At Home in Wild Spaces
  • Videography Services
  • Wild Spaces Store
  • News & Travel Blog
  • Video Guides
  • About Us
  • Contact

Wild Spaces
      News &Travel Blog

Read up on featured locations and activities as well on how to best preserve our precious Wild Spaces.

Ten Reasons National Parks are Simply Awesome

8/26/2019

1 Comment

 
The National Park Service turns 103 today! In their honor, I've compiled a list of 10 reasons why our national parks, despite crowds and growing pressures, are still as awesome as ever.

So get ready, as we dive into what is best about our amazing national parks.
Picture


​10 - Scenic Wonderlands

Let's begin with the gloriously, delightfully obvious.

Our national parks are home to some of the most phenomenal, spirit-lifting, gasp-inducing vistas to be found in the known and unknown universe.

The Earth is an intergalactic treasure by every calculation — and our national parks (home to some of the planet's very finest scenery), are home to some of the very best scenery to be found ANYWHERE. 

The Star Wars movies famously interpreted individual planets as singular ecosystems, but guess what: Hoth, Endor, Tatooine, Yavin and the like aren't locations in some galaxy far, far away. They're all real places located right here on earth, many of which are national parks.
​
Picture


9 - Adventures of a Lifetime

Adventure is a relative term. For some, surviving a day without Netflix, YouTube or facebook might be adventurous. Others prefer class-five whitewater, scaling the odd stratovolcano, or backpacking virgin arctic tundra, 100 or more miles from the nearest flushing toilet.

Fortunately, national parks can easily satisfy both groups and everyone in between. Regardless of your age or experience, there's enough adventure in our national parks to fill a thousand lifetimes.

The most important thing to remember is to start small, climbing gradually up the adventure scale. Start with a few scenic drives or shuttle rides, sprinkled with a couple picnics and day hikes. Then when you're ready gradually and responsibly turn the dial up on your adventures.

​You'll learn a lot about yourself, the planet we all depend on, and have incredible experiences along the way. Before you know it, you'll be climbing peaks, paddling wild rivers and passionately protecting these priceless landscapes.

Personal note: We love so many parks and we don't really have a favorite, but there is something truly special about Yosemite. There are adventures and beauty to be found in Yosemite National Park and the Sierra Nevadas that surpassed even our very high expectations. 

For a taste, check out this video as we summit Yosemite's iconic Half Dome (best you'll find anywhere), and subscribe to At Home in Wild Spaces on YouTube for more inspiring and adventurous national park videos!


​8 - Economics

Eww... gross.

I have to be careful here. Money, its hold on society, and the tendency of some to pursue it at all costs arguably remains the greatest threat to our national parks and other public lands. Ironically, money is pretty awful and defining true value. Far too much has been destroyed because we used money to appraise what is priceless.

But for better or worse money is here to stay and is too often the only language some people understand. The good news is, national parks and preservation in general, are incredibly valuable in terms of money. Current estimates suggest national parks are responsible for $92 billion dollars in annual economic benefit in the United States alone.

That figure represents more than tourism dollars. Our national parks and their healthier than average ecosystems provide direct and secondary economic value in the form of clean drinking water, fertile soils, buffers against natural disasters, atmospheric regeneration, carbon storage, food stores and other renewable resources that would be greatly weakened if not outright destroyed were it not for our national parks.

Why on earth then can we not properly fund our parks? Seems like a very poor investment strategy to me.
​
Picture


​7 - National Parks Never Get Old

As someone who visits numerous national parks year after year, I can attest to the fact that even the most familiar park keeps things fresh and can seem entirely new with each visit. 

From the time of year, weather and seasons to new trails and activities, or learning something new about a place you thought you knew so well: national parks are perfectly equipped to keep the surprises coming for years and years. 

To say nothing of their timeless landscapes and inspiring beauty. If only we aged as well, right?

Picture


​6 - National Parks are Unpredictable

One of my all-time favorite signs (yep, I have fovorites) can be found at trailheads throughout Yellowstone National Park and warns, "[t]here are inherent dangers associated with hiking in bear country. THERE IS NO GUARANTEE OF YOUR SAFETY."

While that's probably not much comfort to those suffering from Arkoudaphobia (fear of bears), I find this sign positively delightful. For me, it signifies one of the greatest virtues of our national parks. At least when compared with much in our modern world, national parks have not been sanitized or child-proofed. Efforts have been made to retain or restore their natural, primal and unpredictable character. 

In Yellowstone alone, bears can appear anywhere, one-ton bison lock horns in epic earth-shaking battles,  and stampede through the park (check out the video below). Snow can fall on the first day of summer like it did this year, geysers and thermal features can lay dormant for years and suddenly erupt sending water, steam and even rocks hundreds of feet into the air. It's marvelous.
About Video: The stampede began before we could stop the car and retrieve our cameras. This video begins moments after dozens of bison (in a herd of hundreds) galloped through dozens of cars, missing most but hitting a few. Check out our side-view mirror: remarkably undamaged by a bison that bumped into the side of our car at full speed.

Now don't worry. For a well-prepared and well-informed traveler, national parks are not unusually dangerous. If you don't let your enthusiasm overwhelm your judgment, remain flexible and avoid complacency, then national parks are dreamscapes where you can forge experiences and memories that will stay with you for the rest of your life.

On the other hand, nature is all too happy to remind the foolish, ill-prepared, or complacent who is in charge. In this way, she can seem harsh, and year after year there are tragic cases of people crossing a line and getting needlessly injured or killed.

But where nature chastises those who take her for granted, she rewards humility and preparation handsomely. So take the time to prepare yourself and those in your party appropriately. Use the resources provided by the national park service, and here on athomeinwildspaces.com to make sure your national park adventure ends in triumph.

Picture


​5 - Time Travel

Yep, that's right — time travel. But forget any thoughts of flux capacitors and quantum tunnels. That's Hollywood, national parks offer the real thing. 

Start off by heading to one of our numerous dark sky parks and appreciate the stars in all their undiminished glory, realizing that you're in fact peering hundreds of thousands of years into the past. When looking at the night sky, you're seeing at the universe as it was eons ago and not as it exists today. Viewing the literal past is a great way to feel incredibly small, yet incredibly significant.

Not time-travely enough for you? Then take a hike. I'm serious. Go hiking.

