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Hidden Gems of Nature
United States
เข้าร่วมเมื่อ 17 ต.ค. 2019
Hidden Gems of Nature is just that, hidden, unfamiliar, beautiful locations in nature. They are not majestic, beautiful locations we are all familiar with (i.e. Grand Canyon, Yosemite, etc.). Instead they are small surprises of unique beauty or contrasting landscape to the surrounding area.
Designed for those who love to explore, we will only give you general directions and let you discover these hidden gems. We will not reveal the exact location. That is too easy. Join me on a guided discovery or challenge yourself to your own adventure as you discover the Hidden Gems of Nature.
Designed for those who love to explore, we will only give you general directions and let you discover these hidden gems. We will not reveal the exact location. That is too easy. Join me on a guided discovery or challenge yourself to your own adventure as you discover the Hidden Gems of Nature.
ONE BIG GEM, Phoenix Metro Mountains #6 (Moderate Clues)
This is a difficult 2.8 mile HIKE (one way) located in the Estrella Mountains on the west side of the Phoenix Metropolitan area. There some rock formations, but it's really One Large Hidden Gem at the end of the hike. Hiked December 30, 2024.
มุมมอง: 340
วีดีโอ
BUDGET FRIENDLY Back Packing DINNER Ideas
มุมมอง 65919 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา
Quick video on a few BUDGET FRIENDLY backpacking dinners. I Hope you enjoy a few of these light weight meals on your backpacking trips.
Back Packing LUNCH ideas
มุมมอง 10114 วันที่ผ่านมา
Thought you might like a few Back Packing lunch ideas. Hope these help you. I certainly enjoy these lunch gems.
Back Packing BREAKFAST Ideas
มุมมอง 77121 วันที่ผ่านมา
Ideas for backpacking breakfasts. These are Non-dehydrated breakfast gems that my family has used over the years. Hope you enjoy them.
GUADALUPE PEAK, Guadalupe Mountains National Park
มุมมอง 255หลายเดือนก่อน
This a 4 mile HIKE (one way) to the summit of Guadalupe Peak in Guadalupe National Park. There are interesting rock formations, vistas, and Fall Colors on this hike. Hiked this peak on October 17, 2024.
PINE BOWL, Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas
มุมมอง 731หลายเดือนก่อน
The Pine Bowl is a difficult 13 mile HIKE via the Tejas Trail. The lower elevations have numerous rock formations and vistas with thick evergreen forests on top of the mountain. The elevations are around 8000 feet. Fall colors were just beginning to change. Hiked this trail October 18-19, 2024.
DEVIL'S HALL, Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas
มุมมอง 265หลายเดือนก่อน
This is a 2.2 mile HIKE (One Way).This is a moderate hike with a little bit of rock hopping the last half mile. Lots of unique rock formations. If you hiked this trail the end of October/first of November, you would have some beautiful Fall Colors. We hiked this trail on October 16, 2024.
PLANE WRECK, White Mountains, Arizona #3(Difficult Clues)
มุมมอง 7062 หลายเดือนก่อน
This is a 6.5 mile HIKE (One Way) in the White Mountains of Arizona. It is a beautiful hike through some old growth evergreens to one of the highest elevations in Arizona. You also pass some interesting rock formations, mountain streams and flowers as you hike. Snow was still covering the trail in many locations and completely covering the trail over 11,000 feet. We hiked this trail on June 7, ...
DEEP SAND, DEEP TROUBLE Arizona Strip #2(Moderate Clues)
มุมมอง 5954 หลายเดือนก่อน
This is a drive in the Arizona Strip that requires 4 wheel drive and clearance. Some of the roads may be impassable. This plateau has unique outcroppings of rocks all across the plateau, loaded with hidden gems and random surprises. We drove the plateau May 25, 2024.
NOT A COFFIN! in Chiricahua Mountains, Arizona #3(Difficult Clues)
มุมมอง 6705 หลายเดือนก่อน
This is a 3.5 mile HIKE (one way) in the tops of the Chiricahua Mountains. Aspen and Evergreen forests filled with wildlife, meadows and hidden springs along with other Hidden Gems of Nature. Hiked May 17, 2024.
