National Parks

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

  1. Fargin' Icehole

    Fargin' Icehole 50% soulless
    Donor
    Georgia BulldogsAtlanta BravesAtlanta HawksBayern Munich

    Can't recommend enough. I had a great week. And that Knife Edge...
     

    Attached Files:

    BayouMafia likes this.
  2. MA

    MA Surprisingly normal looking
    Donor TMB OG
    Alabama Crimson TideSan Antonio SpursWashington CapitalsManchester UnitedAtlanta United

    Just got back from my first trip to Rocky Mountain NP. Did a nice 11 mile hike. Absolutely incredible views, several lakes, and a really great waterfall near the end.

    It was incredible and I enjoyed it much more than my trip to Great Sand Dunes.
     
  3. bro

    bro Your Mother’s Favorite Shitposter
    Donor
    Tennessee VolunteersLos Angeles DodgersBuffalo BillsBuffalo Sabres

    Which hike? Sky pond?
     
  4. BayouMafia

    BayouMafia Thought Leader in Posting
    Staff Donor
    LSU TigersTexas RangersNew Orleans SaintsFulhamDulwich Hamlet

  5. cutig

    cutig My name is Rod, and I like to party
    Donor
    Clemson TigersNebraska CornhuskersCarolina PanthersKansas City Chiefs

    If it has to pass congress it won't happen
     
  6. BP

    BP Bout to Regulate.
    Donor
    Atlanta BravesGeorgia BulldogsAtlanta Falcons

  7. cutig

    cutig My name is Rod, and I like to party
    Donor
    Clemson TigersNebraska CornhuskersCarolina PanthersKansas City Chiefs

    Of course they will
     
  8. Weedlord420

    Weedlord420 Well-Known Member
    TMB OG
    Florida State SeminolesWashington NationalsWashington CapitalsOlympics

    Don’t you just love it when we irreparably damage the planet.
     
  9. The Banks

    The Banks TMB's Alaskan
    Donor TMB OG
    Oregon DucksGreen Bay PackersDetroit Red WingsBayern Munich

    In Denali NP for the weekend, driving all the way in to wonder lake on Sunday. Saw two moose and a grizzly just 3 miles in so far.
     
    Wu, Fran Tarkenton, MA and 4 others like this.
  10. Vito Corleone

    Vito Corleone Deluxe Member
    TMB OG
    Florida State SeminolesIowa HawkeyesMinnesota VikingsBig Ten Conference

    JOBS JOBS JOBS

    seriously :killme:
     
  11. BP

    BP Bout to Regulate.
    Donor
    Atlanta BravesGeorgia BulldogsAtlanta Falcons

    Fucking Zinke at it again.
     
    bro likes this.
  12. bro

    bro Your Mother’s Favorite Shitposter
    Donor
    Tennessee VolunteersLos Angeles DodgersBuffalo BillsBuffalo Sabres

    Went to RMNP last weekend. Loved hiking in the snow
     
    BayouMafia likes this.
  13. herb.burdette

    herb.burdette Meet me at the corner of 8th and Worthington
    Donor
    Ohio State Buckeyes

    In 2017, I posted back on page 10 about a project my son and I did in SW Ohio planting American Chestnut trees with hybrid blight resistant genes. Genetically, they are 94% similar to the American Chestnuts wiped out 100 years ago.

    We were back out at the site this weekend doing another round of planting.

    According to the Ohio Forestry guy in charge, we had a nearly 100% survival rate through 2019 of the trees planted in 2017.

    These chestnuts were once a dominant tree around here in full old growth climax forests, but they have been extinct here since the 1920’s.

    Cool stuff.
     
  14. herb.burdette

    herb.burdette Meet me at the corner of 8th and Worthington
    Donor
    Ohio State Buckeyes

    Owsley I’m curious, are Alabama and neighboring states doing any similar reintroduction of chestnuts in state/national forests down there on the southern end of their historic range?
     
