Kenai Fjords National Park

This week we’ll explore a wonder off of the mainland United States, up North in Alaska. Alaska is known for its unique and epic natural scenery, and for good reason. The focus of this post, Kenai Fjords National Park, is one of those many places. Between the glaciers, lush evergreens, rich blue water, breaching whales and orcas, and the scraggly sea stacks, it can be hard to believe this place is even real. It seems like it should be part of some magical land in a made-up world. But lucky for us, it is real and ripe for adventure!

One of the most incredible things about this park is the ability to spot wildlife. This is one of the less frequently visited parks, so wildlife still stays relatively close to where tourists are. While this can result in fascinating sights, it also adds an extra layer of importance to being prepared and knowing how to stay safe around wildlife. Some potential wildlife sightings are brown and black bears, coyotes, beavers, otters, lynx, moose, porcupine, porpises, orcas, various whales, and my personal favorite, the mountain goat (pictured below). One of the best places to spot wildlife is Blying Sound, also known as Ressurection Bay. A cruise tour is probably the easiest and most efficient way to visit the Bay, but for those who would like a more immerse experience, kayaking tours are also available.

Because of the steep and rugged terrain, as well as the dangers of falling ice, there are limited hiking opportunities. Most trails are only about one to two miles in length and located in the Exit Glacier Area. If you’re looking for a longer treck, there’s the epic Haridng Icefield Trail. This out and back hike is 8.2 miles and extremely taking, therefore it should not be attempted by beginner hikers. Approximately three and a half thousand feet in elevation are gained, there is snow on parts of the trail almost all year round, and risk of avalanches and storms. It takes about six to eight hours to complete. Unfortunatly there is no in between these shorter hikes and the strenous Harding Trail, however, portions of the trail can be hiked instead of the entire thing.

Besides hiking and wildlife spotting, Kenai Fjords still has plenty to offer. Fishing, ice climbing, and flight tours are all possibilities. If you’re interested in learning more about what the park has to offer, be sure to check out this link!

 

Images and References:

https://www.nps.gov/kefj/learn/nature/animals.htm#:~:text=The%20following%20land%20mammals%20can,%2C%20vole%20(4%20species)%2C

https://intermountainhealthcare.org/blogs/topics/live-well/2019/05/safety-tips-for-unexpected-wildlife-encounters/

https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/alaska/kenai-fjords-national-park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Great Smoky Mountains is another one of the few natural beauties of the eastern half of the country that has been preserved in the form of a National Park. Known for its epic sunsets (pictured above) and fog-filled canyons that look like smoke, hence its name, this park will impress any who makes the journey to Tennessee to visit. In fact, so many people find it worth the hike (haha, get it?) that it is consistently in the top three most visited National Parks in the country.

Something special about this park is that it is widely considered to be one of the best National Parks to camp in. Backpackers can hike several miles into the backcountry to enjoy some quiet time in the wilderness, however, this requires a permit. There are also many campgrounds close to parking areas that have bathrooms and grills for those who are looking for more of a leisurely cookout-type camping experience. Camping can be a great way to interact with nature, however, staying overnight makes it much easier to leave an impact on the area, so its important to remeber, whether you’re twenty miles from the nearest building or fifteen feet from your car, to leave no trace.

Cosby Campground in Great Smoky Mountains NP.

In addition to camping, Great Smoky Mtns., like most National Parks, has excellent hiking.

Images and references:

https://www.tripsavvy.com/great-smoky-mountains-national-park-complete-guide-5188767

https://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Cuyahoga Valley, located in northeastern Ohio, is one of the few national parks on the east side of the country. Its close proximity to Pennsylvania makes it the most accessible NP for me, at only a two hour drive from my house, but surprisingly enough, I’ve never been! With spring break coming up in the next couple weeks, I’m hoping to spend some of my down time taking a day trip, or maybe even an overnight trip there. Whenever I get around to visiting, here is what I look forward to doing the most!