You may not know it, but hiking is about as close as you can get to literally traveling through time. On trails like The Queen's Garden/Navajo Loop in Bryce Canyon National Park (video available below) you'll begin on a forested plateau, gradually descending past "new" hoodoos just emerging from the rim before passing older, smaller, more eroded hoodoos as you near the canyon floor. For the geologically observant traveler, it's like traveling forward and backward in time and watching Bryce Canyon's wondrous amphitheater emerge over eons of erosion.
​
About Video: Known as, "The best three-mile hike in the world". Here's the Queen's Garden/Navajo Trail in Bryce Canyon National Park.


Just like peering through time while hiking through Bryce Canyon, ​you can do the same thing when hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park, where the Rockies once rivaled the towering heights of the modern Himalayas and Andes, but have over hundreds of millions of years eroded away to their diminished, albeit still inspiring height. Look for glacial cirques and imagine the massive, long-vanished rivers of ice, rounding jagged peaks and carving massive valleys, basins and canyons.

Finally, my personal favorite form of national park time travel, is the ability to see the wild, primal character of North America before European settlement and the short-sighted wholesale destruction that followed.

Now I'll admit — there are some differences. Native tribes have been displaced,  and some  of the natural features are choked by traffic and travelers carrying selfie sticks. 
But on an early morning, in the backcountry away from the crowds, there's a special experience awaiting you.

Surrounded by wild, primal scenery; inhabited by the full suite of native animal life, you'll be transported back in time to a younger, healthier continent that was almost lost forever.  

It's an experience you can't find almost anywhere outside a handful of national parks and the furthest reaches of the globe, where development, consumptive interests, and livestock have been kept at bay. It's akin to having a revelation: as if you've had your eyes closed you're whole life, then open them for the first time.​

Trust me it's super cool and a fundamental reason why national parks remain one of our very best ideas and most important treasures. 
About Video: Speaking of time travel, take a time-bending tour of our national parks with this breathtaking time-lapse video from At Home in Wild Spaces.


​4 - Accessiblility

In a perfect world, national parks would be equally accessible to everyone who visits responsibly and generally speaking, they are. With the exception of national parks being mostly concentrated out west where there was (and is) open land to be set aside and preserved; national parks are open to everyone for relatively little cost.

For $35 or less per car or $15 or less per person, plus the cost of travel; anyone can visit any national park in the United States and enjoy some of the greatest natural wonders in the world.

As travel expenses go, that's pretty much an unbeatable deal. If you've found a better bargain, I'd love to hear about it. The only competition I can think of would be visiting a national forest or other public lands. You gotta love Wild Spaces.
​
Picture


​3 - National Parks are Classrooms

If my school experience had included more about the national parks — perhaps even an occasional visit, I like to think that I would have been a much more attentive student.

National parks are some of the best classrooms available. They are ground zero for our ever-increasing understanding of the world and how our actions affect it. Spend some time in park visitor centers and speaking with park rangers. It will amaze you what we are learning in our national parks.

In addition to learning about the natural world, our parks are also where we learn about ourselves. They are home to some of our most celebrated triumphs, and some of our most shameful mistakes. They are time capsules that preserve not only our natural heritage but our cultural heritage as well.

Picture


​2 - Next Stop: Extinction

This is simultaneously one of the hardest and yet most wonderful aspects of our national parks. The past few centuries have been witness to remarkable, inexcusable destruction.

Whether in the name of Manifest Destiny and the pursuit of riches at the expense of all else, or as the result of exploitive and even cruel policies and practices — humanity has at times blazed an awful, even shameful trail of carnage on our march to the modern era.

Our national parks in many ways are the rock upon which this terrible wave of destruction has been broken. Within our parks, the whole community of natural life can find refuge and a home. Our parks provide essential habitat for the most beloved and the most maligned creatures in all the natural world. And as intended have served as precious "reservoirs of life" preserving and often times replenishing the continent's decimated flora and fauna.

Most people likely know how our national parks have saved bison, wolves and bears from extinction, but not many know the key role Yellowstone and other parks have played in restoring populations of elk, bighorn sheep, pronghorn and other popular "game" animals.

My home state of Utah, as well as our neighbors Colorado and Nevada, are among dozens of states that either completely or almost completely destroyed their native elk populations. Thanks to Yellowstone and its reservoir of protected animal life, Utah and many of our fellow states are again home to healthy or resurgent elk populations.

In addition to preserving wildlife, national parks are the final home to many of the last vital stands of irreplaceable forests.

From old-growth rainforests to the tallest and largest trees on the planet, national parks have been an indispensable tool in preserving many of the most astonishing, inspiring, and important forests in the world. Were it not for conservation efforts of people like you and the acquisition and transfer of many of those stands to the national park system, we might have lost priceless and remarkable ecosystems that can be found nowhere else in the world.

Our parks may be the best and last defense against the enduring threat of extinction for countless plants and animals. Our parks preserve crucial, mostly intact, ecosystems that may hold the key to restoring healthy systems to the globe. They are a kind of Noah's Ark, sheltering and protecting life from the raging storm of exploitation.

This alone makes our national parks worthy of the soberest respect and appreciation. The world is a better, healthier, and more hopeful place with national parks and nature preserves in it.

Picture


​1 - They belong to you and me

The most amazing thing about our national parks is that fact that we all share ownership and responsibility for them. Regardless of your station in life, if you are a citizen of the United States or even a citizen of the world, you have a vested interest in the welfare and preservation of our national parks.

So, so much has been lost, surveyed, sold, and developed out of existence. It's truly sobering to think of what we've destroyed, including beauty and wonders we cannot fathom and may never know again. But some of the very best this world has to offer or ever has had to offer has been bequeathed to us in trust — to be preserved, protected,  responsibly enjoyed and added to.

One of the earliest patrons of the parks once said, "Every right implies a responsibility; Every opportunity an obligation; every possession a duty."

Keep that in mind next time you visit a national park. Don't be afraid to invite others to tread lightly and see our parks as more than backgrounds for selfies, mere natural curiosities or checkmarks for bucket lists. They are so much more. Let's treat them as such.

I leave you with this: All is not well in our national parks. Under increasing pressures, the parks are suffering from heavy, often destructive, sometimes outright foolish use. This is compounded further by insufficient funds and special interests that would like to see them further exploited.

There are very real concerns about the long-term welfare or our parks. Our right to enjoy these treasures demands we do so responsibly. We have a duty to protect these special places and to foster a culture of responsible recreation.

By all means, visit our incredible parks — but don't let it end there. Open your mouth, advocate for their responsible use, and become a life-long defender of these amazing Wild Spaces.

