Privacy Policy

Last updated: July 24, 2026

Who we are

The Scenic Sidequest is a personal hiking and travel website owned and operated by Joshua Barrera.

Our website address is: https://thescenicsidequest.com/

The Scenic Sidequest is based in Arizona, United States.

For privacy-related questions, contact:

What personal data we collect and why we collect it

The Scenic Sidequest may collect information that visitors voluntarily provide, along with limited technical information generated when visitors use the website.

This may include:

Names
Email addresses
Contact-form messages
Comments
IP addresses
Browser and device information
Approximate location
Referring websites
Pages viewed
Website interactions
Cookie information

This information may be used to:

Operate and maintain the website
Respond to messages and questions
Review suggested trail or content corrections
Prevent spam, fraud, and misuse
Understand how visitors use the website
Improve website content, navigation, and performance
Comply with applicable legal requirements

Where applicable, information is processed based on a visitor’s consent, the legitimate interest in operating and improving the website, or compliance with legal obligations.

The Scenic Sidequest does not intentionally collect sensitive personal information. Please do not submit financial information, medical information, Social Security numbers, passwords, or emergency information through the website.

Comments

When visitors leave comments, the website may collect the information entered in the comment form, along with the visitor’s IP address and browser information to assist with spam detection and website security.

An anonymized version of an email address may be provided to the Gravatar service to determine whether the commenter has a profile image.

Once approved, a comment, display name, and profile image may be publicly visible.

Do not include private or sensitive information in a public comment.

Media

Visitors are not currently permitted to upload photographs, videos, or other media directly to The Scenic Sidequest.

Images published on the website may include general information about the location where they were taken. Visitors should not rely on image metadata as a current or precise source of location information.

Contact forms

When someone submits a contact form, The Scenic Sidequest may collect:

Name
Email address
Message subject
Message contents
Submission date and time
Technical information used for security and spam prevention

Contact-form information is used to respond to messages, review corrections, and maintain reasonable records of communications.

Contact-form submissions are not used to subscribe visitors to a newsletter or send marketing emails.

Contact-form submissions and related emails may be retained for up to 12 months after the last communication. Information may be retained longer when reasonably necessary to address an ongoing issue, document an important correction, prevent abuse, or comply with legal obligations.

Cookies

The Scenic Sidequest, WordPress.com, Google Analytics, and other service providers may use cookies and similar technologies.

Cookies may be used to:

Operate website features
Maintain security
Prevent spam and abuse
Measure website traffic
Understand visitor activity
Remember visitor preferences
Support comments and embedded content

Google Analytics may use cookies such as:

_ga, used to distinguish visitors
_ga_<container-id>, used to maintain session information

Visitors can block or delete cookies through their browser settings. Blocking cookies may affect certain website features.

Where a cookie-consent tool is available, visitors may also use it to accept or reject optional analytics cookies.

Analytics

The Scenic Sidequest uses Google Analytics 4 and WordPress.com statistics to understand how visitors find and use the website.

These services may collect or generate information such as:

Pages viewed
Approximate geographic location
Browser and device type
Operating system
Referring website or traffic source
Session activity
Links clicked
Scrolling and other website interactions
Date and time of visits
Cookie or pseudonymous identifiers

This information is used to measure website traffic, identify useful content, evaluate website performance, and improve future hiking and travel guides.

The Scenic Sidequest does not intentionally send visitors’ names, email addresses, or contact-form messages to Google Analytics.

Visitors may limit Google Analytics tracking by:

Rejecting analytics cookies through available cookie controls
Blocking or deleting cookies through browser settings
Using browser privacy features
Installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on

Analytics information is retained according to the settings and policies of Google Analytics and WordPress.com.

Embedded content from other websites

Pages and articles may include embedded content such as:

Videos
Maps
Social-media posts
Trail maps
Photographs
Other externally hosted content

Embedded content may behave as though the visitor directly visited the third-party website.

Those third parties may collect information, use cookies, or track interactions according to their own privacy policies. The Scenic Sidequest does not control the privacy practices of third-party websites or services.

External links

The Scenic Sidequest may link to external websites, including government agencies, parks, trail resources, hotels, restaurants, and travel services.

The Scenic Sidequest does not control the privacy, security, or content practices of external websites. Visitors should review the privacy policies of those websites before providing personal information.

Who we share your data with

The Scenic Sidequest does not sell or rent visitors’ personal information.

