Yosemite National Park (April & July 2011)

July 2011 (drove from Los Angeles to Yosemite, then to Merced and back to Los Angeles)

 

April 2011 (drove from Los Angeles to Yosemite, then Santa Cruz and back to Los Angeles)

Our Mode of Transportation: Car Rental/My Corolla.

Other Options:

-by Plane to Fresno or San Francisco and then rent a car.

-by amtrak or greyhound to Fresno or San Francisco and then rent a car.

Recommended: If you like in CA, a roadtrip would be nice. Else, flying to Fresno may be best.

Recommended Season: Spring

Park Fees:

Day Hike - $25 per week per vehicle.

Annual Unlimited Entrance for National Parks - $80

 

There simply are no words. I'm not very good at this; it should be obvious by now. So I will leave you kids with recommendations.

 

• Plan a short day hike to Vernal Falls. Prepare to be awed and to get wet. When you reach the top, take a sweet nap by the river. You will forget technology existed. Except maybe your camera.
• If you still have some energy left in you, adding Nevada Falls to your trek is not such a bad idea.
• Plan a day or two to hike the Half Dome. I didn't make it up on either trips. But, I shall be back. NOTE: Hiking to the Half Dome requires a permit. Plan accordingly.

Like I said, I have no words. But I do have photographs. (TB..added)



Be advised that camping and cottages easily fill up. Planning ahead is absolutely essential.

Zion National Park (May 2010 & Sept 2008)

May 2010 (drove from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, then Las Vegas to Zion. Same route on the way back)

September 2008 (day stop in the return leg from a road trip from Los Angeles to the MidWest)

Our Mode of Transportation: My Corolla.

Other Options:

-by Plane to Cadar City or St. George and then rent a car.

-by amtrak or greyhound to St. George and then rent a car.

Recommended: Take a car and include Zion in your road trip.

Recommended Season: Summer

Park Fees:

Day Hike - $25 per week per vehicle.

Annual Unlimited Entrance for National Parks - $80

I have mixed feelings about this park. It really depends on what your mood is like, what you're looking for. For instance, if you've heard of its compelling beauty and you want to see it, by all means go for it. If you are looking for some time alone with nature, I'm afraid to say but it seems the rest of the world has discovered her and a day of solitude may no longer be an option.

From experience, I am going to say that she is perfect for day hikes and experienced rock climbers. I had just discovered (from research) that camping is an option, and more camp grounds are being constructed as we speak.

During both visits, my friends and I drove to the Zion Canyon Visitor Center and took a tram to the Zion Lodge. If you can, bring snacks. The prices of food in the lodge aren't too bad but food in the lodge restaurant is not good for its price. The tram goes around to certain drop off points to different trail heads. During the ride, some history and information about the park is shared by the driver through a PA system. The tone is very pale and generic, but if you pay attention, you will learn many interesting things.

The Riverside Walk and the Emerald Pools are two of the best ones to see. However, they are a little too popular. Probably the only reason I would return here is if I get married and decide to do a tour of all the National Parks in the United States for the honeymoon. :) If you've never been, it's a good place to visit at least once.

Lost in Joshua Tree with Scott (Dec 12, 2009)

The idea was to go on a hike, who knew he was gonna cross out a destination on my checklist.

Got up at 7am, loaded Sophia with some Justin Timberlake, stopped for half a dozen of doughnuts for breakfast, and headed south to Costa Mesa to meet up with the Scott. Left the OC at around 830am, doughnuts and coffee in hand. This is gonna be a wonderful day!

After about 3 hours of driving in the rain, hello Joshua Tree! You seem well and dry :( hopes of playing with mud in the desert dead in an instant. The wonderful thing about nature, there are never repeat experiences despite the repeat locations.

It's so easy to get lost. Bring a friend (preferably someone you can stand for many, many hours in case you get lost or a flash light), bring a map (even if it's gonna rain, MORE SO IF ITS GONNA RAIN!), bring food (nothing that will attract the coyotes please!).

Creatures of the desert. Pile of poop or lovers turned into stone?

Giant Palm Trees, beware!!!

How amazing was it?? Let's just say he's been there enough times to possibly have a good idea of the trails and such, but we still got lost. Hah. The 4 hour hike turned into an 8 hour one and we ended up with quite the exercise. On that note, the giant palm tree trail is a dead end..

Story:

With so much trust and confidence that the Scott knows what's going on, I walk into the wilderness with him without asking questions. The moment we realize that we were lost, all confidence is lost as well. Here's roughly how it went:

J: You hike a lot, don't you have a GPS?

S: Yeah, but I left it at home.

J: Why?

S: I thought it was gonna rain, I didn't want it to get wet.

J: What?

S: Sorry

J: Hmmm, how bout a map?

S: I left it at home, too.

J: Because you didn't want it to get wet?

S: (smiles in embarrassment) Yeah.

J: Don't they have any in the ranger station? Why didn't we get some, it'll prolly be cheap.

S: It's free.

My legs were sore all week from the walking.