provides fantastic views of Bear Wallow Canyon, Oak Creek Canyon, Sedona, and the surrounding area. A GPS, map, and compass are strongly recommended for exploring off-trail. The only way off the mountain top is via the trail, so it's vitally important to know how to get back to the trail to descend the mountain.
Munds Mountain Trail approximately 2.8 miles. The trail is extremely remote. Hiking to the trail access via Schnebly Hill Trail is the recommended route. Driving to the trail access near Committee Tank is an extremely rough, rocky, remote route requiring a high clearance, four-wheel drive vehicle and off-highway driving skill. The trail can be accessed via Schnebly Hill Trail (2.0 miles one way), Jacks Canyon Trail (6.5 miles), or Hot Loop Trail (10 miles). A high clearance, four-wheel drive vehicle is required to access Schnebly Hill Trailhead. Mountain bikes are prohibited in Munds Mountain Wilderness, which includes Jacks Canyon, Hot Loop, and Munds Mountain trails.
Photo taken December 3, 2017 by Deborah Lee Soltesz. Credit U.S. Forest Service Coconino National Forest. For trail and recreation information, see Munds Mountain Trail No. 77 on the Red Rock Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest.
Richmond Bridge light trails
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Early morning hike on Inner Basin Trail, San Francisco Peaks.
2009-05-30: Saturday evening, we were sitting on the front porch after our evening walk, enjoying a cup of chai and watching the sun set. There had been rain during the late afternoon, and heavy clouds had descended over the Peaks, hiding the mountain from view. The clouds had lifted in time for our evening ritual, and we noticed there was new snow on the upper tips of the Peaks. As we sipped our tea, we joked “If we were really motivated, we’d get up early, hit the Inner Basin Trail at dawn, and get some good photos before the snow melts off…”
2009-05-31: …so, at 4:00AM we stumbled out of bed, grabbed some coffee, got dressed, grabbed more coffee and rolled out the door around 4:30AM. We drove up the mountain, and hit the trail around 5:15AM. There was a bit of a breeze making the hike rather chilly. Everything was wet and green, and the aspens created a delectable aroma. Past Jack Spring (1.5 miles from the trailhead) we hit the frost line, and the vegetation sparkled (and the air was noticeably chillier). We arrived at the Inner Basin (the point where there’s a shelter and pumphouse, and all the Peaks are visible) around 6:45AM. We’d expected some shade still at that hour, and were delighted to discover the sun was shining right up through the low point in the Peaks (the north-eastern side, where the wall was blown out during an eruption), lighting up the entire Inner Basin for us. We wandered around a bit capturing various shots, then headed back to attend to our day’s activities.
Walking along former logging railroad route, Pisgah National Forest, Haywood County, North Carolina.
www.sapadventures.com/ The Inca Trail is a magnificent, well preserved Inca Trail route which connects Machu Picchu with what once were other regions of the Inca Empire, and today it is one of the world’s most popular treks. This four-day walk goes from the highlands of 4,200mts and down through the cloud forests to finally arrive at Machu Picchu - 2,380mts.
DAY 01. - Between 06:00 and 06:30 we pick you up at your hotel in our private bus. Ensure you have your original passport and ISIC student card (if applicable – for a discount on entree fee to Machu Picchu).
The journey by bus to km 82 (the starting point for the Inca Trail) takes approximately 3 hours. Once we get there and are all ready to go, this first day will have us walking mostly through the valley. It starts at 2380m with a small climb to a plateau overlooking the Incan site of Llactapata and rewards you with superb views of Mount Veronica. Walking times are always approximate depending on weather conditions, group ability and other factors, but generally you will walk about 2-3 hours before lunch. Then after lunch we walk on just past the village of Wayllabamba to reach our first campsite at 3000m.
Approx 14km, 6 hours walking this day at Inca Trail.
DAY 02. - Day 2 is the most difficult day as you Inca Trail walk from about 3000m to 4200m — the highest pass of the trek (known as Dead Woman’s Pass – but don’t be discouraged!). You can walk at your own pace and stop to get your breath whenever you like. You’ll find your energy returns once you continue down to the valley of Pacaymayo, where we camp at 3600m.
