National Parks Archives - Page 8 of 12

Moab to Missoula through Capital Reef National Park

Apr 13th 2009 — National Parks,Utah — 10:44 pm

On the way back we decided to take the scenic route, went south on 191, and then cut west on highway 95. The drive was a part of Utah I had never seen. You go across the Colorado River at the very start of Lake Powell, through the Glen Canyon Recreation Area. Then you drive a little through Capital Reef National Park. Much of the drive was characterized by tall cliffs on either side as you are following various rivers as they cut their way through the the landscape.

The scenic route was our goodbye to the Southwestern landscape as approaching Salt Lake City the red and orange cliffs are replaced by urban sprawl and the snow-covered Wasatch Mountains. Our decision not to backtrack turned what was probably a 12 hour drive to Missoula into a 16 hour one.

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Biking Canyonlands National Park

Apr 12th 2009 — Biking,Canyonlands,Utah — 10:12 pm

The last day we were back on our bikes. We drove about 60 miles south of Moab into the Needles area of Canyonlands. I was amazed at how deserted the road was. I didn’t think roads like that existed in the United States. We probably saw four or so cars total in a span of many hours.

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Hiking Arches National Park

Apr 12th 2009 — Arches — 12:15 am

Arches National Park is a pretty special place. Edward Abbey was onto something.

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More Upheaval Dome

Apr 9th 2009 — Canyonlands — 9:37 pm

Featuring pictures by guest photographer Hilary.

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Upheaval Dome Hike

Apr 8th 2009 — Canyonlands — 8:58 pm

Upheaval Dome actually has a bit of an interesting geologic story. Scientists aren’t sure if it was created by a volcano or a meteorite strike.

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Canyonlands National Park

Apr 7th 2009 — Canyonlands — 10:49 pm

Going back to Moab almost a month ago…..The second day there we headed over to Canyonlands National Park and did an 11 mile hike around this giant, exploded volcano looking feature called Upheaval Dome. The hike really ended up kicking our butts. We started around noon and didn’t get back to the car until 8 or so.

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Biking Arches National Park

Mar 27th 2009 — Arches,Biking,Utah — 6:19 pm

The ride we did the first day in Arches ended up being a splendid introduction to the area. From bike you have a wide open view of the high rocks close the road and can really get a sense of the landscape.

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Driving from Bozeman to Moab: White to Red

Mar 25th 2009 — Arches,Montana,Utah — 8:56 pm

Last week was Spring Break. I took a trip down to Moab, Utah. Jeff took me from Bozeman to Idaho Falls and Hilary picked me up on her way from Missoula. It was a sneaky maneuver that sped things up a bit.

We brought our bikes down there and enjoyed the bright blue sky and red desert sandstone.

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February Snowshoeing in Yellowstone

Feb 23rd 2009 — Yellowstone — 9:36 pm

After we left Virginia City we stopped at Norris Hot Springs, about 45 minutes west of Bozeman. The next day Hilary and I went down to Yellowstone with my roommate Ben and his girlfriend Sarah. We tromped around in the woods for a little while and then went to the Boiling River. It was a big weekend with two hot springs in two days, not too shabby.

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Yellowstone in December

Dec 9th 2008 — Yellowstone — 1:45 am

The same day as the Christmas Stroll Hil and I took a trip to Yellowstone with the Boiling River as our destination. On the way in the park we saw antelope and a whole mess of bighorn sheep climbing this hillside.

The sun came through the clouds intermittently to make for a fine day for Yellowstone in December. All these pictures were taken with a Sigma 30mm f/1.4 prime lens.

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Norris and Upper Geyser Basins

Oct 16th 2008 — Yellowstone — 11:38 pm

These are the last of the pictures of Yellowstone from last weekend. After Norris we went to Upper Geyser Basin. It was the first time I’d seen it in the snow. Certainly way less tourists trying to see Old Faithful than in the summertime. The giant parking lot was almost completely empty.

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Yellowstone Continued.

Oct 15th 2008 — Yellowstone — 9:02 am

I enjoyed the cold weather because it brought out the contrast between the temperatures inside the Earth and on its surface. Seeing the exact same things in the summer is a totally different experience.

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Yellowstone to Norris Geyser Basin

Oct 13th 2008 — Yellowstone — 8:39 pm

Saturday in Yellowstone they had closed all but the northernmost road from Mammoth to Tower due to the snow. I really wanted to check out some geothermal stuff farther south, but the prognosis for road openings Sunday looked grim.

We headed towards Upper Mammoth Terrace with the plan of going for a walk around there (this area is open year-round) and hoping that the road south would be opened up by the time we were done. (This was about 11 am)

We arrived at the parking area to see the familiar sight from Saturday of the ranger’s Jeep parked in front of the barricade across the road with a half dozen or so tourist cars parked nearby. Hilary’s plan was to go over and talk to the ranger about when they might open the road.

No sooner did I turn the engine off and get out did we hear someone in an excited tone say something about “saddling up” and see the waiting people file into their cars as the ranger proceeded to open the gates.

We headed through the gate and south on a newly plowed and sanded road through pine forests covered in a fresh blanket of snow.

It was one of those moments where everything works out and you can’t help but think the universe made it happen just for you.

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October Snow in Yellowstone

Oct 13th 2008 — Yellowstone — 11:49 am

It has been snowing in Bozeman for the last 3 days. Hilary and I took a trip down to Yellowstone for the weekend. The landscape made it seem like winter had arrived, although I’m hoping for a little more fall before it really sets it.