Kaaterskill Falls (summer) Hike - Catskills, New York

The first time we hiked Kaaterskill Falls was late March.  Snow fell on the higher elevations overnight and when we walked to the trailhead, there was a perfect white coating of snow on the ground.  We had microspikes and beanies, layers and gloves as we made our way along the trail and up to the top of the icey falls.  It was also just a few weeks into knowing Adam, less than a month when I casually suggested I had a weekend booked at a dog-friendly tiny house in the Catskills and if you wanted to come, you know, it could be fun (or weird, who knew). 

Lake Zoar Loop Hike to Prydden Falls - Connecticut's Best Hikes

I used to write blog posts as a sort of strict “informational guide" - maybe an intro sentence or two but after that, it was right to business. Park here, hike there, eat that. If you are here for just that - not a problem, just keep scrolling to the bottom until you see the "Trail Information" header. But if you want to hear a bit about my personal life, and a whirlwhind summer of dating (and how this all relates to hiking) grab a coffee or a beer and keep reading. 

I really enjoy sharing my stories. You know, the stories of what brings me to a certain person, place, or thing. It’s amazing how a story can unfold in just about every post I write, even in something as simple as a trail guide. And this trail guide? It has a story. You see, there are a lot of hikes that hold a sweet spot in my memories.

Gordon Creek Waterfall Hike - Utah

There is something special about finding water in the desert, an actual oasis in a landscape of dry windblown sand and towering rock wall.  Back home, a river meandering through the woods of New England is just another stream, another water crossing, another chance to get your boots muddy.  But out in the desert water is such a precious resource and one that is fought over, celebrated, and respected.  It is the center of survival in the desert and you can find those luscious greens in a landscape of harsh browns, tans, and yellows.  Water and clean air are things I always took for granted living in the Northeast and moving west really made me appreciate some of the simple things so much more. 

View down the canyon 

This was a great hike as I am always in search of those beautiful places - the open spaces and towering waterfalls that make you feel so small in the world.  Between the towns of Helper and Price, there is a lesser-known creek that winds its way through the desert and cascades over series of desert rock to form Gordon Creek Waterfall.  The stark contrast of waterfall to desert rock in the middle of the desert with no one around makes for a beautiful hike and the perfect place to soak in the sunshine with friends.  On a sunny Saturday in late September, Amanda and I only saw one other person on the trail.  This means we spent a good 1.5 hours at the waterfall taking in the scenery and the solitude in front of this impressive waterfall, enjoying the day.   

Bingham Falls - Stowe, VT

Picture this, a short scenic hike to a beautiful waterfall with an emerald pool in Stowe Vermont.... a swim in the refreshingly cool pool below included.  

Places like this, and mornings like this one, are some of the reasons why New England is such a beautiful part of the planet.  Trying to describe New England to my friends out west was always a challenge.  Sea level is not as inviting to people who strive to conquer Colorado's 14 footers, or people who love to sneak into the backcountry sight unseen for 5 days.  We may not always have those classic deserts, insane summit views, or towering prominent peaks.  BUT, what we do have is amazing bodies of water, ranging from woodsy waterfalls to beach coastlines.  And the green.  Here in New England, there is just so much green... oh how I missed this level of green. 

Goðafoss waterfall and Dettifoss waterfall - Iceland

GPS: N65° 40' 58.154" W17° 32' 58.487"

Goðafoss waterfall 

After leaving our hotel, we made out first stop of the day right off the ring road to one of Iceland's famous waterfalls, Goðafoss.   This waterfall was very Niagra fallsy for me.  Well, a really muddy dirty Niagara falls atleast. With a height of 12 meters a width of 30 meters, this u shaped waterfall had great views from it's two access points.  We were however, a little bummed to see how BROWN the waterfall was, likely due to the large amounts of rain we had been experiencing that week. 

Hike to Svartifoss Waterfall Skaftafell - Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland

Day Four was a long day.  Like 6 stops/activities in one day plus driving to them all kind of long.  This part of the country just has so much to offer and shows off a vast amount of scenery in such a small area.  We started the day with some quick easy stops,  to Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon and Kirkjugólf Basalt Tiles.  The rest of the day was spent on a guided glacier tour of one of Iceland's glaciers and checking out the icebergs in the two lagoons and on Diamond Beach. 

Entrance to Skaftafell National Park

We had a time crunch but wanted to spend some time a) hiking and b) in Skaftafell National Park.  Our main goal in the park was to complete the short hike to the famous Svartifoss waterfall.  This was one of our first actual "hikes" and by some grace of god, the weather held out long enough for us to complete this hike in the sunshine.  It can be pretty tough to set specific days and times to hike with Iceland's ever changing weather so when the sun comes out... you shift around any and all plans you have and go hike.

Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss - Waterfalls, Day 3

Day 3 in Iceland took us farther northeast, counterclockwise around the country where we had plans to see a few more waterfalls and other natural sites including a black beach and a hike out to Iceland's oldest pool.  Our first two stops featured on the blog today were waterfalls.  If you haven't picked up on it by now, anything that is a waterfall in Iceland ends in the word "foss" and today is all about fosses.  Lots O' Foss. 

