The Highline Trail is a 100-mile trail through the little-traveled Uinta Mountains in northeast Utah. The Uintas are one of the few east-west ranges in North America. The are home to 13,528′ Kings Peak, the high point of Utah.

HIGHLINE is a feature-length documentary that follows the journey of five friends on a 10-day thru-hike of that namesake trail. You might remember our review of The High Sierra Trail. HIGHLINE is also produced and directed by Chris Smead of Outmersive Films, along with co-direcor Gordon Gurley, and features five experienced backpacking friends who undertake this remote trek.

Getting into HIGHLINE

Many hiking films look at the experience of a particular trail. HIGHLINE does that, for sure, but what sets it apart are the backstories.

First, the trail itself has a rich history, with details provided by local experts Tom Flanigan, Ryan Buerkle and Gordon Hirschi. You learn the history of the Uintas, and how the trail came to be.

As the story of the trek unfolds, we learn what connects these five friends, and the reasons for their love of the outdoors. There are stories of addiction, PTSD, struggles and triumphs.

Struggles and triumphs are shared on the Highline Trail itself, as they struggle with the altitude, lightning and rain storms, and long days on trail that anyone who has done a long trip can relate to.

HIGHLINE beautifully expresses the healing powers of being outdoors in nature and the bonds that connect us. The beauty and solitude was inspiring, and it might just inspire you to add the Highline Trail to your adventure list.

HIGHLINE Trailer

How to Watch HIGHLINE

BlueRay and DVD copies of HIGHLINE are available to order at Highlinefilm.com and the film will be released on the following streaming platforms on April 7, 2020: Amazon, iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, Microsoft Video and Vimeo.

The Confluence Overlook Trail in the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park takes you away from the crowds and through a maze of slick-rock canyons to the confluence of the Green and Colorado Rivers.

Trail Details

Distance: 11 miles
Time: 5-6 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 50 ft
Dogs: No
When to go: Spring or Fall

As it turns out, there are no established campsites along the Confluence Overlook Trail, and only one permit is issued per day for an overnight group. Because there are no established campsites, you are required to camp off-trail on slick-rock, where your impact is minimized. In other words, I would have the whole place to myself. I told her to sign me up!

Getting There

This route is in the North Needles area of the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park. The nearest town is Moab–about 75 miles away. You’ll stop at the Needles District Visitors Center to pickup your permit–$30 at the time. Follow the main road from the visitor’s center to it’s end and you’ll be at the trailhead.

The Trail

This out-and-back route requires careful attention to cairns for navigation. The “trail” often crosses slickrock, climbs up and down improbable ledges that require some scrambling, and can be tricky to follow when you happen to miss a cairn. You could easily get lost back here if you aren’t mindful. It is a quiet, special place.

The trailhead begins just past the Slickrock Loop Trail–at the end of the paved road–and runs 5.5 miles to the edge of the canyon where you have a spectacular view of the confluence.

A large sign provides an overview of the trail and marks the start of the trail, which begins by winding down into a small canyon, following cairn to cairn. No sooner do you reach the bottom than you begin climbing, quite literally. Sections of this trail require careful hand-over-foot scrambling that make it unsuitable for small children or anyone squeamish about heights.

Climbing up the opposite side of the first canyon, you reach this window-like view over Canyonlands.

The trail continues in this same manner, climbing down, across, and up out of one canyon, then another. Sometimes you’ll have a ladder to assist you. Cairns are carefully placed along the entire route to help keep you on track. In many places, the trail is difficult to see without them.

At the 1.5 mile mark, you enter a sandy wash that you follow for almost a mile before climbing again over slickrock.

Climbing up and down can be tricky. Some of the sections are steep with rock-hopping and light scrambling required. At the 4 mile mark, you reach a meadow. The trail crosses a jeep trail and continues through the meadow for a mile, reaching a junction with Cyclone Canyon Trail. Keep right to rejoin the jeep trail, which you follow to the left (west) for 1/2 mile. At the end of the jeep trail you’ll find a rare bit of shade, a pit toilet and a picnic table. And you’re almost to the overlook.

Climbing the final 1/2 mile to the overlook the terrain began to fall away and the views open up.

And finally, you find yourself standing 1,000 feet above the Colorado River.

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Soak in the views and the energy, and prepare for the trip back. In my case, I was going to be sleeping out here. I had to  backtrack across the jeep trail and at least another 1/2 mile past that. As there are no established campsites (thankfully!),  you find a flat space atop the slickrock where you are less likely to cause harm to the fragile environment. I ended up hiking about nine miles to a section of slickrock, then climbed up and off trail. The views extended for miles in every direction.

