Looking for some ghostly fun this October that allows for social distancing? Visit a ghost town!  If you also have an interest in gold mining history, so much the better. It is estimated that about 3,800 ghost towns are still standing across the USA, mostly out West. Some of the buildings are in great condition, others are quite literally falling down. Some towns have become well-known, easy-to-reach roadside attractions, others are quite remote. Each town has its own boom-to-bust story that makes a visit both interesting and educational. Whether you’re a ghost hunter or a history buff, please leave everything as you find it. Take lots of photos, but no souvenirs, and be sure to wear appropriate snake gaiters or hiking gaiters and a neck gaiter / face covering for extra protection in harsh climates and conditions.

Rhyolite, Nevada. Winding throughout the rich and colorful Silver State, Nevada’s highways and byways are ideal for discovering America’s history. Route 374 is a prime example and leads to the much-photographed ghost town of Rhyolite. As far as boomtowns go, Rhyolite is a “newer” ghost town, having been born and busted between 1904 and 1920. What’s also special is that its crumbling yet photogenic buildings are mostly made of concrete, not wood. Since lumber was scarce in the desert, one creative miner even built his home out of mud and 30,000 assorted liquor bottles! But perhaps what is most unusual here is that you are guaranteed to see ghosts as you head into Rhyolite— yes, even in broad daylight! That’s because on the same gravel road heading toward Rhyolite, you’ll find a 15-acre outdoor sculpture park— Goldwell Open Air Museum. Among the unusual pieces of art are life-size ghosts, a 25-foot high pink woman made of cinder blocks, a 24-foot high steel prospector posing with a penguin, and much more.  More about Rhyolite here.

Bannack State Park, Montana. Although the old-time prospectors are long gone, many mining relics and over 60 buildings remain in Bannack State Park. Most are so well preserved that you can actually go inside them— a rare treat when it comes to ghost gowns. Bannack’s rich history began 150 years ago with John White’s discovery of placer gold along the banks of Grasshopper Creek. In July 1862, Mr. White filed one of the first recorded mining claims in what was later to become the state of Montana. Good news traveled fast and by fall of that year, “Grasshoper Diggins” was home to 400 prospectors. By the following spring, the population had swelled to 3,000 — the Gold Rush was definitely on!  On the southeast end of Bannack, the Bessette House is believed to be haunted by the children who died here during an epidemic of scarlet fever. The site is nicknamed the Crying Baby House because of the sounds some visitors have reported hearing.  Visit the Bannack State Park website. 

Bodie State Park, California.  When a little girl writes in her diary “Goodbye God, I’m going to Bodie” you know her destination isn’t a pleasant one— not in the 1880s anyway when she penned that entry. The child’s name is unknown, but her words have became famous throughout the West to describe her family’s move to Bodie, California— once known as the Wildest Mining Camp in the West. Today, the lawlessness is long gone. Now a State Historic Park, Bodie is the nation's biggest unreconstructed ghost town, and provides an authentic look back into California’s mining history. What's left of Bodie—about 170 buildings and the Standard Mill— represents just five percent of what was standing in its 1870-1890 heydey. There are no re-creations or restorations here. Everything is officially in a state of "arrested decay," meaning only minimal repairs are made on the remaining structures. The weather is really unpredictable here, so consider having snow gaiters when you visit.  More info on Bodie here.

In fact, it was a mighty river that indirectly led to the discovery of the park’s stone bridges. In 1883, a prospector wandered up White Canyon from his base camp along the Colorado River in search of gold. What Cass Hite found instead of nuggets were three spectacular spans that water had sculpted from stone. At first, these bridges were called President, Senator, and Congressman in order of height, but years later they were given much more appropriate Hopi names.

At 220 feet high and 268 feet long, Sipapu is the highest and biggest of the three natural bridges in the park. Despite its bulk, it is a bit hard to differentiate Sipapu from its natural environment— the beige sandstone is well camouflaged against the surrounding desert landscape. Sipapu means "the place of emergence," and was named for the entryway by which the Hopi Indians believe their ancestors came into this world.

