Chaco Canyon NHP

Last weekend we took a trip down south to Chaco Culture National Historic Park.  What an amazing place!  The canyon was littered with Chaco Culture ruins that dated back as late as 850 A.D.  The best part was that you could actually walk through the ruins into several of the rooms within the buildings.  There were also numerous backcountry trails that we are gonna go back for as well as biking trails.  Check out some pics:

The Pueblo Bonito. 

Emily, investigating the ruins. 

A Kiva in the Pueblo Bonito.

Brasstown Bald

On Memorial Day weekend in 2005 we took off for our second highpointing trip.  On May 29th we arrived in northwest Georgia to knock off Brasstown Bald (4,784 feet).  It was only a .5 mile walk up to the highpoint from the parking area, but well worth the views.  If memory serves, I believe we had to pay a parking fee. Three bucks maybe?

The Drive:  From Blairsville, GA, drive 8 miles south on US 19.  Turn left onto State Highway 180 and drive another 9 miles.  Turn left onto State Highway 180 Spur and continue 3 miles to the parking area. (a bike race that Lance Armstrong was in was held there just a few days before us. people had written "Go Lance Go" all over the road)

The Hike:  You can locate the paved trail next to the gift shop and hike the short .5 mile to the tower on top of the mountain.  Return to your car the same way.

 Emily stops along the trail for a picture.

JD, as high as he can get on the tower. 

Emily's 3rd Cover Photo!

Emily's 3rd Falcon Guide cover photo will grace the cover of Best Easy Day Hikes St. Louis.  Due out April 1st.  Take a look!

JD and Arnie's best sides.

Ice Climbing in Cascade Canyon

Today we took ride up to Durango Mountain Resort for the Winterfest that was taking place.  Backcountry Experience and Kling Mountain Guides were offering FREE guided ice-climbing trips during the Winterfest and we were all like, "let's do it."

After checking in and taking a short 2 minute ride to the Cascade Canyon trailhead we were climbing!  Southwest Colorado is known for it's ice-climbing and has become a world destination for it.

Emily, sizing up the route.

 A few moments of instruction.

 Emily cruises up the frozen waterfall.

A look into the canyon.

Our 4th Highpoint

Our 4th highpoint was the closest to us back in 2004.  In August of 04 we headed over to Taum Sauk Mountain State Park in Missouri to conquer 1,772 foot Taum Sauk Mountain.  Conquer might be a bit of an exaggeration since you drive to the parking lot and walk about .2 mile to summit, but the highpoint is just the first of the adventures you can have here.

The Drive:  From Arcadia, MO take SR 21 southwest for about 4.5 miles.  You will pass the "Tip Top Roadside Park" and turn right (northwest) not long after where the sign points to Taum Sauk Mountain State Park.  Follow the paved road for 3 miles and stay right at the fork where the pavement ends.  Continue about .4 mile on the gravel road to the parking area.

The Hike:  From the parking area it is just a short walk on a paved trail.  Walk west for about .2 mile where the sign points to highpoint.

Extend your trip by visiting Mina Sauk Falls (the highest falls in Missouri) and the Devil's Tollgate.  These detailed hikes can be found in our upcoming Best Hikes Near St. Louis Falcon Guide!

JD, Arnie, and Aspen at the MO Highpoint.

The "Low" Highpoints Continue

Florida was number three on our list of highpoint adventures.  The lowest of the state highpoints (345 feet above sea level), Britton Hill can be found out on the Florida Panhandle.  Not a super huge expedition since you simply drive to it and get out for a picture, but it is still on the list.

The Drive:  Starting in Florala, AL, drive east for 1 mile on SR 54.  Almost immediately after passing the 1 Mile marker sign, turn right onto an unmarked paved road and drive .2 mile before entering Florida.  Here the road becomes SR 285.  Drive another .8 mile to the small park on the right.

The Hike: Again, it's a drive to.  No hiking required.

 This sign can be seen from the road.

The monument in the park.

Mesa Verde National Park

Today we hit up Mesa Verde National Park (only 1 hour from our house) in southwest Colorado.  Pete, Erin, Chris, Arnie, Aspen, and us all went up for the day to explore a little.  The pictures below are from the Mesa Verde Spruce Tree House.

Did you know that there are over 600 cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde NP?

 A view from the Mesa.

 Approaching the Spruce Tree House Ruins.

The Ruins.  The ladders lead down to the kivas.