Pitching my tent, boiling water for dinner (vegetable korma from Good To-Go; highly recommended). Watching the sun set, and the stars pop out.

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I awoke before sunrise, and the sky was already light. It was cold, but not freezing, and I sat in my sleeping bag and watched the light show, purple and pink, yellow and blue hues changing by the minute.

I fired up the Jetboil and heated water for Starbucks Via and drank it all in.

The 2-mile hike back to the trailhead went quickly in the cooler morning air with a lighter pack (with less food and water).

This was a short trip as far as backpack trips go, and could have easily been hiked as a day hike. But experiencing this place in the afternoon, evening, stillness of night, and the first light of morning, was well worth the time.

Confluence Overlook Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Confluence Overlook Trail Tips

• This trail has no shade to speak of. Wear sun protection and be mindful of the weather forecast.
• There is no water on the trail. I carried four liters, for both drinking and cooking, with another two gallons in my car.

More Canyonlands National Park Resources

• I carried and recommend the National Geographic Illustrated Map for Canyonlands National Park
• Canyonlands National Park – official website

Canyonlands National Park Weather Forecast

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Arches National Park in Utah attracts over one million visitors a year with it’s namesake geologic wonders. Most visitors head to the easily reached roadside arches and viewpoints. In contrast, the Devil’s Garden Loop is considered the only “hiker’s hike” in the park.

Trail Details

Distance: 7.2 miles
Time: 4-6 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 470 ft
Dogs: No
When to go: Year-round
Download GPX

Getting There

Arches National Park is located just west of Moab (get directions via Google Maps) on the easter edge of Utah. The park has no food or lodging, but both are found in nearby Moab. Moab is about a ten hour drive from Los Angeles and it’s a gateway to both Arches and nearby Canyonlands National Park. There is one main road into Arches National Park, and the Devil’s Garden trailhead is all the way at the end of that road. It takes about 30 minutes to reach from the park entrance, if you can manage the trip without stopping to gawk at the beautiful rock formations. It took me closer to 90 minutes, and it was worth every stop.

When to Go

This area gets hot in the summer and cold in the winter. Spring and fall are ideal times to visit. To hike the Devils Garden trail, you would be smart to start early. The trailhead parking fills up, but if you get here early, you can catch the sun rising over the La Sal Mountains and beat the crowds to the trail. You’ll also enjoy cooler morning temperatures.

I hiked the trail on October 18th starting a little before 8am. I had no trouble getting parking and once I passed Landscape Arch, the crowds thinned considerably. I still was able to catch the sunrise over the La Sal Mountains and check out some of the other sites on the way to the trailhead.

Trail Description

The Devils Garden Loop has several spur trails that total about nine miles of hiking.  Note that the trails to Landscape Arch, Pine Tree Arch and Tunnel Arch are well maintained and family-friendly, but beyond that, you’ll see signs warning of the “primitive trail.” Most of this loop is not suitable to young kids or anyone uncomfortable with heights or navigating from cairn to cairn over slick-rock. And because of the steep, slick surfaces on sections, it’s also inadvisable in rain, snow or icy conditions.

The trailhead is easy to find, and there are pit toilets and water available. It’s advisable to carry at least a liter of water in temperate weather; more if it’s hot. You’ll also need snacks, sunscreen, a hat and the ten essentials.

Each junction is well-signed, though there are some sections of the trail which require you to follow cairns to navigate. It’s important to stick to the designated trails, as soil crust is fragile and supports tiny organisms critical to desert life.

I recommend hiking the loop in a clockwise direction for the best views and fewer crowds, beginning with the famous Landscape Arch. 

Landscape Arch

Landscape Arch, measuring 306 feet from base to base, is the longest arch in the park and the fifth longest arch in the world. It’s an easy 1.5 miles to the arch, and the majority of visitors to Devil’s Garden turn around here.

In 1991 a rock slab 60 feet long, 11 feet wide and four feet thick fell from the arch, and at some point in the future, the arch will likely collapse. Since that time, the park has closed the trail that once led directly beneath the impressive span.

From the Landscape Arche viewpoint, the trail begins a climb up slick-rock to Partition Arch. The photo below shows the view looking back down the “trail” just climbed.

