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The Journal archive
Search matches titles, excerpts, locations and categories in loaded Journal pages. Blog and Gear have their own directories.
Land Adventures · Dunhuang, Gansu
Carved into a wind-sanded cliff at the edge of the Hexi Corridor, the Mogao Caves are a living museum of Silk Road art and devotion. Here’s how to experience the grottoes with respect—and how to pair them with Dunhuang’s desert spectacle.
Read the story →Land Adventures · Walvis Bay, Erongo
Kuiseb Pass is more than a scenic stop—it's the geological and cultural hinge between Atlantic-cooled coast and the vast Namib Sand Sea. Drive it at dawn and watch two worlds reconcile.
Read the story →Land Adventures · Tabernas, Andalusia
A battered landscape that doubled for the Wild West now offers two clear draws: cinematic day trips at Oasys (Mini Hollywood) and world-class stargazing under an expansive sky. Here’s how to do both without missing the essentials.
Read the story →Land Adventures · Palm Springs, California
From the San Andreas Fault to Joshua Tree’s boulder fields, the Colorado Desert is a compact classroom of geology and adventure. This guide pairs practical planning—timing, hydration, gear—with routeable experiences for cyclists, climbers and curious hikers.
Read the story →Land Adventures · Muscat, Ash Sharqiyah
Palm-shaded pools and narrow limestone gorges make Wadi Bani Khalid one of Oman’s most enduring oases. Read on for how to experience the pools, combine a desert night in Wahiba Sands, and practical tips to make the day trip smooth and safe.
Read the story →Land Adventures · Oljato-Monument Valley, Utah
Walk the 3.2-mile Wildcat Trail to stand within the shadows of Monument Valley’s legendary buttes. This self-guided loop delivers close-range views, dramatic light and a desert that rewards slow footsteps.
Read the story →Land Adventures · Terlingua, Texas
A compact desert town on the edge of Big Bend, Terlingua is equal parts ghost-town grit and gateway to canyon country. Read on for practical route choices, stargazing advice, and local insights to plan a safe, memorable trip.
Read the story →Land Adventures · Boulder City, Nevada
A short, high-stakes walk across the Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Bridge delivers panoramic views of Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, and the Colorado River—plus a compact lesson in engineering, geology, and desert conservation.
Read the story →Land Adventures · El Paso, Texas
A rugged, surprisingly remote range juts above El Paso—Franklin Mountains State Park offers everything from quick desert loops to ridge runs and backcountry nights under big skies. Here’s how to plan a safe, satisfying visit and what to expect on the trails.
Read the story →Land Adventures · Furnace Creek, California
A nine-mile one-way loop where volcanic chemistry and desert weather paint hills in apricot, rust and lavender. This short drive is a concentrated geology lesson with big photographic payoff—best experienced early or late in the day.
Read the story →Land Adventures · Furnace Creek, California
A close-up lesson in geology and light: Artist’s Palette is a compact, colorful stop on Artists Drive in Death Valley that rewards short hikes, patient photographers, and respectful visitors with striking chromatic landscapes.
Read the story →Land Adventures · Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region
Step into the open plain west of Yinchuan and find the Western Xia Imperial Tombs—nine earthen mausoleums that map a vanished Tangut empire. This is an encounter that blends archaeology, sweeping landscape, and the practical pleasures of a day trip from the city.
Read the story →Land Adventures · San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta Region
At sunrise, El Tatio turns the high desert into a theatre of steam and volcanic light. This guide explains how to see it well—what to expect, how to prepare for altitude and cold, and which tours make the most sense.
Read the story →Water Activities · Las Vegas, Nevada
A desert lake with surprising variety: from boatable coves and rail-tunnel hikes to shoreline campsites and world-class fishing. Here’s how to plan and what to expect for a safe, rewarding visit to Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
Read the story →Land Adventures · Ica, Ica
A 150-meter deep split in Peru’s coastal desert, Cañón de los Perdidos is an accessible day-hike that pairs fossil-laden walls with panoramic desert views and post-hike pisco tastings in Ica. Here’s how to plan a purposeful visit.
Read the story →Land Adventures · Terlingua, Texas
Santa Elena Canyon is Big Bend’s most cinematic canyon: sheer limestone walls, a narrow river throat, and a short but atmospheric trail that delivers a big sense of place. Hike in or paddle through—either way, plan for heat, limited services, and dramatic geology.
Read the story →Land Adventures · Boulder City, Nevada
Hoover Dam is equal parts engineering spectacle and desert drama. Walk its crest, descend into the generator rooms, and add a boat or helicopter ride to see how water, rock and concrete shaped the modern Southwest.
Read the story →Land Adventures · Yulara, Northern Territory
Walpa Gorge compresses the power of Kata Tjuta into a short, atmospheric walk—ancient rocks, sheltered shade, and the sharp cultural presence of the land. It’s a quick, unforgettable way to feel the desert’s depth without hours on the trail.
Read the story →Land Adventures · Moab, Utah
Stand inside a natural stone window as the desert bakes into gold. This guide pairs the sensory wonder of Arches’ North Window and Turret Arch with practical routes, gear and timing to help you plan an evening visit that’s both efficient and unforgettable.
Read the story →Land Adventures · Furnace Creek, California
A compact, otherworldly classroom of geology and light, Death Valley demands early starts and good water. From Badwater Basin’s salt flats to Dante’s View, learn how to experience the park responsibly and meaningfully — whether on a day trip from Las Vegas or a two-day private journey.
Read the story →
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