Meadows (~9000 feet). Time to head home!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Onward to Yosemite
attached to Sequoia. We're currently going through the Fresno area on
the way to Yosemite.
Almost home!
More bears
Sherman" tree in Sequoia National Park... We've seen a lot of bears on
this trip.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Phoenix
for the weekend, then on the home stretch towards Yosemite.
Last night we saw the Flagstaff nightlife (University of Northern
Arizona). Now we can compare it to Tempe (ASU). One thing you gotta
love about college girls: we get older, they stay the same age...
Go Bears tomorrow. Huge day for Jahvid Best!
Thursday, September 24, 2009
September 24: Some more shots before we raft
Finally got these shots uploaded on this less than perfect internet access:
14 Mesa Verde, Four Corners, Monument Valley
14 Mesa Verde, Four Corners, Monument Valley
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
September 23: Another loooong day
After we left Canyonlands, we headed east to Mesa Verde, Colorado. Checked out the adobe houses in the cliffs out there, then swung southwest to check out Four Corners Monument (which I hear is not exactly the technical border, but it's still a cool thing to check out), then we swung back northwest into Utah to drive through Monument Valley, then back south into Arizona to finally end up here, in Page, Arizona.
We got a motel here in Page and will be setting out tomorrow afternoon on a float down the Colorado River.
Now that I've got internet again, here are some new photo albums:
12 Arches, Canyonlands
13 The Needles
Photos from today will be posted later. Would have posted them tonight, but the internet was taking too long!
We got a motel here in Page and will be setting out tomorrow afternoon on a float down the Colorado River.
Now that I've got internet again, here are some new photo albums:
12 Arches, Canyonlands
13 The Needles
Photos from today will be posted later. Would have posted them tonight, but the internet was taking too long!
September 23: Leaving Canyonlands for Mesa Verde
[wrote this post on the road earlier today, I'll update to the present in a new post]
Just leaving the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park. We backpacked two nights in there. Great views of the Needles, which are these narrow, dagger like sandstone towers sticking up everywhere around the park. The Needles District is in the south portion of Canyonlands.
We got into this area, which is more or less the outskirts of Moab, Utah, Saturday night after Bryce. As mentioned before, we had a hell of a time getting a place to stay Saturday night. But then we got up super early Sunday morning to get in line to grab one of the very few open campsites in Arches. Our determination paid off and we were one of only 8 groups to get a spot that night.
After getting a campsite, we checked out Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point (to the west of Moab) in the morning and afternoon. Then we headed back to Arches to see what is probably the most recognized arch in the park, known as Delicate Arch (which is the arch on Utah's license plate).
Monday we headed out to the Needles, in the south portion of Canyonlands to backpack. Spent two nights in the wilderness. Last night was the best. We found a nice, flat, and slightly inclined rock to watch the sunset and the stars come out. Last night was probably the largest sky we've seen yet.
Anyway, we're now headed out of Canyonlands towards Mesa Verde, Colorado. Tonight we're sleeping in Monuument Valley. Then rafting the Colorado tomorrow. Friday, it's on to Phoenix.
Just leaving the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park. We backpacked two nights in there. Great views of the Needles, which are these narrow, dagger like sandstone towers sticking up everywhere around the park. The Needles District is in the south portion of Canyonlands.
We got into this area, which is more or less the outskirts of Moab, Utah, Saturday night after Bryce. As mentioned before, we had a hell of a time getting a place to stay Saturday night. But then we got up super early Sunday morning to get in line to grab one of the very few open campsites in Arches. Our determination paid off and we were one of only 8 groups to get a spot that night.
After getting a campsite, we checked out Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point (to the west of Moab) in the morning and afternoon. Then we headed back to Arches to see what is probably the most recognized arch in the park, known as Delicate Arch (which is the arch on Utah's license plate).
Monday we headed out to the Needles, in the south portion of Canyonlands to backpack. Spent two nights in the wilderness. Last night was the best. We found a nice, flat, and slightly inclined rock to watch the sunset and the stars come out. Last night was probably the largest sky we've seen yet.
Anyway, we're now headed out of Canyonlands towards Mesa Verde, Colorado. Tonight we're sleeping in Monuument Valley. Then rafting the Colorado tomorrow. Friday, it's on to Phoenix.
Monument Valley
Just drove through Utah's Monument Valley at sunset. It was tough to
get great pictures with the lighting, but Google it. Absolutely
incredible...
get great pictures with the lighting, but Google it. Absolutely
incredible...
