Skip to content
The Park Pilgrim
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Blog
    • 47 Parks
    • Spaces & Places
    • Thoughts & Things
    • Education
47 Parks

Yosemite in all its Glory: Part II

  • August 11, 2020August 7, 2020

Up, up, up.

Hand over hand, one foot in front of the other.

I took a break to wipe my face, hoping to prevent the sunscreen I had just applied from going into my eyes. The sun was hot, but the strong breeze blowing from the north side made me feel less like a pastry … Read more

47 Parks

How to Hike Old Rag (Like a Pro)

  • January 4, 2020

Old Rag: the iconic mountain nestled on the eastern outskirts of Shenandoah National Park. There are literally hundreds of blog posts about this popular and slightly dangerous hike – a trek laden with switchbacks, rock scrambles, and incredible panoramic views. Why add another voice into the interweb’s blend of tips, tricks, and opinions about Old … Read more

47 Parks

Back to Where it All Began

  • January 3, 2019March 15, 2019

20190101_145529 1

It was cold and crisp. I could see my breath wafting into the atmosphere as I stood and relished the sight. The hand warmers in my mittens were keeping my fingers nice and toasty, my wool socks protecting my toes from the sub-freezing temperatures. I scanned the horizon, noting astute differences from when I was … Read more

47 Parks

Guadalupe Mountains Recap

  • March 23, 2017March 12, 2019

Length of Stay:

  • 2 days, 2 nights

High:

  • Standing on the top of Texas (Guadalupe Peak is the highest point in the state)

Low:

  • Sunburnt lips

Favorite Hike:

  • Devil’s Hall

Favorite Treat:

  • The Pronto: eggs, sausage, cheese, hashbrowns wrapped in a tortilla and smothered with authentic red chile (pretty much an enhanced breakfast burrito)

20170320_144250

 … Read more

47 Parks

To the Tundra!

  • September 4, 2016March 10, 2019

For every 1,000 feet my car climbed up the winding road, the temperature dropped more than 5 degrees Fahrenheit. Pretty soon the pine trees began to wane and were replaced by heaps of snow that had still not melted from the previous winter. I was officially in the tundra.

When most people think of the … Read more

47 Parks

High Places

  • July 24, 2016March 10, 2019

The Smokies are perfect for those seeking deliciously satisfying views. There are numerous drives, hikes, and strolls that take you to fabulous summits.

A popular destination within the Smokies is Clingman’s Dome. It’s a simple half-mile walk up a paved inclined trail that lands you at the base of an observation tower. On Monday, I … Read more

About Me

About Me

National park expert. Nature enthusiast. Outdoor educator. These are the chronicles of my travels and discoveries around the country and throughout the world.

Follow Me on Instagram

Follow on Instagram

Find Me on YouTube

© 2024 Stephanie Dean

Website created by Lisa Dean