National Parks

Discussion in 'The Mainboard' started by bro, Mar 29, 2016.

  1. DexterRutecki

    DexterRutecki Well-Known Member
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    I don't use boots. I switched from boots to trail runners 5 years ago. I switched from trail runners to sandals 2 years ago. My legs have never felt better after hikes.
     
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  2. BayouMafia

    BayouMafia Thought Leader in Posting
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    thanks for nothing guys I guess I just walk off a cliff or something
     
  3. shawnoc

    shawnoc My president is black, my logos are red...
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    I'm sure there are tours companies you can hire and they will do the permits for you.
    My wife and I are anti-social so we do 90% of our camping just the two of us.
     
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  4. Imurhuckleberry

    Imurhuckleberry Avid spectator of windmill warriors
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    Hav. A. Sup. Ai.
     
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  5. Imurhuckleberry

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    Hahahah. Just left the park. Was beautiful all week. Tourist bimb dropped today but they opened glacier point. Dogwoods were busting at the seams. Took my 75 year old papa up the mist trail and to the top of vernal Falls. He was so happy and proud coming down. Made his year.

    Obligatory pic from old glacier point.
    FB_IMG_1524975819414.jpg

    I lived in the valley for four years in the early 2000's. It was the greatest time of my life without question. It's been awhile since I've been back. Walked up to a restaurant and jokingly asked if I could get an alumni discount (employees get 50% off). He looks at me. Asks "who was the first person to free the nose." I answer him. He smiled and said "welcome home." Made my whole trip because that is exactly what the valley has always been to me. I know I know coolstorybro but fuck it.
     
    #605 Imurhuckleberry, Apr 29, 2018
    Last edited: Apr 29, 2018
  6. xec

    xec Well-Known Member
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    This is too ambitious imo. I’ve been to all of them. Arches>>>>Canyonlands. If you have to make a choice, choose Arches. You can do Mesa Verde in a day, but not Black Canyon too. RMNP will take a day, without doing any hiking other than overlooks. Yellowstone and Grand Teton are terrific in May/June because the wildlife are active. However, there are a lot of tourists too because of it.
     
  7. BayouMafia

    BayouMafia Thought Leader in Posting
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    We did the Mist Trail yesterday too. I’ve been all over the world but I honestly think the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen is at the top of Nevada Fall. Took the Muir Trail from above Vernal to get back because the wife wanted to avoid getting wet/cold again and just before dusk we came up about 20 feet away from a brown bear. He stood up when we first saw him but when we chilled a few minutes and backed up a bit he sat down and looked away so we could tiptoe past.

    You’re right about the crowds. We had to park at Half Dome Village and even that took over 30 minutes to get lucky and get a spot.

    Doing Four Mile today since they opened Glacier Point.
     
  8. Imurhuckleberry

    Imurhuckleberry Avid spectator of windmill warriors
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    It's a great list of youryo thinking primarily of using this trip as a scouting mission. You will only get to scrape the surface of most of the parks and also lock yourself into the tourist horde. That said, I like to do those whirlwind trips sometimes to get a feel, or show others, new places.
     
  9. BayouMafia

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    what a difference a day makes. Place was half empty today.

    Did the Four Mile Trail up and back. Snowed pretty hard on us at Glacier Point. Am I wrong for looking with disdain at the people waltzing in from the parking lot to get the same view for which I hiked 5 miles straight up the mountain? Because I did.
     
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  10. Joe Withabee

    Joe Withabee PS I have sifulus
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    You can look at them however you want after hiking 6 miles
     
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  11. Imurhuckleberry

    Imurhuckleberry Avid spectator of windmill warriors
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    Next time cowboy up and do the ledge trail up then you can look at those people and those on the 4 mile trail both with disdain.
     
  12. pianoman

    pianoman my drinks are free
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    Unfortunately this trip had to be canceled. Last week I accepted a new job and I'm not comfortable taking off two weeks so soon after getting the position. Fortunately this job is work from home full time so my wife and I are looking at taking two months next year and driving out west and staying in different areas near some of the parks so I can work and then we can explore them in the evenings and weekends.
     
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  13. LeonardWashington

    LeonardWashington Leader of Tuanon
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    Have only 1.5-2 days to explore Yosemite, and not much time to research so I turn to my tmb for advice. What is must see that I can accomplish in that period? First time visitor, but will also be going back when I have more time to spare.

    Ideally I'd like to get a little sampler pack of the park, so if that means that I have to abbreviate hikes or skip hikes and just drive to a vista point or whatever I'm fine with that due to the lack of available time. I just don't have the time to do a 15 mile hike this visit, but would love to come back later and do something like that. Maybe do some shorter hikes and hit the highlights is what I'm looking for.