Matthew M. Brown
Mesa Verde: check
Puebloan cliff dwellings. This is the Cliff Palace. Pretty phenomenal.
Now onto Four Corners, Monument Valley, and "rafting" (see leisurely
floating) the Colorado river in the Grand Canyon on Thursday.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
September 20: Canyonlands, Dead Horse Point
our well deserved campsite in Arches.
Today we checked out Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point. That shot is
looking down on the Colorado River as it winds it's way past Dead
Horse Point.
Lesson Number One When Visiting Arches National Park
a place to sleep last night. Every motel in the area and most
campsites were full up. We finally did find a site at a Bureau of Land
Management site south of Moab. Now, to ensure we get one of the very
few sites within the park, which are first come, first served, we're
here at the visitor center at 6:30am.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Arches
again tomorrow and then start making moves toward Canyonlands a little
bit south.
September 19: From the Bryce Canyon Best Western
So, we've finally got access to internet that isn't slow as molasses (thank you Best Western).
Bryce Canyon was amazing. We got here last night, as Matt mentioned, after we checked out the southeast corner of Zion. Just as we left Zion it started raining cats and dogs. We got a cool lightning show on the road to Bryce and, luckily, we rolled into Bryce just as the storm passed.
We got a campsite in Bryce, then drove to the rim of the canyon to see the Hoodoos, which are simply amazing. I took some photos last night at the Hoodoos, which are the shots with the overcast sky. Then we grabbed a shower at the park General Store, did laundry in town (it is SOOOO great to finally have clean socks again!) and grabbed dinner in town.
This morning we woke up early and hiked down into the Hoodoos which was even cooler than seeing them from above. You can distinguish the morning's photos because there is a really cool lighting effect on the Hoodoos from the rising sun.
Now, as I mentioned below, we're holing up near the only TV we could find in the area at the Best Western watching the Cal game. Here are the links to the last few sets of photos:
09 Kolob Canyons, Zion National
10 North Rim, Grand Canyon
11 Bryce Canyon
Tonight, we're off to Eastern Utah to see Arches, Canyonlands and beyond.
Bryce Canyon was amazing. We got here last night, as Matt mentioned, after we checked out the southeast corner of Zion. Just as we left Zion it started raining cats and dogs. We got a cool lightning show on the road to Bryce and, luckily, we rolled into Bryce just as the storm passed.
We got a campsite in Bryce, then drove to the rim of the canyon to see the Hoodoos, which are simply amazing. I took some photos last night at the Hoodoos, which are the shots with the overcast sky. Then we grabbed a shower at the park General Store, did laundry in town (it is SOOOO great to finally have clean socks again!) and grabbed dinner in town.
This morning we woke up early and hiked down into the Hoodoos which was even cooler than seeing them from above. You can distinguish the morning's photos because there is a really cool lighting effect on the Hoodoos from the rising sun.
Now, as I mentioned below, we're holing up near the only TV we could find in the area at the Best Western watching the Cal game. Here are the links to the last few sets of photos:
09 Kolob Canyons, Zion National
10 North Rim, Grand Canyon
11 Bryce Canyon
Tonight, we're off to Eastern Utah to see Arches, Canyonlands and beyond.
Sept. 19: Cal Game Timeout
last nonconference game, so we convinced the concierge at the Best
Western that w had actually stayed there, but just checked out, so
they let us watch the game on their TV in the breakfast room. We are
literally the only people in here. But we've got a full set up of junk
food for the game.
Friday, September 18, 2009
September 18: Grand Canyon, then back to Utah
Ok, so going back to the Kolob Canyons. After our super long drive from Jackson, Wyoming, to Nephi, Utah, (pronounced Nee-phi), we headed south to Zion. Along the way, we came across the Kolob Canyons, in the northwest corner of the park. Although our plan was to backpack the southeast corner of the park, we took one look at the Kolob Canyons and changed our mind.
We hiked in about 6 miles into the canyons to an awesome campsite right next to a little watering hole which we could swim in. After setting up camp, I set to the task of hanging a rope in the tree near our site to hang food away from the animals overnight. This task became much more work than previously assumed, when the rope got tangled about 40 feet up into the tree. So, for the next hour or so, Matt and I schemed ways to get the stranded rope out of the tree. Our initial plan—throw rocks at the rope—failed miserably. Eventually, I had to simply climb up 40 feet into the three as Matt threw long sticks up to me at my perch about 10 feet from the rope. Then, using the duct tape I always bring out into the backcountry, I duct taped together three long sticks to poke at and eventually pull in the rope, which I then threw down to Matt. All this was done as I was latched onto a branch of the tree so small that it swayed with every movement I made and with every small gust of wind. Quite an exciting way to start our trip in the canyons.
