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re: Favorite U.S. National Park?
Posted on 2/12/16 at 1:29 pm to BowlJackson
Posted on 2/12/16 at 1:29 pm to BowlJackson
Let it go man. I'm not an alter. I hit quote trying to figure out how to get it to work and messed up somehow. Must have got lucky if I did something right.
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Posted on 2/12/16 at 1:42 pm to Govt Tide
quote:
A really cool place we use to go when I lived briefly in Colorado was Black Canyon of the Gunnison in west central Colorado.
That was a really cool place. Been there.
Posted on 2/12/16 at 1:48 pm to Year of the Dragon
Favorite is a tough one, there are so many beautiful parks.
If I had to choose, it would be a tie between Yellowstone and Grand Canyon.
Yellowstone is just so amazing from the wildlife perspective, and the thermal features you will never see anywhere else. We stayed in West Yellowstone, and driving in on 191 from Boseman we saw a moose standing on some rocks in the Gallatin River. Saw tons of buffalo and a beautiful bull elk with velvet still on his antlers.
We were lucky in that we went in mid-May, like a week before Memorial Day, so it wasn't very crowded, but most of the park was open. I think the only roads still closed by snow were the road to the northeast entrance and the section of road between Dunraven and Mammoth Hot Springs.
Grand Canyon is just breathtaking. Even standing on the rim you have a hard time believing it is real, like it has to be some huge painting. Seeing the California condors flying around on the thermals were pretty cool too.
I also love the parks in the SW corner of Utah - Bryce is so beautiful, especially with the drive in through Red Canyon.
Of the actual parks, I think I have been to:
Biscayne
Everglades
Great Smoky Mountain
Mammoth Cave
Rocky Mountain
Bryce Canyon
Grand Canyon
Petrified Forest
Badlands
Yellowstone
Grand Teton
If I had to choose, it would be a tie between Yellowstone and Grand Canyon.
Yellowstone is just so amazing from the wildlife perspective, and the thermal features you will never see anywhere else. We stayed in West Yellowstone, and driving in on 191 from Boseman we saw a moose standing on some rocks in the Gallatin River. Saw tons of buffalo and a beautiful bull elk with velvet still on his antlers.
We were lucky in that we went in mid-May, like a week before Memorial Day, so it wasn't very crowded, but most of the park was open. I think the only roads still closed by snow were the road to the northeast entrance and the section of road between Dunraven and Mammoth Hot Springs.
Grand Canyon is just breathtaking. Even standing on the rim you have a hard time believing it is real, like it has to be some huge painting. Seeing the California condors flying around on the thermals were pretty cool too.
I also love the parks in the SW corner of Utah - Bryce is so beautiful, especially with the drive in through Red Canyon.
Of the actual parks, I think I have been to:
Biscayne
Everglades
Great Smoky Mountain
Mammoth Cave
Rocky Mountain
Bryce Canyon
Grand Canyon
Petrified Forest
Badlands
Yellowstone
Grand Teton
Posted on 2/12/16 at 2:01 pm to Year of the Dragon
Zion National Park - Breathtaking!
Posted on 2/12/16 at 2:02 pm to PJinAtl
Can't go wrong with either of those two. The wildlife in Yellowstone is off the charts. They don't call it "Anerica's Serengeti" for nothing. All of the thermal action is unreal. I particularly loved the mud pots but the smell will certainly stay with you.
Unfortunately, I didn't see any California condors when I was in Grand Canyon. Would have loved to have seen them. Glad to see they are back from the brink. Like you said, The Grand Canyon looks like a painting. There and in Glacier is where I felt extremely small in the world of Mother Nature.
I've been to Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, Arches, etc. Bryce was my favorite of them all. Highly underrated.
Ironically, I live in the southeast and haven't been to the parks in Florida yet. Spent too much time out west.
Unfortunately, I didn't see any California condors when I was in Grand Canyon. Would have loved to have seen them. Glad to see they are back from the brink. Like you said, The Grand Canyon looks like a painting. There and in Glacier is where I felt extremely small in the world of Mother Nature.
I've been to Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, Arches, etc. Bryce was my favorite of them all. Highly underrated.
Ironically, I live in the southeast and haven't been to the parks in Florida yet. Spent too much time out west.
Posted on 2/12/16 at 2:03 pm to FemaleTiger
Zion and Glacier are probably my second favorite behind Yosemite. The colors there are phenomenal. Love that park. By the way, could totally live in Springdale, Utah.
This post was edited on 2/12/16 at 2:05 pm
Posted on 2/12/16 at 2:44 pm to Year of the Dragon
Yosemite = #1
Don't expect the grandeur of places like Yosemite and Yellowstone. You're literally on a Mesa formation overlooking a BIG flat drop-off. I thought the place was great to break out the tents, drink beer, and BBQ. I would work it in as part of a road-trip where you're going to hit other stops. I'd have been disappointed in a trip solely built around Mesa Verde. There is a park greeter though named Lew McCool (yes) who is one of the coolest guys I think I've ever met haha. He has a twitter.
