Browsing: hiking

California is so dreamy in the spring. The sunny weather is perfect for laying out by the beach, and bright orange poppies – our native state flower – will be starting to bloom. One of the best places to see this gorgeous floral display is Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve just outside of Lancaster, where the fields become filled with a sea of tangerine from March through May. And there’s no better time to visit than now – they recently announced that patches on the eastern end of the park are just beginning to open. The reserve is about two hours north…

The entire Oregon coast is beautiful, but there’s something especially dreamy about the southern end – where the landscape becomes more rugged with steep cliffs, sea stacks, and forested headlands. A perfect example of this is Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor. This linear park stretches for twelve miles near Brookings, in-between Highway 101 and the Pacific Ocean, with several places to pull-off and walk down to get breathtaking views. Along the road, several lookouts are marked by signs and have pull-off areas where you can park for free and walk down. Some of the key spots include Arch Rock (near…

Everyone should experience Yosemite National Park at least once in their lifetime. Even as you’re driving into the valley you can get impressive views from the road. The landscapes, granite cliffs and dramatic waterfalls (including many of the tallest cascades in California) – have world-class beauty that is unsurpassed. But don’t just stop by to see the big hitters like Yosemite Falls – make sure to check out all ten of these amazing viewpoints. 1. Tunnel View Yosemite’s most famous viewpoint, Tunnel View, gives you a perfect vista of El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall and Half Dome. It’s located by the…

Portland may get all of the fame in Oregon but Bend has a lot to offer too. For one it’s in a remote location by the Deschutes National Forest and foothills of the Cascades, with opportunities to head outdoors every season. And then there’s all of the local restaurants. Bend has a thriving food, beer and wine scene with cafes, breweries and mom & pop establishments around every corner. These are just seven of the lesser-known spots that are worth checking out next time you’re in the area. 1. Tumalo Falls Tumalo Falls isn’t as famous as Multnomah but it…

Not many overpasses are like Vance Creek Bridge. At a dizzying 347-feet-tall over a forested valley, this abandoned viaduct on the Olympic Peninsula is the 2nd highest railway arch bridge ever built in the United States. The overpass gained popularity online a few years back and even became dubbed as #ThatNWBridge. Walking across is just as dangerous as it looks, and even though it’s now closed to the public and located on private property – it still hasn’t stopped some hikers and thrill-seekers from visiting. Vance Creek Bridge was originally built in 1929 by the Simpson Logging Company. Spanning 422…

The Hoh Rainforest is magical. It’s like walking through the Amazon with massive surrounding trees cloaked in emerald green moss and ferns. You can find it on the western side of Olympic National Park with miles of hiking trails through the woods and along the Hoh River. Take a few hours (or a few days) sometime this spring to fully explore this enchanting area and these maintained paths that wind through it. 1. Hall Of Mosses Trail  Distance: 0.8 miles When most people visit the Hoh Rainforest they hike the Hall of Mosses Trail. Not only because it’s short and…

The waterfalls in Oregon aren’t only breathtaking but some are larger-than-life. We have falls that drop hundreds of feet in multiple tiers, with a misty beauty that can only truly be appreciated in person. Just looking up at them from only 5 or 6 feet tall is an incredible reminder of how small we really are. But the Pacific Northwest has falls around pretty much every corner. Which ones drop higher than the rest? Check them out below. 10. South Falls Total height: 177 feet Location: Silver Falls State Park Not only can you enjoy misty views of South Silver…

The waterfalls in Washington aren’t only breathtaking but some are larger-than-life. We have falls that drop hundreds of feet in multiple tiers, with a misty beauty that can only truly be appreciated in person. Just looking up at them from only 5 or 6 feet tall is an incredible reminder of how small we really are. But the Pacific Northwest has falls around pretty much every corner. Which ones drop higher than the rest? Check them out below. 10. Narada Falls Height: 188 feet Location: Mount Rainier National Park Narada Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls in Mount…

Some of California’s most dramatic waterfalls drop in Yosemite, but have you ever seen Burney Falls about an hour east of Redding? This 129-foot beauty is the centerpiece of McArthur-Burney Falls State Park, and a picture perfect day trip, especially in the springtime. Aside from the misty falls, the park’s a hot spot for camping, picnics, fishing and boating. It encompasses almost a thousand acres of surrounding forest, and miles of streamside and lake shoreline along Burney Creek and Lake Britton. About five miles of hiking trails wind throughout the park, including a portion of the iconic Pacific Crest Trail…

Ladder Creek Falls is an underrated gem of the North Cascades. This waterfall behind the Gorge Powerhouse becomes illuminated at night with colors thanks to a light show put on by Seattle City Light. The light show originally started around the 1930s to showcase the area’s beauty. It gained popularity quick, not only because of the amazing colors but it’s free, easy to reach and just outside of Seattle. They still light up the falls nightly with blue, red, green and white colors, running on a 15-minute schedule from dusk until midnight. Aside from the lights and music, a main…

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