The next night we had booked the same campsite, so we used Wednesday to day hike around the area. We hiked up a few valleys and then hiked up to what is called the Kolob Arch, a free standing arch of rock. It was pretty cool.
We hiked the Kolob Canyons early Thursday morning and drove all the way south to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. The plan was to simply car camp at the Canyon, check it out, and then drive back into Utah for Bryce.
However, upon getting to the Grand Canyon, we found that all the campsites were full. We were a bit tired from our 6 mile hike out of the Kolob Canyons that morning, but decided to check out if backpacking was an option.
As has occurred many times this trip, the least planned portions become the most memorable. The ranger recommended to us this short 5 mile hike on the Widforss Trail out to Widforss Point. Our campsite, 5 miles in, was literally on the edge of the North Rim. The pictures we got from just below our tent are amazing. We ate dinner on this little ridge and watched the colors change on the Canyon as the sunset. Then we sat under the stars and I probably saw more stars at one time than ever before in my life. Woke up in the morning and saw the Canyon at sunrise, which was equally as awesome. The only negative on the entire site was the mice who ravaged our tent all night long. I’ve got two holes in my pack now from where mice gnawed through trying to find food. But all in all, a great campsite.
After the Canyon, we drove back up to Zion again, this time the southeastern corner that we missed when we hiked the Kolob Canyons (that’s what Matt’s post below is about). As Matt said, the place was packed, we couldn’t get a car campsite and didn’t feel like trying to hike into the backcountry again (which is unfortunate because that backcountry is beautiful). So we changed plans (as is the norm on this trip) and drove to Bryce Canyon instead. We got a campsite here and just spent the last few hours checking out the canyon, which is, in one word, epic. Here’s a shot as an example. I’ll add more after we’re done here.
In the meantime, here are some photos from the Kolob Canyons and the Grand Canyon, I'll add more when we get an internet connection that isn't slow as molasses.
Strike that, the connection was too slow to even post a few photos. But take my word for it, they're pretty amazing. I'll get them posted ASAP.
We hiked in about 6 miles into the canyons to an awesome campsite right next to a little watering hole which we could swim in. After setting up camp, I set to the task of hanging a rope in the tree near our site to hang food away from the animals overnight. This task became much more work than previously assumed, when the rope got tangled about 40 feet up into the tree. So, for the next hour or so, Matt and I schemed ways to get the stranded rope out of the tree. Our initial plan—throw rocks at the rope—failed miserably. Eventually, I had to simply climb up 40 feet into the three as Matt threw long sticks up to me at my perch about 10 feet from the rope. Then, using the duct tape I always bring out into the backcountry, I duct taped together three long sticks to poke at and eventually pull in the rope, which I then threw down to Matt. All this was done as I was latched onto a branch of the tree so small that it swayed with every movement I made and with every small gust of wind. Quite an exciting way to start our trip in the canyons.
The next night we had booked the same campsite, so we used Wednesday to day hike around the area. We hiked up a few valleys and then hiked up to what is called the Kolob Arch, a free standing arch of rock. It was pretty cool.
We hiked the Kolob Canyons early Thursday morning and drove all the way south to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. The plan was to simply car camp at the Canyon, check it out, and then drive back into Utah for Bryce.
However, upon getting to the Grand Canyon, we found that all the campsites were full. We were a bit tired from our 6 mile hike out of the Kolob Canyons that morning, but decided to check out if backpacking was an option.
As has occurred many times this trip, the least planned portions become the most memorable. The ranger recommended to us this short 5 mile hike on the Widforss Trail out to Widforss Point. Our campsite, 5 miles in, was literally on the edge of the North Rim. The pictures we got from just below our tent are amazing. We ate dinner on this little ridge and watched the colors change on the Canyon as the sunset. Then we sat under the stars and I probably saw more stars at one time than ever before in my life. Woke up in the morning and saw the Canyon at sunrise, which was equally as awesome. The only negative on the entire site was the mice who ravaged our tent all night long. I’ve got two holes in my pack now from where mice gnawed through trying to find food. But all in all, a great campsite.