While the namesake arches are the main attraction in the park, pay attention to the little details and you’ll discover there is much more to enjoy. The sandstone fins that dominate Devil’s Garden proved a glimpse into the formation of arches in various stages.

Partition Arch

About 1/2 mile beyond Landscape Arch, Partition Arch actually is a pair of arches separating the fins that Landscape and Navajo arches are formed on. The main arch gives you a sweeping view to the north, and you can (carefully) find a place to sit and soak in the view on the north side of the arch.

Head through the main arch, and to the east is a sloping ledge that provides a great place to sit and soak in the grandeur of Arches.

Click for an interactive 360-degree view of Partition Arch

Navajo Arch

Head back out the spur and bear left at the junction to Navajo Arch. This short spur trail leads down behind the next fin, revealing a beefy arch that feels like a doorway to a small, hidden slot canyon.

Click for an interactive 360 photo of Navajo Arch

From Navajo Arch, backtrack to the main loop trail and head west. Here the trail climbs to the top of a squat fin with 360-degree views.

The trail climbs up this rock

You scramble up this steep section to the top of the fin, then follow it for about 1/4 mile.

There are great views in all directions. Just be sure to stop before you look around. You won’t want to step off the edge!

Atop the Fin en route to Double-O Arch

Black Arch Overlook

At the far end of the stretch along the top of the fin, the trail drops once more to the ground and a short spur to an overlook of Black Arch.

Double O Arch

Another scramble down steep slickrock takes you to the unusual Double O Arch. What makes this arch particularly unusual is that one is stacked above the other. You can hike directly under the arches and view it from all sides.

After this, watch carefully for the junction with the spur trail to Dark Angel. The maze of use trails leading to and from Double-O Arch make it easy to miss. It’s only about 5-10 yards away from the arch.

Dark Angel

The Dark Angel is not an arch, but a dark-colored pinnacle that sit like a sentry at the northwest extreme of the Devil’s Garden. The 1/2 mile spur trail is worth the trip for the views.

Dark Angel

From Dark Angel, retrace your steps to rejoin the Devils’ Garden Loop. The sign once again warns that it is a primitive trail, which I found enjoyable. There were generally fewer people on this section, and it also gives you a close look at the bottom of the garden.

Private Arch

At six miles you reach a junction with the spur trail to Private Arch. The 1/2 mile spur trail takes you to probably one of the least viewed arches in the park.

Climb the last stretch of slickrock beyond the arch and you’ll be rewarded with an amazing view of the Devil’s Garden. Here you can really see the fins that erode over millions of years to create the iconic arches.

End of Private Arch TrailHead back to the main loop trail and continue on, as it descends a dry creek bed and circles the eastern edge of Devil’s Garden, finally rejoining the trail you hiked in on. Follow this trail back toward the trailhead, but stop to take the short spur trail to Pine Tree and Tunnel Arches.

Pine Tree Arch

This is a tall, thick arch, so-named because a pine tree is growing under the arch.

Tunnel Arch

On the other side of the spur trail is the ninth tunnel on this tour– Tunnel Arch. This arch is viewed from a distance, and looks a bit like a porthole or a subway tunnel.

From this final arch it’s less than a mile back to the trailhead parking, which by now has completely filled up. And you still have half the day to explore!

Devils Garden Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Note that the mileage recorded on my GPS is over two miles longer than the National Park map mileage, likely due to signal noice hiking in narrow canyons.

Devils Garden Tips

• No permits are required for hiking.
• Water is only available in two places in Arches National Park; at the Visitor’s Center at the Park Entrance, and at the Devil’s Garden trailhead. Be sure to fill your bottles before hiking this dry, exposed trail.
• The primitive sections of the trail require hiking over sections of steep slickrock and navigating from cairn to cairn. Take you’re time to make sure you’re on the trail. Leave the cairns intact. Do not tamper with existing cairns or build your own.

More Arches National Park Resources

• Official Arches National Park website
• Arches National Park Map from National Geographic

Arches National Park Weather Forecast

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Original hiked this trail on October 18, 2016. 

This is a 360° spherical view from atop the spine on the trail between Navajo Arch and Double-O Arch, taken with an LG 360 Camera.

Click the full-screen icon  in the lower right to go full-screen, then click the image and drag to change your view.

On mobile devices, you can touch and drag to look around, or move your smart phone to “see” up, down or around.

Return to Hiking the Devils Garden Loop.

This is a 360° spherical view of Private Arch, taken with an LG 360 Camera.