​We're it not for people like you, we'd have no parks at all. We need them, and they need you.
​
There you have it. That's our list of 10 reasons our national parks are simply awesome. Did we miss anything? Please share your thoughts in the comments below, to help support us and help preserve Wild Spaces, drop by our store for great Wild Spaces apparel and make sure to follow At Home in Wild Spaces on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and right here at athomeinwildspaces.com
Wild Spaces Store
More  like this
Wild Spaces YouTube
1 Comment

Yellowstone National Park: A Visual Tribute

5/10/2018

0 Comments

 
In 2012, nearly a decade since my last visit I returned to Yellowstone National Park for Labor-day Weekend. Though my most recent recollections of the world's first national park had aged significantly, they were anything but stale.  

Mere moments after passing over the park boundary, I was reacquainted with the sublime sights and sounds of this priceless wilderness. Since that labor-day weekend, my wife and I have returned to Yellowstone every year.

Our visits have become something of an annual pilgrimage – a tradition that has helped us remain centered. They are a time for family, and a time for making memories with our son. Each visit reignites our passion and respect for the natural world and fuels our desire share and help preserve all that is wild. We are immensely grateful that those who  had the wisdom to preserve this gem as a national park "for the benefit and enjoyment of the people".

It is in that spirit that we share this 4K visual tribute to Yellowstone National Park. We captured this footage during our visit in September 2017. This virtual tour highlights many of the park's iconic locations and is the next best thing to heading out on a classic Yellowstone wildlife safari.

We invite you to sit back, relax, and enjoy the sights and sounds of Yellowstone National Park in breathtaking Ultra HD. Remember to tread lightly and Leave No Trace when visiting our National Parks and other Wild Spaces.

​What's your favorite part of visiting Yellowstone? Share in the comments below and make sure to check out the many travel resources available here on www.athomeinwildspaces.com.
More Blog Posts
Video Guides
Store
0 Comments

Half Dome: The Ultimate Hiking Guide

3/14/2018

2 Comments

 
The ultimate guide to hiking Half Dome in Yosemite National Park. Including crucial information, helpful tips and the best videos of the trail to be found anywhere.
Picture
Ascending the Half Dome Cables.

Yosemite National Park is home to some of North America’s best-known and iconic trails, and the trek to the summit of Half Dome is easily the park’s most famous, and consistently named as one of the best hikes in the world. In the words of National Geographic “[it’s] the hike you’ll talk about as all others fade into pleasant memories.”

For those who have made it to the summit, there’s no denying the appeal of this one of a kind mountain experience. Whether you’ve climbed this Yosemite icon before or are looking to cross the experience off your adventure bucket-list, here’s everything you need to know before hiking Half Dome.
​

Preparation

“One does not simply [hike Half Dome]”. Due to the trail’s difficulty and popularity, successfully reaching the summit requires more planning and foresight than just throwing some snacks into a backpack and lacing up your hiking boots.

Red Tape

Crowd pressures, coupled with trail limitations and the Park Service’s charge to preserve and protect Yosemite as well as maintain access for the public has given rise to a sometimes controversial permit system.

Without a permit, you will not be permitted past the base of the subdome where park rangers check permits and IDs. Ascending the subdome and cables without a valid permit can result in a fine of $5000 and even jail time.

In short: Item #1 on your to do-list is to apply for a permit (day and overnight options available).
​
How to apply for a permit:

During the peak season (generally between May 25th and Oct 9th), “a maximum of 300 hikers per day are allowed” access to the subdome, cables and summit. These permits are split between day hikers (225) and backpackers (75).

Plan ahead and decide if you’d like a day permit or an overnight wilderness permit. To improve your chances, avoid weekends and holidays if at all possible; and if your schedule allows, apply for a range of days rather than a single day. If your schedule is flexible you’ll improve your chances. For a breakdown of days with more favorable odds, click here.

Day hike permits (lottery only)

To apply for the day hike permit lottery go to recreation.gov between March 1st and March 31st, submit your application for a maximum number of six day-hiking permits and pay the $10 non-refundable application fee.

Only one application per person is allowed, “additional applications will be voided without refund”. The results of the day hike permit lottery will be available on or around April 12th. Awarded permits must be paid for in full by 11:59pm Eastern Time on April 25th or they will be canceled.

Backup: Depending on the number of remaining or canceled permits, around fifty day-hike permits will be distributed via a daily lottery during peak season. If you draw a zero from the March pre-season lottery, you may apply for the daily lottery at the Yosemite Valley Wilderness office near the Ansel Adams Gallery.

(Important) Daily lottery applications must be submitted two days before you’re intended hike date. Hiking to summit during the offseason is allowed without a permit. If attempting a pre or post season ascent, be advised that the cables will be “down”, meaning the steel posts have been removed. This makes the ascent more difficult. Addition climbing gear is recommended.
Picture
Photo taken from the Vernal Fall View footbridge.


Wilderness or Backpacking Permit Reservations (lottery/first come)

Applications for Half Dome backpacking/wilderness permits are accepted beginning 24 weeks (168 days) before your intended start date up until 48 hours before your intended start date. Consideration of your application will begin the day after being submitted. Again permits will be awarded via a lottery system so the exact time of day when you submit your application is unimportant.

As with the day hike permit lottery, multiple applications for the same party and day will be discarded. The backpacking/wilderness application process is free but a $5 confirmation charge is required if your application is approved.

Applications for Half Dome backpacking/wilderness permits can be submitted by fax (best option), phone or mail. For applications and further instructions click here.

If awarded a backpacking permit, you must pick up your permit at the wilderness office before 10am the day of your trip. Should you be unable to make it to the wilderness office by 10am the day of your trip you may call the wilderness office at (209) 372-0308 and request they hold your permit for late arrival.

Finally, if you missed your application window or were passed over for day-hike or backpacking permit lotteries, you may apply for a wilderness backpacking permit on a first come, first served basis at the Yosemite Valley Wilderness Office one day prior to the beginning of your backpacking trip. Applications are accepted beginning at 11am, but it’s not uncommon for hopeful hikers to begin lining up early in the morning in order to guarantee their permits.

The number of first come, first served wilderness permits varies depending on cancelations. The earlier you arrive the better your chances.

(Important) If you obtain a wilderness or backpacking permit for Half Dome, YOU MUST camp in the Little Yosemite Valley backpackers campground. Camping elsewhere within the Half Dome area is strictly prohibited.
​

Difficulty

The level of difficulty will vary from person to person and depend upon both fitness and hiking experience. That being said, even veteran hikers can find themselves in distress when ascending as well as descending. Do not underestimate this trail.

