U.S. National Parks thread

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  • hauntingfamiliar
    hauntingfamiliar Wilmington, NC Posts: 10,368
    darwinstheory said:
    hauntingfamiliar said:
    Thanks Brian! And DT I just added up the mileage so far.. roughly 4500!!! Coast to coast, side trips and now heading back east. I'm in Kansas now. Still have a few solid days of traveling to put in and one more camping trip in NC mtns before heading home. I'll give you the grand total once I return. 
    @hauntingfamiliar

    Any good stops for you between Kansas and your hometown? 

    @darwinstheory

    We ended up rushing the second to last leg of the trip because we found out our cat was not doing well back home. She got sick shortly after we started the trip. We drove 4 states in 1 day trying to get home to her but unfortunately she died when we reached Tennessee. :/  After we got the news we decide to make the most out of our last few days and had an extended camping trip in the NC mountains. We found a beautiful, secluded campground outside of Asheville where we set up camp with a friend that met us there.  We hiked Hooker and Triple Falls and hit one of our favorite spots to cool off, Sliding Rock. Very fun!  

    This trip was epic and I am still trying to wrap my head around everything. 

    Close to a month on the road
    Coast to coast to coast
    Roughly 5900 miles
    5 National Parks
    Several National Forests
    Many State Parks 
    Half dozen waterfalls
    Counted 36 different state license plates 
    Counted 1 other country plate
    Dozens of tourist traps and attractions
    Tried our first In-n-out Burger ... wowowow!!

    DT you're trip is coming up soon right? Can't wait to see pictures and updates from Glacier!








  • hauntingfamiliar
    hauntingfamiliar Wilmington, NC Posts: 10,368
    Horos said:
    US National Monuments?

    Spent a couple of days at John Day Fossil Beds this week while staying at a fire lookout in the area.
    Oooh the Painted Hills look badass! 
  • darwinstheory
    darwinstheory LaPorte, IN Posts: 7,382
    hauntingfamiliar said:
    darwinstheory said:
    hauntingfamiliar said:
    Thanks Brian! And DT I just added up the mileage so far.. roughly 4500!!! Coast to coast, side trips and now heading back east. I'm in Kansas now. Still have a few solid days of traveling to put in and one more camping trip in NC mtns before heading home. I'll give you the grand total once I return. 
    @hauntingfamiliar

    Any good stops for you between Kansas and your hometown? 

    @darwinstheory

    We ended up rushing the second to last leg of the trip because we found out our cat was not doing well back home. She got sick shortly after we started the trip. We drove 4 states in 1 day trying to get home to her but unfortunately she died when we reached Tennessee. :/  After we got the news we decide to make the most out of our last few days and had an extended camping trip in the NC mountains. We found a beautiful, secluded campground outside of Asheville where we set up camp with a friend that met us there.  We hiked Hooker and Triple Falls and hit one of our favorite spots to cool off, Sliding Rock. Very fun!  

    This trip was epic and I am still trying to wrap my head around everything. 

    Close to a month on the road
    Coast to coast to coast
    Roughly 5900 miles
    5 National Parks
    Several National Forests
    Many State Parks 
    Half dozen waterfalls
    Counted 36 different state license plates 
    Counted 1 other country plate
    Dozens of tourist traps and attractions
    Tried our first In-n-out Burger ... wowowow!!

    DT you're trip is coming up soon right? Can't wait to see pictures and updates from Glacier!








    @hauntingfamiliar - I am so sorry to hear about your cat. That is so terrible to hear. 

    Your trip sounds like it was pretty amazing! I'm sure the little one is glad to be out of the car for awhile now.

    Did you have a favorite:
    National Park?
    State Park?
    National Forest?

    We just got back from our trip out to GNP (and some of Canada) and had ourselves a heck of a time! Pictures are coming in due time!

