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Thanks to all who entered.

Thanks to all who entered.

This is the wrong way to Buckskin Gulch.

In honor of National Trails Day, here are a few of our favorite hikes:

Green sand beach hike on the Big Island of Hawaii
Echo Canyon Loop in the Chiricahuas of Arizona
Dead Horse Trail, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Colorado
Seven Falls Trail, Tucson, Arizona
Buckskin Gulch, Arizona (well we sort of got lost on this one)
Cascade Head Trail near Lincoln City, Oregon

I’m usually good for a 5 to 7 mile roundtrip trail that includes a vista or waterfall but omits steep, narrow passages. Lately, I’ve added walking poles to my hiking gear hoping to help with that fear of heights thing that probably means my depth perception is declining.

Will you be celebrating National Trails Day with a hike? Post a comment to tell me about your favorite U.S. trail. I might go for a hike.

The Apache’s called this part of their homeland, “Land of Standing-Up Rocks.” To see what they mean, drive the eight-mile journey up Bonita Canyon Road to Massai Point (6870 ft.) for an introduction to Chiricahua mountain scenery punctuated with columns of rhyolite marching down the hillsides. Alan and I enjoy hiking Echo Canyon Loop, a 3.3 mile trail that loops through the rock formations giving an up close and personal view. Another option is to park your car in the Visitors Center lot, take the 8:30 a.m. shuttle to the top and hike Echo Canyon Trail (4.2 miles) back to the Visitors Center.

Of course Alan likes to test his 4-wheel drive skills on Pinery Canyon Road. It’s really just a wash-board rough gravel road that takes you up and over the Chiricahuas to the small community of Portal on the other side. Be sure to take a break near the top, at Rustler Park, to rest under the tall pine trees. From here, you can see well into Mexico. During monsoon season, this road becomes challenging so check conditions first before starting out.

Back in the monument, history lovers glimpse life on a homestead at Faraway Ranch near Bonita Canyon Campground. Swedish immigrants built the ranch in the 1880′s. You can explore the grounds or book a tour at the Visitor’s Center. And while you’re in this part of Arizona, take the short drive to Fort Bowie near Apache Pass to walk around and imagine life in the old west. Tip: go early, you’re in the desert here so avoid the heat of the day.

Have you visited Chiricahua National Monument? Post a comment to tell me about your favorite hike or experience. It’s time for me to visit again.

Alan befriends a tortoise on the island of St. Helena.

Hike to green sand beach

If you’re a baby boomer who’s “been there, done that” on the Big Island of Hawaii, here’s an adventure for you. Travel to South Point for a hike to a green sand beach, Papalokea. You’ll feel like you’ve come to the ends of the earth, or at least the southernmost end of the United States, which you have.

The drive to South Point is an adventure in itself. Alan and I approached the area from the Kona side, where the road travels across lava fields on the flanks of Mauna Loa. Between mile markers 69 and 70, we took a right turn for the road to South Point. After passing a few houses and bed and breakfasts, civilization seemed to disappear. The wind blows constantly here, which is why the few trees that dot the grassy plain all lean in one direction. It’s also the reason for the wind farms that you’ll pass on your way to the end of the road.

Once the pavement ends, a rutted dirt road leads to a parking area and the path to the green sand beach. We started this adventure with the intention of driving our 4-wheel-drive rental jeep to the green sand beach, which violated the rental agreement, of course. After driving up the first section of the dirt path, we chickened out, parked the car and started the hike. The dirt track turned out to be very doable for a 4-wheel expert like Alan but we were glad we took the hike instead.

Green Sand Beach, Papalokea

According to Hawaii The Big Island Revealed, our trusty guidebook, the walk to the green sand beach is a little over 2 miles each way. The wide open terrain is cris-crossed with red dirt tracks created by 4-wheel-drive vehicles. We saw fishermen casting for fish on the rocky shore and plenty of other hikers on the trail.

An ancient volcano created the littoral cone of olivine, the reason for the green sand. To access the beach, hikers walk down a steep cliff face, something this acrophobic baby boomer chose not to do. Later, we learned there is an easier path to the shore, if you know where to look. But the view from the top is stunning with plenty of photographic opportunities.

If you visit South Point, be sure to continue on Highway 11 to Na’alehu for lunch at Hana Hou Restaurant and Bakery. Try the loco mocos, a combination of rice, hamburger patty and fried eggs smothered in brown gravy. Although not exactly a healthy meal, they were the best loco mocos we’ve ever tasted.

And the next time we’re on the Big Island, we’ll book a room at Kalaekilohana, a bed and breakfast on the road to South Point. The Hawaiian-owned property offers luxury lodging combined with lessons on Hawaiian culture. Check out their package that includes a stay at two other Big Island bed and breakfasts, including Waianuhea, one of our favorites.

Have you been to the green sand beach at South Point? Did you hike down the cliff? Post a comment to tell me what I missed.