Information may be processed by service providers that help operate and protect the website.

WordPress.com and Automattic

The Scenic Sidequest is hosted through WordPress.com, which is operated by Automattic.

WordPress.com and Automattic may process technical, usage, security, comment, cookie, and website-statistics information as part of providing hosting and website functionality.

Google Analytics

Google may receive website usage, device, browser, approximate location, cookie, and interaction information through Google Analytics.

This information is used to measure website performance and understand how visitors interact with The Scenic Sidequest.

Email and contact-form providers

Messages submitted through a contact form or sent to josh@thescenicsidequest.com may be processed and stored by the services used to operate the website and email account.

Spam-prevention and security services

WordPress.com and related security services may process IP addresses, comments, contact-form submissions, and technical information to identify spam, malicious activity, and unauthorized access attempts.

Information may also be disclosed when reasonably necessary to comply with the law, respond to a valid legal request, investigate abuse, or protect the rights and safety of The Scenic Sidequest or others.

How long we retain your data

Personal information is retained only for as long as reasonably necessary.

Typical retention periods include:

Contact-form submissions and emails: Up to 12 months after the last related communication
Approved comments: May be retained indefinitely so comments and follow-up discussions remain available
Analytics information: Retained according to Google Analytics and WordPress.com settings
Security information: Retained according to the security and backup practices of the applicable service provider

Information may be retained longer when required for security, legal compliance, dispute resolution, or protection of legal rights.

What rights you have over your data

Depending on where you live and the laws that apply, you may have the right to:

Request access to personal information held about you
Request correction of inaccurate information
Request deletion of personal information
Object to or restrict certain uses of information
Withdraw consent when processing is based on consent
Request a portable copy of information you provided

To submit a privacy request, email:

josh@thescenicsidequest.com

Please provide enough information to identify the relevant comment, form submission, or communication.

Certain information may be retained when necessary for website security, legal compliance, recordkeeping, or another legally permitted purpose.

Where your data is sent

The Scenic Sidequest is based in the United States.

WordPress.com, Google, email providers, and other service providers may process information in the United States and other countries where they operate.

Privacy protections in those countries may differ from those in a visitor’s country. Service providers are responsible for maintaining the transfer protections and contractual safeguards required under applicable law.

Comments and contact-form submissions may also be checked through automated spam-detection services.

Contact information

For privacy-related questions or requests, contact:

Joshua Barrera
The Scenic Sidequest
Arizona, United States
Email: josh@thescenicsidequest.com
Website: https://thescenicsidequest.com/

The Scenic Sidequest has not appointed a Data Protection Officer.

Additional information

How we protect your data

The Scenic Sidequest uses reasonable measures intended to protect information, including:

HTTPS website encryption
Password-protected administrative access
WordPress.com security features
Spam-prevention tools
Limited collection of personal information
Restricted access to website administration

No website, email service, or online storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

What data breach procedures we have in place

If a potential data breach is identified, The Scenic Sidequest may:

Investigate the incident
Secure affected accounts
Change passwords or access credentials
Contact WordPress.com, Google, or other relevant providers
Determine what information may have been affected
Notify affected individuals or authorities when legally required

What third parties we receive data from

The Scenic Sidequest may receive general or aggregated information from:

WordPress.com
Google Analytics
Search engines
Spam-prevention services
Visitors who submit messages or content corrections

The Scenic Sidequest does not purchase personal information or receive visitor lists from advertisers or data brokers.

Automated decision-making and profiling

The Scenic Sidequest does not use personal information to make automated decisions that produce legal or similarly significant effects.

Automated systems may be used by WordPress.com, Google, and related providers for analytics, spam detection, fraud prevention, and website security.

Advertising, newsletters, and sales

The Scenic Sidequest does not currently:

Send an email newsletter
Display third-party advertising
Sell products through the website
Directly process payments
Sell visitors’ personal information
Use information for personalized advertising
Conduct retargeting campaigns

This Privacy Policy will be updated if these activities are added.

Children’s privacy

The Scenic Sidequest is intended for a general audience and is not specifically directed toward children under 13.

The website does not knowingly request or collect personal information from children under 13. A parent or guardian who believes a child submitted personal information may contact The Scenic Sidequest to request its deletion.

Changes to this Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy may be updated when the website’s practices, technology, services, or legal obligations change.

The updated version will be posted on this page with a revised “Last updated” date.