At 14 or more miles round trip, and up to 4800 ft of ascent, Half Dome is considered the most strenuous day hike in the Yosemite Valley area. You should not attempt if you have not prepared physically or do not have adequate gear.

Mere mortals will require 10 or more hours to complete the shortest route (Yosemite Valley via The Mist Trail). Begin your hike early in the morning (possibly before sunrise) and plan on finishing in the evening if you attempting to complete the whole trail in one day. A flashlight and/or headlamp should without question be included with your gear.
Above video shot in June 2017 after record snowfall. You've never seen a Mist Trail video like this.

Safety

The trail to the summit of Half Dome has frequently been called one of the best hikes in North America, but having claimed more than 60 lives in the past 50 years, it is also one of the deadliest.

While the permit system, implemented in 2010, has reduced crowds on the subdome and cables by 66% there has been no corresponding drop in injuries and deaths. The potential perils associated with attempting to summit Half Dome should not be taken for granted.

Here’s what you need to know to stay safe.

Water Hazards are perhaps Yosemite’s leading killers, second only to car accidents. The jaw-dropping waterfalls that punctuate Yosemite’s dream-like landscape can pose a great danger to the inattentive or foolhardy. The Mist Trail alone keeps Yosemite Search and Rescue busy, responding to an average of 100 incidents a year.

Wear good shoes, preferably hiking boots with good traction and ankle support, and exercise extreme caution near rivers and waterfalls, especially during spring and summer runoff.

Just days before our trip a local jogger slipped and fell along a portion of The Mist Trail and disappeared into the raging torrent beneath. A week later The Park Service was still looking for his body. Lives are lost every year because hikers fail to take the proper safety measures or become complacent near Yosemite’s rivers and waterfalls.

(Note) Highly oxygenated whitewater decreases buoyancy and makes swimming impossible.

Weather: During our mid-June visit in 2017, daytime temperatures reached 93 Degrees Fahrenheit. Travel when possible in the morning or evening hours to beat the heat during the hot summer months. That being said, due to the time needed to complete this trail (10+ hours) plan on hiking in hot conditions in the summer. Water features can offer some relief from the heat, but as mentioned above they can also be quite dangerous. Use good judgment and err on the side of caution.

Adults should drink one gallon (4 liters) of water when hiking Half Dome. The last reliable filterable water is located along the Merced River in Little Yosemite Valley near the backpackers' campground. Do not proceed past this point without enough water for everyone in your party.

Switching now from hot to cold, early mornings along The Mist Trail can be extremely frigid. Even on warm days The Mist Trails ice-cold namesake is impossible to avoid during peak runoff. Bring a jacket and waterproof layer or take the detour along the John Muir Trail to keep dry.

If you feel your core temperature drop and you can’t warm up in the sun, keep moving. Without external warmth, you’ll need to generate your own. As always, your best option is to be prepared.

Finally (as far as weather is concerned), remain aware of potential storm systems – especially when near the subdome, cables or summit.
Lightning has claimed the lives of numerous individuals and injured many others on Half Dome’s subdome and summit. If stormy conditions are likely, turn back and get to lower elevations quickly. If you see dark clouds or hear thunder, do not take shelter on the summit or the subdome. Start your descent immediately and get to a lower elevation as quickly and safely as possible.

Should you find yourself in a dangerous situation, stay calm but move deliberately while remaining aware of changing conditions and potential dangers such as rainfall, which can make granite extremely slippery and result in traffic jams and hazards on the cables and elsewhere along the trail.
Guaranteed to be the best video you've ever seen of the Half Dome Cables. Enjoy!

Drop-offs: The trail to the summit of Half Dome brings you into close proximity to some breathtaking drops. If you are extremely averse to heights, you may want to reconsider attempting to summit Half Dome. Exercise caution near ledges or cliffs. Falls from these dizzying heights are nearly always fatal.

For your safety, stay on the trail and help prevent erosion, as well as trail and vegetation damage.

​

Wildlife

Black Bears: Bears are the animal most people think of when it comes to wildlife safety and with good reason. Yosemite National Park has made great strides over the past decades to counter years of poor bear policy and practices. That being said bears represent minimal risk to responsible hikers. Stay aware of your surroundings, store your food properly and hike in groups.

If you encounter a bear, do not let it obtain human food and DO NOT RUN. Stand your ground, make noise and group together until the bear leaves. In the extremely unlikely event that a bear does attack, fight back and stay on your feet. Do not play dead. Playing dead is the last resort if attacked by a grizzly bear. Grizzly bears were driven to extinction in California nearly 100 years ago when the last know California Grizzly was shot outside the park in the 1920s.

Any bear encounters should be reported to park rangers.

(Important note on bear deterrents) Bear spray is not permitted in Yosemite National Park. Firearms are permitted as long as the carrier complies with all federal, state and local laws. “Discharging a firearm for any reason is illegal” within the National Park.
Picture
One of three rattlesnakes we encountered near Little Yosemite Valley during our hike up Half Dome in 2017.

Rattlesnakes: Yosemite National Park is home to the Northern Pacific Rattlesnake. Although unlikely, it is quite possible to encounter one of these venomous snakes along the trail. If you do encounter a rattlesnake, give it plenty of space. Snakes only strike if they feel threatened. Given space and time, they will move out of the way. Inform any nearby hikers if you spot a rattlesnake near the trail.

If you or someone in your party does receive a bite, remain calm. Here’s what to do— and not do:

-Call 911 inform the dispatcher of the injury and your location.
-Remove any rings, watches or tight clothing near the bite site as swelling will occur.
-Gently wash bite and mark with a pen or marker if available and note the time.
-Limit motion. Either wait for emergency personnel or carry bite recipient down trail.
-If you are by yourself and/or unable to contact emergency personnel, continue at a steady pace to the trailhead.

-Do not try to catch the snake.
-Do not cut or suck on the bite site.
-Do not wrap with a bandage or tourniquet.

What’s important is reaching medical help as soon as possible.

(Note) Roughly 25% of rattlesnake bites are "dry bites", meaning no venom is injected. Symptoms of envenomation include pain, burning, nausea, muscle twitches, swelling, and damaged tissue. Even if you don't immediately experience these symptoms you should still seek medical attention.



