One Step at a Time (2025)

30/03/2025

Paria Canyon Thru-Hike: Day 1: Started at Wire Pass, continue on the Buckskin Gulch trail, and camp at the spot before the confluence (White Hall Trail Junction)—16.2 miles.
Day 2: Day hike, out and back to Big Spring (10 miles total). We stayed in same campground as the night before.
Day 3: White Hall Trail—7 miles hike out.
Total mileage: 33.2 miles

It's hard to put into words the kind of beauty you experience when taking on this backpacking adventure. I've been hiking for about 20 years, and I can confidently say there is nothing like hiking through Paria Canyon. It’s an incredibly unique experience, and if you’re reading this because you want to one day undertake it, I can assure you it’s 100% worth it.

Passes for this hike need to be booked months in advance on Recreation.gov. I first attempted this adventure in the Spring of 2023, but a week before our trip, two hikers tragically died in the canyon due to a flash flood. Read more here: https://www.backpacker.com/news-and-events/news/buckskin-gulch-drownings/. That year had an unusually wet winter for the area, so we canceled our plans. Flexibility is key when it comes to weather—flash floods can occur even if the weather’s clear over the canyon, as it’s possible for storms 100 miles away to impact the canyon. Fortunately, this year we had dry, cool, and perfect weather—a real gift.

The Beauty of the Canyon:

Pictures don't do the canyon justice. As the longest slot canyon in North America, Paria Canyon constantly delivers breathtaking views. The canyon walls have been shaped by centuries of water flow, creating mesmerizing rock "waves" similar to Antelope Canyon, though without the red hues. There’s something eerily beautiful about the starkness of the landscape, with very little vegetation or signs of animal life. We often came across animal carcasses—coyote, goat, rabbit—and speculated whether they had fallen into the canyon or been swept through by a flash flood. Occasionally, we'd spot dead trees lying horizontally between the canyon walls, a reminder of how high the water can rise.

At night, silence enveloped us—no wind, no water, no rustling vegetation. The occasional chirping of bats or hooting of owls in the canyon walls was a rare treat. After hiking most of the day between the canyon walls, it’s easy to become desensitized to the beauty. Some of my hiking buddies longed for open space, but the canyon walls flanked us the entire time, except for the exit.

Tips for Fellow Adventurers:

Hiking poles are essential. Much of the hike involves wading through rivers and streams (which were sometimes knee-deep, but mostly ankle-deep). Poles help you gauge the ground below and manage elevation changes.

Watch out for quicksand. We always managed to avoid walking through it, but it’s there.

Bring two pairs of sneakers. One for hiking through water and mud, and another to keep dry. My friends who wore Chacos and Crocs had issues with the mud pulling their shoes into the ground.

Don’t rely solely on AllTrails. Bring a paper map as well. In the canyon, everyone’s AllTrails app showed different mileage, and the app had trouble tracking our location. It was helpful to double-check our position against the map.

Bring plenty of water. At least 4 liters each for Day 1.

Be aware of time zones. The trail straddles Arizona and Utah. When asking the group about time, half of us would be an hour ahead and the other half would be an hour behind. We were often unsure of the time.

Campsites are easy to spot. They typically have patches of green grass—quite a rarity in this landscape. There are small silver boxes at each campsite (likely for rodent control?).

Rodents weren’t an issue for us. There were also minimal bugs.

Make sure you pack your p**p out 🙂. The rangers had free wag bags at the BLM station.

River rocks are a challenge. Be prepared for a lot of walking over rocky terrain, which can be tough on your feet/knees.

Big Spring is a mini oasis. It’s a refreshing sight after traveling through muddy waters. Check out the photos below.

There’s a boulder jam before the confluence/campsites. There's a low rabbit hole you can squeeze through and we also opted to lower our backpacks over the boulders with ropes to avoid the struggle of pushing them through the hole.

Personal Highlights:

Wire Pass was a beautiful surprise. I initially thought all the beauty would be contained in Buckskin Gulch, but Wire Pass was a fun and scenic start.

The canyon never got old. Every turn revealed stunning new views of canyon walls, light playing off the rocks, and unique boulders.

My friends and I did yoga and meditation at a higher campsite, overlooking our camp and the canyon. It was a special moment that I’ll never forget.

