Category: Explore

Dream Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park

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Dream Lake, located in Rocky Mountain National Park, is a great day hike, perfect for those with limited time to explore the park. At 2 miles roundtrip, the hike to Dream Lake is relatively easy and great for hikers of all experience levels.

The trail to Dream Lake starts at the Bear Lake Trailhead, just about 20 minutes from the Beaver Meadows Entrance Station. At the first fork bear left and follow the signs to Dream Lake. You’ll gradually gain elevation as you make your way through the woods. After about a half mile, you’ll arrive at Nymph Lake.

Continue pushing on and you’ll soon arrive at Dream Lake. Dream Lake is an expansive lake that offers beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. During the winter, the lake will freeze over, giving you the chance to walk across its surface. Depending on weather conditions, microspikes may be helpful for navigating the snow and ice.

Have you made the hike to Dream Lake yet? What are some of your favorite hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park?

How You Can Support Ukraine

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This isn’t my normal type of content, but the situation in Ukraine has been weighing heavily on my heart as events have continued to unfold. Today I simply want to share a list of resources to support Ukraine and its people.

UNICEF – provides “lifesaving support for children and families under threat” in Ukraine

Doctors Without Borders – as of March 1 they are “working to set up emergency response activities in the country [of Ukraine] and dispatching teams to Poland, Moldova, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia”

International Committee of the Red Cross – provides the Ukrainian people with “emergency assistance such as food, water, and other essential items”

UN Refugee Agency – coordinates emergency relief efforts and provides cash assistance, education, and other opportunities for displaced people

Save the Children – your donation will help “provide children and families with immediate aid, such as food, water, hygiene kits, psychosocial support and cash assistance”

Here are some additional articles with ideas on how to support Ukraine:

“22 Meaningful Ways You Can Help Ukraine” – Global Citizen

“How can I help Ukraine?” – International Rescue Committee

“Ukraine conflict: How to help yourself, your kids, and others” – BBC News

Header image courtesy of Euronews.

Best Beginner Hikes in North Georgia

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North Georgia is full of gorgeous hiking areas, with trails ranging from easy to challenging. If you’re new to hiking or just want some options for an easy hike, these are my recommendations for the best beginner hikes in North Georgia.

Helton Creek Falls – 0.2 miles

Helton Creek Falls is one of my all-time favorite hikes in North Georgia, and at only a quarter mile roundtrip, it’s very beginner-friendly. The trailhead for Helton Creek Falls is located along US 19/129, off of Helton Creek Road. The road there can be rough in some places, but will lead you directly to a parking area for the trail. Descend some stairs and you’ll arrive at not one but two beautiful waterfalls. This hike is perfect for all ages and experience levels, and I love to bring friends and family who are visiting from out of town.

Minnehaha Falls – 0.4 miles

Minnehaha Falls is another great, short trail that will lead you to a beautiful waterfall. The trailhead for Minnehaha Falls is located near the Lake Rabun area, off of Bear Gap Road. You’ll ascend a staircase and hike along a gentle trail before arriving at the falls. Minnehaha Falls is absolutely stunning and a very popular hiking spot during the warm summer months.

Brasstown Bald – 1.1 miles

Brasstown Bald is the tallest mountain in Georgia, and the short but steep hike to the summit is a great challenge for newbie hikers. The trail starts from the parking lot at the Brasstown Bald Visitor Center, located near Blairsville. The trail is paved and very wide, though it is quite steep the entire half mile up. Thankfully, the hike is short, and you’ll soon be rewarded with stunning 360-degree views of the Georgia mountains.

Preacher’s Rock – 2 miles

At 2 miles roundtrip, the hike to Preacher’s Rock is an excellent day hike, and a great way to get acquainted with the Appalachian Trail. The trail for this hike begins at Woody Gap off of GA Hwy 60, just outside of Dahlonega. You’ll gradually gain elevation as you hike through the forest before reaching a slightly steeper push at the end that will lead you to Preacher’s Rock. Preacher’s Rock is a great day hike and an awesome place to catch the sunrise or sunset.

Deception Falls

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Despite the ominous name, Deception Falls is a beautiful waterfall and hiking area located near Skykomish, Washington. At only half a mile roundtrip, the hike to Deception Falls is a great spot to stretch your legs, take some photos, or bring friends and family who are visiting from out of town.

The Deception Falls Recreation Area is located along the north side of US Highway 2 by mile marker 56. There is a large parking lot with restrooms and picnic tables, making it a great lunch spot, and an interpretive trail that leads you through the forest and to the falls.

