Trillium Falls

Worth the Detour | June 2024

The Trail at a Glance

Location: Redwood National and State Parks, California

Distance: 2.89 miles (our recorded loop)

Elevation gain: 454 feet on our route

Difficulty: Moderate

Route: Loop

Trail map: AllTrails

Hiking Trillium Falls

Trillium Falls was such a cool hike through the redwoods! There were some massive trees along the trail and a little waterfall tucked into the forest. Definitely worth the detour.

The waterfall was also where I saw my first banana slug! I was pretty excited about it. They're so cool looking, with that bright yellow color.

Later, we'd have a whole banana slug invasion at camp and realize they were everywhere. But this first one was a little highlight of the hike. Even after seeing a bunch more, I still thought they were cool!

There was plenty to photograph besides the trees and waterfall, too. I took pictures of what I believe were wild iris, rhododendron, and redwood sorrel along the way. It's easy to spend so much time looking up at the redwoods that you miss all the little things growing underneath them.

A Few Things to Know

Plan your visit. The trail starts at the Elk Meadow Day Use Area, just off Davison Road. Check the National Park Service trail page for visitor information before you go.

Choose your route. The falls are about half a mile from the trailhead, so you can turn around there for a shorter hike or continue around the full loop. Our mileage and elevation gain above are from the loop we recorded.

Fern Canyon

Worth the Detour | June 2024

The Trail at a Glance

Location: Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, California

Distance: 1.49 miles (our recorded loop)

Elevation gain: 159 feet on our route

Difficulty: Easy for us, with creek crossings

Route: Loop

Trail map: AllTrails

Hiking Fern Canyon

Fern Canyon was an easy hike for us, but probably the coolest trail I've ever done!

It's exactly what it sounds like: a narrow canyon with ferns growing along the vertical walls, which rise about 50 feet above the creek. Water trickles down the sides, keeping everything damp and green.

You walk right through the creek bed, with fern-covered walls on both sides. It's such a beautiful place!

The summer footbridges were in place when we visited, which helped with some of the creek crossings. I'd still recommend water shoes with good traction and being prepared to get your feet wet.

Fern Canyon was also used as a filming location for The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997) and the BBC series Walking with Dinosaurs. With those fern-covered walls, it's easy to see why they chose it.

A Few Things to Know

Expect wet feet and uneven footing. Walking through the creek and getting around fallen trees can add a few obstacles. The seasonal footbridges only help with part of the route. Check the National Park Service trail page for current conditions and closures.

Plan ahead if you're driving in. A day-use reservation is required from May 15 through September 15 for vehicle access to Fern Canyon or Gold Bluffs Beach. This is a vehicle-access reservation rather than a hiking permit. Book online in advance or the day before; same-day reservations aren't available. An entrance fee also applies, unless covered by an accepted pass or qualifying campground reservation.

Camping nearby? Visitors with a current Gold Bluffs Beach or Elk Prairie Campground reservation don't need a separate day-use reservation. Bring your current campsite tag. Check the National Park Service reservation page for the latest requirements before your trip.

Badlands National Park, South Dakota

Worth the Detour | June 2024

The Trails at a Glance

Location: Badlands National Park, South Dakota

Trails Hiked: Door Trail, Window Trail, Notch Trail, Cliff Shelf Nature Trail, and Saddle Pass Trail

Distance: Individual trail distances are listed below. We walked all five trails to their ends, including the marked route beyond the Door Trail boardwalk.

Difficulty: Easy to strenuous, depending on the trail

Terrain: Boardwalks, stairs, steep climbs, loose rock, and exposed ledges

Trail Information: Badlands National Park Hiking Trails

Our First Stop: The Badlands

In June 2024, we set out on a road trip to California, with a few adventures planned along the way. Our first stop was Badlands National Park in western South Dakota, where we spent the weekend before continuing west.

We stayed at the Badlands/White River KOA near Interior, and with temperatures in the 90s, I was pretty thankful we'd chosen this campground.

Another campground we'd looked at was out in the open, with hardly any shade. The KOA had plenty of trees along the White River, which sounded much better for a hot June weekend.

Of course, our last-minute plans meant we didn't exactly get our pick of campsites.

We ended up with what had to be one of the smallest, most awkward tent spots in the campground and the spot sat lower than the surrounding ground.

Still, we got everything set up and settled in for the evening.

What could possibly go wrong?

Hiking the Badlands

We spent Saturday exploring Badlands National Park, hiking five different trails throughout the day.

The landscape here feels like a whole different side of South Dakota. Steep ridges, narrow canyons, and layers of rock stretch as far as you can see.

One of my favorite things about hiking is getting to explore beyond what you can see from the road. The Badlands gave us plenty of opportunities for that!

I was also pretty grateful for the new hiking boots I'd gotten before the trip. Some of these trails have a lot of loose rock and gravel, especially on the steeper climbs, and having decent traction made a difference.

Door Trail

Distance: 0.26 miles round trip on the boardwalk, with additional walking beyond it | Difficulty: Easy

Door Trail begins with a boardwalk leading through a natural opening in the Badlands Wall, appropriately known as "the Door."