This trip was a lifetime highlight, and I wish the same experience for all my loved ones and fellow adventurers reading this post. It took a lot of grit, some gambling with weather the trip would "stick" due to weather, but it was absolutely worth it.

16/03/2025

Chatfield Reservoir, 11 miles, 482 elevation gain. Beavers, Eagles, Hawks abound…I started too late and my water bottle fell out of my pack by accident without me realizing until halfway around. Not my smartest hike..glad it wasn’t too bad elevation wise and wasn’t too hot. Lessons learned 🙂

30/12/2024

Raspberry Mountain Trail via Ring the Peak Trail is a 4.8-mile hike with 1,082 feet of elevation gain (though our trip ended up being 7.32 miles). Located at the base of Pikes Peak on the west side, Raspberry Mountain gets its name from the red, raspberry-like outcroppings of Pikes Peak granite found at its summit, as my hiking partner Lauren pointed out. In winter, the trail is slightly longer because the road to the usual trailhead is closed. My friend and I also added about a mile to our hike when we missed the right turn-off for the trail.

The Good: The trail wasn’t crowded, and parking was much easier than during the busy summer months. We were lucky to find the trail clear and easy to navigate the entire time, which made for an enjoyable hike despite the winter conditions.

The Bad: Multiple trails start at this parking lot, so it’s important to pay attention at the beginning to ensure you’re on the correct path. In the past, I’ve confused this hike with The Crags or even the Pikes Peak summit trail. Before apps like AllTrails, this kind of mistake could have derailed the entire day! Also, hikers should note that this trail is not to be confused with the Raspberry Mountain Loop Trail near Mount Herman, located north of Colorado Springs.

The Beautiful: This hike is absolutely stunning and an excellent winter adventure. The panoramic views of Pikes Peak from the summit are breathtaking and make the steady climb entirely worthwhile. There are some climbs on both the ascent and descent, so be prepared for a solid workout—or, in my case, a harder-than-usual experience since I had just flown in from Florida. All in all, this is a challenging yet rewarding hike that I highly recommend to anyone seeking a scenic and satisfying outdoor experience.

Happy trails!

30/11/2024

Florissant Loop Hike
Distance: 7.5 miles, Elevation Gain: 971 feet

This hike begins at the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, where you'll pass remnants of a 34-million-year-old redwood tree—an impressive sight, especially since redwoods are no longer found in Colorado. These ancient trees were preserved by volcanic ash, Keith later explained that while the tree itself is no longer there, the wood has been petrified, leaving behind fossilized remnants of the original tree.

The woods surrounding the monument are peaceful and serene, offering a great escape into nature. In the winter, the trail feels especially isolated, making it perfect for those seeking solitude. We chose to hike in the afternoon, which allowed us to enjoy the sun setting through the forest, casting a beautiful glow over the landscape.

Note: The park closes at 4:30 pm, and we returned to our car around 4:35 pm. The ranger was waiting outside the visitor center to greet us. He was friendly and patient with our late arrival, which was much appreciated.

11/11/2024

Grouse Mountain Overlook in Mueller State Park...A perfect short snowshoe for families (around 2 miles all together). I think the end point is one of the most beautiful spots in the park. Enjoy!

02/09/2024

Segment 14 of the Colorado Trail: 20.3 miles, 3,900 feet elevation gain, Overnight Backpack

The Good: The beauty of this segment is its accessibility. As the trail continues southward, the weekend warrior segments will become tougher to complete. From my limited research, it looks like from this point forward, I may have to tackle the segments in bigger chunks. I look forward to diving in.

The Bad: This segment wasn’t very high in elevation, so it was hot. Additionally, campsites were limited. Two other hikers nabbed the only campsite near water. There was space next to their sites, and when I asked if we could share, they begrudgingly obliged. I need to ensure that on my journey, I’m always open to sharing space. Many of us seek solitude on this journey, but good camping spots are limited. We should all want each other to succeed out here. Lastly, I caught a cold on my last day—backpacking in the hot sun with a cold was not fun.

