ourwaytoroam

Hey everyone! We wanted to share a Vermont trail we had a great time on last fall. We ran Sucker Pond Trail outside Bennington, VT, and it popped back up while we were planning another Vermont trip this week. It reminded us just how much fun it was. If you're looking for a trail in southern Vermont, this one is definitely worth checking out. It's rated 5/10 on the onX Offroad app and is only about 3 miles long, but don't let the length fool you. There are several long bog sections with standing water that make for a really fun drive. The bottoms are surprisingly rocky instead of muddy, so traction is much better than it looks. While we were in the area, we also stumbled across an old abandoned cemetery on the other side of Bennington, which made for a fun side adventure. It's not the most difficult trail you'll ever run, but it has enough water, mud, and varied terrain to keep things interesting without being overly technical. We'll definitely be back the next time we're in the area! Has anyone else here run Sucker Pond Trail? We'd love to hear what you thought or any other Vermont trail recommendations.

We wanted to share a recent backcountry trip that we did out to the old Boyer Cabin - a little gem of Arizona history! This trip is worth a day (or two) in the backcountry! We took Forest Service Road 97 (just North of Across Rd) on the way in, which eventually turns into 895 and drops you right down into the canyon where the cabin is. Taking 97 is definitely the spicier option. There’s a steep entry and exit through a wash filled with big rock gardens that’ll get your attention real quick. But our Unimog camper handled it like a champ, and honestly, it made the route that much more fun. Once we got to Boyer Cabin, we slowed things down and spent the afternoon exploring the old homestead. There’s still quite a bit standing out there; the main house, bunk quarters, an old barn, and even some stables. It’s one of those places where you can just wander around and imagine what life must’ve been like out there. We did a little digging, and it looks like the cabin was built in the 1880s by Joseph Boyer. What makes it even more interesting is that he appears to have been connected to the Pleasant Valley War, showing up in records tied to the Graham-Tewksbury feud starting around 1886. He’s also mentioned in connection with indictments out of Prescott tied to the Middleton ranch shooting and other events in the area. Wild to stand in a place with that kind of history, especially knowing it all unfolded around the Young–Globe area. After we were done exploring, we continued out on Forest Road 895 to complete the loop. 895 was in great shape overall. Still plenty of exposure along the shelf road to keep things interesting, but absolutely beautiful the whole way with views of Roosevelt Lake below. If you’ve got a capable rig, this is such a fun way to explore it, but you can also hike in if that’s more your speed. Whether you make it a long day trip or camp out on the surrounding Forest Service land, it’s absolutely worth the trip!

We ran Four Peaks Trail (FR 143) outside Phoenix, AZ this week. It’s one of those trails we’ve done more than a few times, and I think because of that, we forgot just how beautiful it really is. As soon as you climb up towards the saddle, temps drop, and the views open up. We could tell it was finally spring in the desert because the cacti are in full bloom! With the weather finally cooling down a bit, it’s the perfect time to get out there. We were also reminded how many trailheads and hiking spots are tucked along the route. If you're in the Phoenix area and it's been a while since you’ve run Four Peaks… or you're planning a trip to off-road in Arizona, add Four Peaks Trail to your list! It’s even better than we remembered!

Edit to add photos!

We took our Unimog up Aztec Peak trail in Tonto National Forest and it ended up being the perfect way to beat the crazy heatwave down in the valley. Cooler air, incredible views, and a road that just keeps getting better the higher you climb. On the way up, we spotted a side road labeled Murphy’s Ranch and decided to see where it went. It led us out to a patch of private land with what looks like an old homestead with rows of what appear to be apple trees, or at least what’s left of an orchard. The whole place has that quiet, forgotten feeling, like it once had a lot of life but has been sitting untouched for a long time. The onX off-road app says it's a 42 acre property. Someone must have once spent a long time clearing the wild forest land to put in that orchard. It got us wondering about the history out here. Through some research, we found that this property was homesteaded in the early 80's by a man and his wife, who moved into Globe when their daughter became old enough to go to school. He passed in 2024 and there doesn't seem to be much upkeep in recent years. The property was also narrowly missed by the Billy Wildfire in 2025. Most of the road into the ranch burned but the property was spared. It seems like it would have been an incredible place to live. It's a beautiful location right on the edge of the Sierra Ancha Wilderness. We’ve been surprised by how many old orchard sites we’ve come across on trails around the Phoenix area. There’s clearly a deeper history here than you’d expect in the desert. If you have some time, Aztec Peak is worth the drive! aztec-peak-abandoned-orchard-ranch-v0-jd5afyfvc9qg1.webp aztec-peak-abandoned-orchard-ranch-v0-scqiyyfvc9qg1.webp aztec-peak-abandoned-orchard-ranch-v0-yo7juszwc9qg1.webp aztec-peak-abandoned-orchard-ranch-v0-bmfgachxc9qg1.webp