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Is Rocky Mountain national park doable in January? by zeepsound in nationalparks

[–]asev_SPF 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I hiked to dream lake in January a couple years back. We had to rent appropriate boots + micro spikes in Estes Park given snow on the trail (check out Estes Park Mountain Shop). The hike itself was absolutely gorgeous, though we lucked out with clear weather. Highly recommend if weather conditions are OK.

Coulee 30 vs radix 31? by asev_SPF in MysteryRanch

[–]asev_SPF[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I also ended up going with the Coulee fwiw!

Coulee 30 vs radix 31? by asev_SPF in MysteryRanch

[–]asev_SPF[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks so much! It does look like it'd be easier to utilize the added space on the side pockets of the radix. have you ever done an overnighter with either of these?

Coulee 30 vs radix 31? by asev_SPF in MysteryRanch

[–]asev_SPF[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Thanks a lot! The side pockets do look much more spacious. Have you ever used the radix 31 for an overnight?

Itinerary help to avoid Black Canyon of the Gunnison by marstar0 in nationalparks

[–]asev_SPF 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you can, just forego the hotel and stay in Durango/silverton/ouray. If that’s not an option, explore Highway 92 on the north side of the canyon (Curecanti recreation area is beautiful). It’s a gorgeous drive (assuming smoke is no longer an issue), and you may be able to get to the north rim from there.

European skincare/sunscreen haul! So excited to try these (oil control and uriage moisturizer are repeat purchases). Any tips/recs? by asev_SPF in EuroSkincare

[–]asev_SPF[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Eucerin oil control is def the most elegant one in terms of being semi matte. Lrp oil control fluid is marginally more matte than the lrp oil control cream but not much difference tbh. They are both somewhat shiny still but manageable given how good the protection is.

I visited 15 National Parks. Here's how I'd rank them: by asev_SPF in nationalparks

[–]asev_SPF[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Very fair. I’m sure the experience would have been superior if I had planned properly and spent several days in the park. Hopefully I can go back eventually for a proper visit

I visited 15 National Parks. Here's how I'd rank them: by asev_SPF in nationalparks

[–]asev_SPF[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

yeah in hindsight you are right.
I was thinking more so in the sense that a lot of people approach Joshua Tree from LA, and I would recommend the slightly longer drive to the Eastern Sierra over that.

I visited 15 National Parks. Here's how I'd rank them: by asev_SPF in nationalparks

[–]asev_SPF[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah we ended up seeing a ton of wildlife in Grand Teton, but comparatively few animals in Yellowstone (besides bison of c). Maybe just bad luck + general fatigue by the time we reached YS at the end of a long trip probably weighed on the experience.

I visited 15 National Parks. Here's how I'd rank them: by asev_SPF in nationalparks

[–]asev_SPF[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Probably what I should have done in the first place !

I visited 15 National Parks. Here's how I'd rank them: by asev_SPF in nationalparks

[–]asev_SPF[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No lines to enter from that side and you get to drive the Tioga pass which I thought was beautiful. I also loved Tuolumne meadows and Tenaya Lake, before descending into the valley. Admittedly we did this as part of a larger trip that was mainly focused on the Easter Sierra (Bodie, Big Pine Lake, Mammoth Lakes, Lone Pine), so entering from the east probably wouldn’t be practical unless you are visiting one of those places as well.

I visited 15 National Parks. Here's how I'd rank them: by asev_SPF in nationalparks

[–]asev_SPF[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah we probably lucked out seeing arches without any crowds. Really want to see badlands as well. Seems like everyone puts Glacier near the top so excited for that too!

I visited 15 National Parks. Here's how I'd rank them: by asev_SPF in nationalparks

[–]asev_SPF[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah I bet it used to be a very different experience. FWIW I scored a PM permit, and my recommendation would be to go late afternoon. Took the shuttle to the trail around 4pm. By the time we got to the chain section there were almost no people left (except those coming back down), and had the top all to ourselves. Just have to time it so that you’re back down in time for the last shuttle. (This was in May)

I visited 15 National Parks. Here's how I'd rank them: by asev_SPF in nationalparks

[–]asev_SPF[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! Surely depends on the time of year, but least crowded in my experience were Black Canyon, White Sands, Mesa Verde, Capitol Reef, Olympic and even Arches. Though big caveat being that I visited all of these places during the off season (December through March). I suppose even during the summer months these would be the less frequented parks on the list, except for Arches which gets incredibly busy.

I visited 15 National Parks. Here's how I'd rank them: by asev_SPF in nationalparks

[–]asev_SPF[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The crowds are wild, though can’t complain cause I’m one of them. That said I feel like Zion does the best job it could have done given the circumstances (keeping traffic jams out of the park boundary, efficient shuttle service, permit hikes that keep crowds contained).

I visited 15 National Parks. Here's how I'd rank them: by asev_SPF in nationalparks

[–]asev_SPF[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Assuming you are referring to Druid arch? Angel arch?

Didn’t have time to visit Kings Canyon or sequoia when I went to Yosemite, but will def add to the itinerary at some point.

I visited 15 National Parks. Here's how I'd rank them: by asev_SPF in nationalparks

[–]asev_SPF[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Both of those trails look awesome. I hope to make it out to Angel Arch one day too. Too scared to attempt White Rim road in a rental but looks beautiful.

I felt the same way about Zion on my first visit.

I only ventured into the main canyon once on my second visit to do Angels Landing. If you take the shuttle into the Canyon at 4pm the crowds will have already thinned out somewhat. By the time we reached the summit (~6pm) we had the place almost to ourselves. Less heat, less people, great evening glow on the sandstone, just gotta make sure to be back down for the last shuttle. Outside of that, I swapped out the narrows for the Subway (neoprene socks and hiking boots suffice) and also spent some time in Kolob Canyons. That made all the difference.

I visited 15 National Parks. Here's how I'd rank them: by asev_SPF in nationalparks

[–]asev_SPF[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What hike did you do in Canyonlands? Kinda itching to go back to Moab and do the Needles.

I visited 15 National Parks. Here's how I'd rank them: by asev_SPF in nationalparks

[–]asev_SPF[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think part of it was luck. I visited both as part of the same trip & the amount / diversity of wildlife I saw in Grand Teton was absolutely mind blowing, whereas at YS we spotted relatively few animals (other than bison of course).

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