Squirrels, marmots, chipmunks, etc: As strange as it may sound, of all the animals in Yosemite, the creatures most likely to do harm to people are generally seen as the least threatening. Squirrels, chipmunks and other rodents inflict the park’s most recurrent injuries, mostly in the form of bites. But they have also on occasion transmitted diseases such as the plague.

It should go without saying, but do not feed, approach or harm any animal within the park. Beyond placing yourself and the animal in danger, you can also be slapped with a hefty fine. When it comes to wildlife, admire them from a distance.

Safety is ultimately about situational awareness and appropriate preparation. Hike responsibly and stay safe.
​
Picture
View of Half Dome from Glacier Point. Yosemite Valley to the left. Vernal and Nevada Falls (path of The Mist Trail) visible to the right.

Routes and Trailheads

Yosemite Valley - Happy Isles Trailhead (Videos)

This is by far the most popular route for day hikers and backpackers. Beginning with The Mist Trail, the path follows the Merced River as it tumbles over Vernal and Nevada Falls. This route can also include a detour along a portion of the John Muir Trail, which bypasses the wetter portions of The Mist Trail.

The trailhead is located near the Happy Isles shuttle stop in Yosemite Valley. The JMT and Mist Trail converge again above Vernal Fall then follow the Merced to the top of Nevada Fall before passing through Little Yosemite Valley toward the backside of Half Dome.

Distance: 14.5 miles round trip for day hikers, 16 miles for backpackers staying in Little Yosemite Valley.

Elevation gain: 4800 feet


The Panorama Trail - Glacier Point

Beginning at Glacier Point and following The Panorama Trail, this route swaps out the Mist Trail’s waterfalls for vast panoramas of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, and the Sierra backcountry. The trail descends roughly 1400 feet to the top of Nevada Fall where it meets up with the Yosemite Valley route.

(Note) As an alternative to an out and back hike, you can opt to exit via the Mist Trail. While somewhat more logistically complicated (due to transportation necessities) this approach offers the best of both worlds.

Distance: 20 miles round trip

Elevation gain: 3000 feet



Tenaya Lake – Sunrise Lakes Trailhead

Beginning at Sunrise trailhead just west of Lake Tenaya, this is the most demanding trail of all. This trail’s appeal lies in the challenge and taking in some of the very best views of Yosemite Valley and the high country, including a 360-degree panorama from atop Clouds Rest (The triangular peak immediately behind Half Dome when viewed from Glacier Point). Upon summiting Clouds Rest you’ll descend west toward Little Yosemite Valley.

Though technically possible (if you’re a demigod), summiting both Clouds Rest and Half Dome in one day is not advisable. If you plan to take this route, make sure to acquire a Half Dome backpacking/wilderness permit so you can camp for a night in Yosemite Valley and ascend Half Dome after a night’s rest.

Distance: 23 miles +

Elevation Gain: 4800 feet

(Suggestion) It will take some additional effort, but if you are interested in an overnight trip, consider mixing and matching trails. Example: Enter at Glacier Point and exit at Tenaya Lake.
Picture
Looking East from the summit of Half Dome toward the High Sierras and Yosemite's high country.

The Cables

Until 1875 when George G. Anderson became the first known climber to reach the summit, Half Dome was believed to be “perfectly inaccessible”. — No more.

Though the cables arguably remain the trail’s most technical and challenging section and should not be taken lightly. Ascending the final 400 vertical feet at a 50-degree angle along the cables is a full body workout and an experience like few others. Make sure to savor
the experience, but don’t become complacent in the process.

Given the limited space on the cables and the fact that worn granite and perilous drop-offs are constant companions, it is essential to remain courteous, patient and cautious. Avoid pulling the cables away from the mountain as the steel posts propping them up are not anchored to the mountainside.

Gloves are a must, just make sure to bring your own; your hands will thank you. There are gloves generally piled at the base of the cables, but they’re unappealing or unreliable at best. Since they spend a great deal of time in the elements they can be wet, frosted, or contain mildew and/or mold. Lovely, right?

Beyond the above-mentioned issues, you are likely to have trouble locating a properly fitted or even available pair if you reach the cables at about the same time or shortly after lots of other hikers. Do yourself a favor and bring your own well-fitted gloves with good grip. After descending the cables­ take your gloves with you. Do not leave them at the base of the cables.

Give serious consideration to using is a safety line. Safety lines aren’t required but being able to anchor yourself to the cables when climbing will offer some peace of mind and a contingency plan should the worst happen. You don't need anything fancy. A bowline knot around your waist, coupled with an overhand knot on a bite combined with one or two climbing grade carabineers are all that’s needed (seen in videos).


Picture
Panorama from Summit of Half. North Dome to the left, Clouds rest left-center and Little Yosemite Valley to the right.

Other Important Information

Bathrooms and Water (Yosemite Valley Route):

Happy Isle Trailhead (flush toilets, tap water, and plumbing)
Vernal Fall Footbridge (pit toilet, last available tap water, and plumbing)
Emerald Pool Just above Vernal Fall (pit toilet)
Above Nevada Fall (pit toilet)
Little Yosemite Valley Backpackers Camp (composting toilets)

Bathrooms also available at Glacier Point (Panorama Trail) and Tenaya Lake (Sunrise Trail).

If you are unable to reach one of these toilets before (cough)— zero hour, “deposit solid human waste in catholes dug six inches deep at least 100 feet from water, camp, and trails”, and “cover and disguise the cathole when finished. Pack out all toilet paper (even used), garbage and hygiene products.

Why?

As stated above: This is an extremely popular trail in one of the world’s most popular parks. Thousands of people from all over the world use these routes every day and any waste or garbage, if not disposed of properly will quickly accumulate and degrade the experience and the landscape for others. Be responsible and preserve the landscape and experience for others.

Souvenirs

“Take only pictures, leave only footprints.” More than a catchy saying, it’s the law. Removing anything besides lawfully obtained souvenirs from a gift shop, whether rock, plant, animal, artifact, etc… is illegal and carries hefty fines and even jail time.

With the exception of garbage, leave everything exactly as you found it.


​

Final Suggestion

Obtaining any permit for Half Dome is a sweet, sweet deal. However, in our opinion — You simply can't do better than a wilderness permit.

Too often people treat hiking like a trip through a fast food drive-through. In and out and on their way. Yosemite's backcountry is a banquet for the spirit and the senses — Don't rush it any more than you have to— Savor it.



There you have it! You should have all the essential information you need to successfully reach the summit of Half Dome.

