Trails, Dusty Roads & Wild Places Worth Remembering
We’re Bill and Crystal — two Colorado-based wanderers chasing alpine lakes, red rock canyons, quiet campsites, rugged backroads, and the little moments that become the stories we tell long after the trip is over.
Here you’ll find our adventure journals, hiking stories, overlanding routes, destination guides, national park travels, year-end reflections, and Wild Ready tips for exploring with more confidence and care.
Thanks for wandering with us — your next adventure might just be a click away.
Recent Wanderings
Fresh stories from the trails, roads, canyons, campsites, and wild places we’ve explored lately.
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Continue reading →: Crossing Into AlaskaThe next two days were packed with adventure and major milestones on this Alaska road trip. First, I crossed the mighty Yukon River on the George Black ferry, a unique experience and another reminder of just how remote northern Canada can be. From there, I continued toward one of the…
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Continue reading →: Deep Into the Yukon WildernessA grizzly bear encounter, 279 miles on the remote Canol Heritage Trail, and endless Yukon wilderness made this stretch of the journey unforgettable. Surrounded by pristine lakes, rugged mountains, and complete solitude, the adventure culminated in crossing the Yukon River and entering Alaska.
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Continue reading →: Northbound: The Journey to Alaska BeginsWhat began as a solo journey north quickly became an unforgettable Alaska Highway adventure. From black bears and bison to remote wilderness, mountain scenery, and legendary cinnamon rolls, the road through British Columbia and the Yukon delivered wildlife, exploration, and memories before reaching Alaska.
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Continue reading →: Small Adventures Before the Big OneBetween big adventures, we stayed close to home with local Colorado hikes, scenic drives, waterfall trails, dog-friendly outings, and mountain picnic moments. These smaller spring adventures carried us through the season with fresh air, good company, wild views, and a reminder that local miles still matter.
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Continue reading →: Out of the Needles: Wind, Overlooks & One Last ArchThe final chapter of our Canyonlands Needles backcountry series follows a wind-driven change of plans, the drive back over Elephant Hill, sweeping views from Big Spring and Needles Overlooks, a soft landing in Moab, and one last hike to Corona and Bowtie Arch.
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Continue reading →: Into the Stone: Joint Trail & Chesler ParkDay 4 in the Needles took us from a quiet sunrise at Horsehoof Camp into the cool sandstone passages of the Joint Trail and the wide-open beauty of Chesler Park — a day of hidden corridors, sweeping views, camp wandering, and cotton candy skies.
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Continue reading →: Into The Needles via Elephant HillDay 3 of our Canyonlands backcountry series takes us over Elephant Hill, through Devil’s Lane, out to Confluence Overlook, and finally into Horsehoof Camp — where the Needles surround us in sandstone, silence, and sunset.
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Continue reading →: The Long Way Into The NeedlesThe first chapter of our Canyonlands backcountry series begins north of Moab and winds through Bears Ears, Davis Canyon, ancient pictographs, sweeping overlooks, and sandy trails toward Lockhart Basin — setting the stage for our journey deep into the Needles District.
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Continue reading →: Presidents’ Day on the Ridge: South Ridge & Horsetooth Rock LoopBeneath wide February skies, we walked South Ridge at Horsetooth Mountain Open Space. Dry golden hills below, snow-capped Longs Peak above. A quiet Presidents’ Day hike on a trail with history, ranching roots, and gratitude for protected land.
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Continue reading →: Eagle’s Nest Open Space: 3 Bar & OT LoopA dry winter led us into open foothills at Eagle’s Nest Open Space, where wide skies, quiet trails, and ranching history shaped a 5.4-mile walk through high desert terrain, shared miles, and a season that asked us to adapt.
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Continue reading →: New Year’s Day at Gem Lake: Setting the Tone for the Year AheadNo resolutions, no pressure—just movement, fresh air, and time together. Our New Year’s Day hike to Gem Lake offered quiet trails, dramatic granite, and cloud-wrapped views of Longs Peak—a simple, grounding way to step into the year with intention, presence, and steady forward motion.
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Continue reading →: 2025: Depth, Distance, and the Wild Places That Shaped Us2025 was a year of depth, distance, and unforgettable wild places. From solo backpacking through desert canyons to alpine lakes, glaciers, and bucket-list landscapes in the Canadian Rockies, this year blended challenge, connection, and awe—one trail, canyon, and campfire at a time.
Western Wanderlust Chronicles 