While admiring Sipapu Bridge, don’t overlook the nearby Horse Collar Ruin—one of the best-preserved ancestral Puebloan archeological sites in the area. From the overlook, binoculars or a good zoom on your camera will bring the distant cliff dwelling into focus. The ruin is comprised of a rectangular kiva and two granaries with unusual circular doorways that resemble horse collars, hence the name. Native Americans last lived here over 700 years ago, but amazingly the kiva has a nearly intact roof.

210-foot high, 204-foot long Kachina was named for the rock art found on the bridge depicting dancing figures and symbols commonly found on kachina dolls. You’ll have to hike down to see the glyphs, but even if you don’t, the view of this bridge from the overlook is pretty impressive. Kachina continues to be enlarged by the floodwaters of White Canyon, but since it is 93 feet thick, it’ll probably take a very long while before there is any noticeable erosion—that is unless more rock falls off of it. In 1992, about 4,000 tons of sandstone fell from the inside of the bridge opening.

Owachomo is the oldest and smallest bridge in the park. Its Hopi name means "rock mound," a feature atop its east abutment. Owachomo is 106 feet high, spans 180 feet, and at only nine feet thick, is very thin compared to its neighbors. Streams no longer erode this bridge, but frost action and seeping moisture do.

Although Native Americans occupied the area off and on until the 1300s, the general public has only known about these three bridges since 1904, thanks to National Geographic Magazine. Over 100 years later, visitors continue to marvel at the two deep canyons, three massive sandstone bridges, and Puebloan archeological sites in Natural Bridges National Park. Only Mother Nature knows how long these treasures will stand the test of time, but hopefully they will remain rock solid for future generations to enjoy.

The Owyhee was named for three Hawaiian trappers who were sent in 1819 by a fur trading company to explore the uncharted waterway. Unfortunately, the men were never seen again, but others discovered this unique area soon thereafter and put it on the map. The headwaters begin in Northern Nevada. It is one of the few rivers that wind north instead of south to its confluence with the Snake River. If you like dramatic desert canyon scenery, you won’t be disappointed here. The surrounding geography— vertical walls in some places are over 1,000 feet deep, plus rock spires, needles, and arches— is similar to that found in Bryce and Zion National Parks.

The twisty Owyhee River has been manipulated by the Owyhee Dam, which created 53-mile-long Lake Owyhee. Along the eastern shore, you’ll find Lake Owyhee State Park. About 12 miles below Owyhee Dam, you can take a soak at the Snively Hot Springs Recreation site. This BLM day use site is quite picturesque, and quite popular, so you’re not likely to be alone here for long. The hot spring flows right into the Owyhee River. A “pool” created by a ring of rocks warns you to step lightly— the water is really hot!

Prepare to get your boots dusty (or wear hiking gaiters) as you wander as much of the 110-acre park as you care to cover. You’ll find a vast display of restored and preserved mining equipment as well as original structures—a grizzly (ore sorting house), an assay lab, the last remaining trestle from the Tonopah & Goldfield Railroad, hoist houses with all original equipment, and head frames. These are not “pretty” museum exhibits. They are safe to explore, but definitely sitting in a state of weathered decay. Take the underground burro tunnel that leads to a steel viewing cage suspended over a 500-foot mine stope (vertical shaft). Surrounded by such a vast amount of authentic mining artifacts, you won’t need much imagination to get a real sense of what it was like to work in a turn-of-the-century silver mine!

Before you poke around the remnants of the Mizpah Mine, Silver Top Mine, Desert Queen, and others, watch the introductory video inside the visitor center. You’ll “meet” Jim Butler and his wife Belle, and learn why Tonopah's mines were consistently high producers. Their biggest year was 1913 when almost $10 million in gold, silver, copper and lead was pulled out of the ground.

Tonopah Historic Mining Park has been voted “Best Museum in Rural Nevada.” You won’t be disappointed if you, too, take a self-guided walk in the footsteps of the old-time silver miners.