The Beautiful: Hiking through a pasture of cows was memorable. I always feel fortunate to hike with Jennifer. I met a man with the trail name “Five Star.” He has hiked the Colorado Trail a few times, along with the CDT and the PCT. He likes to work for a few months and then spend his savings on the trail. He was fast and efficient. My takeaways from him were that I have about 3-4 weeks of hiking left. I’d really like to complete it sooner rather than later and in bigger chunks, not the segment-by-segment approach I’ve been doing. I think this was my last hike for the season. I hope I can make it happen next summer!

04/08/2024

Segment 15: Near Poncha Springs
Distance: 13.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 3,507 feet

The Good:
After being away in Nebraska for six weeks, this Colorado hike was like music to my soul. The segment isn’t too tough, with gradual climbs up and down. We camped at mile 10.3 at the Green Creek Shelter, with water just 0.3 miles away. There were beautiful passes to see. I read that sharing the path with Monarch Crest Trail bikers would be tough, but it really wasn’t too bad.

The Bad:
The Pine Beetle has devastated this area, so backpackers need to be wary of falling trees when setting up their tents.

The Beautiful: Ode to Jamie
I have a friend who is fearless in the best kind of ways (up to the point where a human can be fearless). Over the years, I’ve watched her face big obstacles in life with a sense of adventure and optimism. Her courage and my anxiety make us a great pair out in nature. She sometimes makes a turn at a junction based on her gut, while I’m behind her checking the map. She is typically right.

During the night, she said she heard an animal sniffing at her tent. The next morning, We looked around her tent and found many a sign that a bear had been just one thin layer of polyester away from her. During the encounter, she remained calm and then went back to sleep. If I were in the same situation, the whole of the Colorado Trail would have heard me. Jamie is a legend in my book.

14/04/2024

Pawnee Buttes Hike, 5 miles, out and back, near Greeley.
The Pawnee Buttes is a perfect outing for those eager to trade the snow for summer hiking. However, it's essential to note that a section of the trail is closed from March to June to protect bird nesting grounds.

The Good:

As the mountains thaw out, I found myself drawn to exploring the eastern landscapes of Colorado. The inspiration struck when I stumbled upon a captivating image of the Pawnee Buttes in John Felder's Colorado book. Intrigued, I discovered that the area offers primitive camping, prompting me to schedule a May camping trip with a friend. Today, our mission was to scout the camping sites and do the hike itself.

The Bad:
One aspect that requires attention is the blend of private property and federal lands, particularly towards the end of the hike. Determining whether we remained on federal land for the hike last Butte was confusing. The signage could benefit from improvement in clarity to alleviate such uncertainties.

The Beautiful:

Despite the navigational challenges, I couldn't help but fall in love with this hidden gem nestled in the heart of nowhere. The beauty of the landscape left me charmed, and I eagerly await camping beneath the vast, star-studded sky.

31/03/2024

Picket Wire Canyon (13 miles, out and back hike) Near La Junta, Colorado.

The Good: Discovering the hidden gems of Colorado’s natural history is always a thrilling adventure. Recently, while exploring near Denver, I stumbled upon a trail boasting ancient dinosaur tracks. After posting about it, my friend on Facebook mentioned Picket Wire Canyon, home to one of the largest dinosaur tracksites in North America. Whether opting for a guided service or embarking on a 13-mile hike, you're rewarded with the opportunity to wander the very grounds where our prehistoric ancestors once roamed. The trail is well-marked, ensuring a smooth journey as you hike along a scenic road.

The Bad: Prepare for a sun-drenched trek with minimal shade, especially during hot days. While spring is ideal for this expedition, Colorado’s unpredictable weather demands flexibility. My friend and I initially planned our excursion earlier this week, only to be deterred by a surprise snowstorm. Fortunately, by week's end, the weather had transformed entirely, allowing for a second try under clearer skies.

The Beautiful: Beyond the awe-inspiring dinosaur tracks, Picket Wire Canyon is steeped in rich history. La Junta, once a bustling border town along the US-Mexico border, holds tales of its own. Along the trail, you'll encounter more than just dinosaur relics. Keep an eye out for elusive petroglyphs, and stumble upon a gravesite dating back to the 1890s. This area is truly an unexpected treasure trove, inviting you to thaw out from winter's chill and bask in the radiant spring sunshine. Embrace the journey and soak in the wonders of Picket Wire Canyon. One last note, be prepared for a shallow water crossing, bring extra shoes and poles were helpful.