Even though the falls are located right off the highway, you’ll feel as though you’re worlds away from civilization. When I visited Deception Falls in late October/early November, the water was incredibly high thanks to a lot of recent rainfall.

Deception Falls is a great option for those seeking beautiful waterfall views without a significant hike, and is well-suited for hikers of all ages and experience levels.

Conquering 600+ Stairs at Amicalola Falls

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Amicalola Falls State Park is a gorgeous area for hiking, camping, and fishing in the heart of North Georgia. Amicalola Falls is the tallest waterfall in Georgia, reaching about 730′ in height. The falls are beautiful and one of Georgia’s most popular state parks, for good reason!

There are a lot of trails and hiking areas throughout the park depending on how long and strenuous of a hike you’re looking for. One of the most well-known hikes in the park leads you about eight miles from Amicalola Falls to the summit of Springer Mountain, the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. This is one of my favorite hikes in Georgia for an overnight backpacking trip.

If you’re just looking to experience the falls themselves for the day, one of the most popular routes is taking the 600+ stairs that lead you from the base of the falls to the top. This option is only 2 miles out-and-back, but the stairs make it a decent challenge. There are plenty of opportunities to rest along the way, and you’ll be rewarded with beautiful views of the falls throughout. From the top, there are also gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains.

Amicalola Falls is a must-visit spot in Georgia, whether you’re a local looking to explore more of your state, or an out-of-towner with limited time to see all the natural wonders Georgia has to offer. I promise you won’t leave disappointed!

Looking Back on 2021 and Ahead to 2022

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Happy 2022! I’ll admit, this year is off to a not-so-great start as I’m writing this from bed surrounded by tissues, Gatorade, and Dayquil, but I still wanted to take the time to reflect a bit on 2021 and share some of my goals for the new year. 2021 was quite the year for me, and everyone else I’m sure, with some big highlights and some real low points. As I enter 2022, though, I remain hopeful and strive to be intentional as the new year unfolds.

Looking back on 2021:

  • Solomon and I started the year by adopting our pup, Willie Nelson. He’s been such a fun addition to the family, providing endless entertainment and some good lessons in patience. Our house feels more like a home with him here, and it’s been so great to have a new adventure buddy.
  • We traveled a lot, and saw lots of friends and family – almost every single month we either traveled to visit loved ones or had loved ones visit us. I was so nervous moving to Colorado that we would feel isolated from friends/family who live on opposite coasts. Instead, I felt more love than ever.
  • I changed jobs not once, not twice, but four times… and now I’ve landed at a company and in a role I truly love.
  • I started freelancing and became a brand ambassador for some awesome companies. It’s been a really exciting and challenging experience to start freelancing, and I love having a creative side hustle outside of work.
  • I started going to therapy (again) and started accepting the fact I’ve been living with an eating disorder. This is a tough one to write about as I’m still unpacking everything that comes along with disordered eating and learning to live with it and work through it on a daily basis. I plan to address this more in the future, but for now, I can say that I truly believe therapy is beneficial to everyone, and if you’ve ever felt an urge to go, please look into it.
  • In November I also tackled my first solo road trip which left me with an even bigger desire to continue traveling and embarking on new adventures.

Looking ahead to 2022:

  • Probably the biggest goal I have for 2022 is to be more intentional and consistent in living a healthy lifestyle. I have not treated my body well this past year, and I know I need to be more conscious of the food I’m putting into my body and getting back into a consistent workout routine. I’m signed up for an 8-week online bootcamp through one of my favorite gyms, and I’m so excited to jump in on Monday.
  • Another big goal I have is to manage my finances better. We’ve had to dip into our savings a few times this year thanks to unexpected life expenses, but I want to build that fund back up and then get back to saving money in a personal fund to go towards fun stuff, like planning trips. I use a budgeting spreadsheet from I Was Broke. Now I’m Not. which really helps me track how much money I spend.
  • I also want to get back into reading more consistently in 2022. I used to read alllll the time as a kid, and then I fell out of it once I got caught up in college and working. I recently got a Kindle and a subscription to Kindle Unlimited, so I’m really looking forward to reading for fun again. One of the upsides to being sick is I’ve had plenty of time to lay around and read.
  • In 2022, I also want to remain consistent in posting on Wandering the Gap and my YouTube channel. I’m really proud of myself for posting consistently throughout 2021, and I want to continue the trend in 2022.
  • Another big goal is to travel somewhere new! Colorado and the surrounding states have so many beautiful areas to explore, and I want to take a trip with Solomon to somewhere that neither of us have been.
  • Finally, I want to continue building up my freelance portfolio. Even though freelancing just recently became a side hustle for me, I want to continue to grow my projects and would love one day to do it full time and work for myself. I’m so thankful for all the opportunities I’ve worked on so far, and I can’t wait to see what 2022 holds.

