Monthly Archives: October 2016

King’s Canyon and Sequoia

Posted on October 28, 2016 by Jean Nguyen

California boasts the highest and lowest points in the U.S. at Mount Whitney and Badwater Basin.  In addition to that, California also has the 2nd oldest national park in America (after Yellowstone), which is home to the largest trees in the … Continue reading →

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Ghost Town Bodie

Posted on October 25, 2016 by Jean Nguyen

Ever since I stumbled upon Rhyolite, a ghost town of respectable size in Nevada, I learned more about the handfuls of poignant mining/gold rush ghost towns of California. Of the ghost towns, Bodie was the most notable but relatively distant … Continue reading →

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Bristlecone Pines

Posted on October 20, 2016 by Jean Nguyen

I had just learned about the ancient bristlecone pine trees—the world’s oldest known trees—at Great Basin National Park, and my fascination with them plus further research led me to the discovery of the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest. During my side … Continue reading →

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Alabama Hills & Mt. Whitney

Posted on October 18, 2016 by Jean Nguyen

I’ve always said California has everything, and that was before I even knew that California also has the highest AND lowest points (both within ~100 miles of each other) in the contiguous U.S! Last year in Death Valley, we sauntered along Bad … Continue reading →

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Joshua Tree

Posted on October 14, 2016 by Jean Nguyen

I didn’t think I’d like Joshua Tree National Park.  I typically prefer the more “traditional parks” that consist of deep canyons or mountains, forests, and lakes.  I figured Joshua Tree NP would just be a boring desert with a bunch of cool trees, … Continue reading →

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Valley of Fire

Posted on October 13, 2016 by Jean Nguyen

Some lesser known state parks can flaunt the grandeur of national parks, and Nevada’s first state park, Valley of Fire, defends that claim.  Originally we planned on driving straight from Great Basin National Park, Nevada to Joshua Tree National Park, California … Continue reading →

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Cathedral Gorge

Posted on October 12, 2016 by Jean Nguyen

As I quickly made my way in and out of the Great Basin National Park Visitor Center to use the bathroom, curiosity drew me to the information board.  I couldn’t resist skimming over the PLACES NEARBY map, especially with its … Continue reading →

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Great Basin National Park

Posted on October 11, 2016 by Jean Nguyen

Literally lost in the middle of nowhere across the expanse of a massive desert, Nevada’s sole national park quietly lingers between a cluster of mountains.  It’s a damn easy place to pass by along the lonely highway, and I’m sure most people … Continue reading →

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Two Medicine

Posted on October 9, 2016 by Jean Nguyen

Leading up to our finals days at Glacier National Park in Two Medicine, Chris and I hiked a total of 49 miles over 4 days, and I tacked on an additional 50 miles by bike on the Going-to-the-Sun Road.  Our final … Continue reading →

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Many Glacier

Posted on October 6, 2016 by Jean Nguyen

While Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road seems to attract the majority of its visitors (and predominantly the non-hikers), I assume that Many Glacier attracts the majority of its hikers and nature enthusiasts.  There’s no wonder why–it seems as if the … Continue reading →

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