HEART of ROCKS, Chiricahua National Monument, Arizona
มุมมอง 4265 หลายเดือนก่อน
This is the HEART OF ROCKS Loop trail (9-10 mile loop) in Chiricahua National Monument. You HIKE in and out of the Hoodoos all along the trail. It is a great trail with a couple of beautiful canyons you can hike through on the way there and back. Many of rock formations have names to go with them. I did the loop hike via the Echo Canyon trail and them looped back on the Mushroom trail. I hiked ...
2 SLOT CANYONS IN 1 HIKE, Arizona Strip #1(Moderate Clues)
มุมมอง 5095 หลายเดือนก่อน
This is a 6 mile HIKE (one way with shuttle) in 2 slot canyons in the Arizona Strip. Each canyon varies in its depth, height, rock features and texture. There are also petroglyphs, alcoves and grotto's in this slot canyon. As well as many hidden gems of nature in this isolated slot canyon. Hiked May 24, 2024
ECHO TRAIL, Chiricahua National Monument, Arizona
มุมมอง 7145 หลายเดือนก่อน
This is ECHO CANYON Trail in Chiricahua National Monument in Southeast Arizona. It is a 3.5 mile loop HIKE. The National Monument is known for the large amount of Rhyolite Hoodoos found in this small area of the Chiricahua Mountains. Along with the incredible hikes filled with Hoodoos, there are a number of other beautiful hikes throughout the National Monuments canyons and mountains. This was ...
SELDOM HIKED TRAIL Mazatzal Mountains, Arizona #1 (Moderate clues)
มุมมอง 3727 หลายเดือนก่อน
This is a 4 mile HIKE (one way) in the Mazatzal Mountains of Arizona. We hiked through evergreen forests, past several cascades across from the highest peak in the Mazatzal Mountains. Beautiful views with hidden gems of Nature. Hiked April 4, 2024.
GILA BOX Gila River, Arizona #3 (Moderate Clues)
มุมมอง 4458 หลายเดือนก่อน
This is a 28 mile KAYAK trip on the Gila River and the San Francisco River. With beautiful rock formations and white water runs. The trip was taken on March 29-30, 2024. The flows on the San Francisco were 375 CFS. Once we were in the Gila Box they were around 700 CFS.
STEEPEST 1.5 MILE HIKE in Central Arizona #1 (Easy Clues)
มุมมอง 6239 หลายเดือนก่อน
STEEPEST 1.5 MILE HIKE in Central Arizona #1 (Easy Clues)
SHORTEST HIKE with MANY GEMS in Superstition Mountains, Arizona #25 (Easy Clues)
มุมมอง 1K10 หลายเดือนก่อน
SHORTEST HIKE with MANY GEMS in Superstition Mountains, Arizona #25 (Easy Clues)
NO TRAIL TO THIS WATERFALL Superstition Mountains, Arizona #24 (Easy Clues)
มุมมอง 2.2K11 หลายเดือนก่อน
NO TRAIL TO THIS WATERFALL Superstition Mountains, Arizona #24 (Easy Clues)
DEEPEST CANYON in Superstition Mountains, Arizona #23 (Moderate Clues)
มุมมอง 17Kปีที่แล้ว
DEEPEST CANYON in Superstition Mountains, Arizona #23 (Moderate Clues)
WHEELER PEAK, Great Basin National Park, Nevada
มุมมอง 121ปีที่แล้ว
WHEELER PEAK, Great Basin National Park, Nevada
BRISTLE CONE PINE, ROCK GLACIER, Great Basin National Park, Nevada
มุมมอง 273ปีที่แล้ว
BRISTLE CONE PINE, ROCK GLACIER, Great Basin National Park, Nevada
TWO HIDDEN LAKES San Francisco Peaks, Arizona #6 (Moderate Clues)
มุมมอง 403ปีที่แล้ว
TWO HIDDEN LAKES San Francisco Peaks, Arizona #6 (Moderate Clues)
LAVA RIVER CAVE San Francisco Peaks, Arizona #5
มุมมอง 234ปีที่แล้ว
LAVA RIVER CAVE San Francisco Peaks, Arizona #5
STUNNING 360° VIEWS San Francisco Peaks, Arizona #4 (Easy Clues)
มุมมอง 292ปีที่แล้ว
STUNNING 360° VIEWS San Francisco Peaks, Arizona #4 (Easy Clues)
ISOLATED BASIN San Francisco Peaks, Arizona #3 (Easy Clues)
มุมมอง 696ปีที่แล้ว
ISOLATED BASIN San Francisco Peaks, Arizona #3 (Easy Clues)
GOLD MINE MAP Superstition Mountains, Arizona #22 (Difficult Clues)
มุมมอง 2.9Kปีที่แล้ว
GOLD MINE MAP Superstition Mountains, Arizona #22 (Difficult Clues)
HARDEST 3 MILE HIKE in Superstition Mountains, Arizona #21(Easy Clues)
มุมมอง 4.6Kปีที่แล้ว
HARDEST 3 MILE HIKE in Superstition Mountains, Arizona #21(Easy Clues)
WATERSLIDE CANYON; Sierra Ancha Mountains, Arizona #1
มุมมอง 689ปีที่แล้ว
WATERSLIDE CANYON; Sierra Ancha Mountains, Arizona #1
DANGEROUS CABIN TO VISIT! Galiuro Mountains, Arizona #2 (moderate clues)
มุมมอง 2.4Kปีที่แล้ว
DANGEROUS CABIN TO VISIT! Galiuro Mountains, Arizona #2 (moderate clues)
You could get to the trailhead with 2wd, or maybe not.....
