Showing posts with label hiking trails. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hiking trails. Show all posts

25 August 2021

Rocky Mountain National Park Colorado


Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) is one of our favorite US parks. It was established 26 January 1915.

The scenery is magnificent--especially when getting off the road on various trails.




Off in the distance, you might see a moose like the one below. They can be seen in the lowlands.



Elk can be seen in various places. I saw this one by the roadside, parked and got back to photograph it whilst cars whizzed by.


And not to ignore deer though common in the US.


There are small mammals too like the yellow-bellied marmot. They are the size of a cat and known as a species of ground squirrels. They hibernate in winter.




Hiking above the tree line offers fantastic views and a chance to cool down in August. Here I am above 12,000 feet. It's one of the highest US parks with elevations up to 14, 259 feet at Long's Peak.



The Alpine tundra is vastly different from the mountain meadows. There is more than one tundra trails in the park.



When hiking the trails to mountain peaks, look among the rocks to find a Pika. They are herbivorous, about 7-inches long, and weigh about 7 ounces.




Of course, there's a diversity of flowers and plants as well.








Some small birds hidden in crannies.



And near the Western entrance, I saw these eagles.






Here's a few photos of the scenery at Rocky Mountain National Park.



Along Coyote Trail





Nymph Lake, Bear Lake Trail



A hike to Alberta Falls is worth the effort--see below.





You can still see some snow in August.


And here's the sign marking the Continental Divide-- the point where drainage runs off either to the Atlantic Ocean or the Pacific Ocean. You'll see it along Trail Ridge Road, which peaks at 12,183 feet.




And here's the park sign--what a great setting!


On leaving the park, I got this shot from my car -- a moose just outside the western entrance off route 34.



Some park notes

  • Native people were in this area for a long time. In recent history, Native tribes known as Ute, Arapaho, Cheyenne, Comanche and others were in the area that is now Rocky Mountain National Park. Read more about Native Americans in this area.
  • The park's symbol is a Bighorn Sheep.
  • The area was part of the $15 million Louisiana Purchase in 1803.
  • The nearby Estes Park was named for the first European settler, Joel Estes of Kentucky.
  • Millions of people visit this park every year--most come during the summer.
  • If you have the time, allow a few days to enjoy several trails--there are some 350+ miles of trails.
  • Some trails are steeper than others so hiking shoes or boots and trekking poles can be helpful.
  • Even in summer, the temperatures can drop to the 40s in the highest elevations.
  • Toilets are found near many trails and popular parking spots. The signs can be entertaining...and of course informative.


Check the park website for details. Some roads are closed at certain times of the year.


Photo notes
Photos are mine and from August 2009 and 2021
Close ups of eagles and Elk taken with Canon D70 and Sigma 150-600 lens.

Please see my website suttong.com


Here's a video of Rocky Mountain National Park. It begins with some overview scenes and ends with video clips of Elk- it's on my YouTube Channel.








28 May 2021

Visiting Minnesota- Places to See

 


Minnesota offers many beautiful places to enjoy nature. I visited a few and posted some photos and videos in a few blogs. So, the purpose of this page is to provide links to the places I have seen.

Duluth - Trails and Hikes




Duluth- Lake Superior Railroad Museum





Voyageurs National Park






Rainy Lake - Tilson Bay area



White Bear Lake





Big Falls Minnesota








Trails and Walks by Duluth Minnesota

St Louis River from Superior Hiking Trail/ G Sutton/ 2021

 There are miles of trails and paths around Duluth. I hiked part of the Superior Hiking Trail and at one point had an excellent view of the St Louis River. On the drive to the parking area I passed a Spirit Mountain Recreation resort, which appeared closed at the time.

Hiking Trails near Duluth

Below the mountain are places are public access points to the St Louis River.






North of Duluth, you can walk for miles along the shore of Lake Superior--and I did.


North of the Canal area/ G Sutton 14 May 2021

Some scenes along Lake Superior









For those who enjoy watching the waves on large lakes, here is a video.


So, if you enjoy hiking or simple walks, there are miles and miles available here.

Please see my website www.suttong.com

And subscribe to my YouTube Channel SuttonTravels

See more places in Minnesota















01 May 2021

Bryce Canyon National Park Utah

Land of the Hoodoos




Visitor's Centre

According to wikipedia:

A hoodoo (also called a tent rock, fairy chimney, or earth pyramid) is a tall, thin spire of rock that protrudes from the bottom of an arid drainage basin or badland. Hoodoos typically consist of relatively soft rock topped by harder, less easily eroded stone that protects each column from the elements.

So, we found the views of hoodoos in the canyon stunning as we walked along the Rim Trail to Inspiration Point.









This video from my YouTube channel, SuttonTravels, is about 3 minutes long.


Hours- Please see the website

Restrooms- those at the visitor’s center were clean and in good working order when we visited

Picnics- There are tables throughout the park.

Trails-a lot of trails are available--  see the website for details

See my photos and comments on the Big 5 National Parks in Utah


My kit

Pixel 4 Google Phone with Google Fi

Panasonic Lumix Camera DMC ZS100 for zoom shots

Garmin vivofit3 tracker because I hate chargeable models

Nike Backpack

Cap with neck flap

Sunscreen and insect repellant

toilet seat covers

hand sanitizer

water bottle

 

Wished I’d remembered

Broadbrim hat with neck flap and chin strap

Trekking poles

Hiking shoes or boots

 Please check out my website   www.suttong.com

And Subscribe to my Travel Channel on YouTube

 

Also, see my books on   AMAZON       or  GOOGLE STORE

Also, consider connecting with me on    FACEBOOK   Geoff W. Sutton   

TWITTER  @Geoff.W.Sutton