Crater Lake National Park

So... the final park in our journey. How do you end a journey? All the anticipation, all the excitement, all the planning comes to this, the final park. It is such a fulfilling feeling, and yet leaves an empty place where the anticipation used to live. Hopefully the memories are enough to fill that space. We are pretty sure that they will be.

We are back in Oregon State! Woohoo! Crater Lake is another remnant of a volcano, Mt. Mezama. In the crater of the volcano is the lake itself. Deep, clear, cold, amazing Crater Lake, the deepest lake in the United States. And guess what... in the winter it gets SNOW! Yes! We once again drove up into the snow-capped trees as we approached the park. It just felt right to come home to the winter snows.

One fun fact about snow... it is cold. Especially when it is combined with wind. Turns out that was what we were up against as we pulled into the parking lot to explore the park. Also, there was plenty of low clouds and fog... so... we couldn't really see the lake. But we knew it was there! We tried walking off the plowed road to see if we could get closer to the lake... and almost made it 2 steps, before we realized that the snow was too really make any headway without getting completely soaked... so we decided that road exploration was for us! We took pictures and videos, and ventured into the visitors center (which was blessedly warm) before heading back to the car to make begin the final leg of our trip.

Personnel:
The rangers at the VC were very excited to help us get pictures with the entrance sign and got out maps, checked with managers, went the extra mile to make sure we got our final picture. They were super helpful and awesome.

Climate/weather:
SNOW! Turns out that when it is winter in the mountains it snows. If you are into that kind of thing you should definitely come here in the winter! If you aren't... you probably still should because it is beautiful.

Facilities/signage:

The restrooms (and indeed all the buildings that are open in winter) are heated! Which is fantastic. The restrooms at the rim had soap, water, hand dryers, no hand sanitizer, but they were heated! The entrance sign was hard to find... this is probably due to the fact that they take some of them down in winter. But we found one that was still standing strong! It was one of the tall hanging style signs, pretty normal, really. There were very few other signs in the park itself because of the snow (they take most of them down in winter) but there also aren't many places to drive so finding our way was not difficult. We didn't get past the plowed areas, so we don't know about any trail signs... but given the snow... pretty sure there aren't too many visible.

Hiking experience:
To be honest... we made it almost 2 feet off the plowed area... bring snowshoes or skis.

Driving experience:
Well... it is slippery, so drifting is fun! Also there are plenty of snow covered trees, which is always a fantastic sight. In winter there aren't too many open roads, but the roads are kept well plowed, so pretty much any vehicle with winter tires can make the trip.

Camping options:
Snow camping! None of the regular campgrounds are open in winter... but in summer you can stay at one (or both) of the two campgrounds in the park, or backcountry with a permit.

Hammockability:
Cold! But plenty of trees! Definitely feasible, but maybe not advisable in winter. Both feasible and advisable in summer!

Scenery:
Well, as you may or may not have gathered, we like snow! Also trees and mountains. We liked it here, even though the fog obscured the lake, it was still beautiful!

Nearby food:
There are several restaurants in the park as well as a small grocery store. Outside the park there aren't any places close, so bring or buy in park. (In winter there is still one small cafe open at the rim!)


Come here both in winter and summer! You will be happy you did, and you will probably want to come back as much as we do! With snowmobiles! We are hoping to take a snowmobile trip to the Crater Lake area some time this winter! We might even get to see the lake! If you do come visit, you should swing by and visit us in Bend as well, we can share Crater Lake stories.

Well, our tour of the NPs is now complete. It has been a wild and crazy ride... next stop: real life. (And by real life we mean Thanksgiving! Woohoo!) We will keep you posted for when the next adventure begins!

Redwoods National and State Parks

We have arrived in the land of the giants! Now, you may say "but you already visited giant trees in Sequoia." And that would be true. But these giants are taller, but less girthful, and just as spectacular! As we arrived in the Redwoods we noticed a peculiar phenomenon, one that we haven't experienced much on this trip... it was raining! What is this? However, we are Northwesterners, so we put on all our rain clothes, and ventured out into the downpour!

It was amazing walking through the canopy of trees, squinting up, seeing the rain falling through the foliage, and feeling dwarfed by the size and power of the forest. However, it was raining... so we didn't hike very long, because all our rain gear was not very much. And it was cold. So we explored, took pictures, videos, and mental snapshots, then headed at a leisurely trot back to the car. We continued our drive through the park hoping the rain would let up to facilitate a 2nd outing into the land of the monoliths, but sadly it did not, so we decided to leave further exploration for another time.

Personnel:
Once again we passed through the park like a ship through the night... no other ships (in this case the other ships are the park rangers) were sighted.