After the Canyon, we drove back up to Zion again, this time the southeastern corner that we missed when we hiked the Kolob Canyons (that’s what Matt’s post below is about). As Matt said, the place was packed, we couldn’t get a car campsite and didn’t feel like trying to hike into the backcountry again (which is unfortunate because that backcountry is beautiful). So we changed plans (as is the norm on this trip) and drove to Bryce Canyon instead. We got a campsite here and just spent the last few hours checking out the canyon, which is, in one word, epic. Here’s a shot as an example. I’ll add more after we’re done here.
Strike that, the connection was too slow to even post a few photos. But take my word for it, they're pretty amazing. I'll get them posted ASAP.
Leaving Zion
We are leaving Zion because it's overrun with people. This picture is us at the Zion Canyon overlook, after a 1 mile hike in flip flops. We're headed 2 hours to Bryce Canyon for the night...
Look for Caley's post soon with pictures and a detailed account of 2 incredible stops: 1) 2 solitary nights in the back country if the Kolob Canyons and 2) 1 solitary night in the back country of the Grand Canyon's North Rim. We literally camped on the edge of the Grand Canyon and there wasn't another soul for miles... Awesome.
Go Bears tomorrow!!!
Matthew M. Brown
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Zion
Zion Canyon. Instead we hiked the Kolob Canyons in the northwest
corner of the park. Pictures and a longer story to come later.
Monday, September 14, 2009
September 14: Nephi, UT
After a looooooong drive from the Grand Tetons, via Idaho, to Nephi, Utah (an hour or so south of Salt Lake), we're finally in a motel that has WiFi, such a luxury these days.
So to recap, Yellowstone was awesome. We saw almost the entire park, literally. The only road in the park we didn't at least drive was the road to the East Entrance. Other than that, we saw some amazing geology and wildlife. In one drive alone along the Lamar Valley, we saw over 200 buffalo, a handful of pronghorns, a coyote, and a family of river otters (from about 10 feet away). On our drive out of the park, we saw a grizzly bear from about 150 to 200 feet off the road. He was hard to see though, because he was hiding in a grove of trees.
After that, we headed to the Grand Tetons, just south of Yellowstone. We camped a night in the Tetons just barely getting our tent up before the rain. The next morning we did a little hike up to a lake called Bearpaw Lake (GO BEARS!!!). After that, we headed south to Jackson Hole for lunch. Then our long journey to southern Utah began.
The drive south was highlighted with some extreme downpours, but we made it safely here in Nephi around 10pm. Now we're just recharging our batteries (literally and figuratively) in the motel in preparation for a big long stretch of camping.
Tomorrow we head to Zion National Park for two nights. After that, we plan on staying a night in near the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, which has been highly recommended to us. Then we head to Bryce Canyon National for two nights. After that, the schedule is less set in stone, but we're planning on hitting Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Mesa Verde (in Colorado), then the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, Sedona, and then stopping in Phoenix to hang out with my uncle Steve (Steve, if you're reading this, I was going to call tonight but it got too late. I'll call tomorrow to see if the timing works for you, we're thinking we'd get there on the 25th and leave the 26th). And after Phoenix, it's on to Seqouia National, then Yosemite, then home. Whew.
Anyway, I've posted new photos from Yellowstone and the Tetons and finally got around to getting photos from Glacier, Banff, and Vancouver. Here's the links to all the photos posted (only these new links work, since I changed the titles on all the albums):
01 Lost Coast
02 Crater Lake
03 Seattle
04 Olympic National Park
05 Victoria, Vancouver
06 Vancouver, Banff (new, I think)
07 Glacier National Park (new)
08 Yellowstone, Tetons (new)
So to recap, Yellowstone was awesome. We saw almost the entire park, literally. The only road in the park we didn't at least drive was the road to the East Entrance. Other than that, we saw some amazing geology and wildlife. In one drive alone along the Lamar Valley, we saw over 200 buffalo, a handful of pronghorns, a coyote, and a family of river otters (from about 10 feet away). On our drive out of the park, we saw a grizzly bear from about 150 to 200 feet off the road. He was hard to see though, because he was hiding in a grove of trees.
After that, we headed to the Grand Tetons, just south of Yellowstone. We camped a night in the Tetons just barely getting our tent up before the rain. The next morning we did a little hike up to a lake called Bearpaw Lake (GO BEARS!!!). After that, we headed south to Jackson Hole for lunch. Then our long journey to southern Utah began.
