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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.
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Continue reading →: Thanksgiving in Vermilion Cliffs: Wandering a Desert of Stone, Sky & Silence (Part 2)Part 2 carries us deeper into Vermilion Cliffs—wandering White Pocket’s swirling sandstone, discovering ancient rock art, standing above Wrather Canyon, watching California condors soar, and celebrating Thanksgiving beneath a sky filled with stars and desert silence.
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Continue reading →: Thanksgiving in Vermilion Cliffs: Wandering a Desert of Stone, Sky & Silence (Part 1)Snowy Colorado passes, starlit desert skies, and a tiny campground straddling the Utah–Arizona border. In Part 1, we trade winter for sandstone, camp in the San Rafael Swell, and settle at Stateline Campground on the edge of Vermilion Cliffs—quietly setting the stage for the adventures still to come.
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Continue reading →: Yoho: Where Rivers Meet & Journeys End (Day 9-10)The journey from Jasper to Yoho National Park unfolds amidst breathtaking landscapes, with valleys, towering peaks, and roaring rivers. Highlights include Takakkaw Falls and Emerald Lake, capturing a blend of beauty and adventure. This ten-day trip reflects the lasting memories that travel inspires, signaling both an ending and a new…
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Continue reading →: Jasper: Rain, Spirit & Sunset (Day 8)Rain and mist gave way to sunlight as we explored Jasper. From Maligne Lake to Spirit Island, Medicine Lake to Pyramid Island, the day offered wildlife, waffles, sacred stillness, and golden sunsets—Jasper in all its moods.
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Continue reading →: The Icefields Parkway: A Journey Through Ice and Time (Day 7)Some roads are more than just a way to get from one place to another—they’re journeys in themselves. The Icefields Parkway, stretching 145 miles between Lake Louise and Jasper, is one of those roads. Said to pass by more than 100 glaciers, it promised a day of wonder. And it…
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Continue reading →: Moraine Lake: Where Autumn Meets the Sky (Day 6)On a crisp morning, Moraine Lake was icy blue beneath golden peaks. Bill and I embark on a journey up to Larch Valley, where autumn blazed gold against turquoise waters, and ended with a curious pika—a day painted in colors only the Rockies could create.
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Continue reading →: Lake Louise – Tea, Trails & Timeless Views (Day 5)Lake Louise shimmered turquoise beneath its glaciers as Bill and I hiked to Lake Agnes Tea House. From Mirror Lake to the Devil’s Thumb, blueberry cobbler to Steller’s Jays, this day was about slowing down and savoring Banff’s alpine heart.
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Continue reading →: Banff National Park – First Glimpses of the Rockies (Days 3-4)The journey through Canada leading to Banff National Park, a stunning introduction to the Rockies. Exploring iconic sites like Johnston Canyon, Silverton Falls, and enjoying Canadian treats like BeaverTails marked an unforgettable first day filled with natural beauty and adventure.
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Continue reading →: Yellowstone National Park – Geysers, Canyons & First Miles North (Day 1-2)Our Canadian Rockies adventure began in Yellowstone, where Bill and I shared Old Faithful for the first time. From geysers and waterfalls to bear sightings and canyon views, this was the perfect start to our 10-day journey north into Canada.
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Continue reading →: Backpacking to Mirror Lake: 3 Days in Rocky Mountain National ParkThree days in the Rocky Mountain National Park brought moonlit skies, mirror-like lakes, hidden alpine ponds, and star-filled nights. Between storms and sunshine, we found beauty in every step—a backcountry escape that left us both humbled and renewed.
Hello,
We are
Bill & Crystal
Welcome to the adventures of Bill and Crystal, two outdoor enthusiasts on a quest to explore the breathtaking landscapes of the Western United States and beyond. With a shared love for nature’s wonders and a thirst for adventure, Bill and Crystal have embarked on countless journeys, from the depths of remote desert canyons to the towering cliffs of iconic landmarks like the Grand Canyon. Together, they traverse diverse terrains, seeking out hidden gems and hidden trails, all while forging unforgettable memories under the open sky.
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Western Wanderlust Chronicles 