Did we miss anything? Make sure to come back and share your experience in the comments below along with any tips on how to prepare for Half Dome.


Want more?
​
More Articles
Wild Spaces Store
Video Guides
2 Comments

Hiking to Delicate Arch

4/25/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
​Arches National Park is easily dwarfed by most U.S. national parks, but it's quickly becoming one of the most popular in the park system. The chief attractions here are the park's puzzling, even gravity defying sandstone arches, numbering more than 2000, making Arches National Park is the greatest concentration of stone arches to be found anywhere in the world.
 
And of all these arches: one is more recognizable than the others – named for its precarious stature, Delicate Arch has become the unofficial symbol of the state of Utah. Originally called Cowboy Chaps Arch, the parks most famous formation was not  included in the original 1929 monument. It would take nine more years before then Arches National Monument, would be expanded to include what has become its most famous feature.
 
But why has Delicate Arch garnered so much attention? It’s far from the park’s largest Arch, and it’s definitely not the park’s most accessible landmark. 

​There’s perhaps more than one correct answer, but if you’ve ever hiked the 3-mile trail to Delicate Arch then you know there is something incredibly unique about not just the arch, but the setting as well.
Reaching Delicate Arch is almost like walking into a theater mid-play to find the star player on center stage performing for a captive audience.

​The arch itself sits on the edge of a breathtaking natural amphitheater, which seems too perfect and picturesque a setting to be a mere accident of Nature.  


​
Picture
It's easy to imagine Mother Nature put a little extra effort into creating this masterpiece. ​Combined with the sprawling red rock deserts, forested foothills and 12,000 foot+ La Sal Mountains of the greater Moab landscape, the view of Delicate Arch is as wondrous a sight as any we’ve encountered.
 
It really has to be seen to be believed. Pictures, no matter how stunning, will simply never do the experience justice. If you want to truly understand why Delicate Arch has become one of the world most recognizable wonders, you'll have to see it for yourself. So here’s what you need to know before hiking to Delicate Arch:
​
​Plan Ahead
Arches National Park is über popular these days, some might even say too popular. Crowds have become a mainstay of a visit to Delicate Arch, but there is still much you can do to avoid the huddled masses at Delicate Arch.
 
First, avoid holidays, free days and weekends if possible. A free day may sound like a bargain, but believe me, your much better off planning a visit during the off-season or on a weekday and paying the full $25 entrance fee. Arches National Park is even contemplating offering an off-season discount in order to alleviate the pressure of the summer crowds. If you are able, plan to visit when others can’t. The extra effort will be well worth your time.
 
Safety
The hike to Delicate Arch is far from dangerous, except for when people get careless. Summer temperatures in Arches frequently exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure you have adequate water and sun protection.
 
Ensure you and those in your party are fit enough for this short, albeit moderately challenging hike. From the Delicate Arch trailhead you’ll gain more than 600 feet without a break until shortly before reaching the arch. In high temperatures, 600 feet can feel like a lot more. Make sure to pace yourself.
 
Along with the elevation gain comes more than a few steep drop offs. The trail offers plenty of space to avoid any perilous cliffs, but you’ll almost certainly want to wander around and get a better view. Just mind your step, stay alert and make sure to watch any children you may be traveling with very closely.
 
Leave No Trace
Arches faces a number of challenges in the wake of its growing popularity. Vandalism, and environmental degradation are at the top of the list. Do your part to protect this unique place. Report any vandalism you witness to a park ranger, pack everything out, and never stray from official park trails, bare sandstone and dry washes.
 
Enjoy
The Hike to Delicate Arch is a treat, capped by a truly stunning view. Be courteous to others and enjoy your visit to Arches National Park.
Wild Child Store
More Posts
Video Guides
0 Comments

National Park Jack-o-lanterns

10/31/2016

1 Comment

 
Are you ready for a classic Halloween tradition with a Wild Spaces twist? Try carving Delicate Arch, Half Dome or Great Fountain Geyser into your jacko-lantern this season.
Picture
What you'll need:
-Fresh Pumkin
-Pattern (download below)
-Sharp Knife
-Exacto Knife
-Pins
-Metal Spoon (for scraping)
​-Adult Supervision
-Patience
half_dome_.jpg
File Size: 482 kb
File Type: jpg
Download File

great_fountain_geyser.jpg
File Size: 538 kb
File Type: jpg
Download File

delicate_arch_copy.jpg
File Size: 583 kb
File Type: jpg
Download File

It's essential to find a moist, fresh pumpkin. The dryer and more brittle your pumpkin the harder it will be to carve these patterns. Begin by cutting a lid in the top of your pumpkin about 4-5 inches in diameter. Then scrape the innards out of your pumpkin until the inside walls are clean.

Cut along the dotted lines on the pattern, overlap and pin sections to the pumpkin until flush against the surface of the pumpkin. Then use a poker/nail/thick needle and poke holes along every line on your pattern. The more holes you poke, the easier it will be to see the pattern on the pumpkin's surface when you remove the pattern.

Once you've finished poking along the lines, use the Exacto knife to shave the skin from the areas marked as light gray on the pattern. Once you've finished shaving all light grey areas revealing the flesh of the pumpkin, use your spoon to scrape the pumpkin's inner wall until the section with your carving is about half an inch thick.

Then using your Exacto knife cut out all areas marked as white on the pattern beginning with the smallest and ending with the largest. Once finished, light one or more candles and place them inside the pumpkin and you're finished.

If you'd like to see more National Park Jack-o-lantern patterns, then share this post. If we see strong demand for more we'll publish a book in time for Halloween 2017.

For more fun content make sure to follow us on Youtube, Facebook, Flickr and Instagram!
More Blog Posts
Wild Child Store
Wild Spaces Video Guides
1 Comment

Five National Parks - Ten Epic Trails

5/27/2016

2 Comments

 

Ten Epic Hikes

Picture
This year the National Park Service is celebrating its centennial. For 100 years the Park Service has been educating visitors on the history and natural treasures preserved by our national parks and inspiring each of us to both enjoy and protect these special places.

With Memorial Day weekend upon us, and many of us either visiting or making plans to visit one of our many amazing national parks - the team from At Home in Wild Spaces wanted to share ten of our favorite national park trails with you and invite you to tread lightly, Leave No Trace and enjoy getting outdoors this summer!

Some of these trails are quite popular. Click here to learn more about trail etiquette and safety. Happy Memorial Day everybody!

