Travel Guide: Hiking Observation Point Trail in Zion National Park

Photo by Dirtbag Darling.

There’s a reason the beaten paths in Zion National Park and so, well, beaten. Classic hikes like Observation Point trail offer unbeatable views of one of our country’s most beautiful parks—think rusty red rock formations, crisp greenery, and purple-blue skies stretched out for miles. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself humming “America the Beautiful” for the majority of the 8-mile trek—we did the same thing.

What: Observation Point trail.

Where: Zion National Park, Route 9, Springdale, Utah.

The stats: 8 miles roundtrip, 2100 feet in elevation gain, strenuous. No permits required.

What to do: You can’t leave Zion National Park without trudging up the intense but satisfying Observation Point trail—it’s a Zion classic to rival Angel’s Landing but without the latter’s exposure and fear factor. There’s no beating around the bush when it comes to the trail either, and you’ll start feeling the elevation gain in your legs almost immediately while following switchbacks up the eastern walls of Zion Canyon. Rest often to soak up the views before being swallowed up by Echo Canyon, a deep-water gorge with impressive sandstone waves and pockets. You’ll come out the other side and continue your steep zigzag ascent until you find yourself at Observation Point. What’s waiting for you? A beautiful panorama view of sandstone reds against clean blue skies.

How to get there: From April 1 through October 30 Zion Canyon should be accessible by shuttle—the trailhead at Weeping Rock parking lot is stop seven (but double-check for changes before you go). Others can pick up a map at the park office to find the parking lot.

What to bring: Sturdy shoes, a camera, enough food and water to last you at least five hours, and a fleece or an insulated jacket and windproof shell in the winter—the canyons can get pretty cold.

Do: Pick up a guidebook at the park’s office if you want to explore tangential paths like the East Rim Trail, which heads to Cable Mountain, and Deertrap Mountain. You’ll probably pick up tips most hikers never notice!

Don’t: Underestimate temperature fluctuations and ice. It may be hot at the trailhead but residual spring snow requires micro spikes and wind at the top of your hike could throw you for a loop if you aren’t prepared with an extra layer. Better warm than oh so sorry!

Dirtbagging 101: How To Prevent A Car Break In

I speak from experience...sadly. 

Let me preface this piece by saying that I've learned from experience how NOT to get your car broken into while your traveling. It was during a half-mile hike when our rented minivan had its window smashed in. Casualties included two GoPros, a Canon DSLR, a purse with all of its contents, a stuff sack filled with gadgets and a Gap scarf. Not sure why that last item was abducted but whatever.

I was inspired by this article from Surfer Magazine which details—in words direct from a robber's  mouth—how not to get robbed while surfing. It has a lot of practical tips that can be of value to other outdoorsmen because we're so often away from our cars with no way of bringing our valuables with us. I highly suggest reading the article at surfermag.com but here's a quick, adapted takeaway for the rest of us:

1. Don't advertise you're outdoorsy
I can proudly say I'm not a bumper sticker kind of girl, and now I feel validated for that—having a surf, kayak or climbing sticker on your car helps thieves identify you as someone who will be away from their car for longer periods of time.

2. Park in crowded areas
The shade from a tree will keep you car cool, but definitely unprotected. Park in a highly visible spot.

3. Keep gear to a minimum
As I can tell you, that's easier said than done, especially while traveling. But whenever possible, lock up your extra gear in the hotel room (or better yet, leave it at home) instead of in the car.

4. Don't rent a soft top
Convertibles and Jeeps are just so easy to break into (heck anyone with a knife can do it). Make sure all windows and car doors are locked...always.

5. Take the key with you
Don't hide it under your car, tuck it under the wheel or near the engine. If you can reach it, they can, too. If that means tucking it into your bra or bikini top, so be it (but keep in mind the Internet is full of solutions for something like this).

6. Get a better car
That's harsh, but a crappy car is just easier to break into.

What are your tips for keeping your car and valuables safe when you're outdoors?

California Tour: Day 9 San Diego

All photos by Dirtbag Darling

Sunday was decidedly a fun day. We skipped the whirlwind tour in favor of some well-known surf and a tourist attraction. In the morning, we hopped over to Sunset Cliffs on the trail of a hopeful forecast of some 5-7 foot waves. It was a little powerful for me, so I sat on the cliffs, soaked up the sun and played cameraman while Brandon surfed. 