Cuyahoga Valley has plenty of hiking, and since that is my favorite outdoor activity, its what I’ll likely spend most of my time doing. One trail that seems particularly interesting, perhaps even enchanting, is the Ledges trail. It’s only a 2.3 mile loop, but it’s a beautiful winnding path through thick forest and tall, moss-covered rock structures. Along the trail there is a small cave, along with plenty of other small pathways nestled between the towering rocks that you can explore. It’s the perfect combination of physical activity and adventure. If you want to extend the hike, you can add on the Pine Grove loop, which is connected to Ledges and will get your mileage up to about 4.1.

Ledges trail

Throuhgout the massive forests that Cuyahoga valley has to offer, there are a handful of waterfalls — with great hikes to reach them! The first on my list would be the Brandywine Falls trail, which is about 4 miles. This loop takes you straight to one of the park’s most spectacular water features: a 65 foot waterfall that rushes into a gorge (top image). Another hike leading to a waterfall is the Blue Hen Falls trail. This one is only a 3 mile out and back, but it’s destination is peaceful, thin waterfall that gently glides over the edge of a rock and lands in a pond below.

Blue Hen Falls

Unfortunately, both these trails can be quite crowded, so if you’re looking for a more solitary treck, the Wetmore Outer Loop may be a better fit for you. This hike is 6.6 miles, but there is very little elevation change, so it shouldn’t be too daunting for hiking enthusiasts and those who are physically active. The hike doesn’t have any grand destination, it is just a scenic trail through the beautiful deciduous forest of Ohio that is perfect for anyone looking to spend a little time out in nature.

There is plenty more to do in Cuyahoga Valley, but hopefully this serves as a helpful guide for anyone visiting and possibly even inspires some to plan a trip!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Images and References:

https://www.thesca.org/connect/blog/student-conservation-association-and-cuyahoga-valley-national-park-partners

https://www.nps.gov/cuva/planyourvisit/things2do.htm

https://www.hikingproject.com/trail/7015789/ledges-trail

https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/ohio/cuyahoga-valley-national-park

 

Haleakalā National Park

From the time I was very little, one of my family’s favorite activities has been travelling. We’ve been to mountains, deserts, beaches, and all kinds of forests, but we’ve never been on a tropical vacation. When I realized this, I soon found myself in a deep internet dive, fantasizing about what an epic tropical trip could entail. I looked at beautiful places like the Maldives, Caribbean Islands, Mexico, and Central America, but the one that struck me the most was Hawai’i, specifically because the National Parks the island is home to. The two main parks in Hawai’i are Hawai’i Volcanoes, with some of the most active volcanoes in the world, and Haleakalā. While both are fascinating and breathtaking, Haleakalā will be the focus of today’s post.

During my internet dive, I came across tons of activities in Haleakalā, and these are the ones I consider must dos:

Watching the Haleakalā summit sunrise is something that should be at the top of every Hawai’i goer’s list, even if you aren’t a morning person! From the observation deck at the top, you can see the sun slowly rise from behind the Pacific Ocean. Considering how beautiful it is in photos (see below), I’m sure it’s absolutely unforgettable in person. Luckily, the summit is accessible via road, so you won’t have to exert yourself too much first thing in the morning. However, because of the twisting roads up the mountain, the drive can take quite a while, so be sure to leave with ample time!

Another spectacular site in the park is Waimoku Falls. The trail to get to the falls is a 3.8 mile out and back through enchanting, lush, tropical forests. The falls themselves are 400 feet tall and worthy of awe. Being such a popular attracting, the hike can be quite crowded, but hit the trails early, and you’ll be sure to miss the big rush.

The final adventure all people planning a visit to the island should do is the Pools of ‘Ohe’o. These pools are very accessible, and unfortunately that means quite crowded, but gorgeous, nonetheless. Just a 0.6-mile hike will take you straight to a mini paradise. The pools are formed by waterfalls falling down hills and cliffsides, resulting in an excellent location for swimming, cliff jumping, or just relaxing.