    TIA gentlemen Imurhuckleberry
     
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  14. BayouMafia

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    When? The closer you get to summer the more options you'll have. Considering what was open last weekend:

    Drive to Glacier Point (though as mentioned a few days ago I'll think less of you as a person. Well, even less than I do now considering your choice of college) and Tunnel View. If you want a hike that day you can hike Artist Point which is short and pretty. Mist Trail is another good option. You can turn around at Vernal Falls if you want, but the hike up to the top of Nevada Fall is well worth it if you have time. Lower Yosemite is easy to get to as well.

    Here's a great reference for planning. The hikes page is linked but click Home and go from there for other stuff
    https://www.yosemitehikes.com/hikes.htm
     
  15. Det. Frank Bullitt

    Det. Frank Bullitt God Bless Texas
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    how are you getting there? i'm coming from texas and debating on flying into a bay area airport or spending the $$$$ for MMH.
     
  16. BayouMafia

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    We flew direct DFW-Fresno. 1.5 hours to Mariposa (where we stayed), another hour or so to Yosemite Valley from there depending on traffic.
     
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  17. LeonardWashington

    LeonardWashington Leader of Tuanon
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    Thank you very much. I am going in two weeks, so this is helpful. I'll likely be staying in the Oakhurst/Mariposa area
     
  18. BayouMafia

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    To me Oakhurst is a little too far with your time restrictions. Mariposa was great as it’s the closest town with restaurants, a grocery store, etc.

    We stayed at the Quality Inn which was fine and included free breakfast, but I still went to Pony Expresso all three mornings for a double espresso, a maple bacon bagel, and a large coffee.
     
  19. bro

    bro Your Mother’s Favorite Shitposter
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    Zion was amazing. Really enjoyed the North Rim of the grand canyon. Way smaller crowds.


    Thinking about doing a weekend in Arches. I've done some quick googling, looked at the main trails and the Fiery trail that needs a permit.

    Any thoughts/tips? I know it'll be hot as fuck and I'll need 10 gallons of water and 5 gallons of sunscreen.
     
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  20. brolift

    brolift 2sweet
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    Have you booked a campsite?

    When're you goin?

    I'd fuck w a shirt over sunscreen in that high desert. Here's a deece one
     
  21. BayouMafia

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    :feelsbadman:

    http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-yosemite-ferguson-fire-closures-extended-20180727-story.html

    Ferguson fire will keep popular parts of Yosemite closed through Aug. 3
    [​IMG]
    Smoke from the Ferguson fire shrouds Yosemite's landmarks from Tunnel View on Thursday. Only emergency personnel remain in Yosemite Valley during closure of parts of the park. (Kari Greer/Calfire/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)


    Closures in the most popular parts of Yosemite National Park have been extended at least through Aug. 3, park officials announced Friday. That’s bad news for visitors who had plans to visit during one of the park’s busiest seasons.

    Operations to fight the Ferguson fire burning to the southwest and outside the park in Sierra National Forest will continue to tie up roads near the South Entrance.

    Yosemite Valley is expected to reopen at 4 p.m. Aug. 3. Visitor services such as campgrounds, lodging and food service will be limited, a statement said.

    California 41 from the South Entrance to the famed Tunnel View, the Wawona area and the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias in the southern part of the park will remain closed indefinitely because of firefighting operations.

    The closures started noon Wednesday and haven’t reopened to visitors since then. Officials at that time said people with lodging reservations would be notified and either rebooked or given a refund.

    Recreation.gov, which handles many campground reservations, was giving refunds to campers affected by the fallout of the fire.

    So what is open in Yosemite? The eastern side of the park, which includes the Tioga Pass Entrance, the Hetch Hetchy area, Tuolumne Meadows and the back country as well as High Sierra Camps.

    The Ferguson fire started July 13. As of late Friday, the fire had burned more than 46,000 acres and claimed the life of one firefighter. It is 29% contained.
     
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  22. Hatfield

    Hatfield Charlie don’t surf
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    I've got a Yosemite trip scheduled at the end of August/early-Sept. "29%" containment is not exactly reassuring considering the fire started over 2 weeks ago
     
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  23. Det. Frank Bullitt

    Det. Frank Bullitt God Bless Texas
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    Just got back from YNP. Will post my experience after work.
     
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  24. BayouMafia

    BayouMafia Thought Leader in Posting
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    The Yosemite Incident Feed facebook group is a great source of info on the fire. They've posted some really impressive photos of the fires but I couldn't figure out how to embed them in a post
     
  25. BP

    BP Bout to Regulate.
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  26. Det. Frank Bullitt

    Det. Frank Bullitt God Bless Texas
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    damn that sucks. don't feel like posting a positive review of YNP in light of the situation, other than it was spectacular.