  15. dawgonit

    dawgonit Like James Brown only white and taller
    Donor
    Georgia BulldogsAtlanta BravesAtlanta FalconsAtlanta United

    Keep us updated on this. The ones we used to plant in UGA's experimental forest always started to decline around year 2, so your results are very promising
     
  16. dawgonit

    dawgonit Like James Brown only white and taller
    Donor
    Georgia BulldogsAtlanta BravesAtlanta FalconsAtlanta United

    state chapters of the American Chestnut Foundation are doing a lot of the heavy lifting https://www.acf.org/

    I TA'd under this Prof when this article was written, I believe his research is ongoing
    https://www.redandblack.com/news/ug...cle_1e48fb8a-e29d-5297-b7a2-623d70891da1.html
     
  17. herb.burdette

    herb.burdette Meet me at the corner of 8th and Worthington
    Donor
    Ohio State Buckeyes

    I’m not sure how old our trees were when they were planted in 2017, but they were several years old already. The trees we planted were about 4-5 feet high when we put them in the ground. Now they have been out there two full Summers.

    This one isn’t a chestnut, but it’s about the size we are planting in 2017.
    5BBEFA54-CFCA-4692-A87F-764E7B139DF8.jpeg
     
    CoastalOrange and dawgonit like this.
  18. racer

    racer Yuma, where I work in software.
    Donor
    Iowa HawkeyesKansas City ChiefsLas Vegas Golden KnightsWatfordOlympicsFormula 1

    Anyone been to Gates of the Arctic?
     
    Imurhuckleberry likes this.
  19. Imurhuckleberry

    Imurhuckleberry Avid spectator of windmill warriors
    Donor
    Florida GatorsSan Francisco GiantsGolden State WarriorsSan Francisco 49'ers

    It's well worth it.
     
    racer likes this.
  20. Imurhuckleberry

    Imurhuckleberry Avid spectator of windmill warriors
    Donor
    Florida GatorsSan Francisco GiantsGolden State WarriorsSan Francisco 49'ers

    Took the girl for her bday last week for her first Yosemite trip. Got her to old Inspiration Point on the stage coach road and old glacier point for the standard epic shot. Good trip just before the storm hit. God I love that place.

    FB_IMG_1574892322007.jpg
    FB_IMG_1574892348357.jpg
     
  21. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
    Donor
    Alabama Crimson TideSeattle MarinersAtlanta BravesNew Orleans Saints

    Heading to Zion in March -- looks like March is when they stop letting private vehicles into the park and you have to take the shuttle. Is that right'? We're renting a car in Vegas and driving. What's the situation with using the shuttle?

    I see it's free, and has X number of stops. Are all the hikes really accessible from the shuttle? Does it have certain hours? Get pretty crowded? Hopefully not too bad in March.

    We're definitely doing the Narrows on Friday (renting waders), and then Angel's Landing on Saturday morning before driving back to Vegas. The Narrows will take all day, correct?

    racer
     
    DexterRutecki likes this.
  22. racer

    racer Yuma, where I work in software.
    Donor
    Iowa HawkeyesKansas City ChiefsLas Vegas Golden KnightsWatfordOlympicsFormula 1

    The shuttle is meant for the hikes, so should have no problem there. You can drive part of the park year round. This is called the Zion Mt Carmel Highway. it goes from the south main entrance to the east side entrance/exit, and heads off toward the Grand Canyon. We did that during shuttle season. The road was fairly empty inside and we were able to pull off and look at goats and stuff on the drive.
    There is very limited parking inside the park gates, so a lot of people park outside and walk/shuttle in for hikes.
     
    BamaNug and DexterRutecki like this.
  23. Dildo Dawgins

    Dildo Dawgins Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Georgia BulldogsAtlanta BravesGrateful DeadBook Club

    Yes save a whole day for the narrows. It's magnificent and you'll want to take your time and soak it all in. I wore waders in May - lots of people weren't wearing them but it was still really cold to me.