It's a mystery, really. Standing amidst thousand-year-old stone dwellings that archeologists say were suddenly abandoned in the early 1400s, you can't help wondering what happened. If you’re heading towards Arizona’s sunnier, drier climate this winter, visit the Verde Valley 50 miles south of Flagstaff and formulate your own theory. Scientists estimated that the dwellings were used for only about three centuries before the area was suddenly deserted. Were the ancient residents driven out? Did they die of disease? Deplete their natural resources? Or perhaps they didn't really disappear, just simply migrated somewhere else? Who would do that and why? “Who” is easier to answer. The ruins at Montezuma Castle, Montezuma Well, and Tuzigoot National Monuments were once the home of the prehistoric Southern Sinaguans, which is Spanish for "without water." Located in Arizona's Verde Valley, these three National Monuments represent some of the best-preserved cliff dwellings and hilltop pueblos in the Southwest.

Montezuma Well
Montezuma Well is a separate location, but still part of the Montezuma Castle National Monument. As of June 2020, the Well area is closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but keep this area in mind once it’s back open to the public again. This natural limestone sinkhole is 55 feet deep and 368 feet across, and was formed thousands of years ago when a huge underground cavern collapsed. More than one and a half million gallons of water a day flow into it from two underground springs. The pretty blue pool is rimmed with unreachable cliff dwellings, but a platform overlooking the site provides a nice aerial view. For a closer look at 800-year old cave ruins, follow the path down to the water's edge. In addition to building homes into the cliffs, the Southern Sinaguans also took advantage of natural caves in the area and built some dwellings at ground level, too. The trail also passes more stone ruins that were once the walls of free-standing pueblos. RATTLESNAKE WARNING!  Snakes are frequently found in this area so protect yourself by wearing Snake Gaiters or snake proof boots.

Tuzigoot National Monument
The stone ruins here are very different from the cliff dwellings found at Montezuma Castle and Well. Tuzigoot is the remains of a 110-room pueblo that sits on a long limestone ridge 150 feet above the Verde River floodplain. And what's especially nice for history buffs is that you can get up close and personal with the dwelling and may even walk inside some of the rooms. Tuzigoot is an Apache word that means "crooked water" and also aptly describes the zigzag appearance of what's left of the structure's walls. Although the stones are original, the park service has reinforced the crumbling mortar with cement. To see the entire pueblo, climb the circular trail that winds up the hill. At the top, you'll be treated to a panoramic view across the wide Verde Valley.

Thanks to physical evidence left behind by the Sinaguans, archeologists have concluded quite a bit about their prehistoric culture and lifestyle. But since no separate Sinaguan tribe exists today, their exact fate will never be known. Conceive your own conclusions by visiting these fragile and irreplaceable ruins.

NOTE: The National Park Service (NPS) is closely monitoring and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local officials, NPS continues to adapt to changing conditions while maintaining public access at a majority of NPS sites. Social distancing and recommendations to wear a face covering may continue to be in effect. Always check the NPS website for closure information before visiting.

Warmer temperatures mean venomous reptiles leave their underground hide-outs in search of food and to mate. And nicer weather also means more people in parks and on trails. And that leads to more hospitals reporting an increase in rattlesnake bites, especially in California and Arizona. For those of us enduring our state’s shelter-in-place orders, the ability to get outside and get some exercise is crucial. But if that exercise involves going on a hike, or mountain biking on a rugged trail, there's another threat that we all need to aware of — snakes. According to herpetologists, there are  four groups of venomous snakes in the United States: rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouths/water moccasins and coral snakes. The best piece of advice when enjoying the great outdoors is “don’t be paranoid, be protected!"

If you, too, want to escape the doldrums of the coronavirus "stay home, save lives" orders and get outside for some exercise and to soak up the sun, do it, but just be aware. After all, it is easy to social distance on most hiking trails, especially those in the back country.  There are several things hikers can do to avoid danger between now and October when snakes are most active.