Climate/weather:
Well... it was raining... so there's that. Not ideal for most forms of exploration, but also adds an element of mystery and wildness to the forest. So... probably don't go when it is raining. Maybe more of a non-winter situation.

Facilities/signage:
Once again we passed through the park like a ship through the night... no other ships... uh... encountered (in this case the other ships are the restrooms). The entrance sign was large, but otherwise normal. Inside the park there were several state parks, all of which were marked. The route through is pretty straight forward, and we didn't get lost, so that is a signage success.

Hiking experience:
The trails through the Redwoods are magical! Walking through groves of trees that are over 300' tall is an experience that transcends the realm of humans, and again brings you to the land of giants! Our hike was sadly shortened by the rain, but the time we did spend walking through the forest was well worth it.

Driving experience:
So driving through the Redwoods is unique. It is a conglomeration of State Parks and National Park and towns here and there. But US 101 goes through most of it (although it doesn't go to the deepest forest) and each of the state parks is appropriately marked. The best driving portion for us was on a scenic byway that took us down into the heart of the forest with trailheads marked clearly for the hiking transition if so desired. You can definitely still experience the trees from the road, especially on the scenic routes.

Camping options:
There are several campgrounds in the park, and backcountry camping is permitted in designated backcountry sites with free permit.

Hammockability:
Once again, bring lots of strap/webbing if you want to hammock using the redwood trunks. There are other smaller trees as well that could suffice which may require less resources... but come on... you could hammock from redwoods!

Scenery:
Tall, dark, and handsome. The Redwoods definitely fit the classic stereotype of what it means to be attractive. You should probably check them out! The trees and forests are definitely worth spending time in. The trails take you right through the heart of Jurassic Park, or the forest moon of Endor... sadly we didn't see any Velociraptors or Ewoks... maybe next time!

Nearby food:
There are food options in towns interspersed throughout the parks. None in the parks themselves that we saw, but you won't starve.


There is so much more to see and do here, we will have to come back. The forests are just amazing, and exploring them almost transports you to another time and place when things were wild and free. It was a short trip this time, but good!

Next stop: Crater Lake, the last of the NPs and the final state... we are excited! And a little bit sad... that the journey is almost over.

Lassen Volcanic National Park

After (sadly) leaving the beauty of Yosemite, it was time to head northward again to the final few parks, the first of which is Lassen Volcanic National Park. As we approached this park we noticed something VERY exciting...

 This park focuses around the volcanic activity found in this location. Mt. Lassen is one of only 2 mountains in the United States to erupt in the 20th century (Mt. St. Helens being the other), and is still surrounded by smoldering steam vents and mud pots. During the summer you can drive through the park and see all of the geologic features and scenic beauty this park has to offer. In the winter... it is covered in SNOW!!! Yes. There was snow everywhere! (Well, everywhere in the park...) In fact, the only road that was open was the road that leads just inside to the visitor's center. From there you can venture on using skis, snowshoes, or other means of snow transportation. We did not have any of these things. And the snow was deep enough that just slogging through was definitely not an option. So we did some exploring, took some pictures, enjoyed the crisp freshness of winter, then sadly left the snow behind and continued on our journey.

Personnel:

There were no personnel available for us to interview for our blog at this park... they were probably inside drinking warm beverages in front of a fire... which we do not begrudge them. Or they were out playing in the SNOW! Which we also do not begrudge them!

Climate/weather:

This is a VERY good time to visit this park... if you like being in the snow! If snow isn't your thing, and you want to see more of the park's features in a way that requires less clothing and effort, maybe come in a more summerly time.

Facilities/signage:

We did not have a chance to utilize this park's fantastic facilities. The entrance sign won bonus points for being in the snow. We didn't get far enough into the park to experience the other signage.

Hiking experience:

We walked in the snow! For a few steps, then returned to the car, sliding the whole way. Probably best if you come during this time of year to bring some kind of snow flotation device (skis/snowshoes for example.)

Driving experience:

It was short, but it is always a wonderful drive when you are in the mountains surrounded by snow covered trees.

Camping options:

In the winter: backcountry snow camping. In the summer there are probably a few more options...

Hammockability:

In the winters more underquilt layers would be required, but there are plenty of trees! In summer you would probably be just fine!

Scenery:

Snow covered mountains with trees and amazingness! Also, in the summer there are other things too... but... SNOW!

Nearby food:

Uh... you should bring your own. And hot water in winter for warm drinks!

We were super excited to finally experience the snow! Definitely the highlight of our trip to this park! We would consider going back to experience the rest of the park's attractions (mostly because it isn't too far away) but the snow was a breath of fresh air after the dry high desert of the southwest.

