Pinnacles was established as a National Monument by Teddy in 1908 but upgraded to a National Park in 2013. So until another is upgraded, we have now visited all western mainland US National Parks.We snagged a camp site with electricity for four nights so we could relax and enjoy several days of hiking.There are some unique stairways carved into the stone on several trails.And caves created by falling boulders.California Condors are released here. We talked to a scientist who tracks them with radio collars like the wolves in Yellowstone. He confirmed the three we had seen overhead were condor sightings!There are also specially marked trails for rock climbers.Interesting rock formations up close and personal.One trail took us to this peaceful reservoir.with some calm water reflections.another stairway – actually gets you to the top pretty fast!And what a view!So we can find a spot for our lunch break and contemplate the path back to camp.Heading South, we spent the next night at Carrizo Plain National Monument in the Central Valley. We had the parking lot to ourselves and enjoyed the quietness of the plains.This was our view of sunset. A big change from crowded Pinnacles campground: Someone at Pinnacles “borrowed” our leveling blocks for 3 nights but luckily they returned them before we left. Can you imagine that lack of courtesy to your fellow camper?This is the beautiful white alkali flats of Soda Lake – there is a neat boardwalk to take for a closer look. This is another landlocked Basin surrounded by Range.Another new monument in 2012, Cesar E Chavez National Monument in the California Central Valley was created from his home to recognize the importance of his contribution to the hard working farmworkers. Yes, we can! This is his grave site and memorial garden with water features commemorating the 5 martyrs killed during the protests.
We left our cozy camp before dawn to minimize morning rush hour. We were parked in Presidio of San Francisco at 7:30.
We took a shuttle bus to the beginning of the bridge. This was easier than trying to park in this area.
Such a beautiful sight to see! We walked on bridge to first pier on this perfect morning.
We walked the coast of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. We visited the new National Park Presidio Visitor Center. An enjoyable morning.
We walked to the marina and then by the Palace of Fine Arts on our way back to the Travato.
We drove to Golden Gate City park and were lucky to find near by street parking at 12:10 because it had been closed for street cleaning until noon. There was a marching band competition in the park so a lively time to visit. We wandered into the Japanese Tea Garden for a break.
This is oldest Japanese tea garden in the United States, built in 1894. And is only 3.5 acres but extremely well designed and maintained.
Here is another unique gate at the top of the garden.
There is also a 5 tier pagoda that is over 100 years old.
Nice vignettes of quiet spaces. This white rock is raked with large waves with some islands of green.
His desk has been preserved as when he was using it to write so prolifically. The national park system considers him the father of our incredible parks – how wonderful to have someone so focused on conserving these lands for all generations.
The Travato now thinks it is a sports car since it has done all those twisties on Highway One. It drove us to Laguna Seca Raceway where we had a great camp site on Turn 5. It is all Recreation.
There was a Superbike motorcycle school going on for us to spectate. We drove down to the pits to get front row action.
We raced (just kidding) to Monterrey Bay to enjoy the seaside. We walked Cannery Row to hang out with John Steinbeck and friends.
We enjoyed watching the pelicans, cormorants, seals and kayakers.
Wahoo! We are back to the pacific Coast! First time in the Travato. The drive over those last foothills is pretty unreal. Note to selves: if navigator says 37 miles is going to take over an hour then turnaround and find another route!
This public land was added to the California Coastal National Monument in 2014 which gave us great access to the ocean.
We enjoyed several hours of beach combing and listening to the waves. A nice wide sandy beach north of the historic lighthouse.
The Point Arenas Lighthouse is the closest point to Hawaii from the mainland, or so they claim.
We enjoyed the waves crashing on the rocky coastline south of the lighthouse. There were also harbor seals sunning themselves.
Yosemite! First day begins with hike to Dog Lake. Suprisingly we had not been to this lake near Tuolumne Meadows.
We enjoyed the reflections in the still morning water.
And enjoying some sunshine.
After lingering, we headed to nearby Lembert Dome as part of our day hike.
Tuolumne river and Meadows view from top of Lembert Dome.
We finished the hike with a bit of the John Muir trail for some solitude.
The next day we went for the Cathedral Lakes, a trail to views we had especially enjoyed 10 years ago.
The lower lake had beautiful meadows.
And a nice spot to enjoy the lower lake among the mountains.
At the upper lake we were able to walk around the entire perimeter to enjoy the peak from many angles.