The route I drove in on you can make it in two wheel drive with occasional loose sand that you need to be careful of. However, if you follow the road next to the high wires south of the airport you will need a 4x4 (between Hwy 238 and the airport). If you connect to the road next to the high wires north of the airport you should be fine.
Thanks for the wonderful peek at a spot literally a handful of miles from where I've lived my whole life. Beautiful geology and a great view!
Fun fact: If you hike to the peak at sunset, the quartz glows
that's sounds pretty cool. At sunrise walls of rock were sparkling, but it didn't show up when I tried to video the walls.
Good video of your hike.
Like your suggestions. You might like my Immigration Biscuits & Gravy. Ramen package (broken up in small pieces, don't use seasoning packet) + 1/2 packet Pioneer Country Gravy + 2.5oz packet Bacon Pieces + 1 cup boiling water. I premix dry stuff in freezer bag then pour boiling water directly into bag
Sounds Good. I'll have to give it a try. Thanks for sharing.
30 min gas is way to long.
These are great ideas.
Thank you for putting this little series together
Specifically the quaker brand caramel rice cakes are excellent for PB&J or if your extra lazy frozen uncrustables work well too. On a warm day trip I'll even pack some cooked hot dogs or brats in a clear bag, have em in the sun for a bit and they are good to go.
Thanks for the ideas. I’m going to try a few of them
Long Park is a real gem, esp after the summer rains!
Yes, The Chiricahua's are beautiful. It was my first time there. There is so much more to see.
What model stove are you using?
That's a good question. My stove is 25 years old. It is a Primus brand with a self ignitor. I have no idea which model. It is probably 1/2 to 1lb too heavy because of the self-ignitor. I also have an MSR Whisper light that I used for 10 years before that. I still have it and it still works well, but I have replaced the fuel pump on the Whisper Light. Do you have a stove that you prefer?
@@HiddenGemsofNature Oh I have an addiction to stoves and cook kits. I have the old school Whisper Light (not much of a whisper lol) and a huge ole cook kit for it back from my Scout days. I have a couple of the BRS 3000s, paired one up with a Toaks titanium pot and some accessories. I have one paired up with a Stanley stainless pot and a small titanium mug. I have the Trangia Mini that I've modded with carbon felt and some screen to really blue the flame nicely. And I just got the XBoil all the way from Germany that I'm going to pair with a new Trangia, but leave it unmodified, at least to start. My plan for that kit is just a day-hiker cup o' noodles/coffee rig. It came with a super UL alcohol burner that's really just a little screw lid container filled with carbon felt. But should work for a little boil and cuppa. Going to pair all that up with a smaller, maybe 550ml pot or so. I like all my cook kits to nest completely within themselves, so it's like a challenge to me to design and build kits for different uses that are still totally self-contained. Like I sad: addiction. But it's fun. I was curious about your stove because it looked like you could simmer pretty decently with it.
@@scottyplug That's cool. I am coming to you for cook stove and cook kit recommendations. Yes, the control on this burner is excellent and allows me to regulate heat well.
Great video. Would love to see more of these videos. I don't backpack because of where I live but would love to learn more from people that do it all the time and have it figured out.
Excellent ideas! New sub!
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks for the info!
Oh yes! I have been there too! What a special place up there. Mountain lion country.