Next stop: the Redwoods!

Yosemite National Park

Ah, Yosemite. There is so much here to see. Our time is short. This is another one of those parks were, before we even arrived, we knew we would be back! We entered the park via the Wawona entrance (having spent the night on public land just outside the park). Unfortunately for us on this visit the weather wasn't ideal for experiencing the incredible overlooks that this park has to offer. The clouds were low and thick, and Half Dome was completely invisible and hidden behind the wall of fog. But! We were still in Yosemite and there is so much more than just sweeping overlook vistas!

We continued our park journey by dropping down into Yosemite Valley itself. It was raining just a bit as we arrived, but that didn't dampen our spirits too much! After a quick stop at Yosemite Lodge, a quick conference with a bus driver on how to reach Yosemite Falls, and a quick jaunt on the trail to the falls, we arrived at our first destination in the valley! Yosemite Falls is the largest tallest waterfall group in North America. Spectacular is one of the words that comes to mind (there are several others like incredible, fantastic, picturesque, etc.) We were happy for the rain because there are times in the fall when there is little or no water to be seen, this was not one of those times! The waterfall alone is enough to warrant a return trip.

From there we headed back up the valley toward the parapet of El Capitan. This granite monolith towers over the valley floor, truly humbling any who dare to challenge its heights! We continued past the guardian of the valley, passing several other rock behemoths. Just as we were driving by the clouds were dissipating and we were rewarding with some fantastic picture opportunities! Finally, though, we left the park behind and continued on our journey, hopefully soon to return!

Personnel:
Our personnel encounter in this park consisted of seeking information from one of the shuttle bus drivers. He was sad that we weren't taking his shuttle bus, but happy to provide us with the information we were seeking, specifically, the best way to reach the base of Lower Falls. He was quite friendly and very helpful, and we wanted to ride his bus as much as he wanted us to... but alas, his bus route didn't stop at our destination. It was a bittersweet parting.

Climate/weather:
SNOW! We actually had snow hitting our vehicle as we entered the park! Sadly none of it remained frozen for long, but it was there! Which brings us to the cold aspect of our visit, which was very much so. There was also some rain as we got to the valley, but it let up as we began our quest for the falls.

Facilities/signage:
The restrooms at Yosemite lodge were excellent. The restrooms at Lower Falls were not so great (no hand sanitizer, no paper towels, no soap in the dispensers, and no way to open the door sanitarily). The Yosemite entrance sign was excellent (this sign was approved by P&J). Inside the park the driving signs were great, but we had trouble finding the falls, some of the trail signs were unclear (that was how our encounter with the bus driver was realized).

Hiking experience:
The trail was lovely, well maintained, and paved the whole way. The trail to lower falls is quite quick and easy (total elevation change is 50') but it takes you through beautiful forest and to the base of Lower Fall where you can see all 3 parts of the falls.

Driving experience:
Driving through Yosemite is inundated with amazing views and epic scenery. We were sad that the clouds were thick and heavy when we stopped at tunnel overlook, but on the way out of the park we got some great views of some of the towering rocks that define the valley, so we were satisfied.

Camping options:
There are 13 campgrounds in the park, but this is a very popular park, especially during peak season, so get there early or reserve ahead of time where possible. Backcountry camping requires a wilderness permit.

Hammockability:
Yes. Very yes. You should hammock here. The end.

Scenery:
Everywhere you look in this park, something epic is revealed. Really, we could describe amazing views upon incredible vistas... but the best situation would be for you to come see it for yourself. There just aren't enough words.

Nearby food:
There are plenty of food options on the valley floor.


Oh Yosemite, we shall meet again! Hopefully by way of the John Muir Trail from Sequoia NP! Our next meeting will include backcountry camping, sightseeing and a jaunt up Half Dome (jaunt may not be exactly the right word to describe the half dome adventure, but... we sticking with it!). We also want to see this park with a blanket of fresh snow! This park is very heavily visited for good reason. That said, there is so much backcountry here that if you are willing to strap on a pack and stretch your legs you can find a place of peace and beauty. What we are saying is "Go to Yosemite."

Next stop: Lassen Volcanic National Park!

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Surprise! Two parks in one post?!? What is happening?!? Well, it turns out these parks are sorta connected and are jointly experienced, so we are doing a 2 for 1 special. The main feature of Sequoia NP is (oddly enough) the giant sequoia trees that are abundant there. King's Canyon also has giant sequoia trees, as well as a beautiful canyon (only open during non-winter months) that adds distinction.