Zion NAtional Park

The Zion Narrows

Difficulty: Easy to Strenuous
Length: 1 to 16 miles
​Trailhead: Temple of Sinawava or Chamberlain's Ranch (Permit Required)
Important Info: Contact Zion Visitor Information regarding flowrate and flash flood warnings before entering the Narrows. Wear closed toed shoes and bring a walking stick. Plan on getting wet: most of the trail is in the river. No trash or bathrooms along trail. Pack everything out with you. Be courteous of others this is a very popular trail. For more information click here.

Angels Landing

Difficulty: Strenuous 
Length: 5.4 miles
Trailhead: Grotto Picnic Area
Important Info: Steep cliffs. Not appropriate for children. Hot during summer months pack water and sun protection. Be courteous of others on the trail. Outhouse at Scout lookout. For more information click here.

Olypmic National Park

Hoh Rainforst River Trail

Difficulty: Easy to Strenuous
Length: Up to 33 miles
Trailhead: Hoh Rainforest Visitor Center
​Important Info: Rain likely most of the year (hence the title rainforest). Trail can be slick and muddy. Stay on trail and clear of steep river banks and drop offs. Check forecast before venturing out and plan accordingly. For more information click here.

Sol Duc FAlls

Difficulty: Easy
Length: 1.6 miles
Trailhead: Near Sol Duc Hot Springs (look for sign)
Important Info: Rain likely most of the year. Trail can be slick and muddy. Stay on trail and clear of steep river banks and drop offs. Check forecast before venturing out and plan accordingly. For more information click here.

Bryce Canyon National Park

Queen's Garden/Navajo trail loop

Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 3 miles
Trailhead: Sunrise or Sunset Points
Important Info: Sun exposure and hot temperatures in summer. Bring plenty of water and sun protection. Be courteous of others on trail, stay away from cliffs and drop offs. No bathrooms or water available on trail. For more information click here.

Thunder Mountain

Difficulty: Strenuous
Length: 7 to 14 miles
Trailhead: Red Canyon Visitor Center or Coyote Hollow Parking
Important Info: NOT WITHIN BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK. Mountain biking is prohibited inside the National Park. The Thunder Mountain trail is located a few miles west of the park entrance along highway 12. 14 mile loop includes Red Canyon bike path. 7 mile requires shuttle arrangements. Hot in summer, no water or bathrooms on trail. Bring plenty of water and sun protection. Know your limits. For more info click here.

Yellowstone National Park

Uncle Tom's Trail

Difficulty: Moderate
Length: Less than 1 mile
Trailhead: Artist Point Parking Area
Important Info: Trail includes switchbacks on steep slopes and more than 300 steel stairs. Stay on trail, and make sure you are up for the climb back up from the bottom. Yellowstone is prime bear country. Click here for important information on bear safety click here. Be courteous of others on the trail. Bathrooms available in parking area. For more information click here.

Mystic falls

Difficulty: Easy
Length: 2.4 miles
​Trailhead: Biscuit Basin (West side of boardwalk)
Important Info: Seasonal closures. Opens late May. This is bear country. For important information on safety while hiking in bear country click here. Stay on trail. Bathrooms available in parking area. For more information click here.

Arches National Park

Devil's Garden (Main Trail)

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Length: Up to 7.2 miles (Main and Primitive Trails combined)
Trailhead: Devils Garden Parking Area
Important Info: Can be very hot in summer. Pack plenty of water and sun protection. Stay on trail. The soil in much of the American Southwest and in Arches in particular is very delicate. Do not stray from established trails, dry washes or bare rock. Climbing or walking on/over arches is prohibited. Be courteous of others. For more information click here.

Devils Garden (Primitive Trail)

Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
Length: Up to 7.2 miles
Trailhead: Devil's Garden Parking Area
Important info: Exposure and high temperatures in summer. Pack enough water (one liter per hour) and adequate sun protection. Be courteous of others on the trail. The "primitive" section of Devils Garden requires more clamoring over obstacles than the "main" trail. Know your limits and be safe. Do not stray from official trails, dry washes or bare rock. The soil in Arches National Park is uniquely delicate.  Climbing or walking on/over arches is prohibited. For more information click here.

Wild Child Store
More Blog Posts
Video Guides
2 Comments

Devil's Garden - Primitive Trail (The Path Less Traveled)

1/27/2016

1 Comment

 
There's a poem that I have grown fond of over the years which (with a little interpretive license), goes like this:

Two paths diverge in a rugged stone wilderness... and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.


Taking the path less traveled may be one of the best outdoor tips anyone can give you. Especially given the modern, sometimes raucous nature of 
some of the more popular trails. That's not to suggest that you should strike trails like Angels Landing and Half Dome from your bucket list. But often times there are amazing hikes that don't get nearly as much publicity as the paths [more] traveled. Making time for the path less traveled can as the poem claims, "make all the difference". 

Take the Devil's Garden primitive trail in Arches National Park for example. This some what more challenging trail is not as popular as the hike to Delicate Arch or "Main" Devil's Garden trail, but it's perhaps one of the best hiking experiences within the park. The primitive trail offers a number of lesser known arches, a better opportunity for solitude, and an incredible sandstone playground that most visitors will never see.

What's particularly nice about the "primitive" trail is that it can easily be combined with the more popular "main" trail and include a visit to Landscape Arch, considered the largest natural arch in the world, as well as other popular arches, while still enjoying a unique and less trammeled section of Devil's Garden. Together there are more than seven miles of trails through the world class sandstone wilderness called Devil's Garden.

A few things to know before you go

1. The primitive trail is considered "strenuous" by the national park service, and includes a number of obstacles which require sure footing a bit of climbing, and occasionally wading through water.

2. The [time] less traveled may be even more important than taking the path less traveled. If possible, align your visit with the off season or weekdays. Avoid holidays as well as spring and fall breaks. Arches in particular can become very crowded. If these times are not compatible with your schedule, then try hiking early. The big crowds won't be up until later.
3. The landscape in Arches National Park is as fragile as it is unique. Straying from official trails, dry washes or sandstone is prohibited within Arches National Park. If that sounds restrictive, don't worry, there are dry washes and sandstone a plenty in Arches, creating a maze of potential paths you may need years to fully explore-- even when abiding by a few restrictions. Just be safe!

4. Bring enough water. There is no reliable, purified source of water on the trail. Adults should drink 3-4 liters a day when hiking in Arches.

5. Climbing, walking or standing on ANY arch with an opening of three or more feet, or other "prominent feature" within Arches National park is prohibited.