Haleakalā Summit Sunrise

Safety is an extremely important consideration when travelling to any park, but especially one like Haleakalā that has such intense sun and heat. Sunscreen is a must for everyone. One day without protection could lead to the next few being quite painful. Hydration and food are also essential. There are not many places to get food and refill water, so it’s important than pack plenty. Remember, it’s better to overpack than be stuck in the middle of a hot, sunny park without food and water! Another crucial thing to be aware of in Haleakalā is the culture significance the park has for Hawai’i natives. While all natural spaces should be treated with the utmost respect, it is especially important here because of the history of the park and its importance to the indigenous peoples.

 

 

 

Images and References:

https://www.national-park.com/welcome-to-the-haleakala-national-park/

https://www.britannica.com/place/Kilauea

https://www.nps.gov/hale/planyourvisit/sunrise.htm

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/hawaii/maui/waimoku-falls-via-pipiwai-trail?u=i

https://www.skylinehawaii.com/blog/cultural-uses-of-haleakala

Yellowstone National Park

The world’s first national park and the poster child of the U.S. National Park Service, Yellowstone, located in Wyomming and Montana, has no shortage of fascinating features. It has every attraction a park-goer could hope for, as well as a deep — and slightly frightening — geologic history.

If you are planning a visit to Yellowstone, you should be aware of the vast crowds you’re likely to encounter, after all, it’s the second most visited U.S. National Park, with about four million annual vistors. The summer months will be swamped with crowds, and the winter months will be frigid and snowly, leaving spring and fall as the opportune time to visit in order to avoid large crowds and extreme weather. Yellowstone is a huge park, over 2.2 million acres! So unless youre planning an extended visit, it’ll be impossible to see everthing you want, but here are what I believe are the features every visitor would be remiss not to see.

Yellowstone’s Grand Prismatic Spring (pictured above) is one of the most famous sights in the park, and for good reason. It is one of the largest hot springs in the world and larger than a football field in diameter, making it the most photographed attraction in the park. Another famous feature is the geiser, Old Faithful, which erupts twenty times a day, almost like clockwork, hence why its called “Old Faithful”. The third must see is Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone (pictured below). That’s right, Arizona isn’t the only state with a really grand canyon. Though nothing alike and not even comparable in size to the famous Grand Canyon, Yellowstone’s is still quite spectacular. The best part of the canyon to see is the waterfall, which goes sweeping over a cliff, drops 109 feet, and continues raging at the bottom canyon, creating smaller falls along the way. All three of these features are easily accessable, so if they don’t satisfy your appetite for adventure, don’t worry, there’s still plenty more to do!

Not only is Yellowstone National Park an incredible sight, but it also has a fascinating geologic history. Yellowstone has a staggering geologic feature known as a supervolcano or caldera. This particular one is about 30 by 45 miles wide. As you can probably image, the effects of this volcano erupting would have devestating affects on the entire globe, which leaves many fretting an apocalypic situation, after all, ash from Yellowstone’s previous eruptions has been found all the way on the east coast. If such an event were to happen again, ash from the eruption would block sunlight for years, harming crops and significantly lowering global temperature, as well as cause painful and deadly lung infections. As terrifying as this sounds, the chance of another full eruption happening in our lifetime is quite slim. In fact, there’s a chance Yellowstone may not fully erupt ever again, and if it were to, geologists would be able to predict it a couple years in advance due to the earth swelling, leaving time for preparation. Though it can be shocking, and maybe even entertaining, to speculate what the world might look like if Yellowstone were to erupt, it poses no imminent threat.

 

 

 

 

Images and references:

https://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/west-yellowstone/wysmt/hoteldetail

https://www.nationalparks.org/connect/explore-parks/yellowstone-national-park

https://www.nps.gov/yell/index.htm

https://www.statista.com/statistics/254231/number-of-visitors-to-the-yellowstone-national-park-in-the-us/

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/news/2019/09/16/old-faithful-geyser-yellowstone-men-walk-it-now-face-charges/2344528001/

https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/nature/volcano.htm