National Parks – Page 4 – On the Loose Live

Wonderful Mount Washburn, Yellowstone National Park

August 28, 2023November 5, 2024livevigorously

Distance: 7.3 Miles RT (According to my Garmin, 6.8 miles according to Alltrails, and 5 miles according to the sign in the parking lot-lol.)

Difficulty: Easy (depending on fitness level and altitude acclimation), gradual ascent and descent on an old service road.

Elevation Gain: 1,332 ft over 3.5 miles to reach the fire lookout at the peak.

Wonderful Mount Washburn, at an elevation of 10,219 feet, is the most popular summit hike in Yellowstone National Park. It’s easy to see why. Named in 1870 after Henry D. Washburn, the Washburn–Langford–Doane Expedition leader, the hike features panoramic views from the start, wildflowers, wildlife sightings (only chipmunks and a grouse for me), a fire lookout tower with interpretive exhibits, an enclosed observation deck, and restrooms. Bagging this peak is relatively easy as you ascend gradually on an old service road.

Notes: No dogs. Be prepared for rapid weather changes and afternoon thunder and lightning storms, especially in the summer. Be bear alert and bring bear spray just in case. (They love this trail too.)

South & North Trailhead options: The South Trailhead is located along the Grand Loop Road between Canyon and Tower (7-mile route). To access the north trailhead (shorter route with a little less elevation ~5 miles), take the unpaved Chittenden Road 1.3 miles to the trailhead. From the top, I spied a couple more trails to explore, but alas, I ran out of time.

Happy Trails!

Picturesque Point Sublime Via Artists’ Point: An Awesome Yellowstone Must-Do

August 11, 2023November 5, 2024livevigorously

Distance: ~2.7 with optional add-ons

Elevation gain: ~350 ft

Difficult: Easy

Enjoy spectacular views and leave the crowds behind in the parking lot at Artist’s Point. Fortunately, few people venture beyond the overlook. In fact, of all national park visitors, it’s estimated that only 10% ever leave the comfort of their car or camper, and of those, only 5% take to the trails. Unbelievable to me, but I’m certainly not mad about it. 😊 Most agree (as do I) that the views are more sublime along this gentle rim-side trail than at the actual destination/dead end of “Sublime Point”.

Most agree (as do I) that the views are more sublime along this gentle rim-side trail than the actual destination/ dead end of “Sublime Point”. It’s mesmerising to take in the multicoloured canyon walls that plunge 1,200 feet below and frame the turquoise, rushing Yellowstone River and waterfall. It’s obvious why photographers and painters and ordinary folks like me can’t get enough of this awe inspiring landscape.

Don’t believe me? Perhaps these pictures will convince you.

Fun Fact: The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone is nearly 25 miles long and up to 4,000 feet wide, and 1,200 feet deep.

Happy Trails!

Backcountry Zion—Magnificent. Magical. Mesmerizing.

July 10, 2023November 5, 2024livevigorously

Challenging and strenuous ~16 Miles RT, including some sketchy scrambles, several slick rock traverses, and multiple MILES of exposed DEEP SAND SLOGGING. (Explains why no other humans are present.)

The scariest part was getting my phone wet despite it being in a dry bag and it blacking out. I feared the worst. Not really caring about the phone itself, but the prospect of losing all these hard-earned photos and videos!

My bliss—splendid solitude and immersion in the sublime natural beauty!

Excellent navigation skills, a GPS, First Aid kit, water, and a water purifier are essential for backcountry adventures.

Lucky for me, one of my best hiking buddies is an experienced backcountry guide who is always prepared for every eventually, including me forgetting my water back at home in the fridge.

He always points me in the right direction.

Happy Trails!

PSA: It’s the season for heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Play it safe— avoid hiking in the heat of the day on exposed trails. Wear sun protection—sunblock, hats, and light clothes with SPF and bring plenty of water and a water filter!

Wandering the Wildflower Wonderland All Along the Watchman Trail, Zion National Park

May 24, 2023livevigorously

With its grand vistas, this short hike is lovely any time of year, but it is a special treat in the Spring when the wildflowers are blooming. I’ve never seen so many varieties in 1 hike! Note it can be a bit of a snow/mud fest in the winter.

Distance: 3.1 Out and back

Elevation: 636 ft

Difficulty: Easy to moderate depending on your fitness level

Now for the winter vibes

Happy Trails!

Exploring East Zion Backcountry–Watch out for the Quick Sand! (No, really!)

April 21, 2023November 5, 2024livevigorously

It’s been a minute since I’ve posted, I know. I’ve lost my mojo for it. It seems I’d rather be out in the wild adventuring versus reporting my adventures per se. Also, I’ve taken to off-the-beaten-path explorations, the kind that require a backcountry guide or advanced GPS and navigation skills to demystify. While my zeal for verbal show and tell has waned, I’ve become quite keen on photography. For now, my posts will be picture focused. Sorry, not sorry.

East Zion is magnificent, vast, and remarkably people-free. It’s also free of official trails, which makes navigation a challenge, except for those intrepid, experienced back-country types with finely honed navigation skills. This territory is not for families, recreational hikers, “tourons”, instaorons, or tikorons, if ya know what I mean. It’s potentially dangerous with hazards like quicksand and near vertical scrambling on slick slickrock with precipitous drops. Yep, you read that right—quicksand. “Did you see where little Timmy went?” Oops, that first step can be a doozy. I didn’t realize they had quicksand out here either. Not something you want to find out the hard way. Another reason to hike with a buddy and to have some kind of emergency alert system.

Sound scary? It should. It seems weekly, there are rescues and deaths in the ravishingly beautiful, but harsh playground of Southern Utah. A simple reflecting pool in a wash can turn into your worst nightmare. Quicksand can be lurking in the glistening sand next to a puddle in a wash like the one below. Your foot may sink up to the ankle or in a split second you could be submerged up to your waist and immobilized as happened to an experienced backcountry hiker I know. On the same hike, another experienced backcountry hiker I know slipped on the slickrock and fractured and dislocated her shoulder. Sure, accidents can happen walking out your front door, but you’re particularly vulnerable to the elements when you’re out in the backcountry.