• Wear sturdy hiking boots along with snake gaiters that protect your lower legs.
• Don’t wear headphones or earbuds while hiking. You want to listen for rattlesnakes, which use their rattles to warn you of their presence. Keep in mind, though, sometimes they rattle, sometimes not, you never know. Beware of silent slitherers, too!
• If you ever hear a rattle or see a snake, back slowly away with no sudden movements. Hold your trekking pole or stick between you and the snake, if you have one. When you are safely away, calm down, catch your breath, make a big detour around the snake and mosey on your way.
• Scan ahead down the trail. Snakes want to avoid you as much as you want to avoid them. It is not uncommon for snakes to cross trails, but they usually move on quickly and disappear into the cover of the brush on the other side.
• Stay on the trail where you can see what’s on the ground. Snakes like to hide in the shade, and they are very hard to see in the brush and grass.
• When off-trail, avoid thick brush in the woods where a snake might be hiding. When you walk up to a fallen tree or large stone, step up on it rather than over it, as there could be a snake lurking on the other side. After ankles and legs, most snake bites occur on hands and arms, so never put your hands in spots where you can’t see what might be hiding there. If you come upon a steep stretch of trail that requires scrambling up and over rocks, check each ledge or crevice.

To avoid attracting rattlesnakes to your backyard and outbuildings, remove potential snake food and shelter from your property. Make sure you don’t have mice or rats and get rid of wood piles or garbage heaps that can make excellent hiding spots for snakes.

If you are bitten by a snake, the Mayo Clinic advises:
    •    Call 911 immediately or get yourself to a hospital as quickly as possible.
    •    While waiting for medical help, stay calm and position the body so that the bite is at or below heart level.
    •    Remove jewelry or tight clothing before swelling starts.
    •    Do NOT apply ice or a tourniquet on or near the bite.
    •    Do NOT cut the wound or attempt to suck out the venom.
    •    Do NOT drink caffeine or alcohol, which could speed the body's absorption of venom.


As reptiles, a snake’s body temperature mirrors air temperature, so it’s common to see many more snakes this time of year. Don’t avoid outdoor activities, but don’t take a chance either— protect yourself while in snake country by considering Razer Snake Gaiters.

Most visitors stop at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park while touring Utah’s Grand Circle (Bryce Canyon and Zion, Arches, Canyonlands and Capitol Reef National Parks). Just 12 miles southwest of U.S. Hwy 89 near Kanab, the park is indeed convenient to these more popular attractions, but Coral Pink Sand Dunes is also a unique destination perched at an elevation of 6,000 feet. Photographers and off-road enthusiasts especially appreciate this unique landscape found nowhere else in the United States. The sweeping sandy expanse is 3,730 acres of contrasting color— coral dunes surrounded by red sandstone cliffs, blue skies, white fluffy clouds, and emerald junipers and pinion pines. The dunes are also a massive playground for riding off-highway vehicles!

If you’d rather get around on your own two feet, hikers can get sand in their boots without dodging OHVs.  Visit park website.

Looking for a way to stay in shape this winter? Snowshoeing is an excellent low-impact aerobic exercise that can burn 600 calories an hour, and is an excellent way to extend your hiking and running season. You also get to enjoy solitude in areas that might be crowded in summer. Snowshoeing is budget-friendly since it does not require expensive lift tickets or fancy gear. It’s also a great social activity that all ages and ability levels can enjoy together. If you can walk, you can snowshoe. As long as the snow depth is 6 or more inches, you’re good to go.

If you’re just getting into snowshoeing, renting gear is a great way to get started. The rental shop will set you up with snowshoes suitable to your weight and the conditions where you’ll be snowshoeing. Make sure you check the maximum recommended load for your snowshoes (your weight plus the weight of your pack filled with gear should not exceed the recommended load) and take into consideration the type of snow you’ll be traveling on (freshly fallen powder requires snowshoes with a larger surface area to keep you floating on top of the snow). You may choose not to use poles, or only one pole when snowshoeing. It’s all personal preference. Poles help to maintain your balance while snowshoeing, especially on inclines and declines. They also provide support to help distribute your weight, which can protect your joints and muscles from injury. A good rental shop will help you to make sure your poles are adjusted correctly.

You’ll want to dress layers when snowshoeing. As always when exercising outdoors, dress in layers so you can adjust your clothing to suit your activity level and the weather. Avoid cotton because when it gets wet, it stays wet. Instead, choose synthetics or wool because they wick moisture and retain warmth even when wet. Cross-country ski clothing is designed for aerobic winter activity, and can do double-duty as snowshoe clothing.

