The best walks and hikes in the United States of America

The light at sunset is beautiful. But beware, you have to be there at least 30 minutes before the official sunset time, otherwise you will miss the sunset... due to a rock, Delicate Arch is in shadow earlier than indicated in the sunset time apps.

A stunningly beautiful hike in Bryce Canyon. The Navajo Peekaboo Loop is a popular and challenging hike in Bryce Canyon National Park, connecting two of the most famous trails in the Bryce Amphitheater. Impressive, narrow switchbacks lead steeply down into the canyon and past rock formations with imaginative names like Thor's Hammer and Wall Street.

The Wolfe Ranch in Arches National Park is a historic settlement site and the starting point for the hike to the famous Delicate Arch. A simple log cabin (built in 1906) and other remnants (such as a cellar and a pen) of a small ranch founded by Civil War veteran John Wesley Wolfe in the late 19th century. Located on Salt Wash, northeast of present-day Moab, where Wolfe and his family attempted to raise cattle and farm in isolation, the ranch remains serve as a historical attraction and a parking area and trailhead for the popular Delicate Arch hiking trail and a short trail to petroglyphs (rock carvings). It offers a glimpse into the harsh pioneer life in arid Utah.

It is reached via a strenuous but popular hiking trail (approximately 4.8 km round trip, with climbs and sections over slickrock) from the Wolfe Ranch parking lot. There is also an easier viewpoint further away. The arch is especially popular at sunset and sunrise, when the light highlights the red rocks.

The Mist Trail is much easier to hike uphill in early summer (snowmelt) than downhill because it becomes very slippery. Instead of returning the same way, it's recommended to head a little further upstream, turning right, onto the John Muir Trail—not only because of the slippery descent, but also because this leads to the best vantage point for Vernal Falls (marked on the map). Especially when the Merced River is full, the view is spectacular. The descent on the John Muir Trail is then much easier. Warning for photographers: During snowmelt, only take photos in the "splash zone" with a truly waterproof (submersible!) camera—and pack any other camera in a completely waterproof bag beforehand and only unpack it again at the top. Several careless camera owners have destroyed their equipment on this trail. I once heard a man at the top complaining about a broken Hasselblad – it was in his backpack, but obviously not completely waterproof. The fine mist penetrates everywhere, and even with a rain jacket, you end up wet like you've just taken a shower. On warm summer days, the trail is extremely crowded, with several thousand visitors on just a few kilometers of trail.

In summer, the most crowded trail in the entire park begins here. It's actually only bearable during the week in the off-season, but on summer weekends, several thousand people are spread out over just a few kilometers of trail.

Beautiful!!

It's usually quite crowded here