What I love about the San Diego coastline is the clash of people. You've got your shirtless old-man surfers in Uggs, your jogging yuppies, your dedicated dog walkers and your salty dogs. I love chatting with people on the cliffs, it's seriously such good therapy.

California Tour: Day 8 Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

All photos of Dirtbag Darling by The Corporate Dirtbagger

Our vacation-slash-work trip hadn't been quite as magical as we'd planned thanks to a break in and some bad luck, so we decided to mentally make a change and just have fun. After managing to make a flight from San Francisco to Los Angeles (turns out if you don't have photo ID, TSA just requires some sort of alternate identification—for me, a prescription—and an extra pat down), we took a day off and went to Disneyland. It was a nice refresher to just escape reality for a minute and, please, who doesn't have fun at Disneyland?

This weekend we drove down to stay with friends in San Diego and took a day trip out to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. The park is the largest state park in California and the second largest in the country. I'm guessing that's because there's literally nothing out there. It's bone-dry sand, a few cacti and a scattering of lizards and beetles. And it's hot—even in February. Here's a tip: When packing for a vacation, make sure you pack some light-colored hiking clothes. Oops.

Sliding through canyons with my new Roxy Outdoor Fitness bag. I love that thing!

California Tour: Day 3/4 Napa Valley

All photos by Dirtbag Darling

Thinking back, Monday started off like it was going to be a great day. And for the most part, it was! After work we drove out to the Monticello Dam near Napa Valley and opted for an extremely steep mile hike over the more moderate four-mile loop—it was already getting darker and we didn't want to leave our car alone for that long.

So off we went, scrambling up a 2,000 foot elevation change that was killer on the buns and thighs. It was beautiful! We hiked along the ridge to see both sides of the mountain and got some great practice in varying our jump shots:

See? And even though boyfriend forgot my candy bar reward for reaching the top, I had a great time and was feeling so happy to be able to work from such a beautiful place. Until we got back to the car...

Travel Guide: The Perks of Couch Surfing

That's one way to couch surf...photo via Pinterest.

This is a guest post from our resident Couch Surfing Expert Ambassador Lea Gall.

The first big trip I ever took was a two-month holiday to Australia and New Zealand. Being that I didn't have much experience yet, my cousin and I decided to break things up to prevent jet lag. Didn't work, but good idea, right? We decided that flying out of Philadelphia and spending a week in Los Angeles was the first leg of our trip, and when we got to LAX, we hopped on a bus that would take us to a Venice Beach hostel.

Then something funny happened. We started chatting with a guy named Julian on the bus and when he offered to let us crash at his place, we said yes (I'm not sure why). We went to his condo in a very nice area and rented a car with all the money we saved. I'll never forget that first night—we started getting nervous, so we locked the door and piled some luggage in front of it. I think we may have even taken turns sleeping!

California Tour: Day 2, Kirkwood Mountain

All photos by Dirtbag Darling

Remember how I said I love California? Well, I really do. It's just so cool to be able to go from coastline to snow-covered mountains in just a few hours. The terrain out here is so diverse and everything is so huge! Why didn't I appreciate it more when I lived here?

We spent Sunday snowboarding at Kirkwood Mountain, near Lake Tahoe. The drive is was nothing short of terrifying. Snow chains were required but since we were in a rental, we didn't have any. Luckily we made it through the check point. Luckily? Not so much...the roads were covered in an inch of ice that made any uphill ascent an adrenaline rush, and not the good kind. Before we even go to the resort we saw multiple cars in ditches.

California Tour: Day 1, San Francisco

All photos by Dirtbag Darling

The end of January—it's the time of year when most East Coast natives are about ready to hang up their fleece hats and migrate to some sunnier shore (one without ice-coated windshields). Luckily for me, I work from my laptop, and my laptop can be anywhere I want it to be. So for the next two weeks, it'll be hop-scotching around California with me as I reconnect with business contacts and explore my favorite coast.

Day 1: San Francisco
Our trip out West started off with some hiccups. My boyfriend and I both forgot we had water in our Nalgenes and had to be escorted back through security. An inch of snow in Philadelphia meant a two hour delay in order for the plane to be de-iced, meaning we missed our connection in Dallas. But everything worked out in the end and we made it to San Francisco.

Lesson 1: Double and triple check your liquids are empty or in a travel-sized clear container before you get to the security line.