    Go early every day you plan on doing something. When we started our narrows hike, there were just a few folks on the path, but when we got back there were hundreds of people. Same thing for angels landing. Earliest shuttle was 7am and we got on it every day we were there. I hear parking can be limited but get there early and it won't be an issue. March may not be a busy time so it may not matter.

    All hikes in the canyon are easily accessible by the shuttle and even if you are able to drive into canyon it still may be easier to use shuttle for certain spots/trailheads.

    Observation Point and Hidden Canyon are great trails too. Hidden Canyon is much shorter so if you only have two days you can squeeze this one in with Angels Landing. You could do Observation Point with another one too, but it's much harder and has similar view to Angels Landing.
     
    BamaNug and DexterRutecki like this.
  24. Fargin' Icehole

    Fargin' Icehole 50% soulless
    Donor
    Georgia BulldogsAtlanta BravesAtlanta HawksBayern Munich

    Anyone know anything about Capital Reef NP? Planning on a week there late Oct.
     
    Oranjello, xec and DexterRutecki like this.
  25. DexterRutecki

    DexterRutecki Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Wisconsin BadgersGrateful Dead

    Have a quick road trip from Tampa back to Maine in mid-April. We are planning on doing one day in Great Smoky and one day in Shenandoah. Any great one day itineraries in each/either?
     
  26. herb.burdette

    herb.burdette Meet me at the corner of 8th and Worthington
    Donor
    Ohio State Buckeyes

    If you are driving anyway, take Skyline Drive in Shenandoah.

    https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/driving-skyline-drive.htm
     
    BayouMafia likes this.
  27. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
    Donor
    Alabama Crimson TideSeattle MarinersAtlanta BravesNew Orleans Saints

    thanks dudes. Right now our plan is:

    Thursday: fly Seattle to Vegas early in the AM, hopefully get to Zion around noon - try and do an easy one that afternoon - Canyon Overlook/The Watchman/Hidden Canyon

    Friday: The Narrows, super early. Hopefully get waders the day before

    Saturday: do Angel’s Landing first thing Saturday, drive to Vegas afterwards, have a night in Vegas before flying back

    questions: would you do something besides Hidden Canyon/Canyon Overlook on Thurs, if doing Angel’s landing on Saturday? Since the views are similar

    Angel’s landing is a short hike, right?

    maybe do Observation Point on Saturday before driving back?
     
    #777 Nug, Jan 26, 2020
    Last edited: Jan 26, 2020
    CoastalOrange likes this.
  28. Fargin' Icehole

    Fargin' Icehole 50% soulless
    Donor
    Georgia BulldogsAtlanta BravesAtlanta HawksBayern Munich

    I'll get back to ya about Shenandoah when I get home. Day hikes only or overnight? Short hikes or all day.
     
    DexterRutecki likes this.
  29. xec

    xec Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Florida State SeminolesUtah UtesReal Salt LakeLas Vegas Golden KnightsPorto

    It’s my favorite Utah NP after Arches. Stay in Torrey. It will be very cold at night there, and cold during the day. Favorite hikes are Hickman Bridge, Frying Pan, Grand Wash and Navajo Knobs. There’s a good campground in the park and one in Torrey. I don’t know how many restaurants will be open in late October. Plan your itinerary to include one of the most scenic drives anywhere: Torrey to Boulder to Escalante, or vice-versa. Also, the drive to Fish Lake would be worth it, especially with the Fall foliage. If you will have 4WD I have further recommendations.
     
  30. pianoman

    pianoman my drinks are free
    Donor TMB OG
    Michigan WolverinesChicago CubsDetroit Red Wings

    That looks pretty similar to the itinerary my wife and I had two years ago. Yes, Angels Landing isn’t long but get up early to be the rest of the hikers to the chains. An area of Zion I really enjoyed since there was almost no one there is Kolob Canyons. You can see most of it just driving through but it’s a nice place to escape to if you’re sick of people and want to see the sunset somewhere more secluded since it has its own separate entrance and road.
     