Click the full-screen icon  in the lower right to go full-screen, then click the image and drag to change your view.

On mobile devices, you can touch and drag to look around, or move your smart phone to “see” up, down or around.

Return to Hiking the Devils Garden Loop.

This is a 360° spherical view of the Dark Angel spire, taken with an LG 360 Camera.

Click the full-screen icon  in the lower right to go full-screen, then click the image and drag to change your view.

On mobile devices, you can touch and drag to look around, or move your smart phone to “see” up, down or around.

Return to Hiking the Devils Garden Loop.

This is a 360° spherical view of Partition Arch, taken with an LG 360 Camera.

Click the full-screen icon  in the lower right to go full-screen, then click the image and drag to change your view.

On mobile devices, you can touch and drag to look around, or move your smart phone to “see” up, down or around.

Return to Hiking the Devils Garden Loop.

This is a 360° spherical view of Navajo Arch, taken with an LG 360 Camera.

Click the full-screen icon  in the lower right to go full-screen, then click the image and drag to change your view.

On mobile devices, you can touch and drag to look around, or move your smart phone to “see” up, down or around.

Return to Hiking the Devils Garden Loop.

This is a 360° spherical view from the end of the Private Arch spur trail, taken with an LG 360 Camera.

Click the full-screen icon  in the lower right to go full-screen, then click the image and drag to change your view.

On mobile devices, you can touch and drag to look around, or move your smart phone to “see” up, down or around.

Return to Hiking the Devils Garden Loop.

This is a 360° spherical view of Pine Tree Arch, taken with an LG 360 Camera.

Click the full-screen icon  in the lower right to go full-screen, then click the image and drag to change your view.

On mobile devices, you can touch and drag to look around, or move your smart phone to “see” up, down or around.

Return to Hiking the Devils Garden Loop.

This is a 360° spherical view from the viewing area for Landscape Arch in Arches National Park, taken with an LG 360 Camera.

Click the full-screen icon  in the lower right to go full-screen, then click the image and drag to change your view.

On mobile devices, you can touch and drag to look around, or move your smart phone to “see” up, down or around.

Return to Hiking the Devils Garden Loop.

Driving through the badlands of Arizona

One of the most challenging and rewarding experiences you can have is taking a solo road trip.  It’s a time for reflection and introspection. It’s a time with no distractions and only the road ahead of you.  Just put on an epic playlist and watch the terrain change as you head on to your next destination.

The author, reflecting on life in the Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado

This past spring I took my first solo road trip through the southwest — Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah.

I had reservations (figuratively, not literally) and I was incredibly excited to see all the beauty that the southwest has to offer.  I planned to drive 4-6 hours a day and very loosely made a list of places I wanted to see.  That was pretty much it. I didn’t book any hotels or reserve campsites.  I figured I would see how things went and make plans on the fly.

As it turned out, it was one of the best decisions I could have made.  There is so much freedom in waking up, setting a destination and finding a place to camp or stay along the way.

So here’s what I learned that might help make your own solo road trip a success.

Here are my six tips to make your first (or next) solo road trip a success:

1. Drive early in the morning and know your limits with driving.

Driving is safe when you’re more alert, and if you plan for around 4 hours of driving per day it still leaves plenty of daylight to go hiking and explore. Remember that a road trip is about the journey; not the destination. Enjoy it.

2. Find and set up your lodging before dark, if possible.

It’s just common sense. You sleep better and more securely.

3. Be mindful of your gas tank.

I never went below half a tank, there were many roads where the nearest gas station was hundreds of miles away and I didn’t want to be stuck on the side of the road with an empty tank.

4. Keep plenty of snacks and water on hand.

Granola bars, oranges and water were my jam while driving to my next destination.

5. Keep in touch and let others know where you are on a daily basis.

It’s not only good practice, but others love to share in your adventure! Stay in touch by phone, text, email, Facebook, Instagram or heck, even carrier pigeon. For me, my iPhone kept me connected, but use whatever works for you.

6. Take time to soak it all in and take lots of pictures or journal your experience.

Enjoy each moment, but capture your memories. Looking back at my photos and journal entries let me take a virtual road trip whenever I need it.

Walking through the Garden of the Gods in Colorado

Buffalo outside Zion National Park in Utah

Exploring Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah

What are your favorite road trip tips? 

