Mountain Time – Page 2 – The Park Pilgrim

A Canyon That’s Not Really a Canyon

October 23, 2016March 10, 2019

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Okay, so I know that it’s called Bryce Canyon, but technically it’s the top portion of a long eroded staircase that gradually descends all the way down into the state of Arizona. Natural amphitheaters – large circular hollows in the rock – are filled with strange and fascinating shapes called Hoodoos. The Native Americans … Read more

47 Parks

Capitol Reef Recap

October 17, 2016March 10, 2019

Length of Stay:

3 days, 3 nights

Highs

Picking apples in the orchard
Attending a ranger-led geology program that explained some neat things about the park’s rock history

Lows

Weird weather – it was hard to plan for hikes since the temp would change 10 degrees within the course of an hour

Favorite Hike

Chimney

47 Parks

Fruita!

October 16, 2016March 10, 2019

Nope, that’s not a typo. There’s a district within Capitol Reef national park named after the plentiful fruit orchards planted by Mormons in the late 1800’s. It’s a spectacular place, full of lush greenery due to the confluence (that’s a fancy word for junction) of a creek and river. The surrounding desert region protects this … Read more

47 Parks

Canyonlands Recap

October 14, 2016March 10, 2019

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Length of Stay:

2 days, 3 nights

High:

Fantastic hiking that truly immersed me into the natural wonders of the park

Low:

Sunburned lips

Favorite Hike:

Murphy Point

Favorite Treat:

Prickly pear cordial (the local establishments sell a lot of prickly pear victuals: fudge, licorice, tea, etc.)

Favorite Random Moment:

Watching lizards – yep, just

47 Parks

Peekaboo

October 12, 2016March 10, 2019

I’m not talking about that ridiculous game you probably last played as an infant or with an infant. I’m referring to this glorious 10-mile hike that took me deep into Canyonlands national park. The jury’s still out on why exactly it’s called Peekaboo, yet I have a couple of theories.

Most of the hike is

47 Parks

Arches Recap

October 10, 2016March 10, 2019

Length of Stay:

Three days, four nights

Highs:

Exploring the Fiery Furnace
Looking at arches (obvious, yes?)
Attending a Radical Reel film festival that featured some gnarly extreme sport clips
Stumbling across a Midget Faded Rattlesnake

Lows:

Dry, cracked skin – oh the perils of the desert!

Favorite Hike:

Devil’s Garden primitive trail

Favorite Treat:… Read more

47 Parks

Ancient Art

October 8, 2016March 10, 2019

A rock climber can’t go to Moab, UT and not climb a desert tower. It’s like a chef visiting France and not trying any food, or a ballet dancer going to New York and not viewing a Broadway show. Though I haven’t done much climbing during my trip around the country, I figured that … Read more

47 Parks

Delicate Arches and a Fiery Furnace

October 6, 2016March 10, 2019

Arches national park is full of… arches. Duh! But did you realize that there are over 2,000 of these bad boys in the park? Nobody knows the exact number because wind and water constantly work their power through a cycle of destruction and creation. This desert landscape may look slightly different in a couple days, … Read more

47 Parks

100 Days and Counting!

October 5, 2016March 10, 2019

Remember in grade school when you celebrated Hundreds Day? It was quite a milestone to have invested 100 full days into your current grade level.

Well, tomorrow marks my hundredth day on the road. It’s been an incredible journey, so I created a short video to commemorate the expedition thus far.

Click here to Watch … Read more

47 Parks

Yellowstone Recap

October 2, 2016March 10, 2019

Length of Stay:

3 days, 2 nights

Highs:

Excellent educational exhibits at the visitor centers
Waterfall viewing at the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

Lows:

Tourists with selfie sticks

Favorite Hike:

Uncle Tom’s trail (lots of stairs but a worthwhile view at the bottom)

Favorite Treat:

Huckleberry dark-chocolate truffle