    Pro tip: GNP is known as the hikers National Park. Prior to visiting, be sure you spend some time walking/running/or stair stepping, be sure you have the appropriate shoe/boots for your feet and take pain reliever.  =)
    "A smart monkey doesn't monkey around with another monkey's monkey" - Darwin's Theory
  • Horos
    Horos Posts: 4,518
    This is a pretty cool state park we have here in Oregon. You can hike a loop and see like ten waterfalls.https://oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=151

    I'm also surrounded by National forests so I buy a yearly pass.  
    #FHP
  • hauntingfamiliar
    hauntingfamiliar Wilmington, NC Posts: 10,368
    darwinstheory said:
    hauntingfamiliar said:
    darwinstheory said:
    hauntingfamiliar said:
    Thanks Brian! And DT I just added up the mileage so far.. roughly 4500!!! Coast to coast, side trips and now heading back east. I'm in Kansas now. Still have a few solid days of traveling to put in and one more camping trip in NC mtns before heading home. I'll give you the grand total once I return. 
    @hauntingfamiliar

    Any good stops for you between Kansas and your hometown? 

    @darwinstheory

    We ended up rushing the second to last leg of the trip because we found out our cat was not doing well back home. She got sick shortly after we started the trip. We drove 4 states in 1 day trying to get home to her but unfortunately she died when we reached Tennessee. :/  After we got the news we decide to make the most out of our last few days and had an extended camping trip in the NC mountains. We found a beautiful, secluded campground outside of Asheville where we set up camp with a friend that met us there.  We hiked Hooker and Triple Falls and hit one of our favorite spots to cool off, Sliding Rock. Very fun!  

    This trip was epic and I am still trying to wrap my head around everything. 

    Close to a month on the road
    Coast to coast to coast
    Roughly 5900 miles
    5 National Parks
    Several National Forests
    Many State Parks 
    Half dozen waterfalls
    Counted 36 different state license plates 
    Counted 1 other country plate
    Dozens of tourist traps and attractions
    Tried our first In-n-out Burger ... wowowow!!

    DT you're trip is coming up soon right? Can't wait to see pictures and updates from Glacier!








    @hauntingfamiliar - I am so sorry to hear about your cat. That is so terrible to hear. 

    Your trip sounds like it was pretty amazing! I'm sure the little one is glad to be out of the car for awhile now.

    Did you have a favorite:
    National Park?
    State Park?
    National Forest?

    We just got back from our trip out to GNP (and some of Canada) and had ourselves a heck of a time! Pictures are coming in due time!

    Pro tip: GNP is known as the hikers National Park. Prior to visiting, be sure you spend some time walking/running/or stair stepping, be sure you have the appropriate shoe/boots for your feet and take pain reliever.  =)
    Thanks @darwinstheory we miss our little Sashi cat.

    Your pro tip on GNP is duly noted. ;) I can't wait to see pictures and hear what were the best parts of your trip.

    It is so hard to pick a favorite NP as they were all so unique and completely different experiences. If I had to choose the ones where I had the best overall experience.... probably Petrified Forest and Rocky Mtns. Petrified Forest/Painted Desert because Soph and I had never in our lives seen anything like it in person. It was the first NP we reached when traveling out west and It blew our minds. It was not very crowded either and it was an easy park to navigate through at our own pace and hike wherever we wanted. The multicolored sand dunes and the crystal forest were highlights. Rocky Mtn NP was outstanding as well.  The fact that you can drive up to the top and experience frozen tundra like conditions was humbling. We played in snow in the summer, saw a moose, the continental divide and at over 12,000 where we were it was the highest ;) elevation I have ever been!!

    Favorite state park- Again based on overall experience. Will Rogers right outside of Santa Monica. We hiked a fun trail and grilled out with my sister and her fiance. 

    Favorite National Forest - The Ozarks! I've been wanting to get there for years and finally made it. There were way too many weird bugs but Pedestal Rocks was amazing.

    *Bonus* Favorite state beach - Dume Point outside of Malibu. Gorgeous cliff hikes and incredible views of the Pacific. Beautiful, sandy beach and perfect spot to swim.


  • hauntingfamiliar
    hauntingfamiliar Wilmington, NC Posts: 10,368
    Horos said:
    This is a pretty cool state park we have here in Oregon. You can hike a loop and see like ten waterfalls.https://oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=151