Beyond the boardwalk, numbered posts mark the route through the rock formations. We followed them all the way to the trail end before heading back.

I liked being able to get out among the formations. The farther we went, the more we could appreciate just how vast this landscape is.

It's a fairly easy hike, but the scenery makes it well worth exploring beyond the boardwalk.

Window Trail

Distance: 0.26 miles round trip | Difficulty: Easy

Window Trail is one of the shortest hikes in the park, but it still offers a great view.

The boardwalk leads to a natural opening in the Badlands Wall, where you can look out over a canyon filled with eroded rock formations.

It's a quick stop and doesn't require much effort, making it an easy addition while exploring the nearby trails.

Notch Trail

Distance: 1.25 miles round trip | Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous

Notch Trail was one of the more adventurous hikes of the day. It starts through a canyon, surrounded by towering Badlands formations. We also spotted prickly pear along the way.

A steep wooden log ladder takes you up the hillside. Climbing it was one of the highlights. It's not something you encounter on your typical hiking trail!

At the top, the trail continues along a narrow ledge, with exposed sections and loose gravel underfoot. This was another place where I appreciated having good traction!

Eventually, we reached the Notch, a natural opening overlooking the White River Valley. The view was pretty incredible!

Between the ladder, the ledges, and the view over the valley, this was one of the most memorable hikes of the day.

Cliff Shelf Nature Trail

Distance: 0.86 miles round trip | Difficulty: Moderate

Cliff Shelf Nature Trail was a bit different from the other hikes.

Rather than climbing through exposed rock formations the entire way, this loop winds through an area of juniper trees perched along the Badlands Wall.

The trail follows a combination of boardwalks, stairs, and natural paths, climbing about 200 feet in elevation.

It was interesting to see an area with so much vegetation surrounded by the otherwise rugged, dry landscape.

The juniper trees were a welcome change of scenery after all that exposed rock.

Saddle Pass Trail

Distance: 0.68 miles round trip | Difficulty: Strenuous

Saddle Pass might be short, but don't let the distance fool you.

This trail climbs steeply up the Badlands Wall, with plenty of loose rock and gravel along the way. It was definitely another spot where I was thankful for my new hiking boots.

Once we made it to the top, we were rewarded with some great views over the White River Valley and the surrounding formations.

It's amazing how different the Badlands look once you're standing above those ridges.

Not a long hike by any means, but it certainly makes you work for the view.

The trail distances above reflect the National Park Service's current listings and may differ from older guides. The 0.26-mile distance for Door Trail covers only the boardwalk; we continued to the end of the marked route, so our hike was longer.

A Wedding, a Storm, and a Flooded Campsite

After spending the day hiking, we had a small family wedding to attend that evening. The ceremony took place overlooking the Badlands, which made for a pretty incredible backdrop. Afterward, we headed to Wall for supper and the reception.

Meanwhile, back at our campground, South Dakota weather was doing what South Dakota weather does best.

A storm had rolled through while we were away, and when we returned that night, we discovered our campsite was completely flooded.

Remember that little low spot where we'd managed to squeeze our tent?

Yeah, that wasn't such a great spot after all.

We ended up moving the tent in the dark to the side of a small hill. With barely enough room for it to begin with, we didn't have many options.

It wasn't the most level sleeping arrangement, but we managed to stay dry and sleep comfortably, even at a slight slant!

Not quite how we'd planned to end the day, but we won't forget that campsite anytime soon.

One Last Drive Through the Badlands

Sunday morning, we packed up camp and continued west toward California. Before leaving the Badlands behind, we took the scenic route along the western stretch of Badlands Loop Road.

We passed through the Yellow Mounds area, where the landscape looked noticeably different from the formations we'd spent the previous day hiking through. Instead of the mostly gray and tan ridges, these hills were layered with shades of yellow, pink, and purple.

We stopped at a couple more overlooks along the way, including Pinnacles Overlook, taking in some final views of the rugged landscape before leaving the park.

Along a dirt road through the open prairie, we spotted a lone bison. Just one, out there by itself, but always a cool sight to come across!

From there, we continued west toward California.

Between five hikes, a wedding, and our unexpectedly flooded campsite, we'd already packed quite a bit of adventure into the first weekend of our trip.

And we still had a long way to go before reaching California!

A Few Things to Know

The hikes vary quite a bit in difficulty. Door and Window are relatively easy, while Notch and Saddle Pass involve steep terrain, loose gravel, and some exposure. Don't let the short distances fool you.

Wear good hiking shoes. I was especially thankful for my new boots on the steeper trails. The loose gravel and rock can make climbing and descending more difficult than you'd expect.

Be prepared for the heat. There isn't much shade on most of these trails, and summer temperatures can get pretty high. Bring plenty of water and consider hiking earlier in the day.

Keep an eye on the weather. Conditions can change quickly, and Notch and Saddle Pass can be treacherous during or after rain. Apparently, it's also worth paying attention to whether your tent is sitting in the lowest part of the campground.