I rode my quad all over that area, like 20 years ago. One of the roads led to an old cabin, where people left and took canned goods for eachother. There was a notepad inside that folks could leave messages on. I left 2. I live in WA state now, and miss these beautiful places in the desert. Thank you for making this video.
Glad you enjoyed the videos. The desert southwest has so many unique canyons and mountain features you never know what you will get on any hike or drive. I hope you enjoy the northwest.
I took a group of cub scouts up there 27 years ago. A forest ranger met us at the top, and the boys planted baby fir trees. The ranger brought the fir trees for us to plant. Maybe you saw the trees we planted. Hidden gems indeed! I must have been led to watch your video so I could re-live that wonderful memory. Thank you kindly for your hike and video.
love this channel
What a view! 8,751 feet or 2,667 metres
Awesome video
WOW, the trails look in WAY BETTER SHAPE than when I was there in 2017. Want to BP to PG so badly but after having to free-climb Class 5 on a day hike (when attempting to stay on trail - and YES, I had GPS too!), I absolutely want more intel on trail conditions before packing out there. Can you at least clarify 2 things (re: your approach to PG): 1. You mention dropping in to a canyon... but per the TOPOGRAPHIC map, did you drop in to a "canyon" OR a "creek"? 2. Would the final stretch of trail you took 'on final approach' to PG best be described as: a long stretch, generally headed Southward OR heading West/Northwest, with the tail end having a very short Southward stretch?
1.not sure which canyon your referencing from the video, but every canyon had a wash in the bottom. None of them were flowing except for a section of creek immediately north of the spring for 200 yards. They had heavy monsoons in summer of '22 and got moisture in the fall so the spring was flowing strong. 2.We came in from the East or ENE. The final quarter mile we hiked due south on the creek bed in the bottom of the canyon. The spring is due south of PG another 1/4 mile in the creek bed. We didn't approach anything that resembled a class 3 scramble let alone a class 5 climb on the entire hike although we did have one section of trail up against a cliff. When I checked with the local forest rangers, they had good information as well. You may want to give them a call, especially for an update on water. Hope this helps. Have a great time if you go back.
@@HiddenGemsofNature Thanks so much for this info! What I meant by #1 is: I know EXACTLY which TH and trail you STARTED on.... but I could not be certain of what you did at one of the trail junctions - i.e. took the trail that dropped in to Sycamore Creek OR the one that that goes thru Horse Canyon... based on your description in #2, I have my answer, so THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!! 🙂 And YES, I always call the FS before my packs; they've always been super helpful!
@@azhiker9927 glad it helped. You probably figured this out, but at mud springs we went left and took the shorter, steeper route.
@@HiddenGemsofNature ROCK ON! I already did! :-) i.e. I haven't done it yet but I KNOW exactly what you are talking about (I'll draw GPX files - ALWAYS! - before heading out, even on easy hikes); and the route you mentioned is not shown on the Topo but is clearly visible in most spots on Sat imagery. Thank you for confirming it is doable with backpacks! 🙂
I'm not going in any tunnels,caves ..Thats where mt Lions live
Beautiful place. Guadalupe Mountains National Park is on my list
Enjoyed the video. I've spent a good bit of time in the Guads. Really loved that final picture!
It looks like you are well traveled in the Guadalupe Mountains. I wish I would have seen your TH-cam channel before I went. They are beautiful mountains. I would like to have spent more time there
Nice video. I think the terrain and vegetation here look similar to that of the Santa Catalina Mountains near Tucson, AZ.
Absolutely beautiful. Thanks for sharing 👍 😊
Without Music be better
The hikers don't look around much, and they travel at a speedy pace. thank goodness the snakes are all underground by snow time. they definitely need better hiking shoes and socks.
Nice hike! Do you not hike with a GPS enabled map such as AllTrails or Gaia GPS for situations such as this snow? Do you carry a satellite communication device?
Good Question. No, I typically only hike with a topo map. We could have hiked the Ridgeline to the peak with a topo map and no trail, but I didn't have a permit to hike on the reservation and I don't know where the reservation boundary is, so we stopped. I should probably follow your advice and use some kind of GPS device.
@ A GPS map has saved my bacon more than once.
Very cool my man
thanks
I have been here before if you look on a digital map you can see about 500 feet down from where you parked is a class 2 gully that makes for a much easier entrance and exit right next to where you park
Thanks for being such a great father and son in law duo!
