Category: coastal

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Santa Elena Canyon, Big Bend TX

trip report by site editor Rick McCharles

Note: We were there Jan 2017. Accessibility may change depending on what happens with Trump’s border wall promise.

Santa Elena Canyon is the single most popular spot in Big Bend National Park. Everyone stops here, even those who don’t normally hike.

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The nature trail crosses Terlingua Creek, climbs several flights of ramps and stairs and then descends into the canyon along the Rio Grande. At this point the canyon walls loom over 1500 feet above the river below. …

In my haste to get over to the Canyon, I took off my shoes and waded Terlingua Creek.

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That turned out to be a mistake. Everyone else found a way to cross keeping their feet dry.

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Nobody regrets taking this short hike.

And I did finally get a photo of a desert cottontail. Or is it a small jack rabbit?

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The best way to see the canyon is by raft or canoe. Local outfitters offer trips from one to three days in length when conditions allow, and river runners of intermediate or better skill level often go on their own. …

Visit Big Bend

Even better for me would be the difficult Mesa de Anguila hike along the canyon rim. Next time. 🙂

related – Texas GOP congressman slams Trump plan for border wall

“Building a wall is the most expensive and least effective way to secure the border,” Rep. Will Hurd (R-Tex.) said in a statement …

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Boquillas Canyon, Big Bend TX

trip report by site editor Rick McCharles

Note: We were there Jan 2017. Accessibility may change depending on what happens with Trump’s border wall promise.

Boquillas town is actually the small village in Mexico that sits on the eastern side of Big Bend National Park. It’s where many tourists cross to hike in Mexico.

A guy I met in the hotsprings recommended the Boquillas Canyon day hike. It’s about 1.5 miles return on the American side.

Boquillas Canyon, Big Bend

From the parking lot you climb up and over a bluff to walk alongside the muddy Rio Grande.

Boquillas Canyon, Big Bend Boquillas Canyon, Big Bend

Supposedly these souvenirs on the beach ($6 each) were a fundraiser for the Boquillas school.

Boquillas Canyon, Big Bend

There was a donation box too for the Mexican fishermen who SING for tourists.

The cliff walls loom.

Boquillas Canyon, Big Bend

It is an interesting short hike.

Boquillas Canyon, Big Bend Boquillas Canyon, Big Bend

Boquillas canyon is not as steep or sheer as Santa Elena. But it is impressive.

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Hot Springs Rim, Big Bend TX

trip report by site editor Rick McCharles

Note: We were there Jan 2017. Accessibility may change depending on what happens with Trump’s border wall promise.

One highlight of Big Bend National Park you should not miss are the Hot Springs.

A reminder of the park’s past volcanic turmoil, the Langford Hot Springs (or just “hot springs”; everyone will know what you’re talking about) is a small, jacuzzi-sized pool of naturally occurring 105°F (41°C) water from deep below the earth. …

Edge of the Rio Grande
Edge of the Rio Grande

It’s a short walk from the parking lot. Bring a flashlight at night.

Even better is to hike the Hot Springs Rim trail first. Finishing with a dip.

The trailhead features the amazingly well preserved buildings from the Livingston family days.

Hotsprings Trail, Big Bend

I started up the Hot Springs Trail.

Hotsprings Trail, Big Bend

Hotsprings Trail, Big Bend

Continued on to the Hot Springs Rim Trail high above the Rio Grande.

Hotsprings Trail, Big Bend

Hotsprings Trail, Big Bend

I left a Summit Stone at a nice viewpoint.

Hotsprings Trail, Big Bend

Relaxed there looking over the river into Mexico. Very tranquil.

Hotsprings Trail, Big Bend

I backtracked to the Hot Springs just in time for dusk. 🙂

This is the life.

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West Coast Trail reservations start Jan 9, 2017

Our #1 hike in the world is the West Coast Trail.

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AT A GLANCE

  • wctma75 km (47 mi), 5-7 days traditional route
  • 3-5 day routes possible via Nitinat
  • southwestern edge of Vancouver Island
  • Pacific Rim National Park
  • Permits required May 1 – September 16 September 30
  • extremely rugged, requires a high level of fitness
  • 6,000+ backpackers / year
  • permits limited and in high demand — WCT Trail reservations
  • … most expensive hiking permit in Canada
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hiking Ferry Reach Park, Bermuda

Close to the airport and St. George, I quite enjoyed wandering these trails.

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This 64 acres park area is the second largest in Bermuda and has wonderful walking trails, forest areas with endemic plantation, a nice lake, a bay with a lovely beach, and a few historic forts. Other than the sounds of airplanes flying overhead at times, this place has remained as a serene and peaceful parkland over the years. …

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Bermuda Railway Trail passes through the park and goes along the western coast line. …

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At the western most tip … Ferry Island which can be accessed from the park on a small wooden bridge. It was in Ferry Island where the ferry dock was built way back in 1600s. Ferries transported people across to the other side known as Coney Island which connects to the main island of Bermuda. For over 250 years, ferry was the only transport that connected St. George with the main island.
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It ceased to operate once the Causeway was built in 1871. …
In 1823, Martello Tower came up on the high ground behind the two forts where soldiers could survey the surrounding coastline and the land area. …
Bermuda Attractions

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A friend told me they had some terrific drinking parties at Martello Tower back in his misspent youth. It’s all locked up now.

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West Coast Trail, Canada

Mike and Lara are MB Guiding.

They’ll organize your hike to many different destinations in B.C.

For example they’ll guide you on the West Coast Trail for C$1650 in 2017.

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The West Coast Trail is our #1 hike in the world. A life changing adventure.

Experienced hikers can easily do it independently, however. The MB WCT information page is an excellent resource for everyone.

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Thanks Hendrik.

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hiking Spittal Pond, Bermuda

Spittal Pond Nature Reserve is the largest wildlife sanctuary in Bermuda …

It is one of 13 parks or reserves managed by the Bermuda Department of Conservation Services which protects and conserves environmentally critical areas and habitats. …

…unique characteristics such as its lagoon which is permanently brackish, ecology featuring wet grassland and mangrove forests, seasonal shorebirds, other waterbirds and European eels. …

The winter season provides one of the best vistas for visitors walking along the many small trails in the park.

I was there in November. The only visitor on the trail.

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I did see feral cats.

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Though short, I would say it’s the best hike in Bermuda.

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“Spanish Rock”, (also known as “Portuguese Rock”) a rocky cliff overlooking the ocean with inscriptions of the year 1543 AD … This rock piece has been taken out and replaced by a bronze plaque. …

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The only other wildlife I spotted were wild chickens.

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Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

official website

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5 weeks hiking, paddling Greenland solo

Willem Vandoorne has done a number of the world’s most difficult long hikes. He’s just back from Greenland.

… which was without any doubt the most beautiful I have ever made and which has impressed and touched me deeply. The feeling which I had during those weeks in the wilderness is hard to explain. As I struggled through boulderfields and moraine, watched the sun set from mountain with views unknown to human gaze, and slalommed along countless muskoxen, I no longer felt like a spectator of any kind in this vast wilderness, but was an integral part of it, obeying to the same rules and laws of nature as any animal out there.

My trip was blessed with sensational weather conditions – during the first 4 weeks of the trip I had only a few overcast days with some rain and a few mornings with sea fog – all the rest was just blue skies and warm temperatures. I hiked over 80% of the distance in t-shirt …

BACK FROM GREENLAND

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