We ascended Walter’s Wiggles, the 21-switchbacks carefully engineered and reinforced with sandstone blocks and were standing atop Scout Lookout, with awe-inspiring views down into Zion Canyon and over the Virgin River. Looming before us was a slender finger of red sandstone leading to Angels Landing. I have been up Half Dome several times. I’ve sat atop Banner Peak and dangled my feet over Thousand Island Lake. And I’ve climbed to the top of Mt Whitney in the darkness of night. But looking at the “trail” before us I got butterflies. At first glance, the trail up to Angels Landing looks impossibly steep and treacherous.

Angels Landing in Zion National Park is one of the most challenging and rewarding hikes in the park. The slender spine of red sandstone juts into the canyon like a spine, and provides epic views in all directions. Getting to the top requires you to check your acrophobia at the trailhead, and the final push from Scout Landing has sheer drops with little room for errors.

Trail Details

Distance: 5 miles
Time: 4 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 1,500 ft
Dogs: No
When to go: Year-round

We arrived at Zion National Park early in the morning, and got parking at the visitor center parking lot near the entrance. During the summer months, Zion does not allow cars in the canyon. Instead, you park at the visitor center or in neighboring Springdale and take a shuttle into the valley.

Angels Landing Trail Description

We took the shuttle to the Grotto Trailhead — the sixth stop in Zion’s main canyon. There are restrooms and picnic tables near the shuttle stop. We checked our water and headed over the bridge across the Virgin River and up the West Rim Trail.

The trail is actually paved as it slogs uphill winding close to the canyon wall.

At 1.5 miles you reach beautiful Refrigerator Canyon.

This deep, narrow side canyon is shady and stays cool even in the summer. This section climbs more gently, giving you a bit of a breather until you reach Walter’s Wiggles.

These 21 switchbacks are steep and short, and an amazing bit of 1930’s trail engineering. Our legs felt good, but the climb really gets your heart pumping.

At the top of the wiggles we reached Scout Landing. Many people reach this point and go no further, intimidated by the path ahead that seems more like a trial than a trail. This is a good spot to take a break, eat a snack, drink some water and consider… are your papers in order?

The sign to Angels Landing declares ominously: “Since 2004, six people have died falling from the cliffs on this route. The 1.1 mile round-trip from Scout Landing to Angels Landing is a strenuous climb on a narrow ridge over 1,400 feet above the canyon floor. This route is not recommended during high winds, storms or if snow or ice is present.” 

Warning

People have fallen to their death on this trail. It is exposed and can be brutally hot in the summer, or icy and slippery in the winter. Do not attempt if raining, snowing or freezing, as this amplifies the dangers. As the signs at the trailhead warn, “your safety is your responsibility.” 

I was determined to go to the top. Many people do every day. I wasn’t sure if Joan would be as enthusiastic. But when I saw the narrow spine that we would be climbing to reach Angels Landing, I felt my pulse quicken. A little voice in my head said “Really? No way!”

We caught our breath and decided to give it a go. 

The Angels Landing trail traverses solid sandstone with sheer drops of hundreds of feet possible. People have died on this trail, as the signs warn. In most places, the trail involves following a well-worn route over the steep sandstone while holding a chain on one side. And it’s not that bad. With proper shoes, a decent sense of balance and a rational fear of death (keeping you from behaving foolishly), you can hike this trail. You will gain another 500 vertical feet in a very short distance, but take your time. Breathe.

Reaching the top is exhilarating, and the views are magnificent.

Angels Landing plenty of area to spread out and enjoy the views. We took time to soak it all in and recorded a short time-lapse video of the view down the canyon.

Heading down was complicated. When we got to Angels Landing, it was early enough in the morning that not many people were coming down yet. As we descended, there was a steady stream of hikers making their way up the narrow spine. With only one chain, passing is best done with extreme caution.

Once we were back at Scout Landing, the rest of the hike down was easy.

Angels Landing Trail Map

Angels Landing Photo Gallery

Click on any photo to view a larger version. You can also leave comments on any photo.

Angels Landing Tips

• Start early. Not only will you find fewer people, you’ll also have cooler temperatures — and important consideration in the summer.
• Take plenty of water. This is not a trail where you want to skimp on water. Bring 1-2 liters and stay hydrated.
• This trail has a lot of sun exposure. Use sun protection and a hat.
• Don’t take unnecessary risks. Be aware of the people around you. One accidental bump could be tragic.

More Zion National Park Resources

• Zion National Park website
• Lunch at the Lodge — but upstairs (on the patio if the weather permits). It is quieter and much more relaxed.

Zion National Park Weather Forecast

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