    BamaNug likes this.
  31. Fargin' Icehole

    Fargin' Icehole 50% soulless
    Donor
    Georgia BulldogsAtlanta BravesAtlanta HawksBayern Munich

    I will have 4WD and am looking for seclusion. Really want to camp as far from people and light as possible. Car camp a night or 2 and the rest of the time camp backcountry.
     
  32. Juke Coolengody

    Juke Coolengody One name. Two men?
    Notre Dame Fighting IrishIndiana PacersIndianapolis Colts

    Agree with this. Spent a little bit more time over in this area during my second trip to Zion. The Subway, Bottom Up may be my favorite hike I’ve done in Zion at this point and I’ve done Angels Landing and the Narrows multiple times.
     
    BamaNug likes this.
  33. DexterRutecki

    DexterRutecki Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Wisconsin BadgersGrateful Dead

    Down for either- we will need to stay the night in the area anyway, so a nice hike to a cool campsite would be good. Alternatively, a nice out and back or loop day hike would also be cool. Any preference between Big Meadows or Lewis campgrounds? Sounds like those are the only two typically open in April.
     
  34. xec

    xec Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Florida State SeminolesUtah UtesReal Salt LakeLas Vegas Golden KnightsPorto

    I’ll DM you later today.
     
    Fargin' Icehole likes this.
  35. Fargin' Icehole

    Fargin' Icehole 50% soulless
    Donor
    Georgia BulldogsAtlanta BravesAtlanta HawksBayern Munich

    I would enter Shenandoah via the Rockfish Gap Entrance. It's a straight shot from Charlottesville which is a cool town with good eats/drink. Also South of Rockfish Gap in the George Washington National Forrest is White Rock Falls. About 3 mi round trip with a cool waterhole in the rainy season. Very cool hike and the falls/waterhole can be secluded because it's not real easy to find. Most stop short of it at lower falls. Also the entrance to the falls is at a switchback and the trail so it can be missed. Don't get suckered into Crabtree Falls. Great falls but way crowded, like tour bus crowded.

    In Shenandoah the Wildcat/Rip Rap loop is awesome. About a 10 mi loop with great views and good camping spots in the valley. A favorite.

    Big Run Loop to Big Run Portal is a good out and back with great camping in a hollow. Maybe 6 mi roundtrip.

    Doyles River Falls is short and easy and across Skyline Drive from Big Run, same parking lot. There is also a cabin you can rent pretty cheap off this trail that is badass.
    http://www.patc.net/PATC/Cabins/Individual_Cabins/Doyles_River.aspx

    I prefer Loft Mountain over the others due to preference to the area but I haven't been overnight in either of the other 2.

    You can't go wrong with just driving Skyline and stopping at trailheads and hiking a mi in and out. Lemme know if you need any other info.
     
  36. tspa

    tspa Well-Known Member
    Donor

    If you have 4wd my favorite thing in Capitol Reef was the Cathedral Valley loop. It's a 50 mile dirt road, and in peak season I saw less than 10 other people. In October you may have it to yourself. There are some great vistas with a few short hikes off of the road to different viewpoints.
    As a whole Capitol Reef is very under rated compared to the other Utah parks.
    And yes drive from Torrey to Escalante, it's beautiful.
     
    Fargin' Icehole likes this.
  37. DexterRutecki

    DexterRutecki Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Wisconsin BadgersGrateful Dead

    Thanks, dude! Will do.
     
    Fargin' Icehole likes this.
  38. xec

    xec Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Florida State SeminolesUtah UtesReal Salt LakeLas Vegas Golden KnightsPorto

    Cathedral Valley is spectacular. It’s one of my recommendations. Fargin' Icehole another is the road between Escalante and Bicknell. It’s actually well maintained and can be driven in a 2WD.