Seljalandsfoss Waterfall and Signage

Bells Canyon Waterfall Hike

Utah is home to some amazing hiking. You can leave a neighborhood and be on your way through canyons, past waterfalls and up to amazing peaks. But, the system isn't perfect and unfortunately, there are a lot of trails that do not allow dogs because they are protected watersheds. While I don't necessarily agree that dogs are 100% mucking up our water supply (other states drink their surface water too...), I am at least glad these trails are open to the public to enjoy. And of course, you always have some bad pet owners that don't clean up after their dog and ruin it for the rest of us. 

When I lived in Salt Lake City, I rarely did a hike where my dog wasn't allowed. I felt far too guilty going hiking and leaving my dog in my small apartment in the city. I always stuck to trails where my dog could enjoy the outdoors too. When I flew to Utah for Amanda's wedding, Olive obviously had to stay back home in Stonington, Connecticut. So what this meant was I was in Utah, with my hiking shoes, and without my dog. Bring on all the "No Dogs Allowed" trails. 

The first hike of my Utah Adventure was up to the waterfall at Bells Canyon in Sandy, Utah right by Little Cottonwood Canyon.  Beautiful hike that included a canyon, a reservoir, and a good sized waterfall. Really hot and better as an early morning hike. Steep towards the end which will leave you sweating and with a good workout. I enjoyed the scenic views and we even found some solitude at the waterfall.

Ferguson Canyon Hike - Waterfalls and Overlook

Near the top of Ferguson Canyon, Utah 

I had heard this name once before, but it didn't really stick.  On a Sunday evening after a long day of Spring Cleaning, I decided it was time to get out of the house and take the dog for a Sunday evening hike.  I was getting bored of doing the same close to the city spring hikes, especially here in Utah where there are so many amazing hiking options.  I did a little research on a dog friendly spring hike when I stumbled across Ferguson Canyon.  (side note: a good way to see if a trail is ready is to look it up on instagram!)

First Impressions:  One of my new favorite close to SLC hikes.  Following a creek almost the entire way, and several small waterfalls.  Shaded and green with wild flowers growing along the trail.  Amazing dog option as there is water for them the entire way.  Everything was so green, and the view from the overlook of the valley and into Big Cottonwood Canyon was an added bonus.   The trail reminded me of the Pacific Northwest and is a great workout with its steady steep climb to the overlook. 

Trail in Ferguson Canyon

Dog Friendly Mill Creek Canyon Waterfall Hike- Moab Utah

Dog-Friendly, Waterfall, and Free

Let me say this is the Trifecta of Hiking. 

At least, when you are on a budget and bring your dog everywhere.  

And we all love a gorgeous waterfall at the end of a hike.  

After mountain biking, we wanted a short trail where Olive could spend some time in the water before heading back to the campsite.  And lets be honest, there is just something about hiking along water that sings to my soul.  And when it ends at a waterfall?  Bonus. Not only is this a great hike year round, but this hike is perfect for the hot summer months of Moab.  There is water a majority of the way for your dog (no hauling drinking water for fido), and you have to cross the stream in several spots, forcing you to cool off in the stream.

Lower Calf Creek Falls Grand Staircase-Escalante

If you are traveling along Highway 12, and want to jump out of the car for a beautiful hike, I have just the treat for you.  The trek to the 126 foot Lower Calf Creek Falls in Grand Staircase-Escalante is a beautiful 6 mile round trip hike.  Hiking to a 126' waterfall in a national monument makes for a pretty fantastic Saturday in my books.

Calf Creek Recreation Area 

While traveling down Highway 12, on the right, you will see a large sign for the Calf Creek Recreation Area.  After you take this right, you will see a beautiful day use area for picniking with grills, benches, tables, and a fire pit.  There is also a bathroom, and there are also several stations with potable water where you can fill up your bottles before hiking. There is a fee for this area, but if you have your National Park Pass, that will cover it (leave it on your dash!)

Flooded road leading to the campground

After crossing this flooded road,  The campground here has 14 campsites that are first come, first served.  Unfortunately when we got there on a Saturday afternoon, all the campsites were booked.  They were beautiful campsites all along the river at the base of this trailhead.  However, we still stopped to hike.  What I really loved, is that by the bathrooms, there were self guided tours maps. A number on stakes on the trail correlates to a "blurb" on the trail map, educating you on certain aspects of this trail. After parking in the main area, follow the road a few hundred feet to the trailhead on your left.

Trailhead Lower Falls Trail.  

Cactus along the trail

 While dogs are allowed on this trail, they are only allowed on leash. I recommend you keep your dog on a short leash, as there are a ton o cactus right along the trail. If you are hiking this in the summer, your dog will need booties to protect his/her feet from the lava hot sand.  We hiked this trail on a beautiful October afternoon and the sand was cool and the temperatures perfect. 

Dog friendly trail

Lower Calf Creek Falls trail

Lower Calf Creek Falls trail 

Canyons with granary

High on the cliff across the creek is a storage structure (granary) built more than 800 years ago by prehistoric people who lived in the canyons. We call this culture the Fremont. Assorted food items and seeds were stored in these structures.The self guided tour also points out some petroglyphs on the canyon wall (see below). 

