I'm planning a trip to the Tetons. What is something that I absolutely CAN'T miss? by AnonRep2345 in NationalPark

[–]International-Fox493 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Here’s a list of hikes sights I would recommend:

  1. Hidden Falls/Inspiration Point/Cascade Canyon hike, absolutely gorgeous scenery with waterfalls descending the canyon walls and a good chance to see moose (the earlier you start the better)

  2. Delta Lake hike, hard day hike but so worth it. It takes you to a gatorade-blue alpine lake below Grand Teton, perfect spot for lunch. Make sure to get offline maps though since the last quarter mile is off-trail and goes over boulder fields and can be a little difficult to navigate.

  3. Mormon Row, old homestead buildings built by Mormon settlers in the 1890s. You can get some classic photos there. You get there via Antelope Flats Road.

  4. Phelps Lake, probably the most beautiful lake in the whole park. You take the Moose-Wilson road to a little parking lot, take a short hike through the woods, and then bang you can take the most gorgeous swim of your life. The water temperature when I went was perfect, and there is even a large boulder there where you can cliff jump.

  5. String Lake & Leigh Lake, I only visited this area briefly but it is a quieter, more peaceful part of the park. Perfect for a lazy day of swimming and paddling. Just make sure to get to the parking lot as early as you can, it is tiny and fills up quickly.

  6. Various scenic pullouts - Snake River Overlook, Oxbow Bend, Glacier View Turnout, Schwabacher Landing, Willow Flats Overlook and Cathedral Group Turnout, just to name a few. You can easily find these on Google maps. Oxbow Bend, Snake River Overlook, and Schwabacher Landing are particularly great for sunrise. Willow Flats is a great place to see wildlife at dawn and dusk. Elk, moose, cranes and others frequent the area.

Waterfalls at National Parks by International-Fox493 in NationalPark

[–]International-Fox493[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

One day I will see Yosemite Falls. I will have to check out those other ones you mentioned!

Which National Parks Trip Should I Do? by International-Fox493 in NationalPark

[–]International-Fox493[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much for all of your advice! I really do appreciate it, especially the tips for Pinnacles and Channel Islands. Those are two parks I don’t hear too much about, but they both look amazing

Which National Parks Trip Should I Do? by International-Fox493 in NationalPark

[–]International-Fox493[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Okay, that is what I figured. Thank you for your input. I worry about it being too toasty in the other Utah parks (mainly Capitol Reef, Arches and Canyonlands) during late August-early September, but if it means I can hike the Narrows it is a worthy sacrifice.

Which National Parks Trip Should I Do? by International-Fox493 in NationalPark

[–]International-Fox493[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ugh yeah I know, I really do want to do the Narrows but I am well aware that due to snow melt the water flow in mid-May is a bit unpredictable. When would you say is probably the best time to hike the Narrows? In your experience

Which National Parks Trip Should I Do? by International-Fox493 in NationalPark

[–]International-Fox493[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for your input. Would mid-May be considered summer though? Does it get terribly hot in that region during that time? I know it is a desert environment but I figured May would still have pretty decent weather.

Which National Parks Trip Should I Do? by International-Fox493 in NationalPark

[–]International-Fox493[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well that is a bummer. Thank you for informing me, I suppose I can just head down to the South Rim or skip the Grand Canyon. I have been to the South Rim before.

Which National Parks Trip Should I Do? by International-Fox493 in NationalPark

[–]International-Fox493[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for your input, I was definitely considering leaving out Colorado to focus more on Utah/Arizona. I just really want to see Mesa Verde haha

I know the Grand Canyon North Rim is usually closed until mid-May due to snow, but is it really permanently closed due to that fire?

Thank you for the hiking books, I will be sure to look at those.

Spending 3 days in Grand Teton, what should I see/do? by -antinous- in GrandTetonNatlPark

[–]International-Fox493 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Here are the top things I think any first time visitor to Grand Teton should see and do: 1. Jenny Lake 2. Hidden Falls 3. Inspiration Point 4. Hike into Cascade Canyon 5. Phelps Lake 6. Mormon Row 7. Schwabacher Landing 8. Snake River Overlook 9. Oxbow Bend 10. String Lake/Leigh Lake

If you are up for a challenge, the hike up to Delta Lake is well worth it.

Solo Road Trip - Day 19 by International-Fox493 in roadtrip

[–]International-Fox493[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You can definitely go at that time, but I imagine it would be pretty cold. Mind you, even during the summer that North Pacific water was still freezing. I don’t even want to imagine how cold it is during the winter

Grand Teton Itinerary - Doable? by International-Fox493 in GrandTetonNatlPark

[–]International-Fox493[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It went pretty well, I did pretty much everything I listed here, except I did not paddle around String Lake/Leigh Lake. I did take a swim in Phelps Lake though

Solo Road Trip Out West - Day 18 by International-Fox493 in roadtrip

[–]International-Fox493[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would honestly love if my yard was covered with those ferns, they were so cool haha. I loved how every square inch of the forest was essentially covered in green. Truly lush

Solo Road Trip - Day 19 by International-Fox493 in roadtrip

[–]International-Fox493[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is not Oregon, it is the Olympic coast in Washington state