    You can camp anywhere on BLM land, and the entire region is mostly BLM land. The forest service has campgrounds on the Torrey to Boulder highway. I’m not sure about backcountry camping in the park and the National Forest. Check with them to find out. Be aware that the deer hunt will be going on and you might run into more people in the backcountry than normal. Also keep a close eye on weather forecasts. Major snowstorms are not unusual in that part of Utah in late October.
     
    racer and Fargin' Icehole like this.
  39. BP

    BP Bout to Regulate.
    Donor
    Atlanta BravesGeorgia BulldogsAtlanta Falcons

    So sick of this shit
     
    Fran Tarkenton likes this.
  40. pianoman

    pianoman my drinks are free
    Donor TMB OG
    Michigan WolverinesChicago CubsDetroit Red Wings

    Wife and I are headed down to Texas for two weeks in September, 6 days of which will be spent on the west side at Big Bend, Guadalupe Mountains, and Carlsbad Caverns. Anybody have some favorite hikes, advice, or must dos for Big Bend and Guadalupe Mountains? We'll have our 7 month old son with us so preferably more family friendly stuff.
     
  41. CoastalOrange

    CoastalOrange Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Clemson TigersTennessee VolunteersBarcelonaUnited States Men's National Soccer TeamLiverpool

    Do y'all have a guidebook you would suggest? I work with a Japanese ex-pat who is going back to Japan at the end of this year. However, before that, he is planning to take a week or two and visit some National Parks out near Las Vegas. He's been an awesome coworker so I would like to give him a little gift in the form of a guidebook of the National Parks. Any suggestions on the "best" one?
     
  42. racer

    racer Yuma, where I work in software.
    Donor
    Iowa HawkeyesKansas City ChiefsLas Vegas Golden KnightsWatfordOlympicsFormula 1

    Ken Burns the National Parks on DVD.

    I have no real suggestion. I just google things as needed.
     
  43. BayouMafia

    BayouMafia Thought Leader in Posting
    Staff Donor
    LSU TigersTexas RangersNew Orleans SaintsFulhamDulwich Hamlet

    We’ve never used them for inside the US, but for every International vacation the wife and I take we buy a Lonely Planet book for that country and they’re fantastic. We don’t use them to choose hotels or restaurants, but they’re great for history, background, culture, etc.

    I bet this one would be just as interesting. In fact, I just talked myself into buying it.
     
    CoastalOrange likes this.
  44. DexterRutecki

    DexterRutecki Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Wisconsin BadgersGrateful Dead

    Treasured Lands if you are looking for a nice coffee table book.
     
    CoastalOrange and racer like this.
  45. texasraider

    texasraider thanks
    Donor
    Texas RangersKansas City ChiefsDallas Mavericks altTexas Tech Red Raiders alt

    This might be a great pitstop for your son

    https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/balmorhea
     
    pianoman likes this.
  46. bro

    bro Your Mother’s Favorite Shitposter
    Donor
    Tennessee VolunteersLos Angeles DodgersBuffalo BillsBuffalo Sabres

    Got my NP annual pass last week. Can't wait to hit up 6 or 7 parks this year
     
    CoastalOrange and racer like this.
  47. racer

    racer Yuma, where I work in software.
    Donor
    Iowa HawkeyesKansas City ChiefsLas Vegas Golden KnightsWatfordOlympicsFormula 1

    Now feels like a great time to bug out into the wilderness for a bit.
     
    xec and CoastalOrange like this.
  48. southside

    southside Well-Known Member
    Donor TMB OG
    Texas LonghornsSouth Carolina GamecocksHouston AstrosDallas CowboysSeattle Kraken

    just hit White Sands today. Seguaro, Grand canyon, zion up next this week.
     
  49. Imurhuckleberry

    Imurhuckleberry Avid spectator of windmill warriors
    Donor
    Florida GatorsSan Francisco GiantsGolden State WarriorsSan Francisco 49'ers

    Today, on disaster battle, we watch as a pyroclastic flow goes head to head with a corona virus pandemic hotspot! (Said in the voice of the croc hunter, rip)
     
    BayouMafia and Doc Louis like this.