Ouray, CO is an amazing town not too far from Mesa Verde. Can't recommend enough stopping through that town at least once in your lifetime. It's not a ski-town. You can also stop by the Great Sand Dunes NP. Yep, it's a lot of sand, but has its own character and one to add to the list.
Yellowstone is amazing for the wildlife. It's an apple to an orange compared to Yosemite.
I'd like to go back to Zion. Stopped through during the day and the wall formations are pretty sweet. I think you can hike in between those.
Per the South, I'd recommend backpacking in Cohutta Wilderness:
LINK
Part of the Cherokee National Forest. Backpack in a few miles and set-up camp by the river.
quote:
Haven't been to Mesa Verde but want to visit soon.
Don't expect the grandeur of places like Yosemite and Yellowstone. You're literally on a Mesa formation overlooking a BIG flat drop-off. I thought the place was great to break out the tents, drink beer, and BBQ. I would work it in as part of a road-trip where you're going to hit other stops. I'd have been disappointed in a trip solely built around Mesa Verde. There is a park greeter though named Lew McCool (yes) who is one of the coolest guys I think I've ever met haha. He has a twitter.
Ouray, CO is an amazing town not too far from Mesa Verde. Can't recommend enough stopping through that town at least once in your lifetime. It's not a ski-town. You can also stop by the Great Sand Dunes NP. Yep, it's a lot of sand, but has its own character and one to add to the list.
Yellowstone is amazing for the wildlife. It's an apple to an orange compared to Yosemite.
I'd like to go back to Zion. Stopped through during the day and the wall formations are pretty sweet. I think you can hike in between those.
Per the South, I'd recommend backpacking in Cohutta Wilderness:
LINK
Part of the Cherokee National Forest. Backpack in a few miles and set-up camp by the river.
Posted on 2/12/16 at 2:49 pm to Year of the Dragon
Acadia national park in Maine is my favorite.
Posted on 2/12/16 at 2:54 pm to The7Sins
Haven't been to Acadia yet. Have a friend who goes every year or so. He can't say enough good things about it. Definitely plan on going as soon as I can focus on the eastern parks.
Posted on 2/12/16 at 2:57 pm to Year of the Dragon
Oh, an interesting note. Around that Mesa Verde area in Colorado, there are some strange laws on the legal alcohol content for beer. The beers are marked at 3.2% ABV. It was quite a buzzkill, literally. This was not too long before entering the park, but yeah we did a big stock-up and that was the strangest thing to us.
LINK
LINK
Posted on 2/12/16 at 3:13 pm to SquarePizzaRebel
quote:
Yosemite = #1
quote:
Haven't been to Mesa Verde but want to visit soon.
Don't expect the grandeur of places like Yosemite and Yellowstone. You're literally on a Mesa formation overlooking a BIG flat drop-off. I thought the place was great to break out the tents, drink beer, and BBQ. I would work it in as part of a road-trip where you're going to hit other stops. I'd have been disappointed in a trip solely built around Mesa Verde. There is a park greeter though named Lew McCool (yes) who is one of the coolest guys I think I've ever met haha. He has a twitter.
Ouray, CO is an amazing town not too far from Mesa Verde. Can't recommend enough stopping through that town at least once in your lifetime. It's not a ski-town. You can also stop by the Great Sand Dunes NP. Yep, it's a lot of sand, but has its own character and one to add to the list.
Yellowstone is amazing for the wildlife. It's an apple to an orange compared to Yosemite.
I'd like to go back to Zion. Stopped through during the day and the wall formations are pretty sweet. I think you can hike in between those.
Per the South, I'd recommend backpacking in Cohutta Wilderness:
LINK
Part of the Cherokee National Forest. Backpack in a few miles and set-up camp by the river.
I'd like to go to Mesa Verde for the Native American history alone. Plus, it does appear to be a place where you can just be laid back and bbq, drink beer, camp, etc. There are several parks around there that I haven't seen yet so adding to a road trip is a great idea. Most park rangers I've met are extremely cool. Love that guys name btw. I had a fantasy a few years ago of quitting my corporate job and becoming a park ranger. Unfortunately, reality sat in that I have a certain lifestyle I want to keep because they don't make shite. Wish I had done it when I was younger/college.
Thanks for telling me about Ouray, CO. I'll certainly check it out. I really enjoy those towns that are near the National Parks. I've found some hidden jems. I mentioned Springdale, Utah in an earlier post. Great Sand Dunes is definitely on my list. I would love to see the Sangre de Cristo mountains and do some hiking there.
