Western USA Hiking

Being outdoors has always been a love of mine whether it is hiking, biking, camping, climbing or caving or simply reading a book in my own small lush backyard. It started at an early age when our parents took us to the Swiss Alps during summer times and continued through college at the University of Colorado at Boulder., and continues today over a decade later.

While at Boulder I made maximum use of being around some of the great wonders of nature, the canyons and mountains of the Western US, and traveled extensively around the states in the region. Below you will find travel notes, suggestions and links to similar pages of others who have visited these same locations. I hope you find the information helpful in planning a trip to these beautiful areas and enjoy them as much as I did.

Note: Due to the nature of the smaller canyons, the annual water flows through them can cause major changes in the location of entry and exit points such a boulder or the location of logs. So while I might have found a tree at one point and climbed in you may not find it there anymore. Should you encounter such a case I would appreciate hearing about it from you after your trip so that I can make a note of this on these pages. Thanks.

Just a short observation: I have always believed that man is on the verge of finally reaching the point of irreversibly destroying our remaining natural heritage mainly through ignorance and greed. But why is it necessary for individuals who love the outdoors to contribute their share to this destruction through carelessness and in some case wanton vandalism. Over the years I have noticed more and more garbage and graffiti in locations that were hitherto untouched by casual hikers. More glass, beer cans, plastic bags and other garbage is strewn everywhere than ever before and ancient ruins are vandalized or damaged. So remember the rule of hiking outdoors.

Leave nothing but Footprints, Take nothing but Pictures

It's so simple, please do your share.


Tragic Accident at Antelope Canyon (12 Aug. 97)

The Washington Post recently reported on a tragic accident that took the lives of a group of 11 people who were exploring Lower Antelope Canyon   just a few miles north-east of Page, Arizona. It seems that at the time there were reports of severe thunderstorms in the area. Just such a storm about 15 miles away caused a flood as much as 10 feet high and 200 feet wide to pour down along the Antelope Valley Flats and then into the lower canyon itself. At the entrance gate to there were no signs warning hikers of the dangers of flash floods and I do not remember seeing any either when I went in October 1996 despite this being a spot frequented by unwary tourists. Till now not all of the bodies have been found. The Salt Lake Tribune had articles on the accident on August 14 till 18, 1997. You will find these at their archives section.

So be forewarned that it can be deadly to enter slot canyons if there is even a hint of possible rains or thunderstorms in the area.

DO NOT ENTER THEM AT SUCH TIMES!!

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