Would you be so kind to link me that route on google maps? We've done Independence pass twice now so we are looking for something different. I agree - independence pass is gorgeous. If all else fails we will do that again.
My wife and I were out there two weeks ago and I have no comment on where to camp as we weren't able to find anywhere suitable that worked for us, but if you're doing Angels Landing and plan to go all the way to the top I recommend getting out there as earlier as possible for you. Wife and I got to the trailhead around 6:30 and when we were coming down at around 9:00 there were already lines forming of people to go up the chains. I also would recommend driving up to Kolob Canyons lookout as it's a very secluded part of the park that many don't get to and we enjoyed greatly. We also did Bryce Canyon but only stopped in to see the amphitheater. It was more crowded than the Grand Canyon overlook spots we went to so I'd get there early too.
Good tips. Yeah I'm definitely concerned about the damn crowds. Do my best to try and avoid them in Colorado in some more popular spots. I have no problem waking up extremely early to get a little solitude so I'll keep that in mind. I expect it to be kind of a shit show but am going to make the best of it.
Take a look at this. Could also do the 180+ mile route. That one would take you over Berthoud Pass https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Asp...7ee43a78e8217!2m2!1d-105.6836389!2d40.3427932
No problem. What are you plans for RMNP? Just spending the day going through there or possibly staying in Estes Park or a surrounding town and exploring for a few days?
BLM just outside Zion has some good spots. St George is a creepy town, so don't go there if you don't have a reason. Those mormons follow visitors around and stuff. Weird place.
Glacier National Park is my favorite out of the many I've been to. Backwoods'ing in West Glacier Looks like I've got some pleasant company along my trail.
Was just up there last month hiking the Narrows. We camped at the south campground but got lucky. Lined up at about 8AM and got in at 10. Takes a while bc its one for one vehicle wise. Ranger lady says some people line up a 3 AM to get a spot. The earlier the better for Angels Landing. I think Observation point was better. Also the Emerald pools was pretty nice. Lots of BLM land you can camp at . Also there is a campground just outside the park on I-9 near the East entrance that wasn't full at all. Also heard Kolob Canyon is really nice.
Appreciate the info. At this point I'm planning to just bank on BLM land for camping and not even attempting some of the park campgrounds
Leaving today for Sequoia NP. Backpacking up to Hamilton Lakes beginning Sunday morning. Pretty excited.
That's right. Rangers told me the trail is about 95% clear of snow. One river crossing is potentially dangerous if you cross mid-afternoon, but other than that it sounds like it should be just fine. Of course, you never actually know until you get out there. I'll be sure to let you know. Heard the trip is supposed to be one of the best in California.
SEKI is pretty much the best place on the planet, you'll have a great time. Just use good judgement based on the conditions. At this time two years ago I was hiking the Rae Lakes Loop and it was completely snow free, weather is weird.
Should I take my family a couple hours out of the way to visit Congaree in South Carolina? Aside from yes, why yes?
Was just up in the eastern sierras this week and at 8,000 ft I doubt there will be much snow at all, water is definitely rushing hard though. Should be a beautiful week up there.
Yes. Very cool park. One of the largest intact stands of old growth swamp left. They have nice trails that bring you through a variety of different habitats in the park. The boardwalk trail is awesome, and you can canoe the creek that runs through the park when the flow isn't too high. Several national and state champion trees.
I interned there years ago - not sure what it looks like now but aside from the swamp / floodplain they also had a really cool stand of longleaf pine savannah they were restoring. I imagine if they kept up what they were doing while I was there it looks pretty nice.
Feel like every time I've ever done the weston lake loop and the boardwalk I've seen a sounder. Fucking everywhere back there
anyone snowshoe Grand Tetons or Yellowstone in January or February before? is it fun or too much of a hassle?
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/01/...edCoverage®ion=EndOfArticle&pgtype=article http://www.denverpost.com/2017/06/2...?utm_source=Outside+Magazine&utm_medium=email
This motherfucker told us his first day on the job he was against transfer of federal lands and would support us on the front lines. Bullshit. He's going to be destroying national monuments and slashing an already depleted workforce. We've been working at "doing less with less" for years, now this motherfucker is going to make it way worse. Fucking coward.
My wife has a cousin in his early 20's who works at Yellowstone maintaining back country trails. I was talking to his father last weekend and he doubts he has a job next Summer. He's been out there three Summers in a row, but likely won't have a fourth.
On the way to Glacier for the first time. We're doing one night at Fish creek, two nights backcountry near Cracker Lake, and then a final night at Fish creek. Cannot wait
Did Badlands / wind cave / Yellowstone years back. Pretty awesome variety of stuff to see going from the Badlands to the Prairie to the mountains. I'd probably toss teddy roosevelt in there too.
Recently hiked in Acadia and thought it was amazing. Was only there for a quick hike. Need to get back to explore more of the park.
We did Badlands, Wind Cave, Mt. Rushmore, Devil's Tower, Yellowstone, and Teton in 2015. Would do it again in a heartbeat if there weren't so many others to see. We did those in two weeks, but hauled ass 18 hours straight without stopping for the night to get there.
Spent about 3 weeks working in the black hills, a week in teddy roosevelt and 2 weeks in Yellowstone. Absolutely love the south Dakota parks, really hoping to land a job up there some day.
May be scrapping my Zion trip all together in a couple weeks and opting to spend 5-6 nights down in the San Juan mountains in SW Colorado exploring more of Ouray, Silverton, and Telluride. Partially due to travel time and partially due to less crowding.
The crowds suck no doubt, but it truly is an amazing place and tons to see outside of main attractions.
Been hearing about closing the park to traffic and allowing shuttles only for years. What we really need is to open it to hunting and mineral exploration so all those pesky bears and wolves will leave and drive people away.
Yellowstone would be a hard park to go shuttle only just because of its size and how spread out the random attractions are I'd think.