You can hire a porter from the village of Wayllabamba to carry your pack to the top of this pass for approximately 70 soles. If you wish to do so you must organize and pay this money directly to the person who carries your items, and please check your belongings upon receiving them at the end of this service as these people are not Sap Adventures staff.
This is the coldest night at Inca Trail; between +2/+4 degrees Celsius (in December) and -3/-5 degrees Celsius (in June). Approx 12km, 7 hours walking this day at Inca Trail.
DAY 03.- Day 3 is exceptionally beautiful because of the ruins you will witness and the incredible stone Inca Trail you walk one, and also because there is a lot more downhill than uphill! However, there are about 2000 stairs descending from the ruins of Phuyupatamarca to those of Wiñaywayna, so take care with your knees. If you have had knee or ankle injuries an extra porter is recommended so that you are not carrying extra weight and overstressing your joints. There is a guided tour of all the ruins on the way. Camping is usually at Wiñaywayna 2700 mtrs.
Take extra care of your personal belongings at this campsite as all the tours campsites are nearby. As usual, always keep your daypack containing your valuables with you. The only hot shower on the Inca Trail is on this third night at Wiñaywayna. There is a hostel near the campsite with an 8min hot shower for 5 soles, and a bar and restaurant where you can purchase bottled water.
Approx 16km, 6 hours walking this day on Inca Trail.
DAY 04.- We get up extremely early to arrive at the magical Intipunku "The Gate of the Sun" as the first rays begin illuminating the lost city of Machu Picchu down bellow. A further 20 min walk down from here takes us to the famous view from the terraces at the end of the trail. It is a good time to take pictures before the 10:30 crowds arrive. Your tour of Machu Picchu should last about 2 hours and finish between 10:30 and 11:00am. Then you have free time to climb Huayna Picchu if you wish (This is the famous peak in the background of most images of Machu Picchu. The trek is about 90 minutes). A maximum of 400 hikers can climb this mountain per day so if you are determined then start immediately after your tour! Or, of course, you may simply just collapse under a tree and quietly reflect in amazement at the mystery, the architectural achievement and beauty of Machu Picchu.
From Machu Picchu, it is a pleasant walk through sub-tropical jungle down to Aguas Calientes (about 45 mins), but if you are weary you may also take a bus – the $7 bus ticket is included and your guide will give you the ticket.
Once in Aguas Calientes you can have a hot shower, and then store your backpack while you go to have lunch, visit the hot springs or shop around the village.
If you are not extending your stay for one night in Aguas Calientes*, you will leave around 6pm to return to Cusco by train or by a combination of train & bus. Please note that during the high season there are a number of different departure times for the trains that run only to Ollantaytambo, from where buses run onwards till Cusco. The type of return journey depends simply on availability. You will arrive back in Cusco around 9 - 9.30pm.
Approx 7km, 2 hours walking this day on Inca Trail.
The Bizz Johnson Trail is in northeastern California, along the Susan River in Lassen County. The main trailhead is at the old Railroad Depot in the City of Susanville, about 90 miles north of Reno and about 90 miles east of Red Bluff, California. The trail has four distinct seasons because of the high elevation location.
Photo by Bob Wick, BLM.
A long expsure of the Fremont Bridge. Got some nice light trails, and some great color. This was taken from the Hilltop Condos in NW Portland
THE Inca Trail
The Inca Trail Empire was the most sophisticated culture in the “New World”. By force of “divine right” and with a mastery of engineering, agriculture, economic, and most importantly, administrative skills, the Incas united warring tribes throughout the Andes under a common language and single religion, creating one of the most fabulous of ancient empires – the Tawantinsuyo.
At its height, the Inca Trail Empire had an extensive network of roads running the length and breadth of the Andes; more than 2,500 miles. These stone-paved trails connected the highland valleys with the coast. After the conquest, some of these paths were used as roads and continue with this function till this day; the modern Pan-American Highway and other routes leading eastward into the Andes are good examples. In the highlands, some of these trails are still in their original condition and are used by local farmers to reach their fields. Others have been forgotten and reclaimed by the jungle.
