ELISABETH
BRENTANO

FOUR DAYS OF BACKPACKING IN IDAHO'S WHITE CLOUDS WILDERNESS

A trip report covering a four-day, three-night backpacking route in the stunning Cecil D. Andrus-White Cloud Wilderness. Some of the route requires off-trail travel and scrambling, but hikers are rewarded with some of the best views in Idaho. 

VisitIdaho.org, July 2022

HIKING TO CLOUD PEAK: THE HIGH POINT OF THE BIGHORN MOUNTAINS

A trip report covering the 23-mile trek to Cloud Peak, with notes on responsible recreation and safety in the Wyoming backcountry.  I didn’t want to rush, so I opted to summit the 13,167-foot peak on a two-night backpacking trip.

TravelWyoming.com, April 2022

FIRE LOOKOUTS AND NATURAL WONDERS IN NORTHERN IDAHO

After staying at several Idaho fire lookouts for the first time in 2020, I returned to northern Idaho to visit a few new ones — and to explore more in the Panhandle region of the state. From pristine alpine lakes to spectacular waterfalls, I found natural wonders in between every fire lookout on my route.

VisitIdaho.org, January 2022

LUXURY MEETS THE WILD WEST AT THE RED REFLET RANCH

Located in the charming town of Ten Sleep, Wyoming, the Red Reflet Ranch offers upscale accommodations, a wealth of outdoor activities and organic gourmet cuisine. From the scenery to the feeling that you’ve traveled back in time to the Wild West, a stay at Red Reflet is truly the experience of a lifetime.

TravelWyoming.com, December 2021

A PLACE OF REFUGE

Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge spans 118,000 acres of vast Sonoran Desert wilderness, and it is home to endangered masked bobwhite quail and over 300 avian species. Despite facing challenges like drought and invasive vegetation, a dedicated group of volunteers is helping with conservation efforts.

Arizona Highways, October 2021

AMAZING ALTERNATIVE SUMMER ADVENTURES IN ARIZONA

After creating an epic itinerary in the Tonto National Forest, travel restrictions forced me to switch my plans at the last minute. Fortunately, Arizona is home to all kinds of hidden gems, and my alternate route introduced me to several amazing, lesser-known parks.

VisitArizona.com, August 2021

10 IDAHO FIRE LOOKOUTS YOU CAN RENT FOR THE NIGHT

If you are keen to get off the grid and willing to put in some work, an overnight stay at a fire lookout might be the perfect adventure. Guests are rewarded with panoramic views of Idaho’s pristine national forests, and these historic lookouts offer some comforts of home like beds and stoves, making for an even more memorable experience in the wilderness.

VisitIdaho.org, January 2021

TIGER KING AND THE U.S. BIG CAT TRADE: CONSERVATION OR COMMODIFICATION?

An in-depth look at how a lack of regulation in the U.S. has interfered with big cat conservation efforts on a global scale. Beyond policy change, it's up to us to educate ourselves about legitimate wildlife sanctuary and establishments that abuse animals for profit.

BBC Wildlife, July 2020

FINDING STRENGTH AND INSPIRATION DEEP IN THE UTAH DESERT

Utah’s wilderness helped heal me during the most difficult period of my life, and it continues to serve as a place for me to relax, recharge and recenter. This personal essay shares the details of my first camping trip, and some of my favorite spots in the state.

VisitUtah.com, May 2020

LOOKING FOR MORE?

These are just a handful of my favorite articles from the last few years. For more, please visit the CLIENT WORK section of my website, and you'll find links in project descriptions. I'll eventually bring my blog back, but for now, I'm keeping the most informative and visually exciting pieces here.