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Hiking the Point Lobos Loop is an amazing adventur

Hiking the Point Lobos Loop is an amazing adventure through one of California’s most stunning coastal spots!

My husband and I hiked in Point Lobos State Natural Reserve in 2023, and that place lives rent free in my head. The beauty of the coastline and marine wildlife blew me away! 🦦

If you get a chance to hike in Point Lobos, do it! I highly recommend doing the Point Lobos Loop. You'll get to see many coves, Cypress trees, different beaches, and adorable marine wildlife (my favorites were harbor seals and sea otters!!!). 🦭

🥾 Hike Details:
Length - 6.5 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain - 650 feet
Difficulty - Easy to moderate
Hiking Time - 3 to 4 hours (it took us 6 hours because we stopped and watched the wildlife for sooo long!)
Route Type - Loop
Pet-friendly? No
Hike Features: Bluefish Cove, Big Dome Cove, Cypress Grove, Sea Lion Point, Hidden Beach, China Cove, Bird Island, Granite Point, and more!

📍 There are several places where you can begin the Point Lobos Loop hike. We started from the Whalers Cove Parking Area.

🎟 There is a $10 entrance fee! But if you park alongside Highway 1 and walk in, then you don't have to pay the fee. 😉

🤩 In the summer and during holidays, Point Lobos can get crowded! Make sure you arrive early to avoid crowds and have a more peaceful experience.

🌱 Always remember to follow Leave No Trace principles.

✨️ Follow @adventureplanningqueen for more mini hiking guides! For more detailed guides check out my website 😊

Bearfence Mountain is one of my favorite hikes in

Bearfence Mountain is one of my favorite hikes in Shenandoah National Park!

This short 1.1-mile trail features an exciting rock scramble that leads to jaw-dropping 360-degree views from the summit. The trail extends to another stunning viewpoint, easily accessible without the rock scrambling part, offering impressive 180-degree vistas.

🥾 Hike Details:
Length - 1.1 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain - 240 feet
Difficulty - Moderately challenging
Hiking Time - 30 to 45 minutes
Route Type - Loop
Pet-friendly? No
Hike Features: Rock scramble, summit with 360-degree views, another overlook with 180-degree views

📍 The trailhead is located off Skyline Drive at milepost 56.4 in Shenandoah National Park. The parking lot is small, so get there early to snag a spot!

🎟 Shenandoah requires an entrance fee! If you visit national parks often consider buying the America the Beautiful Annual Pass.

🌄 I highly recommend watching sunrise from Bearfence Mountain!

🤩 Best time to hike this trail is spring and fall. My favorite time is during fall when the vibrant fall foliage covers the mountains. It's so beautiful!

🌱 Always remember to follow Leave No Trace principles.

✨️ Follow @adventureplanningqueen for more mini hiking guides! For more detailed guides check out my website 😊

Looking for a short, easy hike with some of the mo

Looking for a short, easy hike with some of the most breathtaking views in Virginia? Stony Man in Shenandoah National Park is the perfect choice! This family-friendly, 1.6-mile hike offers an accessible way to experience the stunning landscapes of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

🥾 Hike Details:
Length - 1.6 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain - 320 feet
Difficulty - Easy
Hiking Time - 45 minutes to 1 hour
Route Type - Lollipop
Pet-friendly? No
Hike Features: Summit with two overlooks

📍 The trailhead is located off Skyline Drive at milepost 41.7 in Shenandoah National Park.

🎟 Shenandoah requires an entrance fee! If you visit national parks often consider buying the America the Beautiful Annual Pass.

🌄 Consider watching sunset from Stony Man. The summit faces west so it's a perfect spot!

🤩 Best time to hike this trail is spring and fall. Summer and fall are busy so start your hike early in the morning or later in the day to beat the crowds!

🌱 Always remember to follow Leave No Trace principles.

✨️ Follow @adventureplanningqueen for more mini hiking guides! For more detailed guides check out my website 😊

Rising to an elevation of 3,875 feet, Sharp Top Mo

Rising to an elevation of 3,875 feet, Sharp Top Mountain in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains is a popular hiking destination, offering stunning panoramic views that captivate visitors from all around the world!

