National Parks

Our drive to Pinnacles National Park took us across the valley in the middle of California. While on the plain we saw a very large solar farm. The panels went on for many miles. It appeared they were in the process of expanding the solar panel field. We drove for a while until we saw […]

Wasachi Lodge is truly in the wilderness. We saw mountains, huge trees, and lots of deer. This morning, while walking to the car, we saw three different deer very near our walking path. Today we get to see the world’s largest tree. We are excited to see the place where the Sequoias still grow and

We took one last look at our lodgings in Kings Canyon before we left. It was a very nice place. Our trip out of Kings Canyon was delayed for a short time by a rescue operation. Apparently two people had climbed over the edge of the canyon and could not get back out. The rescue

This was our first day at Kings Canyon. There was no National Park sign at the entrance we used, so we used the sign at the gate as our beginning of the park. Our first hike was in the General Grant Grove. This tree fell over a century ago. It was so large that people

We started today with a very short and very steep hike to Lower Chilnualna Falls. We could barely see the waterfall because the view was blocked by boulders. It is interesting to hear a waterfall rather than to see a waterfall. We attempted a second approach to the falls, but gave up when we saw

Today we drove north of the Yosemite Valley to see Carlon Falls. The hike follows a stream below the falls. Some times you are close to the stream. Sometimes you are doing a steep climb. The hike is strenuous in places, but it is a worthwhile hike. At the end you find a multi tiered

Today we took on a steeper trail to Vernal Falls. We only hiked to the bridge which is about half way up the trail. We skipped the 1000 foot climb part of the trail. At the bottom of the trail the stream is flowing well. We were hopeful that the falls would be actively flowing.

Last night we arrived at the Yosemite Valley Lodge. This is the view from our room. Today we hiked the Lower Yosemite Falls Trail. The falls were much different than the last time we were here. Last time it was spring. The temperature was chilly and there was water everywhere. Today the temperature is near

Today we came from a different direction. We could see Mount Lassen rising above the horizon from even further away today. As you get closer to Lassen Volcanic National Park, the scenery seems serene. Our first hike today was on the Bumpass Hell Trail. It is a fairly steep passage. The views on the hike