500 Adrenaline Adventures (Frommer's) - Lois Friedland [39]
Tar Creek Falls, California, U.S.A.: You must hike up a rock face about 70 feet (21m) before you can even reach a point to make a dive. The topography of the land makes this locale particularly dangerous. It’s difficult to jump more than a few feet away from the side of the cliff and you don’t want to slam into it on the way down. Tar Creek Falls is located near the Sespe Condor Sanctuary—where you may even see condors in the air—in Los Padres National Forest. You can enter the park near Fillmore, California. Los Padres National Forest ( 805/683-9711 or 805/968-6640; www.fs.fed.us/r5/lospadres).
Waianapanapa Park, Maui, U.S.A.: If you want to reach one of Maui’s most popular locations for cliff jumping, go to Ka’anapali Beach and walk to the end where you’ll see Black Rock. Walk behind the spot where everyone is jumping, follow the coast around the point for about 2 minutes, and then you’ll see the cliffs. Cliff to water is about 40 feet (12m), according to pro cliff jumper Jay Gural. www.hawaiistateparks.org/parks/maui.
Mount Hood Punch Bowl, Oregon, U.S.A.: This could be a good jump for rookies, according to Joe Sellers, a confirmed cliff jumper who runs AirAboveWater.com. The site has a sheer rock wall and you can climb up the inside of the bowl to dive from various heights up to a monster 70 feet (21m)! www.portlandhikersfieldguide.org/wiki/Punchbowl_Falls.
Lake Powell, Utah, U.S.A.: Head to Lake Canyon off the main channel to find colorful cliffs great for a jumping-off point. The leap is about 30 feet (9m) to the azure waters of Lake Powell below. www.utah.com/lakepowell.
Saguaro Lake, Arizona, U.S.A.: There are plenty of opportunities for cliff jumping into this Arizona lake, which is part of Tonto National Forest and is 41 miles from Phoenix. Jump heights range from roughly 6 feet (2m) to about 35 to 40 feet (11–12m). You need to make a running start for the higher jumps. Be sure to test the depth of the water first. Tonto National Forest ( 480/610-3300; www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto). Go Arizona (www.go-arizona.com/Saguaro-Lake).
“The Lake” at Saint Mary’s Glacier, Colorado, U.S.A.: This small lake in Glacier National Park is simply called “the lake” by locals. Expect lots of hikers to watch you jump off the rocks into the glacier-fed lake below. Bonus: You might see snowboarders sliding down the glacier above you. A pretty cool combo. Get off at I-70 exit 238 and enjoy the winding 10-mile drive to the trailhead. The popular 3⁄4-mile hike up to the tiny lake at the base of the glacier weaves through rock-strewn terrain. At the lake, scout out the safe areas for jumping, keeping in mind that the water level varies considerably throughout the year. Glacier National Park (www.nps.gov/glac). St. Mary’s Glacier (www.stmarysglacier.com).
Mexico Tourism Board, Calle 28 Mza. 4 Lote 1 Col. Ejidal, Playa del Carmen ( 52/984-206-3150;www.visitmexico.com and www.rivieramaya.com).
Tours: Cenote Dive Center, Carretara Cancun-Tulum, across from the HSBC bank ( 52/984-871-2232;www.cenotedive.com). Hidden Worlds, Hwy. 307 ( 52/984-877-8535;www.hiddenworlds.com).
When to Go: Nov–Apr.
Cancun airport.
$$ Ana y Jose Charming Hotel, Carretera Cancun-Tulum Bocapaila Km 7, Tulum ( 52/998-880-5629;www.anayjose.com).
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Kayaking in the Sea of Cortez
Paradise Found
Baja California Sur, Mexico
The Baja peninsula is Mexico’s hidden gem of solitude, biodiversity, and adventure. This finger of land jutting out into the Gulf of California, more commonly known as the Sea of Cortez, extends from the U.S. border south to Cabo San Lucas. Wild cactus-filled deserts and towering mountains meet one of the world’s richest marine environments. The warm azure water is filled with whales, dolphins, sea lions, seals, manta rays, and tropical