🥾 Hike Details:
Length - 3 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain - 1,300 feet
Difficulty - Challenging
Hiking Time - 2 to 3 hours
Route Type - Out-and-back
Pet-friendly? Yes, must be on leash

🤩 Take a short detour to Buzzard's Roost on your way to Sharp Top's summit for even more amazing views and a little more solitude.

🌄 Watching sunrise from Sharp Top is a must!

🍂 My favorite time to hike the Sharp Top Trail is in the fall. The Blue Ridge Mountains light up with vibrant fall colors making the views from Sharp Top even more stunning!

🌱 Always remember to follow Leave No Trace principles.

✨️ Follow @adventureplanningqueen for more mini hiking guides! For detailed guides, check out my website 😊

This was our first trip in 2024. I can't believe t

This was our first trip in 2024. I can't believe this year is almost over 🥹

Here's an adventurous yet relaxing 2-day Shenandoah itinerary (inspired by our trip) ⬇️

Day 1
🥾 Hike Little Devil's Stairs Loop
🍕 Reward yourself with pizza
😌 Watch a movie in your cozy cabin
♨️ Hang out in the hot tub

Day 2
🌄 Have a slow morning & watch sunrise from your cabin's porch
🥾 Hike Old Rag (my favorite hike in VA)
🍝 Cook dinner & play card games

Follow @adventureplanningqueen for more travel inspirtation and guides ✨️

Bright Angel Trail is one of the most iconic hikin

Bright Angel Trail is one of the most iconic hiking routes in the Grand Canyon 🤩

🥾 Hike Details:
Length - 16 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain - 2,350 feet
Difficulty - crazy strenuous

Most people don't hike the entire Bright Angel Trail and back as a day hike. But some do! Just know your limits if you attempt this rim-to-river-to-rim trek!

Just because you're not hiking all the way to the Colorado River doesn't mean you can't hike the Bright Angel Trail!

🙌 List of good turnaround points:
First Tunnel - 0.4 miles RT
Second Tunnel - 1.5 miles RT
1.5 Mile Rest House - 3 miles RT
3 Mile Rest House - 6 miles RT
Havasupai Gardens - 9 miles RT

Just remember, the further down in the canyon you go, the more elevation gain you will have to tackle to get back out of the canyon!

⚠️ The Bright Angel Trail is currently closed from Havaspuai Gardens to Silver Bridge. It's scheduled to reopen May 15, 2025!

🥵 If you do hike any portion of this trail during the summer, please head out super early or later in the evening! The temperatures in the canyon can exceed 100 degrees (F).

💧 Bring plenty of water and snacks to maintain your energy levels.

☀️ Some sections of the trail can be very exposed to the sun. Wear sunscreen, SPF lip balm, and sun protective clothing!

Learn more about hiking the Bright Angel Trail on my blog (adventureplanningqueen.com) ✨️

Daydreaming about big rocks and Joshua Trees 🤩

Daydreaming about big rocks and Joshua Trees 🤩

🌵 Joshua Tree National Park is one of my favorite places I've ever visited! Here's a 2-day itinerary FULL of hiking adventures:

Day 1
🪨 Hike Split Rock Trail + Face Rock and Skull Rock (5-6 miles)
👑 Hike Desert Queen Mine Trail (4 miles)
🥾 Hike Pine City Trail (4 miles)

Day 2
🌄 Watch sunrise at Cholla Cactus Garden
💙 Hike Arch Rock Trail to Heart Rock and Arch Rock (1.7 miles)
🪙 Hike to Wall Street Mill and Barker Dam (3.5 miles)
🏜 Hike Hidden Valley Trail (1 mile)
🍔 Eat dinner at Joshua Tree Saloon

✨️ Save this for your next trip and follow @adventureplanningqueen for more adventure travel guides

Maybe Miley Cyrus's song The Climb is really about

Maybe Miley Cyrus's song The Climb is really about running up steep hills 🤔

First half marathon trail run ✅️

It was brutal... so will I sign up for another one? Yes 💀

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