14/03/2024

Oil Wells Flat, 11.6 miles, 1368 elevation gain. Loop Hike.
The Good: This hike is a Canon City gem. I felt like I was in a National Park in Utah at times. The terrain is desert-like and I highly encourage you not to take a shorter loop but to complete the 11.6 miles. The further you go in, the more beautiful it is.
The Bad: I was a hiker on a bike path 😊 You need always be alert to bikes within the first hour of the hike. After you hike deeper into the loop, the less bikes. This would be really hot hike in the summer so I encourage this as a Spring hike.
The Beautiful: I hike so much in Colorado that it is rare for a hike in the foothills to knock me off my feet. This hike had me awe-struck. The views of the Sangre De Cristos, the canyon area you will climb up, the overlook, the rock formations. I ended the hike right before sunset which gave the surroundings an exquisite glow… I give this hike a 10 out of 10 for a Spring, foothill hike. I want to go back and explore more hikes in Canon City!

08/01/2024

Dinosaur Ridge, Length 3.62 miles, 584 feet elevation gain, Loop Hike.
The Good: I was excited to see this hike after reading about dinosaur footprints that are featured along the hike. This was really cool. You are not allowed to touch the prints but can see them from a distance. I didn't expect them to be so clearly delineated
in the rock.
The Bad: for the first mile or so, you are hiking on a road. I bet this hike is really busy in the summer. This is also popular mountain biking trail in the summer so dodging bikes might be an issue. The winter is the perfect time to go!!! I highly recommend bring your microspikes with you.
The Beautiful: Hiking up on the ridge near Red Rocks Amphitheater was a beautiful experience. It was hard to believe that I was mostly alone on this hike. Although Alltrails doesn't feature this hike as a loop, you can easily make it a loop without adding too much mileage. Experiencing the dinosaur prints beyond the confines of a museum held profound meaning for me. It served as a reminder of the Earth's ancient existence, highlighting the brevity of my own life.

04/09/2023

Segment 13, Colorado trail, 22.4 miles, 4,296 elevation gain, thru hike.
The hike started near Buena Vista and ended at Chalk Creek, 5 miles away from Mt. Princeton Hot Springs.
The Good: The segment passes next to Avalanche Gulch, a beautiful 360 view of the Collegiate Peaks. I highly recommend taking the path off the main trail around mile 3.4. Overall, the segment is clearly laid out and there are lots of opportunities for water (except the last 5 miles).
The Bad: The last 5-6 miles is on a road which is a big bummer. The Colorado Trail foundation hasn't yet been given the rights to travel through any of the private forest nearby. After hiking 17 miles, the last 5 on the road felt like eternity.
The Beautiful: My hiking partner brought her beautiful dog, Cleo. Cleo was a wonder to watch as she scaled up and down the mountains during our trek. She covered twice the distance we did and always found her way back to her owner. My partner, who is Deaf, was much faster than me. Whenever I needed her attention, she instructed me to call Cleo, and Cleo would turn back to me, signaling to my partner that I needed her. Cleo also had a penchant for jumping into all the rivers we encountered. Her enthusiasm for water was in stark contrast to Bella, who would cautiously take a drink and then quickly move on to avoid getting too wet.

While Cleo was undoubtedly a highlight of our trip, it was my partner's adventurous spirit that truly defined our journey. There were a few mishaps along the way, such as her shoes deteriorating with every mile. By mile 3, she attempted to address the issue with duct tape, but by mile 6, the soles of her shoes were completely worn out and falling apart. Fortunately, I had spare shoes with me, and she happened to be the same size as me.

At mile 15, she slipped in my shoes during a rain and hail storm and sprained her ankle in a fall. As she tended to her bloody knee, I turned to her and said, "The next 5 miles are on a road. Let me go get the car while you wait here." She replied with a smile, "Let's finish the trail." My eyes welled up a bit as I could only imagine how miserable it must have felt to have a bloody knee, a twisted ankle, and someone else's shoes on. The path was also still slippery. However, she was undaunted. We swapped shoes one more time so that she could wear my high-top boots to support her ankle, and she persevered until we reached the car.
I hope this isn't the end of my CT journey in 2023 but looking at work/life factors, I'm afraid it might be so. Until next year, Colorado trail. What a beautiful adventure you have been this summer for me!!

One Step at a Time