I did some pretty intense trails at Zion. The narrows is difficult but it is my favorite trail in all the parks I've visited and walter's wiggles is no joke either. Angel's Landing was too crowded when we were there and only a few people can go up at a time. Want to finish that when I go back.
Is the Cohutta Wilderness near Blue Ridge, Georgia? I did some hiking in the Aska Adventure area even though it's mainly for mountain biking. The Cherokee National Forest is fantastic. Thanks for sending the link!
Posted on 2/12/16 at 3:16 pm to SquarePizzaRebel
Very odd. Especially, for Colorado. Will have to stock up in Durango.
Posted on 2/12/16 at 3:19 pm to Year of the Dragon
quote:
The narrows
This is what I saw pictures of and looks awesome.
quote:
Is the Cohutta Wilderness near Blue Ridge, Georgia
Yes, we actually parked within Georgia technically, and as we were hiking we crossed over the state line. I went during the Winter and it got down to 7 degrees (we were cold-weather camping). I would definitely like to go in the Summer when the river is really going. There was an ideal spot to relax with a rope-swing etc.
Posted on 2/12/16 at 3:23 pm to Year of the Dragon
Of the ones I've been to:
1. Yosemite (Pure, natural beauty)
2. Grand Canyon (Again, breathtakingly beautiful)
3. Great Smoky Mountains (Generally go at least three times a year, love it.)
4. Haleakala (Gorgeous views, return hike is tough)
5. Painted Desert/Petrified Forest (If this were just the petrified forest, it'd by last by a huge margin, but the Painted Desert part of it is amazing)
6. Volcanoes (There were no active lava flows while I was there last December so it was mostly just walking around smelling a lot of sulfur, still really cool, but it ranks last on my list of USNPs)
Will probably add Big Bend, Guadalupe Mountains, and Carlsbad Caverns this year.
1. Yosemite (Pure, natural beauty)
2. Grand Canyon (Again, breathtakingly beautiful)
3. Great Smoky Mountains (Generally go at least three times a year, love it.)
4. Haleakala (Gorgeous views, return hike is tough)
5. Painted Desert/Petrified Forest (If this were just the petrified forest, it'd by last by a huge margin, but the Painted Desert part of it is amazing)
6. Volcanoes (There were no active lava flows while I was there last December so it was mostly just walking around smelling a lot of sulfur, still really cool, but it ranks last on my list of USNPs)
Will probably add Big Bend, Guadalupe Mountains, and Carlsbad Caverns this year.
Posted on 2/12/16 at 3:30 pm to SquarePizzaRebel
quote:
This is what I saw pictures of and looks awesome.
Have some good water shoes and walking stick. They have outfitters in Springdale but most of their stuff was used and not in the best shape.
Cool. Will have to check it out. Love that area around the Ocoee.
This post was edited on 2/12/16 at 3:40 pm
Posted on 2/12/16 at 3:38 pm to BamaChemE
quote:
Of the ones I've been to:
1. Yosemite (Pure, natural beauty)
2. Grand Canyon (Again, breathtakingly beautiful)
3. Great Smoky Mountains (Generally go at least three times a year, love it.)
4. Haleakala (Gorgeous views, return hike is tough)
5. Painted Desert/Petrified Forest (If this were just the petrified forest, it'd by last by a huge margin, but the Painted Desert part of it is amazing)
6. Volcanoes (There were no active lava flows while I was there last December so it was mostly just walking around smelling a lot of sulfur, still really cool, but it ranks last on my list of USNPs)
Will probably add Big Bend, Guadalupe Mountains, and Carlsbad
Can't wait to hit the Hawaii parks. I agree with you about Petrfied Forest/Painted Desert. Was just ok. My bottom three at this point are:
1. Hot Springs
2. Congaree
3. Cuyahoga Valley (last place) of course it is in frickin Ohio. They literally had a trailer park in the National Park boundary. Don't want to hear shite about the South.
This post was edited on 2/12/16 at 4:04 pm
Posted on 2/12/16 at 3:47 pm to Year of the Dragon
quote:
Can't wait to hit the Hawii parks
My advice for Haleakala is to try and get there earlier in the morning, and before you get to the main trail hub (huge parking lot at the top of the mountain) take this short (~half mile trail) to a scenic overlook. The whole caldera just unrolls before you, and a cloud inversion will usually start coming in around 9 or 10 am, and it is insane to just watch from above as the clouds filter in through this pass.
Another cool thing when the clouds roll in the early afternoon is that you can't really see a horizon as the water and sky blend together so well you feel like the island is literally floating in the sky.
Posted on 2/12/16 at 3:52 pm to BamaChemE
Thanks for the advice!
Posted on 2/12/16 at 4:49 pm to Year of the Dragon
I've never been to one I didn't enjoy. Glacier would have to be pretty near the top of the list.
Posted on 2/12/16 at 4:52 pm to Year of the Dragon
Glacier Bay or Wrangell-St Elias
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