• Base layer: Choose a lightweight base layer. A zippered top lets you vent as you heat up and zip up for warmth during rest stops.
• Mid layer: Soft-shell jackets and pants make good insulating mid-layers because they retain heat when wet, move freely and breathe as you exercise. Polyester fleece mid-layers can also work in a pinch.
• Outer layer: For your outer layer, choose a waterproof, breathable shell jacket and pants to help keep you dry, and fend off wind. Pit zips are a good idea for added ventilation because you’ll be working up a sweat and you don’t want to overheat.
• Keep your head and hands covered to prevent loss of body heat and to protect from sunburn. A wool or synthetic hat, headband, neck gaiter, or balaclava retains heat during cold, blustery days; a wide-brimmed hat or a ball cap can shade your eyes on sunny days. Waterproof gloves are a must to keep your hands dry and warm. You can also combine waterproof/breathable shells with wool liners or light fleece gloves. In milder conditions, glove liners may be all you need, but have a backup waterproof pair with you, just in case.
• Sunglasses and sunscreen will protect you from UV rays, which are more intense when reflected off of snow.    
• No matter the length of your snowshoe adventure, having a daypack is imperative. You’ll want to make sure the pack is lightweight, and comfortable to wear.
• Winter gaiters keep snow out of your boots. For deep powder, you need a high style with waterproof/breathable fabric. A shoe with an in-step gap is useful, which will help keep snow out of your shoes and pants. They are especially helpful if you plan to snowshoe in deep snow and don’t plan to stay on snow-packed trails. Gaiters are imperative for backcountry hikers.
• To save weight and give you long-term energy, pad your pockets with complex carbohydrates and proteins such as a small bag of nuts, chocolate, jerky or dried fruits. Avoid purely sugary snacks and snacks that will freeze. Just because you don’t feel as thirsty when the weather is cold, that doesn’t mean your body isn’t using and losing water, so stay hydrated like you would in the summer.

Walking on flat or rolling ground is fairly easy. Your stride should be wider than it is for hiking in order to avoid stepping on the insides of your snowshoe frames. Because of that, you may find your hips and groin muscles aching a bit after the first few times you snowshoe. Start slowly and plan for short routes. You can build up your level of adventure once you gain confidence and ability. It’s important to listen to your body and plan your snowshoeing adventure accordingly.

As a beginner, there is no better way to begin snowshoeing than just going and doing it. At first, use your snowshoes to explore city parks or trails you are familiar with. As you become more experienced, check out the mountains outside of town, or far off backcountry areas filled with nothing but gorgeous scenery. Whether you snowshoe by yourself or with others who are also interested in maintaining or improving their cardiovascular fitness, always let someone know your route and plan in case of an emergency. Be aware of your surroundings, and come prepared with the appropriate gear and clothing.

The one-way 13-mile scenic drive (open daily from 6:00 a.m. until dusk), offers numerous opportunities to picnic and photograph the beautiful shapes and colors up close. Stop first at the Visitor Center for a map, and while inside learn about the area’s geology, history, and wildlife, including the wild horses and burros you’re sure to see.

It's hard to fathom, but Red Rock Canyon's natural desert beauty was once the bottom of an ocean. About 225 million years ago, movements of the earth's crust caused the seabed to slowly rise. When the seabed sediment was exposed to air, it began to oxidize, resulting in the red, pink, purple, and orange colored rocks seen today. It's also believed that millions of years ago two of the earth's plates collided, causing older layers of rock to be thrust horizontally over younger layers. The red sandstone collided with gray and tan limestone, creating striking multi-colored formations found in Red Rock Canyon.

If you’re a rock climber, get your permit in advance. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is one of the top five climbing destinations in the USA and has more than 2,000 routes. If you’d rather not get roped into anything, the beautiful colors and angles of the canyons, cliffs, and ravines are just as stunning from a hiking trail or roadside overlook. To see fragile petroglyphs (rock art carved into the surface of the rock), pictographs (painted onto the surface of the rock), and food roasting pits left behind by ancient Indians, be sure to hike the easy Willow Springs Loop trail. Trail Running Gaiters will keep sand out of your shoes. Razer Snake Gaiters are your best bet whenever you're in rattlesnake territory.

There's quite a great deal to see and do beyond the opulent oasis of Las Vegas. Stock up on bottled water and prepare to be amazed by the colorful natural wonders just outside of town.

The best “don’t miss” stops within the park include Balanced Rock, the Windows, Delicate Arch, and Devils Garden (listed nearest to farthest away from the park entrance and visitor center). No matter how short your visit, drive at least as far as the Windows section. Parking lots at these popular destinations can overflow during peak season, so you may have to visit them in a different order.

Scenic photo opportunities start immediately inside the park, so keep your camera handy. Just a couple of miles from the entrance and visitor center (stop here first for an overview of the park) are viewpoints for Park Avenue, Courthouse Towers, Three Gossips, and several other picturesque rock creations. Early explorers often named these remarkable formations after things or places from “back home.” For example, an early traveler from the Big Apple thought the skyscraper-like monoliths looked like New York’s Park Avenue, hence the name. If some of this scenery seems familiar, it could be that you recognize it from Hollywood movies such as Ten Who Dared, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Thelma and Louise and others.

About nine miles from the entrance to Arches National Park is aptly named Balanced Rock— a mammoth boulder balanced precariously on a pedestal. If you want to stretch your legs, a very short hiking trail takes you to the base of this 128-foot tall fragile formation. Or save your steps and snap a photo from the road. From Balanced Rock, a side road leads to the Windows area where three massive arches make perfect frames for the landscape beyond. North Window is the smallest opening with a span of 93 feet and a height of 51 feet. South Window is 105 feet long and 66 feet high. Turret Arch actually has two openings, the largest of which is 64 feet high and spans 39 feet. A one-mile trail leads right up to these stone spectacles.

Delicate Arch is probably the most famous arch in the park—it’s the iconic symbol found on just about every book, brochure, and guide ever written about Arches National Park. It is 46 feet high with a width of about 35 feet. Although on the small side, this arch draws scores of photographers, so the area is usually very crowded. You can admire this arch from a wheelchair accessible viewpoint (Delicate Arch is about three-quarter miles in the distance), or stand in its shadow after trekking three miles over mostly slickrock. There’s not a bit of shade along the hard hike, so it can be brutal in the summer sun. Needless to say, take lots of water and slather on the sunscreen!

If you choose the three-mile Delicate Arch Trail, it begins at the Wolf Ranch parking area. In the late 1800s, John Wesley Wolfe, a disabled Civil War veteran, and his son, Fred, built a homestead here. A weathered log cabin, root cellar, and corral are all that’s left of the primitive cattle ranch they operated for about a dozen years. Peek inside—the cabin is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A panel of petroglyphs near the ranch is thought to have been carved by the Ute Indians some time between A.D. 1650 and 1850. Many of the figures show stylized riders on horseback, and animals that look like sheep.

Located at the end of the road that runs through Arches National Park, Devils Garden is not only the name of the campground, but also the name of a trail from which you can see eight arches, many backdropped by the snow-capped La Sal Mountains. Getting the most out of this area definitely requires lacing up your hiking boots. The sandy Devils Garden Trail (wearing trail running gaiters will keep sand out of your shoes and keep your socks cleaner) leads to Landscape Arch, the longest in the park, measuring 306 feet from base to base. It stands 106 feet high and at its thinnest point is only 10 feet thick. In 1991, a massive slab of rock fell from its underside, resulting in an even thinner ribbon of rock. Additional rockfalls occurred in 1995 and 1996.  Along the trail you’ll also pass Pine Tree Arch, Tunnel Arch, and more.

Just before Devils Garden is a viewpoint and short trail to elegant Skyline Arch. Skyline is of particular interest because it’s so young. It formed in November 1940 when a major rockfall doubled the size of what was then called Arch-in-the-Making. Skyline spans 69 feet and is 45 feet high.

Although the Beehive State is home to five national parks, seven national monuments, and numerous state parks and historic sites, Arches National Park is one of Utah’s literal highlights. Perched at elevations ranging from 4,085 to 5,653 feet above sea level, the landscape here is classified as a high desert. That means temperatures in the summer and winter can be extreme, so it’s best to visit in the spring or fall. No matter what season you visit, you’ll find the greatest density of natural arches on earth surrounded by 119 square miles of scenery just waiting to be explored.