My great passion in life is backcountry camping and I sometimes dabble in photography while exploring. These images reflect how I feel when emerged in some of my favorite places on Earth. I will be happy to freely provide the original files of the shots below for any purpose. All that I ask in return is attribution. Feel free to email me [rutz@chatham.edu] for such requests.
Pennsylvania
Bear Run Preserve
Bear Run is the stream that creates the waterfall of the famous Fallingwater home. The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy manages the preserve that protects the watershed and one can camp there if you make a reservation. This preserve is one of my favorite spots for a single night getaway.
Quebec Run Wilderness
Quebec Run is a great state wilderness area just a little over an hour drive south of Pittsburgh. The wilderness protects Quebec Run, the beautiful coldwater stream shown here.
Chuck Keiper Trail
The 47.3-mile Chuck Keiper Trail is a great loop trek in the Sproul State Forest of central Pennsylvania. I barely came across anyone during the 4 days I took to complete it.
Black Forest Trail
The Black Forest Trail is one of my favorite treks in the state and one of the hardest. This 43-mile loop is the trail I take students on for the Chatham course Backpacking: Experiencing the Natural History of Pennsylvania. I wrote an article about it for Backpacker magazine (linked here).
Quehanna Trail
At 73.2 miles, the Quehanna is one of the longest loop treks in Pennsylvania. The trail is a great place to find wild blueberries, rattlesnakes, and uncommon plant species.
California
Sespe Wilderness, Los Padres National Forest
The Sespe Wilderness is possibly my favorite place on Earth. Tucked behind the town of Ojai in the coast range, two excellent hot springs can be found in the backcountry.
Joshua Tree National Park
Most visitors to Joshua Tree only stay for the day, but they are missing out: this national park is an excellent backcountry destination and one where you can camp nearly anywhere.
West Virginia
North Fork Mountain Trail
Perhaps the most scenic trail in West Virginia, the North Fork Mountain Trail runs for about 23 miles along a ridge well above the famous Seneca Rocks. Be sure to plan your water game carefully if you take on this one.
Dolly Sods Wilderness
Dolly Sods has rightly earned a reputation as a superb wilderness getaway, although one should not expect to escape the crowds here on summer weekends.
Arizona
Grand Canyon National Park
The only way to see the Grand Canyon is to spend several nights within it.