    I'm also surrounded by National forests so I buy a yearly pass.  
    I've been on a waterfall kick the past few years and have been trying to hit as many as I can. Looks like a fantastic waterfall hike...10 on one trail, wow!! Next time I go to the west coast I want to fly into northern Cali and drive up the coast to Washington. I will definitely try to remember this one. 
  • mcgruff10
    mcgruff10 New Jersey Posts: 29,131
    Snapped this sunrise photo yesterday  at Hatteras national seashore, North Carolina.  
    I'll ride the wave where it takes me......
  • hauntingfamiliar
    hauntingfamiliar Wilmington, NC Posts: 10,368
    ^^ Ooh nice! I hope you've enjoyed your visit in the south. Looks like the NC coast could get a little unexpected visit from Hurricane Dorian next week.  I'm really glad I moved away from the coast this summer. I couldn't handle another one of those things right now!!
  • darwinstheory
    darwinstheory LaPorte, IN Posts: 7,382
    ^^I'm hoping you were enjoying a beach side sunrise still intoxicated from a night long drink fest. The night the McGruffs brought their 17th child into the world.

     B) 
    "A smart monkey doesn't monkey around with another monkey's monkey" - Darwin's Theory
  • mcgruff10
    mcgruff10 New Jersey Posts: 29,131
    darwinstheory said:
    ^^I'm hoping you were enjoying a beach side sunrise still intoxicated from a night long drink fest. The night the McGruffs brought their 17th child into the world.

     B) 
    Lol. Factory is closed my friend!!
    we absolutely loved North Carolina @ha@hauntingfamiliar
    next year we are thinking Vermont, new hanpshire or maybe Virginia Beach.  Not really sure. 
    I'll ride the wave where it takes me......
  • Horos
    Horos Posts: 4,518
    hauntingfamiliar said:
    Horos said:
    This is a pretty cool state park we have here in Oregon. You can hike a loop and see like ten waterfalls.https://oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=151

    I'm also surrounded by National forests so I buy a yearly pass.  
    I've been on a waterfall kick the past few years and have been trying to hit as many as I can. Looks like a fantastic waterfall hike...10 on one trail, wow!! Next time I go to the west coast I want to fly into northern Cali and drive up the coast to Washington. I will definitely try to remember this one. 
    We've been chasing waterfalls for years. This FB group focuses on the many treasures we have in the PNW. Lots of pro photos. https://www.facebook.com/groups/153315581696/
    #FHP
  • tempo_n_groove
    tempo_n_groove Posts: 41,534
    Horos said:
    hauntingfamiliar said:
    Horos said:
    This is a pretty cool state park we have here in Oregon. You can hike a loop and see like ten waterfalls.https://oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=151

    I'm also surrounded by National forests so I buy a yearly pass.  
    I've been on a waterfall kick the past few years and have been trying to hit as many as I can. Looks like a fantastic waterfall hike...10 on one trail, wow!! Next time I go to the west coast I want to fly into northern Cali and drive up the coast to Washington. I will definitely try to remember this one. 
    We've been chasing waterfalls for years. This FB group focuses on the many treasures we have in the PNW. Lots of pro photos. https://www.facebook.com/groups/153315581696/
    "Don't go chasing waterfalls.  Stick to the rivers and lakes that you're used to."
  • darwinstheory
    darwinstheory LaPorte, IN Posts: 7,382
    Here are some photos from Glacier NP between 8-17-19 & 8-21-19. Sorry for being so late in getting these added!

    First, it starts with our hike to Avalanche Lake (via the Trail of Cedars). A beautiful hike along wooded rocky terrain on an overcast brisk morning. 
    The last 3 photos were taken on our 2nd day at the beginning of the famous Highline Trail. It's tough to see just how sheer that drop off is to the road below!
    "A smart monkey doesn't monkey around with another monkey's monkey" - Darwin's Theory
  • darwinstheory
    darwinstheory LaPorte, IN Posts: 7,382
    The first 4 pictures below are a continuation of our Highline Trail hike. I took a lot of pictures on that 11.4 mile trail. We finished it at 3:30 p.m. That evening, at 8:00 p.m. the park closed this trail until further notice for, and I quote: "unusual grizzly bear activity." There were bear on the trail that day, but we did not see any. The big horn sheep crossed the path about 20' in front of us. We had our heads down looking at the rocky terrain to avoid falling. He caught us off guard! The Granite Park Chalet is 7.4 miles in. There are outhouses. No plumbing or electricity but it is a place where few can spend the night, or many stop for lunch.

    The last 2 pictures were from the next day on the Hidden Lake Overlook trail. A pleasant surprise to see the mountain goat so closely. 

