Welcome to the digital home for all things from Dalton Johnson.
All in North America
Without much daylight left, local surf-pro, Austin Smith-Ford, waxes his board for an evening of surf a few miles north of Santa Cruz, CA. A local’s only spot where you’ll surely be yelled at if you can’t say “hey” to at least a few surfers in the line up.
For a couple of years I was the go to photographer for water bottle companies. While you can say what you want about photographing outdoor lifestyle campaigns around water bottles, it was rad. Right now, I am smiling as I look through my archive at the countless photoshoots I did for brands like MiiR and Klean Kanteen but something is off!
Photographing Olmsted Point in Yosemite National Park is an overcrowded tourist experience I pretty much never pass up. While I have been to this spot roughly 20 times, each stop is different, so I always bring my camera. With its sweeping views of Half Dome, Tenaya Lake, and Clouds Rest, this spot is a favorite among landscape photographers. Equipped with a Sony A7R IV and a Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 lens, you can make the most of this location's photographic potential.
Tucked away along the Oak Creek in Sedona, AZ is L’Auberge de Sedona. This four star resort should be on everyone’s bucket “must-stay” list if you are looking for luxurious stays. If you are a Sunday brunch kind of human, well, they also have the best Sunday brunch in town. But, good luck getting a room, this spot is almost always booked out, so get on your reservations now.
Living near Lake Tahoe has given me the chance to explore its waters countless times, and I can confidently say it’s a kayaker’s paradise. The combination of pristine waters, dramatic alpine scenery, and hidden gems makes every paddle feel like a new adventure. If you’re planning to kayak Tahoe, here are some of my favorite spots to explore.
Adventure comes in all shapes and sizes, yet, we feel it is hard to discover new adventures. So, the editors at The Adventure Travel Network have teamed up to create a space highlighting the best adventures we have heard about each week. Without further adieu, we give you the coolest adventures we found this week:
Some adventures come from spontaneous ideas, and this was one of them. Kristin and I, both having grown up near Lake Tahoe, realized that despite our roots, we had never spent a full day kayaking its iconic waters. So, we woke up at 3:30 a.m. with a bold plan: hit three stunning kayaking spots in a single day—Emerald Bay, Bonsai Rock, and Zephyr Cove.
After days of driving, endless highways, and countless moments of awe, we finally reached the Canada-Alaska border. For me, it wasn’t just another milestone on the map. It felt like the culmination of everything the journey had been leading up to. My dad and I pulled over, parked the van, and stepped out to take it all in. That moment—standing there with one foot in Canada and the other in Alaska—became one of my favorite memories of the entire trip.
I have driven to Alaska and back. Each way taught me new lessons about timing, route choices, and personal limits. These tips will help you plan your own road trip with a clear mind and a realistic approach. Whether you’re an experienced road-tripper or embarking on your first major journey, Alaska’s vast wilderness offers lessons you’ll carry with you for a lifetime.
When you drive to Alaska, the road has a way of leaving its mark on you. It’s not just the miles you cover but the moments that make you stop, look around, and truly feel the scale of the world. On my drive, there were three experiences that stood out and defined the journey: standing at the Canada-Alaska border, driving those endless highways that stretch into the wilderness, and seeing my first glacier. Each of these moments wasn’t just beautiful—they were unforgettable.
If you’re thinking about traveling to Alaska, there’s a choice you’ll have to make: fly or drive. For me, the decision to drive wasn’t just about getting there—it was about everything that happens along the way. Choosing to drive instead of fly let me feel the sheer vastness of Alaska, experience the wild beauty as it unfolded, and share an unforgettable journey with my dad. What could have been a quick flight turned into a trip I’ll never forget.
Mount Massive, Colorado’s second-highest peak, is the often overlooked step-sibling to the highest peak in Colorado, Mount Elbert, just across the valley. However, climbing this iconic mountain comes with its challenges, and mistakes can quickly turn an enjoyable trek into a tough lesson. Based on personal experiences, here are the top mistakes to avoid when tackling Mount Massive, so you can have a safer and more rewarding adventure.
Climbing a 14er—a peak with an elevation of at least 14,000 feet—is a bucket-list adventure for many hikers. However, timing your ascent is crucial for a safe and successful climb. Starting too late can put you at risk of thunderstorms, heat, and other hazards that can turn an enjoyable hike into a dangerous situation. Here’s what you need to know about timing your 14er adventure.
Colorado is home to some of the most iconic 14ers in the United States, and Mount Massive and Mount of the Holy Cross are two standout peaks in the Sawatch Range. If you’re deciding which to climb first, this guide will help you compare the two peaks based on difficulty, scenery, logistics, and the best times to climb.
Waking up later than planned, I crawled out of my van with a packed bag, fueled by coffee and laced-up boots. Clicking my Coros watch to start recording my trek, I set off down the trail for a car-to-car push of Mount Massive. As Colorado's second-highest peak, I felt nervous but confident I could summit in good time. My legs were still sore from climbing Mount of the Holy Cross just a few days before, another challenging 14er in Colorado’s Sawatch Range.
Reds and oranges filled the sky as the sunrise light reflected off the clouds, a welcome sign some warmth was on the way. This morning in Sedona, Arizona was cold as we hiked to find the Subway Cave, which is said to be the home of a vortex. While I am not totally sure what a vortex is, I wanted to find one. So, down the trail we went.
Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park is a photographer's paradise, offering breathtaking vistas that beckon camera enthusiasts from around the world. However, the eternal debate among photographers remains: sunrise or sunset at Glacier Point?
Both options have their unique charm, and the choice depends on your photography goals and style. In this blog, we'll explore the merits of both sunrise and sunset photography at Glacier Point to help you make an informed decision.
As passionate photography enthusiasts, we had delved into the works of modern greats who had immortalized Yosemite's breathtaking vistas. However, we aimed to add our own unique twist to this iconic location. Surveying our array of gear and props, we hatched an ambitious plan: to capture a skateboarding photograph careening down the serpentine road leading to Glacier Point. Join us on this journey as we blend the adrenaline of skateboarding with the tranquil majesty of Glacier Point's sunrise, creating a photographic masterpiece of our own.