6. Leave absolutely no trace-- Take only pictures. Arches is one of the most vandalized parks in North America. Do not scratch, write on or in any way mar Arches' unique landscape. It is also prohibited to remove ANYTHING-- whether rock, mineral, plant, animal or historical feature from the park. Please remind any one who is unaware of or disregarding these regulations to leave the landscape unaltered. If you witness someone vandalizing any part of the park, please report it to park rangers.

Finally, have fun exploring Arches National Park! And consider "taking the path less traveled".
Picture

"climbing, scrambling, walking or standing upon, or rappelling off any arch with an opening greater than three feet is prohibited in the park." - National Park Service.

For more from At Home in Wild Spaces click below!

more blog posts
Store
Video Guides
1 Comment

Mystic Falls - One of Yellowstone's many Little Treasures

11/25/2015

0 Comments

 
Before Yellowstone was Yellowstone, it was called Wonderland. The stories of steaming earth, filled with strange spouting wells and painted pools sounded so fantastical to many 19th century americans that it reminded them of a popular novel of the time, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

Just like Alice and her travels in Wonderland many visitors may ask themselves, "Which path should I take?". "Well that all depends on where you want to go". There are paths a plenty in Yellowstone with countless little treasures to discover along the way.

Take Mystic Falls for example. This beautiful cascade is only a short introductory hike into Yellowstone's back-country. Watch the video for more information. It's a perfect hike for just about any skill level, and a gateway to even more wonders. Just remember Yellowstone is bear country. Be prepared. Know how to handle bear encounters, make noise when hiking. Travel in groups and carry bear spray in a very accessible location.

Make sure to stay tuned to At Home in Wild Spaces for more featured locations and travel tips, including bear safety. And check out the rest of our website. There's tons here for any lover of Wild Spaces.
Wild Child Store
Video Guides
Free Wallpapers
0 Comments

When Life Gives you Lemons - Go Hiking

11/12/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Have you ever noticed that hospitals and healthcare facilities seem to all be decorated with photos and paintings of mountains, forests, canyons and so on?

Well it turns out that it's more than just a coincidence. Natures ability to heal and rejuvenate our tired bodies and minds has been well documented over the years.

It's actually become general practice for healthcare facilities
to decorate their walls and patient's rooms with photographs and paintings of natural scenes in order to facilitate healing. But what of the rest of us who aren't currently recovering in a hospital? Are we in need of healing? -- Of course we are.

Depression and anxiety are unfortunately on the rise in our modern world. Some have contributed this development to the growing urbanization of our society. More than half of the world's population now lives in cities, and many of us are slowly becoming more and more isolated from the healing power of nature. 

We've all heard the saying "When Life Gives You Lemons - Make Lemonade". Well, the answer of how to make the lemons of modern life into "healing lemonade" may be as simple as going on a hike, and allow our local, county, State or National nature parks to do what they do best and heal our weary modern bodies and minds -- Even in the colder months.

Just make sure to wear a jacket and start small. And check out our NEWLY LISTED, "When life gives you Lemons..." T-shirts by clicking the link below!
When Life Gives Lemons T-Shirts
References:
http://news.stanford.edu/news/2015/june/hiking-mental-health-063015.html
​http://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2014/09/14/nature-scenes-can-promote-hospital-patient-healing/15646201/
0 Comments

Back from the Brink

11/6/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
In 1985 only 9 California Condors remained in the wild. The last of which was captured on April 19, 1987 and entered into a captive breeding program with all that remained of the world's California Condors.

From twenty-two Individuals, a desperate last minute effort began to save one of the world's largest flying birds from total extinction, but it's been a difficult road. Condors only begin breeding when six years old, and each breeding pair will lay only a single egg every 1-2 years. Making recovery a very slow process.

In January 1992 the first captive bred condor was released in to the wild, and in 2003 the first wild born condor since 1982 left it's nest deep in the heart of the Grand Canyon. Today there are somewhere around 500 condors in North america, half of which live in the wild. Each and every one a descendent of the twenty-two birds captured in the 1980s.

​
But it's not all good news. Mortality rates among wild condors remain extremely high for many of the same reasons which led to their near extinction in the 20th century. Loss of habitat, diminished food sources, lead poisoning, trash ingestion and poaching continue to frustrate condor restoration efforts.

They remain one of the rarest animals in the world. So rare, that they are one of relatively few species where each and every individual is numbered, and tagged.

Against the odds condors have come back from the brink of extinction, but they are far from in the clear. Condors are still hugely dependent on captive breeding programs and continuing conservation efforts. But there is hope that with greater awareness and continuing efforts to preserve and restore these birds to what is left of their historic range, that condors may once again soar through our skies on their 10ft wings.

Condors remind us that it is possible to bring a species back from the brink. But it requires continual effort and dedication. We've been fortunate to see four wild condors in our Wild Spaces travels, and each time it has been a huge thrill.

​Check out the stunning footage we shot of these massive birds in Zion and Grand Canyon National Parks. And make sure to check out our store for our new Condor T-Shirts!
Condor T-shirts
References:
http://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/nature/condor-re-introduction.htm
http://www.fws.gov/uploadedFiles/Region_8/NWRS/Zone_1/Hopper_Mountain_Complex/Hopper_Mountain/Sections/News/News_Items/PDFs/_California%20Condor%20Five%20Year%20Review_2013%20Final%20Published.pdf
​http://www.defenders.org/california-condor/basic-facts
0 Comments
<<Previous

    Wild Spaces
    Travel Blog 

    Everything from featured destinations and activities, insider info and traveling tips as well as current events. 

    Follow for more great content and start getting the most out of your Wild Spaces Adventures.

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    September 2019
    August 2019
    May 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    May 2017
    April 2017
    October 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    May 2015

    Categories

    All
    A Little Perspective
    Arches National Park
    Bears Ears
    Bryce Canyon National Park
    Conservation
    Fact Checking
    Fall
    Featured Destination
    Grand Canyon
    Grand Staircase Escalante
    Grand Staircase-Escalante
    Halloween
    Hiking
    Hiking Guide
    Jacko-lantern Patterns
    Lists
    Mt. Rainier
    Must See
    National Parks
    Olympic National Park
    Spring Time
    Trails
    Utah
    What Is Wilderness
    Yellowstone
    Yosemite
    Zion National Park

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Videography Services
  • Wild Spaces Store
  • News & Travel Blog
  • Video Guides
  • About Us
  • Contact