    We ran into a FF crew at Mariposa Grove about a week ago - after closing hours. Just us and them. Almost everyone else was already gone. They were a bunch of normal dudes who were amazed at the size of the trees. I shudder to think that one of the guys we interacted with was among the crews impacted. T+P.
     
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  27. bro

    bro Your Mother’s Favorite Shitposter
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    going the weekend of August 24. Have not booked a campsite.
     
  28. BayouMafia

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    Have a work trip to Palm Springs in September so I'm going to hike Joshua Tree once my meetings are over. Was looking at google streetview yesterday and thinking this exact thing.
     
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  29. dawgonit

    dawgonit Like James Brown only white and taller
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    when I went I couldn't find a campsite at Arches or Canyonlands and found this spot right in the middle - good backup plan for you

    Dead Horse Point State Park

    edit: looks like Arches campsites are booked up for that weekend and only a few left at the above link, I'd move quickly
     
  30. Imurhuckleberry

    Imurhuckleberry Avid spectator of windmill warriors
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    Remember you can just camp anywhere on BLM land and Utah is mostly BLM. If your looking for some good spots there's thousands of them. Once you get near Moab though it's harder.
     
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  31. Det. Frank Bullitt

    Det. Frank Bullitt God Bless Texas
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    Second DHPSP.

    Fantastic little park. You can reserve online, so do that as soon as you have your dates.

    Depending on how primitive you want to go, free BLM (dispersed) campgrounds exist all around Utah.

    We got one night in needles district (devil's kitchen, google "elephant hill narrows" for some crazy pics/vids) but couldn't get a second, so we did BLM on the eastern edge of needles district, luckily we had toilet access. Besides that, nothing.
     
  32. Imurhuckleberry

    Imurhuckleberry Avid spectator of windmill warriors
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    If you make it this far south east everything is BLM. Muley point is petrified Jurassic sandstone and a great place to spend a night. Im pretty much a snob and avoid staying at "campgrounds" almost always.

    https://goo.gl/maps/psQetn5f7rr

    Another choice spot nestled in the juniper and sage is https://goo.gl/maps/Rowfnm5Y1hy. Anywhere on this road is free and perfect and isolated.

    If your valley and don't need a tent this lookover of valley of the gods is legit god tier place to throw down a sleeping pad/bag cook up some dinner, pull on some whiskey at watch the air turn red/purple and then ogle the Milky way. God. Fucking. Tier.

    https://goo.gl/maps/b14XByqGxpP2
     
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  33. BayouMafia

    BayouMafia Thought Leader in Posting
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    :ohdear:

    [​IMG]


    Chris Falkensteinto Yosemite Incident Feed
    15 hrs ·
    Per: N.P.S. Yosemite web site,
    Park Closures
    Yosemite Valley will not reopen on Friday, August 3, as previously expected. The closure has been extended through at least Sunday, August 5, due to the potential for worsening smoke impacts. We will reevaluate on Sunday; the earliest possible opening is Monday.

    Wawona, Mariposa Grove, Merced Grove and Wawona Road remain closed.

    Hetch Hetchy is now closed due to poor air quality from nearby firing operations.
     
  34. brolift

    brolift 2sweet
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    You're probably not going to get a site in the park. Those typically book up as soon as they open. I checked Devils Garden's reservation site and they're all booked up.

    There is, however, a lot of public land with first come first serve campgrounds. On the drive up to dead horse canyon/Island in the Sky at Needles there's a really cool spot, Its about 1500ft above Moab elevation and the milky way is mind blowing.
     
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  35. bro

    bro Your Mother’s Favorite Shitposter
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    you point it out on this map?

    http://discovermoab.com/blm-campgrounds/
     
  36. brolift

    brolift 2sweet
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  37. bro

    bro Your Mother’s Favorite Shitposter
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  38. brolift

    brolift 2sweet
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  39. bro

    bro Your Mother’s Favorite Shitposter
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    my plan was to drive out from denver post-work friday, hike all day saturday in arches, camp out, hike sunday AM in canyonlands.

    I'd be fucked rolling in late friday night to a BLM "first serve" campsite, right?
     
  40. Oranjello

    Oranjello Well-Known Member
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    Yeah, I've made that drive before. If you don't know exactly where you're going to camp, have a few spots/areas in mind because the more accessible ones very well could be occupied by the time you get there.
     
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  41. brolift

    brolift 2sweet
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    Yeah you'd be fucked.

