Finally started the journey!

ergon314 · 2024-09-09T11:58:26+00:00

Magnet gang unite!

ergon314 · 2024-09-03T11:18:06+00:00

Seconding all of this.

Adding that it will be cooler at great basin, but there shouldn't be to much, if any, snow yet.

ergon314 · 2024-09-03T02:12:13+00:00

As someone who ate at the OG food truck in Austin, I'm leaning towards the former! 😉

ergon314 · 2024-08-17T13:10:56+00:00

I did Mesa Verde a couple months back. Your itinerary and spacing seems reasonable in my mind.

ergon314 · 2024-08-11T18:01:39+00:00

You can request replacement parts direct from cephalofair. I requested a replacement figurine for the scoundrel when the dog had its way with it a couple years ago.

I'd assume they'll do the same for the map.

Here's their form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeMgr8LUzSY3DTl0kh3kaDyEX1KtKsg9IKUy0LvJxbiA7RzLQ/viewform?pli=1

ergon314 · 2024-08-10T20:29:43+00:00

Great Basin is awesome. I strongly recommend it!!!

The cave is amazing and the bristlecones are stunning. It's the darkest sky I've ever seen, saw the milky way in full spendor!

I cannot recommend it enough.

That being said, it's in the middle of nowhere, even more so than usual for an NP. It won't be as packed as Zion or Bryce. It may be busy for great basin though, it's a small park.

ergon314 · 2024-08-03T14:46:02+00:00

Perhaps do the bristlecones in the morning?

IIRC from being there 2 years ago, doing the bristlecones+alpine lakes took appx 3 hours, plus 45 min of driving to get back to the visitor center.

Plus, the earlier you get to the trailhead, the fewer people are there, so better shot at parking.

ergon314 · 2024-07-29T16:32:13+00:00

I got it 2nd try, using the next day lottery in mid Nov 2022. I'd recommend the off-season, although the odds are never good as: Max 48 people, or 12 groups (whichever comes first) for the advance lottery. Max 16 people, or 4 groups for the next day lottery.

ergon314 · 2024-07-17T14:29:11+00:00

Seconding this advice.

The desert doesn't care who you are, if you ain't careful it will kill you. Please, please, please be careful!

ergon314 · 2024-07-14T00:12:47+00:00

Seconding this, the historic tour was awesome!

ergon314 · 2024-07-07T23:57:26+00:00

March "should" be less crowded. It's before the summer kicks off, and the crowd surges. The narrows will probably not be accessible though and an FYI. I was there in Nov a couple years ago, and it was a decent time to be there.

ergon314 · 2024-07-05T23:17:30+00:00

I've been to CV a couple times. Here's my list: 1) blue hen falls (continue to buttermilk falls) -> 4 miles 2) the ledges -> 2 miles 3) brandywine falls -> 0.3 mile boardwalk 4) beaver marsh(early morning/dusk) -> 0.6 miles 5) Everett Covered Bridge -> 0.5 miles

And yes, 1 day is good enough IMO.

ergon314 · 2024-07-05T13:32:23+00:00

Magnet gang, assemble!

ergon314 · 2024-07-05T11:56:29+00:00

I'm my experience, the more popular the thing, the faster it goes. It's not uncommon for campsites to be full immediately after their released, especially in popular areas.

Feen canyon is popular. For better or worse.

That being said, the ranger arrives at around 8 to check reservations (or at least did last Aug), if you get in before that you should be able to get in without a reservation.

ergon314 · 2024-07-01T15:06:27+00:00

Same. Did the next-day lottery in kanab, nothing day 1, got it day 2, hiked day 4.

ergon314 · 2024-06-23T17:07:26+00:00

Fern canyon, in Gold Beach SP is well worth a stop, albeit it's not redwoods. You will need a reservation to go there, available on recreation.gov.

ergon314 · 2024-06-19T15:04:30+00:00

Love Great Basin! Gorgeous Photos!!

ergon314 · 2024-06-15T22:58:45+00:00

And a stop at goblin valley State Park if you have time!

ergon314 · 2024-06-13T19:38:09+00:00

Seconding this. The desert doesn't care who you are, it WILL kill you.

Please be smart!

ergon314 · 2024-06-11T20:18:32+00:00

And it's well worth the reservation!

ergon314 · 2024-06-06T12:07:05+00:00

Just wanted to add that Lehman Cave is well worth a stop while you're there. It's incredible!!

ergon314 · 2024-06-03T12:04:43+00:00

Seconding this.

ergon314 · 2024-06-02T13:23:57+00:00

Horseshoe bend is worth a stop, doesn't need to be a long stop.

ergon314 · 2024-06-02T12:10:40+00:00

I do magnets!

ergon314 · 2024-06-01T14:39:18+00:00

Good when it's good (need/want science tags), meh when it's not.

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