Paint Mines |
Distance: 3.4 mile loop Difficulty: Easy Elevation Gain: 334 Terrain: Geologic Structures, Wild Flowers, and Grass lands Review: Wow. I would compare the Paint Mines to a mini version of the Badlands that has a greater diversity in the colors. Ranging from grouping that are stark white, to mustard yellow, to mauve, and to a wide range of earth tones. My camera does not do the colors justice! At first you are following the trails through grassy areas seeing the structures only from a distance, but don't worry you get to be right up close to these hoodoos and canyon like geologic structures. I love walking lots of miles so I would not have skipped walking around the grassy areas. Plus there are a lot of great wild flowers out there. |
Ps. I had forgotten my actual mug to bring with me on my Colorado trip so I improved with a mug I made in Colorado...aka cardboard mug.
Read additional reviews on hikes plus travel suggestions on where to bring your Mug Click the button on the right to keep reading. |
Distance: 5 miles Difficulty: Moderate Elevation Gain: 816 ft Terrain: Woods with a Rocky overlook Review: Annapolis Rocks is one of my favorite hikes in the Frederick, MD Area. Enjoy a fabulous overlook featuring boulders, woods, and lake while scampering around on the "Annapolis Rocks." Be pre-warned...you earn that overlook. Follow a short trail from the parking lot to the Appalachian Trail Head and go north. Ps. All Appalachian trail markers are white and are very well labeled. The trail will take you 2 miles uphill until you intersect the Annapolis Rock trail head. Follow the blue markers .25 miles to the wonderful overlook. Thankfully most of the hike is in the woods, and has lots of shade for those hot summer day hikes. While it is great to have this trail conveniently located off of route 40 and next to route 70 it does mean that you hear a lot of road noise until you get farther up the mountain. Parking: 11192 Baltimore National Pike, Myersville, MD 21773 There is lots of parking, but it can still be challenging to find a spot to park on busy weekends. |
Pictures of trail, intersections, and overlook below.
Arches National Park: Delicate Arch Trail
Additional Tip: follow advice to wear spikes when there is snow or ice. The very last part of the trail has drop offs and we even saw skid marks of someone sliding off the trail earlier that morning!
Zion National Park: Angel's Landing

This is a strenuous 5 mile roundtrip hike with sheer drop offs. I do not recommend this hike for anyone with a fear of heights. Honestly, I am still a little surprised I did the hike in the snow...thankfully we rented some great yak spikes that made the hike doable.
If you are up to this challenging hike, it is extremely memorable and beautiful. We even saw a condor soaring at the peak.
If you are up to this challenging hike, it is extremely memorable and beautiful. We even saw a condor soaring at the peak.
Hi, I'm Lisa the artist and creator of this content.
Here on my blog I share behind the scenes, events, and activities related to my art.
Here on my blog I share behind the scenes, events, and activities related to my art.
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