After being in Death Valley in October I truly can't imagine the horror of being there in the summer. October was pretty much perfect, cool at night and warm to hot during the day. The stars were incredible as well. Nothing beats desert stars and there was no moon or highway to interfere at all. …
Redwood can be an overwhelming and confusing park with state parks mixed in with different national park districts. I've been to a couple different areas and thus far Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park is my favorite. First highlight was the camping. One of the things that sets Redwood apart from the other big tree parks …
On the drive from Yellowstone to Crater Lake, before you hit the onion country of eastern Oregon, is a little visited National Monument and Preserve called Craters of the Moon. It's almost as startling as driving up on the Grand Canyon, you're just cruising through Idaho and all of a sudden you're surrounded by lava …
We did two Yellowstone River hikes, and made a lot of choices based on how crowded the park was. During the day we did the Yellowstone River Picnic Area Loop Trail and then waited until sunset to head to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Yellowstone River Picnic Area Loop Trail The Yellowstone River Picnic …
By the time you've spent a day or two in Yellowstone you've seen so many bison you might be getting a little jaded, a little uninspired by the wildlife. That's when it's time to head to Lamar Valley for a day full of wildlife, especially the reintroduced and stunning gray wolf. Wherever you're camping, get …
Continue reading Lamar Valley Wildlife Spotting, Yellowstone
It feels like this year in particular there's been a lot of attention on how unhealthy thru hikers can be despite the incredible physical accomplishments and Trojan muscles at the end of the hike. Trojan as in that mascot statue that is impossibly flexing every single muscle in his body at the same time, one …
On Saturday I'll be starting my thruhike of the Pacific Crest Trail. I make no apologies for being MIA here this past month or so because A) I do that all the time, and B) it has been CRAZY here. If you've been following the PCT permitting during COVID drama you know that permits weren't …
...And Big Bend National Park Important Big Bend Tip: When you're driving this close to the Mexico-U.S. border, you will be stopped multiple times at border patrol checkpoints. They will ask if everyone in the car is a U.S. citizen. If the answer is yes they will wave you on, if the answer is no, …
"[Bilbo] used often to say that there was only one Road; that it was like a great river: it's springs were at every doorstep, and every path was its tributary. 'It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door,' he used to say. 'You step into the Road, and if you don't keep your feet, …
For those of us that go backpacking frequently, some things are just more comfortable to do and to talk about than for those that are used to more front country amenities. Basically anything that happens in the bathroom is a concern for first time backpackers. After the first few trips though, you'd be amazed how …
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