We arrived first in Sequoia NP, took a sign picture, and immediately started driving up in elevation. The road winds its way up through the mountain forests that house this park, offering grand views of both trees and valleys. Our first stop was the General Sherman Giant Sequoia which is located well into the heart of the park. This tree is the largest tree by volume in the world (as far as we know.) The tree is reached by taking a short, steep hike downhill (and uphill on the way back) from the parking lot to the tree itself. The tree truly is massive, not only at the base, it stays thick and powerful all the way up to the branches near the top.

We continued our drive through the Sequoia forests on our way to Kings Canyon. Sadly we could not visit the canyon portion of this park as it is closed for winter. We almost weren't able to drive to the forested part of the park either as a snow storm was imminent, but we made it just in time! We arrived at King's Canyon just as it was getting dark, explored the General Grant Grove for several minutes, then, as darkness fell, we headed out of the park and on our way. The giants behind us keeping watch over their domain as the storm loomed ever closer.

Personnel:
As we approached the road to go from Sequoia to King's Canyon the ranger there was closing the road, but after checking with us and discovering that we were planning to drive straight through, she let us continue on our journey. She was very friendly and quick to understand our situation and accommodate us as allowed with the approaching storm situation. We appreciated her manner and promptness.

Climate/weather:
SNOW! was coming... sadly we didn't experience any of the snow in these parks, but we know that it was imminent! While we were there it was quite cold but there was no rain or wind. It was overcast, but not ugly, weather.

Facilities/signage:
The facilities that we stopped at were not up to par as far as cleanliness goes. They didn't have hand sanitizer, but fortunately we came prepared! The Sequoia entrance sign was fantastic. Definitely not normal and channeled the park's identity. The King's Canyon sign was MIA, we were unable to find one. We did, however, take a picture with the entrance booth that had a sign at the top. The signs within the sign were quite well done, both on the road and on the trails. The trail to the General Sherman was especially well done with informative and interesting signage.

Hiking experience:
Hiking through the sequoia forest is fantastic! the trails were well maintained, and hiking among the giants makes you feel so tiny and insignificant. Also, as we hiked down to the General Sherman they had a stop where the base of the tree was outlined on the ground, you could get a sense of how truly massive the tree is! So good! The General Grant Grove had a hollow Sequoia that you could walk through as well! We definitely want to hike here more!

Driving experience:
Super windy, lots of elevation change, and SO diverse! It started off with smaller sparser trees, as you moved up you got into a classic mountain forest, then finally you rose into the giants of the sequoia groves! The mountains and cliffs also impressed, perhaps not as amazing as Zion or Grand Canyon, but they truly hold their own. Be prepared in winter for road closures due to weather (in the form of SNOW!)

Camping options:
There are 14 campgrounds in the two parks with more than 2,000 campsites. Many are closed during the winter months. Also permits are required for any wilderness trips.

Hammockability:
If you had several hundred feet of webbing, you might be able to hammock between sequoias! There are also plenty of other less girthful trees that would make hammocking a fantastic experience here.

Scenery:
Giant sequoias are amazing! Their reddish brown bark stands out among the other trees. The shape of the sequoia is also unique and appealing. The trees alone are fantastic, but when you combine that with the incredible mountains surrounding the groves these parks are worth adding to your travel list. We didn't get the chance to visit the canyon in King's Canyon, but even without that it is worth coming.

Nearby food:
There are several lodges in the park that we believe have food options. There aren't any towns that are easily accessible so bringing your own food is advisable.

This park provided a very peaceful and beautiful experience as you walk through the ancient sequoia groves. It really has a calming affect on the pace of life. We are definitely planning to come do some backcountry hiking/camping here, perhaps the John Muir Trail that leads from these parks to Yosemite! We also plan to take some time to visit at a different time of year when the namesake of King's Canyon NP is open to visitors! These parks deserve more than just a day of exploration, and we plan to give it that!

Next stop: Yosemite National Park!

Pinnacles National Park

Green trees! Yes, it is true, after Death Valley, this was a welcome change of scenery! We arrived at Pinnacles in the morning with some light rain falling. Our plan was to explore in the east half of the park, hike up to some of the rocks, explore some of the forest before heading out. The rain that was falling wasn't enough to keep us from hiking, but we didn't want to be soaked as we had several hours in the car ahead of us, so a short hike sounded ideal.

We drove along the Bear Gulch road to the Moses Spring trailhead. This drive meanders its way through the forested east side of the park before terminating with a view of the rock formations that give this park its name. As we hiked along the trail we found a talus cave that was formed by rocks falling into a canyon. We explored the cave for a bit, took some good pictures of the trees and rocks that the trail showcases, then headed back to the car.

