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Category: Hiking

See photography and read stories from hiking adventures around the world. Live vicariously through photos of wildlife and beautiful landscapes, and let the words inspire you to take to the trail.

Categories Abroad Adventure Travel Domestic Essays Hiking Outdoor Photography
My top 24 photographs of 2024.

My top 24 photographs of 2024.

Posted on Posted onDecember 31, 2024March 9, 2025By Heather

In 2024, I took more than 6,000 photographs in 8 countries in all 4 hemispheres. From over 6,000 images, I’ve curated 24 favorites—just 0.004%—to share with you. … Read More >My top 24 photographs of 2024.

Categories Abroad Adventure Travel Hiking
Experience Wonders of Wildlife and the Ancient Maya in Yucatán, Mexico

Experience Wonders of Wildlife and the Ancient Maya in Yucatán, Mexico

Posted on Posted onFebruary 19, 2024March 19, 2025By Heather

https://kctrvlr.com/abroad/quintana-roo-yucatan-ancient-mayan-ruins-jungle-wildlife/ … Read More >Experience Wonders of Wildlife and the Ancient Maya in Yucatán, Mexico

Categories Adventure Travel Domestic Hiking Outdoor Photography
Photography from O’ahu, Hawaii in September

Photography from O’ahu, Hawaii in September

Posted on Posted onDecember 23, 2023January 28, 2025By Heather

Family and work travel can be unproductive for many photographers. Fast-paced itineraries and going with … Continue ReadingPhotography from O’ahu, Hawaii in September

Categories Adventure Travel Dog-Friendly Domestic Hiking
Mountain goats on the McCullough Gulch Trail hike in Colorado

Mountain goats on the McCullough Gulch Trail hike in Colorado

Posted on Posted onSeptember 12, 2023October 24, 2024By Heather

Something always stands between me and the goats. I haul all my stupid, heavy photography … Continue ReadingMountain goats on the McCullough Gulch Trail hike in Colorado

Categories Adventure Travel Domestic Essays Hiking
River reconnection: backpacking the North Fork Skokomish River Trail in Olympic National Park

River reconnection: backpacking the North Fork Skokomish River Trail in Olympic National Park

Posted on Posted onAugust 23, 2023March 9, 2025By Heather

Why would any sane, rational human being leave the comfort of their home with air … Continue ReadingRiver reconnection: backpacking the North Fork Skokomish River Trail in Olympic National Park

Categories Adventure Travel Domestic Hiking
Peru Creek: Crapping in a Bag & Other Stories

Peru Creek: Crapping in a Bag & Other Stories

Posted on Posted onJanuary 2, 2023January 28, 2025By Heather

This is a story about defeat, joy, and grief. It is full of adventure and misadventure, with a touch of prescience. Twists and turns. Bathroom humor. Summit season 2022 was unsuccessful, but mountain season was a hit. Buckle up; it’s a ride. … Read More >Peru Creek: Crapping in a Bag & Other Stories

Categories Domestic Hiking
Western Kitsch: The Black Hills, South Dakota

Western Kitsch: The Black Hills, South Dakota

Posted on Posted onMay 21, 2022March 15, 2025By Heather

We daydreamed about visiting Badlands area for years. We were drawn by the mystique of … Continue ReadingWestern Kitsch: The Black Hills, South Dakota

Categories Domestic Hiking
Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge

Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge

Posted on Posted onMarch 20, 2022September 10, 2023By Heather

I have been setting my sights on day trip destinations near Kansas City. I’m seeking … Continue ReadingLoess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge

Categories Domestic Hiking
Photography from Snoqualmie Falls, Washington

Photography from Snoqualmie Falls, Washington

Posted on Posted onNovember 20, 2021August 25, 2023By Heather

The Pacific Northwest continues to be one of my favorite parts of the country. On … Continue ReadingPhotography from Snoqualmie Falls, Washington

Categories Adventure Travel Domestic Hiking
Hiking Huron Peak 14er in Colorado

Hiking Huron Peak 14er in Colorado

Posted on Posted onAugust 31, 2021August 8, 2023By Heather

Fear has been a consistent companion in my life. At age 10, I negotiated my … Continue ReadingHiking Huron Peak 14er in Colorado

Categories Dog-Friendly Domestic Hiking
The 50-Miler That Wasn’t: Indiana’s Knobstone Trail

The 50-Miler That Wasn’t: Indiana’s Knobstone Trail

Posted on Posted onJune 26, 2021August 25, 2023By Heather

I set two simple outdoor fitness goals this year – hike and summit at least … Continue ReadingThe 50-Miler That Wasn’t: Indiana’s Knobstone Trail

Categories Domestic Hiking
The Sonoran Desert & Saguaro National Park, Arizona

The Sonoran Desert & Saguaro National Park, Arizona

Posted on Posted onMay 13, 2021August 25, 2023By Heather

The types of cactus and landscape change as we approach Arizona from New Mexico. The … Continue ReadingThe Sonoran Desert & Saguaro National Park, Arizona

Categories Adventure Travel Domestic Hiking
Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park

Posted on Posted onJanuary 12, 2021August 25, 2023By Heather

Bryce Canyon in southern Utah is the last of the four national parks I visited … Continue ReadingBryce Canyon National Park