    Recommend staying somewhere like this spot then getting up and finishing the drive to Moab.
     
  42. LeonardWashington

    LeonardWashington Leader of Tuanon
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    Anyone done Glacier NP and Banff in the same trip? I am running into a pretty big unanticipated problem. I am wanting to fly into Glacier and flying back from Calgary (Banff), or visa versa, to save the 5.5 hour return trip to return to the origin airport. However, to drop off the rental car at the other airport is absurdly expensive (about ~$1100 or so for 3-4 days- I've found out why but I won't get into that). I expect that given the somewhat "near" (I use close b/c 5.5 hour drive not that near) proximity that someone had made this trip before- how did you get from Glacier to Banff? Any recommendations? I've googled solutions but haven't found much- doesn't seen to be a train or bus option except for a local shuttle that's $200 per person one way. Would love any ideas or input.

    Gonna tag some people who have posted about Kalispell/Glacier before to see what they did, hope y'all don't mind: Dildo Dawgins Euro Duck Smoker BTH Det. Frank Bullitt
     
    #642 LeonardWashington, Aug 10, 2018
    Last edited: Aug 10, 2018
  43. CoastalOrange

    CoastalOrange Well-Known Member
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    I know I'm stating the obvious but $200 seems pretty damn solid, especially when compared to $1100. For a 5.5 hr shuttle ride it might be a bit pricey but I would have expected $80-$100 anyways, plus you don't have to deal with switching trains or anything like that.
     
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  44. LeonardWashington

    LeonardWashington Leader of Tuanon
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    Yeah I agree just sucks bc renting a car might have been like $50 a day. I’m not sure the shuttle runs in October either so just looking for the best options. If it is the best option I don’t mind doing the shuttle.
     
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  45. Dildo Dawgins

    Dildo Dawgins Well-Known Member
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    Two years ago we flew into Kalispell and drove to Banff/Jasper as soon as we landed and then drove back to spend a few days in Glacier before flying back. We looked into what you mentioned but it was just too much work and expensive.

    It's about a 6 hour drive, and the Montana part and first few hours of BC aren't spectacular but once you get to Fairmont/Radium Hot Springs and Kootenay that all changes. We loved driving both legs because of this section - it's just so quintisential Canadian Rockies with the peaks and rivers and lots of wildlife along highway. We stopped at a few hot springs on the way back and even saw another grizzly so we're glad we did it but it is a pretty good haul. This is the 93/95 route - also one of the most remote border crossings too - very quick and easy. Whitefish is a pretty cool town too.

    Edit: I know this doesn't really help with your situation but essentually we drove the same route both ways. We had planned on crossing into BC farther north at Yoho for the drive back but were pressed for time. For that price difference I would do the same thing again but, again it is a long haul. We also went mid July and there was still daylight at 11pm so that helped a bit too.

    Also the best part of the trip was Morraine Lake and hike to Sentinel pass. If you still have any day hikes to plan that was my favorite.
     
    #645 Dildo Dawgins, Aug 10, 2018
    Last edited: Aug 10, 2018
  46. Fargin' Icehole

    Fargin' Icehole 50% soulless
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    Always wanted to do Glacier but not keen on all the grizzlies.
     
  47. bro

    bro Your Mother’s Favorite Shitposter
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    I want to see a grizzly in the wild so bad

    *and live*
     
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  48. Fargin' Icehole

    Fargin' Icehole 50% soulless
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    Yeah I'm good. I like to do a week at a time and get as far from civilization as possible. I wouldn't mind on a well beaten path not far from my car, but no thanks when I'm days from anywhere. Actually, unless I'm IN my car I'd rather not come across one.
     
  49. Dildo Dawgins

    Dildo Dawgins Well-Known Member
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    We saw four on this trip - three from our car and one from a very far distance.

    Hiking those trails, especially when you come to a section that is surrounded by berries, can be a bit alarming. If there's activity then rangers will man the trail heads and make people hike in groups of 4 or more. We also bought spray as soon as we arrived.
     
  50. Vito Corleone

    Vito Corleone Deluxe Member
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    Don't do Glacier and Banff in same trip. That's like trying to see/experience all of California in like a week. You need to take your time and spend the time hiking away from all the Asian tourists up in Banff to really get to experience it. You'll spend a lot of time just fighting crowds to Morraine Lake, Lake Louise, Peyto Lake, etc that you can't really get too out there and experience Canadian wilderness without more time.. Same with Glacier. Not worth rushing it. Both places are worthy of their own trip multiple times.
     
    #650 Vito Corleone, Aug 13, 2018
    Last edited: Aug 13, 2018