foxalo
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Life is infinitely stranger than anything the mind could invent.---Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
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Post by foxalo on Jan 25, 2017 7:27:48 GMT -8
I have not been to many of the national parks, but even the ones I've been to, it's hard to pick a favorite because they are so different, and I just hate using the word favorite, because it makes anything else seem less.
Years ago, we drove through Badlands. My kids were very young and don't even remember it. I loved the colors of that park but not how empty it made me feel. I loved Yellowstone and Grand Tetons just for the beauty. Craters of the Moon is much smaller, but it's very unique in how desolate it appeared, and it appealed to me in a way I just didn't expect. GSMNP is not too far from me, so I can explore that almost any time, and I really should sometime.
Next Summer, I hope to pack up the kids and take a trip to the Southwest and see some of the bigger ones there. Yosemite will be it's own trip. I'll leave my husband in wine country, and the kids and I'll head to Yosemite for a couple days.
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VAN
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Post by VAN on Jan 25, 2017 7:42:57 GMT -8
In 2008, after I graduated with my masters, I was lucky enough to go on a 10 day trip of the national parks in Utah/AZ. I loved Arches and Bryce the most out of the ones we visited (Zion, Canyonlands, Grand Canyon, Natural Bridges, Capitol Reef).
Closer to home, the GSMNP is beautiful, but I actually prefer the national forests Nantahala, Pisgah in the region. Any southern Appalachian mountains will do it!
I also got to cross a bucket list item off and go to Dry Tortugas for my 30th birthday. That was amazing! I want to return to camp over night there. And lastly, though not a national park, Cumberland Island National Seashore is a magical place with wild horses and perfect southern coastlines.
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whistlepunk
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I was an award winning honor student once. I have no idea what happened...
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Post by whistlepunk on Jan 25, 2017 7:48:22 GMT -8
The one I am in at the time...
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Westy
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Post by Westy on Jan 25, 2017 8:49:28 GMT -8
Based on personal usage they are: - Grand Canyon NP
- Canyonlands - Island in the Sky
- Great Basin NP
- Canyonlands - Needles
- Rocky Mountain NP
Bias towards proximity to home base. Based on best adventure experience: - Denali NP - Summit - Extreme Weather
- Grand Canyon NP - Deer Creek/Kanab Creek Loop - Royal Arch Route
- Canyonlands - Maze - Day Hike w/unplanned Bivouac evolved to overnighter -
- Mount Rainer NP - Extreme Weather 1st attempt - Summit on second attempt
- Yellowstone NP - 100 miler - No humans 7 days
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Post by Lamebeaver on Jan 25, 2017 9:33:09 GMT -8
I would have to say Everglades, as it's almost like visiting a different epoch in time.
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will
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Post by will on Jan 25, 2017 9:46:29 GMT -8
Smokies for me. Haven't been out west yet. Really want to go to Utah soon.
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Post by hikingtiger on Jan 25, 2017 10:59:30 GMT -8
Difficult to choose. I've only spent significant time in the Smokies, but Grand Canyon and Biscayne (before it was a NP) were fun in their own way. I think, though, that I've been to more national monuments/preserves/etc. than national parks.
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Jan 25, 2017 11:07:04 GMT -8
Of those I've visited, Grand Canyon and Yosemite are my favorites. I haven't been to Yellowstone yet.
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Post by hikerjer on Jan 25, 2017 11:16:47 GMT -8
Glacier is tops on my list, I suppose partly because it's my backyard. Then Canyonlands followed closely by the Grand Canyon. But with all due respect Sven, it's like asking who is the most beautiful woman in the world. An impossible task.
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Post by cweston on Jan 25, 2017 11:17:43 GMT -8
North Cascades NP is a great backpacker's park. Most of the trail destinations are too far from the car for dayhikers, and none of the trails are crowded, except the few short trails off of highway 20 and from Stehekin. Some of the most rugged mountain terrain in the lower 48 is found here, in addition to a very large percentage of the glaciers in the lower 48.
The downside is dealing with backcountry permits, but I've never not been able to get the permit I wanted there--it's just the hassle of camping in designated camps (when on trail) and having to obtain permits.
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FamilySherpa
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Post by FamilySherpa on Jan 25, 2017 12:37:49 GMT -8
Thats a tough one.
Zion is probably my favorite, but there's something to be said about being able to drive into GSMNP, park somewhere, hike around, do whatever, and leave without ever crossing thru a gate.
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whistlepunk
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I was an award winning honor student once. I have no idea what happened...
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Post by whistlepunk on Jan 25, 2017 13:02:17 GMT -8
Thats a tough one. Zion is probably my favorite, but there's something to be said about being able to drive into GSMNP, park somewhere, hike around, do whatever, and leave without ever crossing thru a gate. I am not a Zionist. I like all the Parks. |
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Jan 25, 2017 13:13:18 GMT -8
The Grand Canyon, then Yosemite. I have visited nearly every NP West of the Mississippi, & a few East of there also. I have BP'ed in Zion, Arches, Yellowstone, Glacier, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Lassen, Crater Lake, Olympic, Cascade, Kings Canyon, Sequoia, Death Valley, Rocky Mt., & kayaked many nights in the Everglades. I fell in love with the Grand Canyon and have about 280 miles of trails hiked there. Several of them more than once. I found as I aged, I had to give up carrying so much water, so I chose Yosemite to further explore.
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kenv
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Post by kenv on Jan 25, 2017 13:27:51 GMT -8
I've spent the most time in Yosemite National Park and Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Park. But Yosemite definitely holds a special place in my heart.
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Post by hikingtiger on Jan 25, 2017 13:41:37 GMT -8
But with all due respect Sven, it's like asking who is the most beautiful woman in the world. An impossible task. I thought the default forum answer was Salma Hayek. Or is that just Sleeping Bag Man!. lol |
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