Crater Lake takes my breath away. I’ve been to many places and this one is in the top tier of picturesque settings if it’s not closed due to weather. I’ve been up the mountain four times: twice I got to the lodge only, twice I’ve made it along the west rim, never have I driven the full perimeter. Even in the worst of situations I’ve seen been stunned but what I’ve seen. Enjoy these pictures!
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The tire repair and oil change had set me back so arrival at Lassen Volcanic National Park loomed late in the day. Furthermore, the primary and more dramatic park entrance had closed the night before due to heavy snow fall. Luckily I was able to get to the north entrance before closing … but only just before closing.
Things had been slow; bad weather had kept visitors away. On my arrival, the wonderful Park Service staff practically reopened the Visitor Center for me. They turned on the video system to show me the Lassen Park overview film. They walked me personally through their displays and picture gallery. They reopened the register to sell me a DVD. It may just have been that they were hungry to see a guest but they were very helpful to me. In just 30 minutes I had learned a great deal about Lassen NP!
Within the Visitors Center, the most interesting gallery contained the work of a photographer named B.F. Loomis who documented the last eruption cycle of these volcanoes back in 1914 and 1915. On display were many of his pictures, the equipment he used, and many artifacts from the period. His work was an important contributor to the successful campaign to make Lassen a National Park. As a photographer I especially enjoyed his pictures; the one above is his second plate from the first eruption.
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Yosemite shouldn’t be remembered for floods, landslides, and car troubles but all these conspired to make my visit memorable. While at Kings Canyon I was aware that bad weather was coming but I still harbored hopes of hiking to the top of Half Dome and taking wonderful pictures. By the time I awoke the storm was in full force and by the time I left I was driving a hobbled car.
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The season’s first snow storm was moving in so the weather wasn’t the best but it was good enough for a glimpse at why these parks are special. The parks were Sequoia NP and Kings Canyon NP, they’re sort of commingled with shared borders, they’re just south of Yosemite and relatively unknown.
The General Grant Tree was proclaimed the Nation’s Christmas Tree in 1926. It’s the world’s third largest tree, has a 40 foot diameter, and is 1,700 years old. That makes it relatively young compared to many others. Wow! These trees are amazing! The grove where this great Sequoia stands is in King’s Canyon National Park. See what I mean when I say the parks are commingled?
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To avoid the burden and cost of staying in Los Angeles I spent my last west-bound night in Victorville, a city on the north side of town beyond the San Bernardino mountains. It’s another world up there but it’s a town I know rather well from having visited it many times. It lies on Route 66 which is one of my favorite road trips so I’ve been there several times.
My primary goal was simply to not miss my 2:00 ferry. On the way I planned on visiting my uncle’s cabin in Big Bear Lake and take in a scenic drive or two if time allowed. Wow! Was I pleasantly surprised!
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Ever heard of Black Dragon Canyon? The Valley of Fire? Snow Canyon? Neither had I but they were along my route, AAA recommended them, and so I visited. I should have guessed they’d astound as they’re neighbors to other red rock greats. Because it left such a strong impression on me I also revisited Cedar Breaks National Monument where again I was taken aback.
Above you see just a tease of what Valley of Fire has to offer. The formations and colors were much more varied than at most parks. From jagged ranges to soft flowing rock, from intense rust red to pale beige, this place was a tightly packed jumble that was fun to explore.
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My next stop was Moab, UT where I was going to deliver a box of DVDs to the parents of a friend. Old favorites such as Arches and Canyonlands were also on my agenda as were new recommendations such as Dead Horse Point. Little did I know that an interesting-looking shortcut would drop me into the Colorado Riverway Recreation Area, another wonder of red rock and water.
To a great extent I’m going to let pictures convey the grandeur of the area. However, before I set you free on my albums I want to make two points. First, the rock really and truly is a beautiful shade of red. Second, the combination of blue sky, red rock, and green plants combine to make magic. The Colorado River is what makes this possible in Utah’s arid plateau.
I could spend a month in this region and not begin to do it justice.
Guess I’ll just have to keep returning!
Enough! Let’s see some pictures!
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The expanse of these canyons is impressive. They’re wide and deep and intensely colorful. However, the gorges are north-facing and they’re viewed from a road that runs along the rim. As a photographer I was disappointed with my timing. I arrived in the autumn in the late afternoon when shadows were long and much of the beauty was obscured in relative darkness. Though I’m glad I went, it was a disappointing photographic experience.
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Timing is key. To this point all of Rocky Mountain National Park had been open and this included Trail Ridge Road which run the length of the park along part of the Rockies’ spine. As I pulled in to Estes Park after a long day it started to rain. By morning Trail Ridge Road was closed for the season as the roads were impassible due to snow. Timing is key.
What to do?
Thankfully there were still many options; snow at the lower elevations had melted. I had long planned to hike to burn off energy after so many days behind the wheel. Back home I had researched this outing and selected a 9+ mile hike which would take me to six lakes. An overview of the area can be seen here; I visited Bear, Dream, Emerald, Haiyaha, Mills and Jewel lakes and in that order. It turned out to be a simply glorious day for hiking and in the Rockies no less! Timing is key.
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Heading west across the continent happened in three stages: 1) getting to St. Louis, 2) getting across the plains to the Rockies and 3) getting to your final destination on the other side of the Rocky Mountains. Most people followed the same path across the Great Plains but then could take any one of several paths across the Rockies. Fort Laramie is that important transition from where the plains end and to where the mountains begin.
You lay over at Fort Laramie for several important reasons. First, you’re resting after months spent walking across the flat middle of our country. Second, you’re purchasing supplies for the next stage of your journey as this is your last good opportunity before mounting the Rockies. Lastly, you’re waiting for decent weather before attempting to climb into the Rockies (remember the Donner Party). Fort Laramie figures very importantly into your plans!
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