Kubota Garden

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Kubota Garden is a gorgeous outdoor escape just outside of Seattle, Washington. The garden is unique in that it combines traditional Japanese landscaping with native Pacific Northwest plants. Kubota Garden has 20 acres of moderate walking trails making it a great spot for visitors of all ages. As a bonus, the garden is free to visit and dogs are welcome as long as they are on a leash!

Bellevue Botanical Garden

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The Bellevue Botanical Garden is a peaceful escape in the heart of Bellevue, perfect for an after-work stroll or a family outing. The garden is free to visit and features several trails and walking paths through 53 acres of gorgeous forests and meadows. There are 11 unique areas within the garden that offer plentiful opportunities to wander around and explore.

The majority of paths within the garden are gravel, and there is minimal elevation change, making it a great option for families and hikers of all experience levels. The garden is open year-round, and is gorgeous in every season, though I find spring and fall to be exceptionally beautiful.

My favorite areas within the garden are the Ravine Experience and the Yao Garden. The Ravine Experience features a massive 150′ suspension bridge that leads you over a deep ravine. This is a great spot for photos, and to observe the surrounding forests. The Yao Garden, a traditional Japanese garden, is also a beautiful area. During the fall, the maples throughout Yao Garden turn an incredible shade of bright red.

The garden also hosts several seasonal events, such as a Mother’s Day event and a holiday light display in the winter.

Bellevue Botanical Garden has become one of my favorite spots to explore because I always discover a new area, path, or photo op every time I visit. If you seek a relaxing nature escape but don’t want to drive far out of the city, Bellevue Botanical Garden is the perfect spot.

Franklin Falls

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Franklin Falls is a 2 mile out-and-back hike in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest that’s perfect for hikers of all experience levels.

The trailhead for Franklin Falls is located about 25 minutes outside of North Bend on Denny Creek Road, just past the campground. While you can enjoy Franklin Falls year-round, Denny Creek Road does tend to close in the winter which will add 4 miles roundtrip to your hike.
Franklin Falls is also a very popular destination for hikers, photographers, and families, so try to visit during off-times (such as weekdays or early mornings) when possible.

Pro tip: parking is $5/day or free with a Northwest Forest Pass – more info at fs.usda.gov.

The trail runs parallel to the Snoqualmie River most of the way and, with only 400′ of elevation gain in total, is very family-friendly. The river does flood on occasion which may make the trail exceptionally washed out or muddy, so be prepared to get a bit soaked along the way. It’s also fun to spot the gorgeous A-frame cabins along the river as you hike.

After a mile, you’ll begin to hear the roaring of Franklin Falls and soon, you’ll spot the stunning 130′ waterfall. Be careful as you hike downward over slippery rocks to the base of the waterfall and take in the full beauty of the falls.

A short hike back will return you to your car to carry on with more adventures! Franklin Falls is one of my favorite hikes in the area because you get a stunning view for minimal effort, so let me know if you’ve visited or plan to soon!

Diamond Lake in Indian Peaks Wilderness

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Diamond Lake Trail, located in Indian Peaks Wilderness, is a moderately challenging out-and-back hike with beautiful views of Diamond Lake and the surrounding peaks. Altogether, the hike is about 5.4 miles in length and gains roughly 1,220 feet in elevation.

Pro tip: make sure to check the weather frequently, as it can change very quickly in the mountains. The forecast the night before we hiked was clear but we ended up getting rained on about a mile into the hike and again during the last quarter mile! Which reminds me…

Pro tip: ALWAYS pack rain gear (if space/weight in your pack allows) – even if the forecast is clear.

The hike begins on Arapaho Pass Trail which departs from the end of Fourth of July Road, just past the town of Eldora. The trail will lead you gradually uphill through dense forests, until you reach a junction at about 1.2 miles, where you’ll bear left to begin on Diamond Lake Trail.

From here, the trail gradually descends, leading you over a creek crossing. After the creek, you’ll begin ascending once more until you reach Diamond Lake after about a mile. Diamond Lake offers lots of options for walking around and exploring the surrounding meadows!