The drive south was highlighted with some extreme downpours, but we made it safely here in Nephi around 10pm. Now we're just recharging our batteries (literally and figuratively) in the motel in preparation for a big long stretch of camping.
Tomorrow we head to Zion National Park for two nights. After that, we plan on staying a night in near the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, which has been highly recommended to us. Then we head to Bryce Canyon National for two nights. After that, the schedule is less set in stone, but we're planning on hitting Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Mesa Verde (in Colorado), then the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, Sedona, and then stopping in Phoenix to hang out with my uncle Steve (Steve, if you're reading this, I was going to call tonight but it got too late. I'll call tomorrow to see if the timing works for you, we're thinking we'd get there on the 25th and leave the 26th). And after Phoenix, it's on to Seqouia National, then Yosemite, then home. Whew.
Anyway, I've posted new photos from Yellowstone and the Tetons and finally got around to getting photos from Glacier, Banff, and Vancouver. Here's the links to all the photos posted (only these new links work, since I changed the titles on all the albums):
01 Lost Coast
02 Crater Lake
03 Seattle
04 Olympic National Park
05 Victoria, Vancouver
06 Vancouver, Banff (new, I think)
07 Glacier National Park (new)
08 Yellowstone, Tetons (new)
Somewhere in Idaho
We're driving from the Tetons through Idaho to Salt Lake City tonight.
We seriously just saw tumbleweed tumble across the highway.
We seriously just saw tumbleweed tumble across the highway.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Grand Tetons
enjoying a beer by the lake with this unbelievable view.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Gardner, MT
to see the USC v Ohio State game. Can't seem to get the Cal game on
TV, but we're paying attention via iPhone for score updates.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Glacier to Yellowstone
We left Glacier National Park today after hiking the 10 mile Iceberg
Lake Trail then camped at the insanely beautiful - but poorly named -
Cracker Lake. Great stuff... But hiking 22 miles in 24 hours will get
ya.
Lake Trail then camped at the insanely beautiful - but poorly named -
Cracker Lake. Great stuff... But hiking 22 miles in 24 hours will get
ya.
We're about 1-2 hours from West Yellowstone, where we'll either camp
or get a motel.
We do have some great pictures and stories to tell (including some
bears), but it's tough to get Internet and time to use it all at once.
That said, we're still alive. And Go Bears this weekend!!
Matthew M. Brown
Monday, September 7, 2009
September 7: Three states in one day
Portland. Headed back to Kalispell, MT to meet back up with Matt and
head into Glacier National. I swear I'll get pictures posted eventually.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
September 3: Big Fork, MT
So . . . that was a long hiatus with no internet and no phone service. Banff was simply amazing, just wait for the photos (I'll try to post them later today while waiting for my flight).
Anyway, when we last left you we were in Revelstoke, BC. I forgot to mention, there was some crazy forest fire going on somewhere in the area that almost completely blacked out the sky. Made for a pretty eerie looking red moon that night.
After Revelstoke, we drove into Banff which is just over the border in Alberta. We saw some really cool looking lakes (you will not believe the shade of light blue these lakes are). We camped in Banff two nights, met some Canadians at the campsite and checked out the area with them.
Then it was back to the states. We got to the McKenzie Cabin in Big Fork, MT last night. This is where Matt and I split. Matt will stay here with his friends from college and I'm flying today at 3pm for Portland to see all my friends from college.
Anyway, I want to enjoy the amazing amenitites at this cabin before we leave, so I'm done writing for now. I'll get pictures organized and possibly posted during my layover in Seattle.
Anyway, when we last left you we were in Revelstoke, BC. I forgot to mention, there was some crazy forest fire going on somewhere in the area that almost completely blacked out the sky. Made for a pretty eerie looking red moon that night.
After Revelstoke, we drove into Banff which is just over the border in Alberta. We saw some really cool looking lakes (you will not believe the shade of light blue these lakes are). We camped in Banff two nights, met some Canadians at the campsite and checked out the area with them.
Then it was back to the states. We got to the McKenzie Cabin in Big Fork, MT last night. This is where Matt and I split. Matt will stay here with his friends from college and I'm flying today at 3pm for Portland to see all my friends from college.
Anyway, I want to enjoy the amazing amenitites at this cabin before we leave, so I'm done writing for now. I'll get pictures organized and possibly posted during my layover in Seattle.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)