Hidden under the dense foliage of highland jungle and forgotten by the Incas themselves, Machu Picchu (meaning “old peak” in Quechua - native language of the Incas) escaped the conquistadors and eluded even treasure hunters until eventually Hiram Bingham brought the "Lost City of the Incas" to the world's attention in 1911.
Further exploration uncovered an ancient highway, a royal road that connected Machu Picchu to Cusco, capital of the Inca Empire.
The Inca Trail is a magnificent, well preserved Inca Trail route which connects Machupicchu with what once were other regions of the Inca Empire, and today it is one of the world’s most popular treks.
This four-day walk goes from the highlands of 4,200mts and down through the cloud forests to finally arrive at Machu Picchu - 2,380mts.
Packed with striking views of the high sierra and dense jungle, the trail varies in altitude constantly and offers endless breathtaking changes in panoramic views and sceneries. After crossing two high passes, towards the end of the trail, one arrives at Intipunku (“The Sun Gate”) for the first view of Machu Picchu spread below; a sight that will forever remain etched in the memory.
Come hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu on an adventure tour with your friends and family, then climb to the top of Mount Wayna Picchu for an unparalled view of the Historical Sanctuary of machu Picchu itself, the neighboring town of Aguas Calientes and the Sacred Valley. The four day Inca Trail tour includes a one day visit to the unforgettable ruins of Machu Picchu. A truly unforgettable experience!
Inca Trail ITINERARY
Inca Trail DAY 01.- We pick you up from your hotel at 5.40am and take you to Cusco train station. We travel by train on a very picturesque route for 2 and a half hours until we reach kilometer 104 - the start of the trail for us. From here, we have a walk of approximately 4 hours up to the Inca site of Wiñay Wayna ('Forever Young') (2680m/8792ft). You will have joined the path in time to see the most impressive site on the whole Inca Trail !! (after Machupicchu).
We will then continue on to 'Inti Punku' (The Sun gate) from where you will have your first dramatic and unforgettable panoramic view of Machu Picchu. We will walk down the last part of the trail towards the ancient city itself. Without yet entering Machu Picchu, we will take a side path off the trail to go down to the town of Aguas Calientes, leaving the visit to Machu Picchu for the next day. We will have a delicious dinner and rest at a comfortable tourist hostel.
Inca Trail DAY 02
We have breakfast and then take the first bus (6am) up to Machu Picchu. A walking tour (approximately 2 hours) is given by your professional English speaking guide and after this you can explore the mysterious city by yourselves. If you have energy you can also climb Huayna Picchu (the famous peak in the background of most images of Machu Picchu) - 2720m/8890ft. (It takes about 45 minutes to reach the top.)
You will meet your guide in Aguas Calientes (it can be reached by bus or on foot) for lunch and to be given your train tickets back to Cusco. The train usually leaves between 5.30pm and 9:30pm depending on Peru Rail allocations.
If desired, an extra night in Aguas Calientes can be arranged. This option is very popular as it allows more time to explore Machu Picchu and you can also go to the thermal springs in the town - a real treat after finishing the trail!!!
This 2.4 mile moderately easy hiking trail rises from 7,362 feet to 8,215 feet in elevation to the top of Slate Mountain. The trail takes you through pinyon pine, ponderosa pine, and mixed conifer vegetation types. At the top, you'll discover a tremendous view of the San Francisco Peaks, Kendrick Mountain, and surrounding area.
This trail is one of the Coconino National Forest's premier day hikes. Actually an old jeep track, now used solely as a foot trail, the trail climbs gradually, but steadily, along a wide gravel track to some of the most fantastic views on the forest.
Near the top of the climb, the path spirals up the mountain's narrow summit like a stripe up a barber pole. The effect is as if you were riding past some of the Forest's most spectacular scenery on a huge lazy Susan. The San Francisco Peaks, Kendrick Mountain, Red Mountain, the Grand Canyon, Painted Desert, you can see them all, just by turning your head, from the top of Slate Mountain.
Photo taken July 3, 2017 by Deborah Lee Soltesz. Source: U.S. Forest Service, Coconino National Forest. Visit Slate Mountain Trail No. 128 and the Coconino National Forest for more information.