recap – Page 4 – The Park Pilgrim

47 Parks

Zion Recap

October 28, 2016March 10, 2019

Length of Stay:

3 days, 4 nights

Highs:

Unique hikes
Scenic drives

Lows:

Litter! (Tossing sunflower seeds, nut shells, and food scraps on the ground is rude and unacceptable. Yes, it may be biodegradable, but it’s not native to the desert environment, it’s an eyesore to your fellow hikers, and it will take a long

47 Parks

Bryce Canyon Recap

October 25, 2016March 10, 2019

Length of Stay:

4 days, 4 nights

Highs

Exploring the canyon on an ATV

Lows

Somewhat crowded, somewhat cold

Favorite Hike

Navajo/Peekaboo loop (a fascinating look at the hoodoos from up close)

Favorite Treat

Pioneer-style black licorice caramel

47 Parks

Great Basin Recap

October 21, 2016March 10, 2019

Length of Stay:

3 days, 3 nights

Highs:

Touring Lehman caves and learning about the underground speakeasy during Prohibition
Exploring the ancient bristlecone pine grove (some of these trees are more than 5,000 years old)

Lows:

Wind storms (poor Clarence was being pelted with flying debris throughout the night)

Favorite Hike:

Timber Creek loop

Favorite … 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

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

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

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

47 Parks

Grand Tetons Recap

September 27, 2016March 10, 2019

Length of Stay:

3 days, 4 nights

Highs:

The grand mountains and phenomenal views
Not running into a grizzly bear while hiking in the woods

Lows:

Super cold mornings (25° feels pretty darn chilly for September)

Favorite Hike:

Death Canyon (allegedly named after an explorer in the late 1800’s who was sent to investigate the

47 Parks

Wind Cave Recap

September 21, 2016March 10, 2019

Length of Stay:

4 nights, 2 days (I ended up spending 2 days exploring Custer State park)

Highs:

Bison!
Riding Ricky, the beautiful Arabian
Driving the Needles highway and Iron Mountain road in Custer State park

Lows:

None

Favorite Hike:

Little Devils Tower

Favorite Treat:

Raspberry-rhubarb-jalapeno pie

Favorite Random Moment:

Being invited to a

47 Parks

Badlands Recap

September 14, 2016March 10, 2019

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Length of Stay:

3 days, 3 nights

Highs:

Visiting the Paleontologist lab and observing the fossil preparation process
Seeing the adorable prairie dogs in their “towns”

Low:

Wind – really fast, brutal wind

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Favorite Hike:

Saddle Pass Trail

Favorite Treat:

Sioux fry bread (it’s delicious dipped in honey or served as an open-faced taco)