Press: My "One Little Thing" on Her Packing List

Swing on over to Her Packing List today little monkeys to check out an interview I did about my "One Little Thing." I love my Pray for Surf hat! Oh, and get ready for some of the best packing advice you've ever seen—Brooke is running an incredible blog over there.

Base Camp: The Case For NOT Traveling Alone

Photo by Dirtbag Darling

"Traveling alone is enlighting. It's empowering. It's explorative. People think you're amazing after telling them a story about a place you traveled to on your own."

So begins an article by Kat Lapelosa called "Why You Should Start Traveling Alone." I happened upon it this morning—it's written in response to the recently published article "Why You Should Stop Traveling Alone," and—not that anyone asked me to—but I feel like chiming in here. Because I think traveling alone is the single biggest mistake you can make.

Sure, I get the allure of "finding oneself" among the evergreens and whatnot (yeah, I read Into the Wild, too). I understand the draw of complete solidarity in nature, of learning to fend for yourself and the feeling of accomplishment one finds in not getting lost at the airport. Other people can be irritating, indecisive and impatient. Especially tourists.

But connecting with other human beings is such a driving life-force—ESPECIALLY in a new place. You'd think reaching a mountain peak alone would be a moment of clarity, but in reality, it's just lonely. There's no one to appreciate the scenery with, to bond with over the trials of getting to that point and to that moment with. There's no one to take your picture (don't try and tell me your don't want that...you're lying).

For all of you longing to trek off into the wilderness a la Christopher McCandless, don't go forgetting the single most important insight from Jack Krakauer:

"Happiness is only real when shared."

Especially over a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, back at camp, with someone you love.

Travel Guide: Muir Woods

Photo by James Redenbaugh

This is a guest post from writer Lily Betjeman. See more of her photos here.

Trees are famous in California. Most of us have heard tales of cars fitting inside giant trunks, but the stories don't prepare you for the real thing. When I saw the first cluster of trees in Muir Woods—an old growth redwood forest 12 miles north of San Francisco—my jaw dropped like in a cartoon. There were two trees growing right next to each other. They looked to be as wide as a house and by far the tallest living things I'd ever seen, let alone come close to.

The size is astonishing, but it's the age of these guys, too, that's impressive. Some redwoods are 2,000 years old. Just being in their presence induces reverence.

My boyfriend and I got there on the late end of the day, so the light was low. The dark gray sky fit with the ancient fern-carpeted groves—I felt like talking too loud would be disrespectful. The word "magic" is used freely in northern California, a little too freely for me (not everything is a peak experience), but these woods do feel enchanted. It's one of the most special places I've been to.

How To Get There:
Your best bet is to stuff inside a car/station wagon/SUV and take the Golden Gate Bridge to the aptly named Redwood Highway (101) to Route 1. From Route 1, you'll hit Panoramic Highway, which will take you to Muir Woods Road. The Route 66 Muir Woods Shuttle bus operates on holidays and weekends throughout spring and summer. The shuttle service is closed for the remainder of the year, but will reopen in spring 2013. Check marintransit.org for details.

Photo by Lily Betjeman

Inside the Park:
There are six miles of trails, and entry is $7 a person (we got there as the sun was literally almost setting and skipped the fee, but it's worth getting there with enough time to adsorb the plae. You're going to want to take your time.) Make sure to step inside one of the trees that's been hollowed out; there's one that's about 1/4 mile from the trailhead. Bohemian Grove is the site of the annual boys' club party, the kind Gatsby'd have throw to woo his Daisy. Important mend with important jobs gather there in what's a kind of patrician bacchanalia each summer.

What's Nearby
There are lots of stunning views and epic walks along the foggy Pacific coast. Mount Tamalpais State Park is wedged up next to Muir Woods and is host to many trails. If you take Route 1 (Shoreline Highway) 25 miles north you'll hit Point Reyes Station, a charming village near Point Reyes National Seashore. Inside the park there's a variety of day hikes to choose from and camping options for $15 a night. Get a trail map and book your camp site at the Bear Valley Visitor Center in Point Reyes Station.

Have a trip planned in another part of the country? We're adding new mini-guides all the time. Check out where we've blogged about so far HERE.

Adventure Log: Old Rag and Little El Cap, VA

So this weekend Corporate Dirtbagger and I took off for Virginia. Yes, it was a long drive. Yes, I'm still exhausted from it. But that's a small price to pay for a weekend of hiking and climbing in a new location (and the bruises and blisters to prove it). Here's a little visual diary of our weekend: