Backcountry Secrets Latest Points

June Creek - Colorado

9 Jun 2008

Submitted by: georgemmett on 9 Jun 2008

Directions:
(From Denver) 1. Take I-70 West 2 Exit right following the sign Avon (EXIT 167) 94.5 mi. 3 Exit ramp (right) at Nottingham Road 0.2 mi. 4 Take right to Nottingham Rd/Buck Creek Rd 0.0 mi. 5 Turn right on Metcalf Rd 0.9 mi. 6 Turn left on Old Trail Rd 1.8 mi. 7 Turn right on June Creek Trl 0.7 mi. 8 Arrive at trail head, ride North as far as you like. It's a double track most of the way, but a great ride to get away from those pesky Vail, Beaver Creek tourists.

Mountain Biking
Park at the end of June Creek Rd where the paved road ends or drop into double track and find a parking spot. At first intersection make a right( head north and up up up) and that's it. Ride all the way up to ridge (about 1500ft verticle) make a right at first and only intersection on top. About two miles on your right you'll see another double track, make that right and it will loop back down to your starting point. approx 20 miles altogether. Fast gnarly downhill. The downhill section is offten referred to as "Widowmaker"

Sam Merrill Trailhead - California

9 Jun 2007

Submitted by: shell1fish on 9 Jun 2007

Directions:
To reach the trailhead, drive to the top of Lake Avenue in Altadena, CA. There is plenty of daytime street parking.

Hiking & Backpacking
The Sam Merrill Trail is a major hiking trail in the Las Flores Canyon of the San Gabriel Mountain Range in Altadena, California. A well-maintained 2.5 mile trail leads to Echo Mountain, with opportunities for further explorations. For more information, start with http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Merrill_Trail

Mt. Baldy Ski Area - California

9 Jun 2007

Submitted by: shell1fish on 9 Jun 2007

Directions:
Take the Mountain Ave. / Mount Baldy exit from the 210 freeway, which is located in the city of Upland and head North towards the mountains. Mountain Ave. will turn into Mt Baldy Road and dead end into the Ski Area Parking lot. Note: There is more than one Mountain Ave. exit of the 210 Fwy. Make sure it is the Mountain Ave exit in the city of Upland and it says Mount Baldy on the Fwy. exit sign.

Alpine Resort Skiing
Mt. Baldy is the largest and steepest Resort in Southern California. 26 Runs spanning 3 Mountains covering 800 Acres with 2,100 Vertical Feet located only 45 miles from Los Angeles! http://www.mtbaldy.com/

Mountain Biking
During the summer, the chair lifts are equipped to bring mountain bikes to Mt. Baldy for incredible rides. http://www.mtbaldy.com/

Switzer Falls - California

9 Jun 2007

Submitted by: shell1fish on 9 Jun 2007

Directions:
From Interstate 210 in La Canada, CA, drive up the Angeles Crest Highway (Highway 2) 10.5 miles to the side road down to Switzer Picnic Area, 0.5 miles past the junction of the Angeles Crest and Angeles Forest highways. Turn right and descend to the parking area outside the picnic area, 0.25 miles. You will need to purchase and display a National Forest Adventure Pass for your car. This can be purchased by mail, phone, or locally. For more information, http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sanbernardino/ap/pass-options.shtml

Hiking & Backpacking
The hike to Switzer Falls is about 3 miles round trip, although there are plenty of opportunities to extend your hike. This is a relatively easy hike into one of the loveliest sections of the San Gabriel mountains. The hike meanders back and across the stream running down the spectacular Arroyo Seco Canyon. The hike travels high above the 50 foot high Switzer falls, then drops back to the stream, where hikers can double back to stand at the base of the falls. After parking, cross the bridge and follow the trail to Commodore Switzer Trail Camp. Cross the stream and follow the trail as it climbs above the falls. About 0.25 miles past the camp is an unmarked junction; go left (southeast), descending into the gorge of the Arroyo Seco. When you reach the creek, turn upstream to reach Switzer Falls in 0.25 miles.

Q'emilin Park trail system (Ka-Mee-Lin) - Idaho

9 Jul 2008

Submitted by: lizardlisy on 9 Jul 2008

Directions:
Eastbound 1-90. Take spokane street exit. Right onto Spokane street. The park is off to the right. Parking righ at the trailheads require a small fee.

Hiking & Backpacking
There is a map of the trail system there at the park. Rock climbers would even have a blast here. Sometimes you may have to pay for parking unless the booth is closed, then you just go right on in. They say you cannot have a campfire there, yet I have always seen used fire pits all over. If youm hike to the top of Upper Fifth Canyon, the views are spectactular! My cousin, on my first hike, took his slingshot and was able to clear the distance to the other side! There is also a unique spot by the Spokane River. Be cautious when the Floodgates are open upstream. If you get too close, you could fall in. Stay Alive.

Rock / Ice Climbing
there are places among the trail for climbers. The Kootneai Klimbers club has more information.

Spencer Hot Springs - Nevada

9 Apr 2008

Submitted by: milliejohn on 9 Apr 2008

Directions:
Just off Hwy 50 between Austin, NV and Eureka, NV.

Hot Springs
Open desert soaking in 4 seperate areas, one stone lined pool with wooden deck, 2 steel cattle tubs, and one squishy bottom pool set on a hillside to the south of the stone pool. Temps are controllable by diverting hot water in all but squishy pool(warm). Lot of room for dispersed camping, no facilities, gas, food, available in Austin. Other hot springs, indian art, mines, ghosttowns, fishing, hiking, rockhounding, nearby.

cushman caves - Arkansas

8 Sep 2008

Submitted by: tre329 on 8 Sep 2008

Directions:
Take hwy 69 into Cushman and turn onto Blowing Cave Rd follow it to the end.

Caving / Spelunking
There are numerous caves in this area to be explored with a lot of legends attached to them.

Snow Canyon Caves - Utah

8 Oct 2008

Submitted by: tessawhitehead on 8 Oct 2008

Directions:
From I-15 Northbound: Take exit 6 (Bluff Street). Head north on Bluff Street to the intersection with Snow Canyon Parkway. Take a left onto Snow Canyon Parkway and proceed approximately 3.5 miles and take a right onto Snow Canyon Drive. Follow this road to the south entrance of the park. From I-15 Southbound: Take exit 10 (Washington). Turn right off the ramp and take an immediate left at the light. Follow this road for approximately 5 miles to the intersection with Bluff Street/ SR-18. Proceed through the light and continue on Snow Canyon Parkway for approximately 3.5 miles and take a right onto Snow Canyon Drive. Follow this road to the south entrance of the park

Caving / Spelunking
Lava Caves Trail, a 1.5-mile round-trip that starts just north of the campground. The caves are about a half-mile along the trail, but watch carefully -- it's easy to miss them. The caves were formed from liquid lava, and American Indian tribes have at times occupied the large rooms.

Venable Cmanchee Loop Trail - Colorado

8 Nov 2008

Submitted by: joebechina on 8 Nov 2008

Directions:
Going South from Westcliffe, CO turn Right (west) onto Horn, RD toward alvarado campground. Once at alvarado Campground follow the signs to the Rainbow Trail. Follw the Rainbow trail to Venable Trail. Then Venable to Comanchee Trail, and back to Rainbow trail. This trail offers beautiful views of rugged peaks and alpiine lakes. grea camping in the basins! It is well worth the effort to get up there!

Hiking & Backpacking
Follw the Rainbow trail to Venable Trail. Then Venable to Comanchee Trail, and back to Rainbow trail. This trail offers beautiful views of rugged peaks and alpiine lakes. grea camping in the basins! It is well worth the effort to get up there!

Pueblo Kayak Park - Colorado

8 Nov 2008

Submitted by: joebechina on 8 Nov 2008

Directions:
exit 1st street in downtown Pueblo off of I-25. From there head west. Turn South on Union Ave and go over the bridge. park just past the bridge and walk down the stairs o the river below.

Kayak Park & Play
Walk down the stairs and upriver to Hole 1. there are 8 different holes each a lot of fun! Hole 1 has the largest drop, but they all have something different to offer! Enjoy!!