Personnel:
We are getting so good at visiting NPs that apparently we no longer get to see the park staff, no matter how fantastic they may be.

Climate/weather:
We were cold and wet. But the water brings green to the landscape and it was beautiful. If you come during the off season to this park you may get rained on, so prepare accordingly.

Facilities/signage:
The restrooms at the Moses Spring trailhead didn't have lights, but they did have running water, soap, and hand dryers which was nice. The entrance sign was another non-standard sign. It was similar to the Zion sign, but with the words on the pillar instead of hanging off of it. We appreciated it. Inside the park the road signs were useful and unremarkable. The trails were well marked where we explored.

Hiking experience:
The well maintained trail took us through another park that would be fun to explore some more! Beautiful green trees surround you and the pinnacles themselves are fascinating. The exploration fun factor was similar to Joshua Tree but with more Northwest feel added through the lush foliage.

Driving experience:
Getting to the park itself requires navigating a long, windy road. It is not on the way to anything, so you have to want to go there to get there. Within the park the roads are very pretty. The roads are still windy, but because the park is small that isn't much of an issue, you can reach your driving destination promptly.

Camping options:
We passed the only campsite in the park as we drove by. It is conveniently located on the main road by the East Entrance. Reservations are recommended in peak seasons

Hammockability:
Except for the rain this park is ideal for hammocking. Great trees, beautiful scenery, perfect.

Scenery:
The lush green scenery of this park was a refreshing change after our recent park experiences. The pinnacles themselves aren't spectacular compared to some of the places we have been, but it almost felt like we were getting a taste of home.

Nearby food:
You should bring your own food.

Once again, not one of those parks that has an epic feature, however, we enjoyed the scenery immensely, and have a strong desire to come back and explore the hiking trails more extensively!

Next stop: Sequoia National Park!

Death Valley National Park

First order of business on the morning of Death Valley: Stop by the archery range and shoot some arrows with Tom and Heather Wilson! We were very glad to be able to spend some time hanging out with them between bouts of arching! When the final arrow had found its way to the bulls-eye, they took us for a quick joy ride in the convertible, then we headed out for a much longer joy ride in the pickup through southern California to Death Valley... we kinda wished we were still in the convertible...

We arrived at Death Valley and proceeded with our documentation of the process. This involved taking pictures of us with the sign. And taking pictures of us in the shadow of the Valley of Death, and in the mountains surrounding said Valley, and a few other pictures... and some videos. Once documentation was complete we felt that it was time to leave as the sun was setting, and the park (at least where we were) was pretty much all the same... This was not an extended tour, but we felt we got what we were there for.

Personnel:
We definitely did not see any personnel during our foray into the park. In fact, we didn't even see any building or locations that would normally house them. So they were probably lurking like ninjas all around us, we just weren't aware of it... park rangers are tricksy like that...

Climate/weather:
Gotta be honest, this was an awesome time to visit Death Valley from a weather perspective. It was comfortable in the sun, and cool (maybe a little cold) in the shade. None of this blazing deathly heat that you think of when you consider this park.

Facilities/signage:
We didn't stop at any of the park facilities during our park exploration, so we assume that they were excellent and fully stocked! The entrance sign was above average, and the other signs in the park were clear and effective where needed.

Hiking experience:
We went on a few short (off trail) walks, but we opted out of any major hikes. Hiking in Death Valley just doesn't seem that appealing, and everything looked pretty much the same scenery wise.

Driving experience:
When you are in the valley it is very flat, but to get to the valley you have to drive over some surprisingly steep mountain terrain. The pickup made it up... maybe not in the fastest time ever... it was kinda like the little engine that could... Some good views from the mountain areas of the surrounding valley. Also some good views from the valley areas of the surrounding mountains

Camping options:
There are over 750 campsites in the park campgrounds, all first come first served except Furnace Creek. We are wondering why anyone would want to camp here... especially in the summer! There are also some hotel type areas you can stay at in the park if camping isn't as appealing.

Hammockability:
Ha!

Scenery:
The park is very dry. Not a lot of rivers, foliage, or other things to add color to the scene. The valley is surrounded by mountains, but they are pretty monochromatic, which has a beauty to it, but it sure feels like it is missing color.

Nearby food:
There is food in the Furnace Creek area, but that is about it in the park, and there aren't a lot of nearby towns, so best to bring food with you for your visit. Also bring water.


We were in Death Valley, we saw what we wanted to see, and we left. We only saw a limited part of the park, and there are probably some things that we missed, but it isn't very high on our priority list to return to and explore.

Next stop: Pinnacles National Park.