Yosemite National Park

High in the Sierra Nevada Mountains one finds an iconic American National Park - Yosemite. Visitors have been flocking to the sheer granite cliffs, waterfalls, and wildlife area since its discovery over 100 years ago. The land here is monstrous and its easy to feel small.

This park is frequently visited, so plan ahead when visiting to ensure proper reservations are made (including camping spots!) Weekends in the summer can create traffic jams both at the entrances and on roads heavily traveled within the park. Take it slow - you'll be sure to see more wildlife!

Springtime and early summer are the best viewing times for most waterfalls, although each waterfall seems different each year depending on the past season's moisture and amount of summer rains.

The park itself hosts several Giant Sequoia groves, however they pale in comparison to the much larger tress just south in Sequoia National Park. The Mariposa Grove is one of the biggest and most visited in Yosemite.

The visit to Glacier Point is a must for all visitors as it offers one of the most spectacular views of Half Dome and the Yosemite Valley. Getting up above the canyon walls provides a true understanding of the enormity of your surroundings.

Craters of the Moon National Monument

The dark, craggy, and desolate nature of the lava formations in Crater of the Moon National Monument near Arco, Idaho once led early explorers to speculate that this vivid landscape resembled the surface of our moon. This belief carried on for many years even leading NASA to send astronauts to the monument for training. However, it is know known that the moon is quit different from this dark rocked canvas of central Idaho. None the less, the name stuck with the monument and visitors are now blessed with Craters of the Moon National Monument.

The black volcanic lava is a surprise when first entering the monument as the surrounding Idaho mountains and prairie look nothing like the park itself. The visitor center offers great information on the violent recent eruptions that scarred the surrounding landscape. A big driving loop allows visitors to explore the rugged terrain on easy to walk black topped foot paths.

The vegetation within the park itself is most impressive. Small flowers of many shapes and sizes and strategically growing in a quadrant patten in the little soil they can find. The surprise of these flowers made the trip worthwhile.

Many cones and cinders can be visited along the looped road, and offer quick stops. The tree rings and molds stop is about a 2 mile hike back, but offer some very cool views of the bark and base molds of many ancient trees. You can literally feel the texture of the tree pressed into the volcanic lava centuries ago.

Continue along the loop road and make sure to stop at the caves and tunnels. Bring your flashlight, and make sure its a strong one. We only ventured into Indian Tunnel as it is the easiest to access and the brightest. Dewdrop Cave is more of a viewing cave. Boyscout cave looked difficult to access, was very dark and the signs reported that it was very icy and wet. We only stepped into Beauty Cave and that was amazing by itself as it was frigid cold and we could see our breath! Indian Tunnel was tons of fun, and was great to be able to explore around in.

Camping is available near the visitor center, but has little trees or shade and the black volcanic dirt does nothing but absorb the sun. Overall, we really enjoyed our time in Idaho and would certainly recommend a visit to Craters of the Moon National Monument.

Great Basin National Park

Deep in the endless dusty highways of Eastern Nevada is one of the gems of the National Park System - Great Basin National Park. Here the flat and barren basins meet the highest point in Nevada (Wheeler Peak).

High up on the heels of Wheeler Peak, near treeline, lies a grove of Bristlecone Pine trees that are some of (if not outright) the older non clonal species on Earth. Non clonal refers to plants that reproduce with new underground shoots (like Aspen). Some of these Bristlecone pine tree are over 2000 and 3000 years old.

The Bristlecones are twisted, warped, worn, and wind swept with uncanny beauty. To lay your eyes upon one of these great trees is to inspire oneself. The trees that live the longest are those trees that live in the most adverse conditions. It brings to truth the saying that "what doesn't kill us makes us stronger"












On the trail up to the Bristlecone Pine stand is Theresa Lake hidden in the lower shadows of Wheeler Peak. The trail up to the treeline where the Bristlecone live is not terribly difficult, and should be able to be manuvered by most in decent shape.




The views from the moutain side were incredible. You could see for what seemed like hundreds of miles.