Petroglyphs on the trail. 

Lower Calf Creek Falls Trail 

Lower Calf Creek Falls Trail

Lower Calf Creek Falls Trail

 Keep checking into the river for fish.  You will see different trout species darting along the stream, or resting along the banks. Olive was very interested in the darting fish in the stream. 

Lower Calf Creek  

Eventually, about 3 miles into the trail, you see your first sight of the fall.  These pictures just do not do this waterfall justice. 126' waterfall cascading down the canyon. 

First sight of Lower Calf Creek Falls 

Lower Calf Creek Falls 

Lower Calf Creek Falls 

Lower Calf Creek Falls 

Lower Calf Creek Falls  

The mist off the fall is the perfect treat for your long hike out to the fall.  Some people even swim in the pool under the fall.  We took some pictures, let Olive scamper around, had a snack, and headed back to the trail.   This was the perfect dog friendly hike right between two rather non dog friendly national parks.  A perfect way to get Olive out of the car, and a great way to stretch our legs along Highway 12.

How varied the scenery in Utah is always amazed me.  From the mountains by the city, the the desert landscapes of the National Parks, to these crazy beautiful waterfalls.  Utah is one beautiful place. 

Next stop, Bryce Canyon National Park.

Other posts from this trip:

Capitol Reef National Park

Driving Highway 12
Navajo/Queens Garden Loop

Bryce Canyon National Park

Battle Creek Falls, Pleasant Grove, Utah

Hike # 5 in my waterfall tour!

Battle Creek Falls

Pleasant Grove, Utah

This is a very family friendly trail that leads to a double 50' waterfall.  The waterfall runs best in the spring, although it can be seen all year round.  The right fall was much weaker during this hike in September.

  This is really a great trail for a variety of user groups.  This trail is wide and was partial to mostly shaded at around noon.  There was also a stream all the way up to the falls, making this a great quick dog friendly hike.  When you get to the trail head, do not go straight over the bridge to Kiwanis Park.  Instead, take that right before the “bridge” at the parking lot to reach the trail.  

hen the trail begins to fork at about .70 miles, straight will be a steep incline to the top of the falls, while a right will take you to the bottom of the falls.  This is a great spot to relax and enjoy the beautiful views and cool waterfall spray.  This trail is also open to bikers and horses so be courteous and share the trail.  Vaulted toilets can be found in Kiwanis Park.  This is a very popular family friendly trail so expect to share the trail with a lot of families.  Make sure you stop and take in the view of Utah Lake across the way from the trailhead.

Trailhead:  At the end of 200 S (Battle Creek Drive) in Pleasant Grove Utah.  The trail is known as Battle Creek Trail.  There is a large parking lot at the end of the road with a map, doggie bags, waste station, and a park called Kilanis Park.  The trail heads to the right before the Kiwanis Park bridge.

Distance:  1.6 miles round trip - short hike!

Level:  Easy, short distance, small incline.  The section to the top of the falls will be steeper and on a rocky trail.  The trail gains about 450’.

Kids:  Yes, a lot of kids and families on this trail.

Dogs:  Yes! Dogs are allowed.

Fee:  No fee!

Stewart Falls Hike via Aspen Grove, Provo Utah

Welcome to hike #4 on my Utah Waterfall tour!  

Stewart Falls Hike

via Aspen Grove (Timpanogos Trailhead)

This is a beautiful trail through an Aspen forest that ends with a three tier, 200 ‘ waterfall.  This is a very popular trail and the parking lot fills up quick.  Get there early for a spot in the parking lot and remember, this is a really popular trail, if you are looking for solitude you will not find it here ;)  There are two ways to access Stewart Falls:  The shorter route- from a chairlift on Sundance resort (for a fee) Ray's Lift to Ray's Summit, or the Aspen Grove trailhead. The trail itself is absolutely gorgeous as it winds through the woods, with stunning views of Sundance and the Uintas. 

Trailhead: (Aspen Grove route)- Mt Timpanogos Trailhead- Stewart Cascades Trail (by the bathroom).  To get to the trailhead, travel a few miles past Sundance Resort and the BYU facility. You will arrive at the Pay Station at Aspen Grove.  The trailhead is in the parking lot that is the first left past the fee station. 

Fee:  6$ per car for 3 days.  However, if you have a National Parks Pass, this works here (Uintas National Forest)!  You will be given a rearview mirror hanger for it. 

Distance: 3.8 Miles (Round trip) to the bottom of the falls and back

Level: Easy to moderate. Rolling hills, no crazy elevation gain.  Some rocky parts of the trail.  Steep section going down to the bottom of the falls.  310 ‘ of elevation gain.

Kids: Yes.  It is only 3.8 miles round trip but there were some rocky sections.  With that being said, there were a lot (a lot a lot) of kids and families on the trail.

Dogs: Yes! Dogs are allowed. 

              

If you missed out on the others hikes on my "tour", check out: 

Adams Canyon Trail- Adams Waterfall

Horsetail Falls- Alpine, Utah

Donut Falls