Categories Adventure Travel Domestic Hiking
Capitol Reef National Park

Capitol Reef National Park

Posted on Posted onDecember 19, 2020August 25, 2023By Heather

Capitol Reef National Park was the major destination on my 3-week long national parks road … Continue ReadingCapitol Reef National Park

Categories Adventure Travel Domestic Hiking
Finding Perspective at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Finding Perspective at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Posted on Posted onNovember 27, 2020March 23, 2025By Heather

I booked this cottage in Montrose, Colorado because I needed a place to stay close … Continue ReadingFinding Perspective at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Categories Adventure Travel Domestic Hiking
Shiras Moose Sighting in Golden Gate Canyon State Park

Shiras Moose Sighting in Golden Gate Canyon State Park

Posted on Posted onNovember 14, 2020August 25, 2023By Heather

On the way into Blackhawk, Colorado, where I was staying at a beautiful little cabin … Continue ReadingShiras Moose Sighting in Golden Gate Canyon State Park

Categories Adventure Travel Domestic Hiking
“Humble Peak”

“Humble Peak”

Posted on Posted onOctober 20, 2020August 8, 2023By Heather

I’m terrified of heights. My partner asked me, “Then why do you do it?” (Hike … Continue Reading“Humble Peak”

Categories Domestic Hiking
Outdoor Attractions at Colorado Springs

Outdoor Attractions at Colorado Springs

Posted on Posted onSeptember 30, 2020August 25, 2023By Heather

I’m sitting in front of a fire in my sweats, under a red, chunky knit … Continue ReadingOutdoor Attractions at Colorado Springs

Categories Adventure Travel Domestic Hiking
Camping & Hiking Quandary Peak in Colorado

Camping & Hiking Quandary Peak in Colorado

Posted on Posted onJuly 23, 2020August 8, 2023By Heather

We have isolated for months in response to COVID-19. All our trips have are canceled. … Continue ReadingCamping & Hiking Quandary Peak in Colorado

Categories Domestic Hiking
Summer Camping at White Rock Mountain, Arkansas

Summer Camping at White Rock Mountain, Arkansas

Posted on Posted onJune 20, 2019November 20, 2021By Heather

My brother and I have been looking for a good excuse to use all the backpacking gear we invested in (hiking to the top of Pikes Peak was its inaugural journey), so we put a camping trip on the books for White Rock Mountain, Arkansas in the Ozark National Forest. … Read More >Summer Camping at White Rock Mountain, Arkansas

Categories Adventure Travel Domestic Hiking
My First 14er: Pikes Peak, Colorado

My First 14er: Pikes Peak, Colorado

Posted on Posted onOctober 7, 2018August 8, 2023By Heather

Growing up, I felt like my bond with my brother Cody was close. Granted, our … Continue ReadingMy First 14er: Pikes Peak, Colorado

Categories Domestic Hiking
How to Spend a Long Weekend in San Diego

How to Spend a Long Weekend in San Diego

Posted on Posted onMarch 29, 2018August 25, 2023By Heather

I found myself back in San Diego, California for the second spring in a row … Continue ReadingHow to Spend a Long Weekend in San Diego

Categories Adventure Travel Domestic Hiking
Desert Hiking Trip to Moab, Utah

Desert Hiking Trip to Moab, Utah

Posted on Posted onOctober 10, 2017August 25, 2023By Heather

This was the second leg of my annual solo hiking trip to Utah. I spent … Continue ReadingDesert Hiking Trip to Moab, Utah

Categories Adventure Travel Domestic Hiking
Visiting Salt Lake City & Park City in September

Visiting Salt Lake City & Park City in September

Posted on Posted onSeptember 26, 2017September 3, 2021By Heather

I try to get away every year or two for a hiking-based trip on my … Continue ReadingVisiting Salt Lake City & Park City in September

I'm Heather Physioc.

Photojournalist focusing on conservation, outdoor, wildlife and nature topics. OWAA award winner. Prints available, 50% of print sales to conservation efforts. Dog's best friend.

.🇺🇸 🇮🇹 🇳🇱 🇫🇷 🇧🇪 🇬🇧 🇨🇴 🇵🇪 🇨🇷 🇭🇳 🇬🇷 🇧🇧 🇸🇪 🇲🇽 🇭🇷 🇸🇮

Heather Physioc, Writer & Photographer at KCTRVLR
the author + photographer
Outdoor Writers Association of America 2024 Excellence in Craft Winner Badge

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Select prints available for purchase in my Zenfolio store. 50% of all earnings to conservation causes. Contact me for licensing.

See my latest work.

  • Artificial intelligence threatens real creativity everywhere.March 9, 2025
  • Living Peoples, Not Dying Languages: Inside the fight to preserve and revitalize Quechua and other Indigenous languages in the AndesJanuary 23, 2025
  • My top 24 photographs of 2024.December 31, 2024
  • Portorož, Piran & Lipica: Experiencing the Istrian Peninsula & Karst Region of SloveniaMay 31, 2024
  • Spring Scenes & Hidden Gems in Lower Town Zagreb, CroatiaMay 26, 2024
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Hey, heads up.

You may find a few affiliate links to outside websites if I reference specific products I use within my articles. If you click through these links and end up purchasing a product, I may receive a small return that helps me fund my excursions, photography and travel. I also sell prints and wall art of my landscape photography here. Half of all proceeds are donated to conservation charities.

Copyright © 2025 | KCTRVLR by Jonathan Tucker