We felt really good to do this almost 10-mile hike with over 2,000 foot elevation gain!
We drove to Lake Tahoe after our Cathedral Lake hike – that was a difficult drive with a lot of mountain climbing. We luckily arrived before dark but were tired puppies.
Watson Lake above Lake Tahoe had this incredible dispersed site where we could walk to the Lake Tahoe overlook.
We appreciated the beauty of this lake. Nice there are such accessible places outside of our national parks.
Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument became a monument in 2015 from both Forest Service and BLM land.
We sustained high winds that night. Little did we know that power was out across this area of California – the first of many of the PG&E shutdowns to prevent fires.
Is it a gorgeous day or is it a gorgeous day?! It brought out the Ansel Adams in both of us. This could be the best shot…
Or is this the best photo?
There are a type of sand flies that breed here. We learned they were a source of protein for native cultures.
Keep safe! A fisherman on the river across from where we camped slipped on a wet rock. Several of us campers and his son lend aid until the professionals arrived. It reminded us all to be careful out there.
Great Basin National Park: We hiked to the last glacier in Nevada at Wheeler Peak.
We enjoyed the ancient Bristlecone Pine forest on the way – marveling at the longevity of these old trees. Do you know the Prometheus story?
These trees are so special and we are so fortunate to have the oldest trees on earth here in the southwest.
So sculptural with all the forces of nature.
We were lucky to be here for the 10th annual astronomy event so we enjoyed star gazing and lectures. This is also the most fall color we saw as we documented 31,000 miles on the van.
Our departure morning as there is a winter storm approaching. We will miss the snow heading a bit farther south – but not the winds.
The White River Narrows Archaeological District of Basin and Range national Monument, created in 2015. An amazing amount of petroglyphs.
We dispersed on BLM land just off the road here so we could hike to all the archeology sites. Can you spot the Travato in the Basin?
Most petroglyphs are carved in boulders. They are actually a bit difficult to spot. There are no marked trails but we enjoyed just hiking around and contemplating history.
Natural Bridges National Monument: we hiked the canyon trail again that weaves under all the bridges. Link to photos in May 2012
Overlooking the Colorado River as it enters Lake Powell on a very pleasant fall day at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
Water is low exposing this runway to Lake Powell reservoir. We were wondering if we should bring our kayaks as there were not too many campers this late in the season.
Our dispersed camp site on BLM land south of Highway 24, east of Capitol Reef National Park. Can you find the Travato? What a view in all directions!
We hiked Burro Wash, Cottonwood Wash, and Sheets Gulch Slot Canyons (on three separate days) that are along the Eastern side of the Waterfold Pocket formation.
This is a view of the Waterfold Pocket looking North from the Cedar Mesa campground (off Notom-Bullfrog Road). We hiked the Red Canyon Trail to a large amphitheater.
Very fun and unique slot canyons.
There were a few challenges to overcome.
And a few predators linking around the bends.
Amazing that these dry washes could scour these canyons so smooth and deep.
Luckily I could stop this rock from blocking my path!
We explored the busy main part Capital Reef National Park, listening to a ranger’s geology talk at the visitor center and then heading to an overlook to contemplate the rock layers.
As we leave Capitol Reef National Park and head west towards Nevada…
Smokey decided we were eligible for lifetime senior pass.So we headed a bit south to explore our cultural heritage.And to see the iconic Pueblo Bonito.This was our first half price campsite now that we are of that distinguished age.Water is always an issue – such an interesting location that was chosen.Lucky we got to watch a spring storm roll in.It gave the walls and rocks another dimension of color to Pueblo Kin Keltso.Pueblo Kin Kletso is the start of a hike to top of mesa.A bit of a slot canyon hides the trailAllows you to look back down on Kin Kletso.And even see the river in the Chaco Canyon.View of Pueblo Bonito from top is outstanding.As is adjacent Pueblo Chetro Ketl.An appreciation of the magnitude of scale is had by walking through the ruins.And getting an interior perspective. Magnificent craftsmanship! Truly amazing to appreciate the amount of work.William Henry Jackson discovered this prehistoric stairway carved in the sandstone cliff when he was photographing this area in 1877. It is believed to be part of the Chaco Road system heading to the north.Is there really an end to the trail? How far do these roads travel?Guess it is time to head back to the Travato and make our way north…But first another hike down the valley to Pueblo Wijiji.