    "A smart monkey doesn't monkey around with another monkey's monkey" - Darwin's Theory
  • darwinstheory
    darwinstheory LaPorte, IN Posts: 7,382
    Same day as the Hidden Lake Overlook trail (3.8 miles) we took another hike (3.8 miles) to see St. Mary Falls (pictured 1st) and Virginia Falls (pictured 2nd).

    The following day started with a short 1.0 hike to Fishercap Lake to look for moose. Spoiler alert: found 1! The 3rd, 4th and 5th photos are all from this site. In the one with the trees reflecting in the water (looks like one of those magic eye pictures) you can see a few deer on the waterline as well.

    After pur time there, we drove down to the Two Medicine area of GNP. We only did 1 short hike from here (1.8 miles) to an overlook on the last photo. Such a quiet place of the park in contrast to the other trails.

    "A smart monkey doesn't monkey around with another monkey's monkey" - Darwin's Theory
  • hauntingfamiliar
    hauntingfamiliar Wilmington, NC Posts: 10,368
    Wowww DT. These pictures and anecdotes are all so amazing. It really makes me want to hit the road again. I'm going to reread them now. So much to take in. 

  • hauntingfamiliar
    hauntingfamiliar Wilmington, NC Posts: 10,368
    mcgruff10 said:
    darwinstheory said:
    ^^I'm hoping you were enjoying a beach side sunrise still intoxicated from a night long drink fest. The night the McGruffs brought their 17th child into the world.

     B) 
    Lol. Factory is closed my friend!!
    we absolutely loved North Carolina @ha@hauntingfamiliar
    next year we are thinking Vermont, new hanpshire or maybe Virginia Beach.  Not really sure. 
    @mcgruff10

    My vote would be for Vermont! I went there earlier this summer and I'm now infatuated with Vermont.  I could be stuck in Waterbury, VT the rest of my life and never look back. It has everything I could ever want. Breathtakingly gorgeous scenic place, coffee roasters everywhere, Alchemist Brewey, Prohibition Pig for lunch, Cabot Cheese Factory, Ben & Jerry's Factory tours and Cold Hollow Cider Mill for some apple cider donuts and corn hole. Camp for a few days and then head into Burlington and check out Lake Champlain and more Ben & Jerry's. ;)

    Alchemist 


  • darwinstheory
    darwinstheory LaPorte, IN Posts: 7,382
    edited October 2019
    After our time in Glacier, we make our way to the Great White North. It is the first time either of us has left the States. A few hours later, we find ourselves driving by the world famous Prince of Wales hotel in Waterton Lakes NP in Alberta Canada (we stayed there for the night - 3rd photo is the view from our room overlooking Waterton Lake, Canada, US, town of Waterton). Prior to settling in, we spent some time taking in the town and cruising on a tour boat in Waterton Lake. The boat cruise awarded us with crossing international waters and seeing where the US/Canadian border was. A neatly cut path up the mountainside to clearly mark the border made me smile in the wake of so much wall talk. We were also fortunate enough to see a few bald eagles, so that was pretty neat. Unfortunately, our time did not allow for us to take the Crypt Lake hike. That looks amazing.

    After our stay at the Prince of Wales, we worked our way further north. Temporarily bypassing the town of Banff, we made a quick trek to Kootenay and Yoho Canadian NP's. We weren't hiking either of these due to time constraints and sore bodies from the prior hikes. 






    Post edited by darwinstheory on
    "A smart monkey doesn't monkey around with another monkey's monkey" - Darwin's Theory
  • darwinstheory
    darwinstheory LaPorte, IN Posts: 7,382
    After a brief trip through Kootenay and Yoho NP's in Canada, we stopped by the famous Lake Louise. Unfortunately, the camera angle does not reflect the true blue color of the lake, but that mountainous backdrop is amazing. From there, it was time to check into our hotel in the town of Banff. While the girlfriend was getting ready for dinner, I ran down to the lake or room was overlooking. The 2nd photo is from there. Totally unexpected, but a really great picture.

    The next day, we went further into Banff NP and into Jasper NP. Along the way, we spotted the black bear (photo was in zoom). As we continued north, the mountains get taller and the lakes become bluer. Is that a word? Bluer? 





    "A smart monkey doesn't monkey around with another monkey's monkey" - Darwin's Theory
  • rollings
    rollings unknown Posts: 7,127
    Goddamn your pictures keep outdoing themselves. 

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