Archive for June 27, 2011

Tour the Grand Canyon on Mules

June 27, 2011 Cliff Arizona, Hikes
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Trip Date: March 2008

Have you ever dared yourself to take that world-famous trip to the bottom of the Grand Canyon on top of a mule? We didn’t, but someone talked us into it.  Worse yet, when it came time to take the trip, that someone had to cancel out of the trip and the two of us went on.  Bottom line: we were glad that we were talked into going on this trip because it was one of the best travel experiences of our lives; but than again, we are very lucky to enjoy many of those great experiences!
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Aiken Cinder Mine

June 27, 2011 Cliff California, Mojave Desert, Road Trips 4wd
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Trip Date: May 2006

Once a bustling, modern mining operation, the operators of this mine abruptly shut it down in 1990 and walked away – leaving all of their equipment behind. Today, that leftover equipment is one of the interesting things about this site, as well as being able to walk into the center of a volcanic cinder cone.

Aiken Cinder Mine

Aiken Cinder Mine

Aiken Cinder Mine is located in the heart of the Mojave National Preserve of California.  It is several miles of well-traveled Interstate 15 (I-15) which is the main highway between Las Vegas and Los Angeles.  Aiken Cinder Mine is accessed from the dirt Aiken Mine Road which traverses the Mojave National Preserve between Cima Road and Kelbaker Road.

To read more about this trip, see our main article on the Aiken Cinder Mine.

Purchase our Virtual Tour Guide of the Mojave National Preserve:

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Willis Creek Slot Canyon

June 26, 2011 Cliff Hikes, Utah
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Trip Date: October 2007

Willis Slot Canyon

Willis Slot Canyon

If you are visiting Bryce Canyon National Park and would like to see something a little different, then we recommend visiting this delightful slot canyon. You will learn how a small creek, named Willis Creek, has the power to shape such a beautiful landscape.

Of all the slot canyons that we have visited in the great Southwest, this one by far gives you the best bang for your buck.  Even though it requires driving on a dirt road, it is easy to get the to, even if you are in a car.  Unlike so many slot canyons where you have to repeal into or scale a slick sandstone cliff, one only needs to walk into this slot canyon.  Photographers are challenged with the extreme lighting conditions in most slot canyons, but not Willis Canyon because although its deep and skinny, its narrow sections are not very long which brings ample light in from each end allowing even an amateur to take great pictures.
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Franz Josef Glacier

June 26, 2011 Cliff Hikes, Outside USA
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Trip Date: October 2005

Take this virtual tour and hike on to Franz Josef Glacier of New Zealand and become as terrified as we were! The only difference is that if you slip, you won’t fall into a crevice like we could have.  So sit back and enjoy this visually stunning corner of New Zealand’s South Island.

About Franz Josef Glacier

Rare when compared to other glaciers in the world, Franz Josef Glacier reaches from the high mountains to almost sea level and is fairly easy to reach for most people.  The bottom reaches of Franz Josef are located in a temperate rainforest which is also not common for glaciers.  Because Franz Josef is easy to access and located around spectacular scenery, it is a key tourist attraction in New Zealand.  Walking up to the glacier for a close view is popular as is several guided tours of walking on the glacier with an expert guide.

If you would like to read more about Franz Josef or just learn more about the unbelievably beautiful south island of New Zealand, check out our virtual tour guide of this place at our main website.


Virtual Tour

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Mojave National Preserve

June 25, 2011 Cliff California, Mojave Desert, Regional Overview
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Trip Date: April 2006

This is an introduction to the various points of interest inside and nearby the Mojave National Preserve. It is a brief “Virtual Tour” of the various destinations.

The Mojave National Preserve covers an area that is approximately 1.6 million acres which makes it the third largest area controlled by the National Park Service within the contiguous United States (behind Death Valley and Yellowstone National Parks).  Within the boundaries of the Preserve you will find many different environments including parts of the Mojave Desert as well as transitional elements of the Great Basin and Sonoran deserts.
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Natural Bridges near Angels Camp

June 19, 2011 Cliff California, Hikes
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Trip Date: April 2011

Natural Bridges Tunnel

Natural Bridges Tunnel

If you are visiting the California Gold Country along Hwy 49 near Angels Camp and would like to enjoy a great hiking experience, then try out this hike down to a very unique geological formation.

Inside Calaveras County, this site is within a 20 mile radius of the towns of Angels Camp, Vallecito, Sonora, Murphys with its dozens of wineries, historical Columbia and the railroad town of Jamestown.  It is real close to New Melones Lake.

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Jail Canyon

June 5, 2011 Cliff California, Death Valley, Road Trip & Hike
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Trip Date: November 2004

Located north of Ballarat in the Panamint Mountains, Jail Canyon is a colorful, scenic drive with a well-preserved mining camp and mill to explore at the end. Jail Canyon itself is multicolored and very pretty but the scenery getting up to the canyon is quite spectacular, too.  With panoramic views of the multi-layered, west-facing Panamint Mountains and the striking erosion of nearby Hall Canyon, you will want to take your time getting to the canyon so you can enjoy the views! 

The road up to and through Jail Canyon is very rocky and travel is slow because it crosses a large alluvial fan.  It is, however, only about 5 miles long and you will be rewarded with the marvelous views mentioned above and have the fun of exploring the remains of the Corona Mine area.
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