Amazing views and video quality. What type of camera do you use?
I was at the hidden gem that starts with white. I spent the night there . People get shuttered in there by guides with four wheel drive vehicles. I had no problem getting there in my Ford f250 four wheel drive with high clearance. Im hoping to get to coyote south area in september. When i was at the biggest gem you showed , I thought how fun young kids would have climbing the odd looking boulders. The young boys with you confirmed that thought. LOL. Thank you for sharing...
Glad you enjoyed it. That is the heaviest traveled road so it is the best road…by far. The other gems are much smaller, but plentiful. Hope you are able to get a permit
Super Cool Stuff!
I love Cochise County
I know you have been asked this before. Wear did you get those jeans?
Any sporting goods store or on line. They are upland game bird pants.
So is all of this public land? I'm visiting Az
Yes, this is in the National Forest....I use the word forest loosely. Have a great time.
I would say the road out to this is risky. There are a few spots in the beginning half of the road that are very sketchy unless you have moderate clearance. Mt SUV that has ~8.4 inches of clearance scrapes every time, no matter what angle I take. As great as this hidden gem is, I would be cautious if you don't have 9.5+ inches of clearance.
That was a very interesting hike you enjoyed in the Supes. Looks like you started at Tortilla Flat. Thanks for your videos! BTW, did you ever figure out what that mushy red thing was in that hidden slot canyon video at the end ?
Glad you enjoyed the video. The red thing is some sort of fungus. there were a couple of people in the comments section that figured out the type of fungus, but I can't remember the name of the fungus
❤❤❤❤
YOU MIGHT NOT REALIZE BUT SUPERSTITION MOUNTAIN IS ACTUALLY A SERIES OF MOUNTAIN RANGES. IN THAT GENERAL AREA, MANY PEOPLE HAVE GONE MISSING, NEVER TO BE SEEN AGAIN. I LISTENED TO ONE COMMENTATOR WHO KNEW OF IT HISTORY AND IS AN ACCOMPLISHED EXPLORER, STATED HE WOULD NEVER EXPLORE THAT AREA ALONE. SUPERSTITION MOUNTAIN IS ABOUT THREE MILES FROM THAT CANYON.
The canyon is all part of the mountains as u said it’s a series of ranges not just one mountain Lol
I enjoyed watching your video. I was at Chiricahua NM with my wife and son in 2004. We really enjoyed our visit there. From there we went to Apache Pass.
I've been there twice; it is one of the few places that I can say there isn't a single section of trail that does not have a great view, or interesting things to see. A great National Monument!
Magnificent mountain area. The Grotto's are so awesome and so easily accessible. Great video!
Nice video , When you guys walked out , You came out on house rock road. To the main and busiest trail head parking lot. I love that road and all there is to see along it. From route 89 down to 89A . I was at that parking lot when i hiked the wave last july . I also went in that slot canyon and there was a differant ladder there then. Love that area . Going back this summer or fall again. Thanks for the great camera work.
You got a permit to the wave? Wow, that’s impressive.
@@HiddenGemsofNature After four years of trying . The last year i put in for june ,july .and august. Thats when i got drawn. People are not wanting to deal with the heat. I have lived in phoenix for the last 50 years , and worked outside , So thought i was up to it. Went in at sunrise and was out by 1;00 pm. No problem , i loved it.
THIS ARE A SMART GUY. HE WENT DOWN THIS ROAD, AND PARKED IN THIS PARKING LOT. HE WENT INTO THIS SLOT CANYON. THIS ARE A SMART GUY.
I really love your videos. I feel like a lot of hikers in arizona stick to the basic well-known trails and neglect hidden gems like this. A few years ago, I had hiked the major mountains in phoenix 10s of times. Then I explored the superstitions and bradshaws with a friend, changed my view of hiking completely. Its about the adventure, not the summit
Glad you enjoyed the video. Arizona has some incredible hidden gems because of its varied and unique terrain
What a fantastic place! Luckily I am only 7 hours from it. I could also go to Zion in 6 and a half. I might prefer the solitude of this wonder instead? I will wait for the seasons that aren't summer.
Good job capturing the essence of the place!
The more that I watch of this, the more I hate this video, b/c no I will no longer have to visit the place, as I have already been! 😉
I will be going asap. TYVM!
Great video, such a unique and beautiful place.