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. |
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. |
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:
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.
-Fresh Pumkin
-Pattern (download below)
-Sharp Knife
-Exacto Knife
-Pins
-Metal Spoon (for scraping)
-Adult Supervision
-Patience
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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.
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Ten Epic Hikes
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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)
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)
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.
| 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 |
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". | "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!
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.
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 |
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!
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/
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. |
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!
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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
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