Camping: We stayed at Badlands/White River KOA, near Interior, South Dakota. The shade trees were a big advantage during our visit, although I'd recommend paying a little more attention to your specific tent site than we did.

Judd Falls | The Man Who Stayed

Worth the Detour | June 2026

The Trail at a Glance

Location: Gothic, Colorado, north of Crested Butte

Trailhead: Parking area along Gothic Road, north of Gothic

Distance: 2.33 miles round trip (our recorded hike)

Elevation Gain: 446 feet (our recorded hike)

Difficulty: Moderate

Trail Map: AllTrails

Highlights: Judd Falls, Gothic Mountain views, wildflowers, aspen groves, and scientific research sites

Important: Portions of the trail cross private property belonging to RMBL. Stay on the designated trail, keep dogs leashed, and avoid disturbing ongoing research.

Hiking to Judd Falls

We started our hike at the parking area just north of Gothic. The trail wound through beautiful aspen groves and open areas scattered with wildflowers, with incredible views of Gothic Mountain towering above us.

One of the more interesting things about this hike was that the trail crosses private property belonging to the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory. Scientists have been studying the natural world here since 1928, and we actually got to see some of them working along the trail. It's not every day you get to witness scientific research happening right alongside your hiking adventure!

Science Along the Trail

Along the way, we also came across the Judd Falls Weather Station, part of RMBL's network of permanent weather stations at different elevations. The stations collect environmental data that help scientists study the mountain ecosystem.

One of the things I found interesting was a graph on the informational sign showing how marmots have been emerging from hibernation earlier in the spring over the decades. It's a fascinating example of how changes in climate can affect wildlife, and how decades of scientific research can reveal patterns that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Eventually, the trail brought us to an overlook above Judd Falls, where Copper Creek rushes through a narrow, rocky gorge, plunging over several drops between the steep rock walls. 

The waterfall was impressive, but something else at the overlook caught my attention.

There's a memorial bench dedicated to Garwood Judd, known as "the man who stayed." There were people sitting on it when we visited, so I wasn't able to get a picture of the inscription, but I did manage to read it when they leaned forward.

As I remember it, the inscription read:

To the wayfarer, friend or stranger this seat is offered in the name of “the man who stayed”

The Man Who Stayed

That inscription honors Garwood Judd, one of Gothic's early residents, who died in 1930.

Judd came to Gothic during its silver-mining boom.

But as the silver boom faded and Gothic's population dwindled, most residents packed up and left. Judd, however, stayed behind.

He continued living in the nearly abandoned town and became known as “The Man Who Stayed.”

It's interesting to think that as Gothic's mining era came to an end, another chapter was beginning. The Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory was established in 1928, just two years before Judd's death. The town that had once attracted people hoping to strike it rich would eventually become a place where scientists came to study the mountains and the life within them.

Today, Judd's name lives on in the waterfall, and the memorial bench offers hikers a place to rest and take in the scenery, just as its inscription intended.

You can read more of the history I uncovered in my Gothic post!

Lake Irwin, Colorado

Worth the Detour | June 2026

The Trail at a Glance

Distance: Approximately 2 miles (our loop around the lake)

Elevation gain: Approximately 100 feet on our route

Difficulty: Easy for us, with a few natural obstacles

Route: Clockwise around Lake Irwin

Trail map: AllTrails

Getting to Lake Irwin

We stumbled across Lake Irwin while exploring Kebler Pass during our Colorado trip. We turned off Kebler Pass Road (County Road 12) onto Lake Irwin Road (Road 826), not really knowing what we'd find. What started as a random detour down a dirt road turned into one of our favorite stops of the trip.

We followed the road through the trees, crossed the small dam, and parked in the lot just beyond it. With mountains surrounding the lake, we were already impressed before we even started hiking.

Hiking Around the Lake

We decided to hike clockwise around the lake, following the shoreline for almost two miles. With only about 100 feet of elevation gain on our route, it was a fairly easy hike.

The trail wasn't particularly well marked, but we found it easy enough to follow by staying near the shoreline.

It was mostly flat, although we encountered a few downed trees and a creek crossing just above a small waterfall. There wasn't a bridge where we crossed, so we had to make our way across the creek.

The scenery made this one of those low-effort, high-reward hikes. We had mountain views throughout, with wildflowers scattered all along the trail.

We spotted quite a few varieties. From what we could identify, they included frasera, flax, columbine, monkshood, Indian paintbrush, and king's crown.

One of the highlights was spotting a mule deer resting near the shoreline. We noticed she had a fawn hidden among the plants nearby, so we kept our distance and continued on our way.

A Few Things to Know

On our visit, the trail was fairly easy to follow, but it wasn't clearly marked the whole way. Fallen trees and the creek crossing added a few obstacles, and conditions may be different when you visit.

Access update (October 2026): The campground closed September 8, 2026, and is scheduled to remain closed for the 2027 season while improvements are made. The project also calls for a full closure of the day-use area and its access road during 2027, with reopening anticipated in 2028. Check the Forest Service project page and Recreation.gov before planning a visit.