Zion National Park, Utah

Located in the high plateau country Utah, Zion National Park was established in 1919. Upon its first settlers in the 1860's, it was given the Hebrew name Zion, which means "a place of peace and relaxation." With almost 149,000 acres and 232 square miles of terrain, the stunning beauty of Zion's rivers have been forming for the past 2,000 years. There are about 100 miles of wilderness trials for visitors to explore. Due to Zion's diverse ecosystems and unique terrain, this allows for nearly 900 different species of plants to live in Zion that are not found anywhere else in Utah. The Virgin River flows all throughout Zion, carving out the one-of-a-kind sandstone walls and canyons. While the beautiful canyons are one of Zion's famous attractions, they are hazardous when the rainy season comes due to flash floods, so it is best to plan out your trip in advance. Some of Zion's most popular attractions consist of Angels Landing, Kolob Terrace/Canyons and Big Bend. Kolab Arch is also one of Zion's main attractions as it is one of the largest free standing arches in the world. Zion National Park's serene landscape and beauty is a site worth making the journey for.

                                                       Winter Activities:                                     Summer Activities:

                                                      -Hiking/Backpacking                              -Hiking/Backpacking

                                                      -Camping                                                   -Camping

                                                      -Cross Country Skiing                             -Bicycling

                                                      -Snowshoeing                                           -Rock Climbing

                                                                                                                           -Horseback Riding

                                         

Pictures

http://www.nps.gov/zion/naturescience/arches.htm

http://www.nps.gov/zion/photosmultimedia/index.htm

http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/national-parks/zion-national-park/

Facts

http://www.zion-national-park.info/facts.htm
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/national-parks/zion-national-park/

Yosemite National Park, California

Yosemite Falls

Yosemite National Park is one of the oldest nature preserves in the United States. Created in 1890, Yosemite is almost 748,000 acres, covering almost 1,200 square miles and sits on the western side of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. There are 800 miles of hiking trails and 282 miles of road, making each visit back its own unique experience. With its vast amounts of land, Yosemite is home to over 400 different species of vertebrates. Yosemite is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts of all levels. Whether you are a beginner, moderate or experienced adventurer, there is sure to be a number of fun activities for all levels and ages. Summer activities include rock climbing, horseback riding, biking, fishing, boating, kayaking, river rafting, swimming, hiking and wine tours. Many individuals enjoy camping in Yosemite where they can partake in numerous activities during the day, enjoy a warm bonfire at night and fall asleep under the stars with the peaceful sound of a waterfall in the background while you drift off into sleep (see campsite 4). Contrary to popular belief,  Yosemite stays open during the winter season, offering a plethora of new activities. You can pick from, or all of, the following activities during the winter season: snowshoeing, skiing, ice skating, snowboarding or cross country skiing. 

Aside from the physical activities, Yosemite is famous for its Half Dome. Half Dome is a solid piece of granite that sticks straight out of the mountain and as I am sure you can guess, looks exactly like half a dome. For those who enjoy a challenge, you are able to hike Half Dome, which I should mention rises nearly 5,000 ft. from the valley floor. Not only is Half Dome solid granite, but almost all of Yosemite sits on granite.

Half Dome

El Capitan is another major attraction Yosemite has to offer. This 3,000 ft. vertical rock is the largest granite monolith in the world. This stunning rock is a popular climbing destination for experienced climbers. 

El Capitan

Yosemite Falls is the tallest waterfall in North America, with water dropping 2,425 ft. to the bottom. The peak water flow occurs in May when the snow melts. During winter this magnificent waterfall turns into a giant ice cone. 

*Picture of Yosemite Falls above

The Giant Sequoia trees  and the Mariposa Grove are sites that should not be overlooked, if that is even possible. The Grizzly Giant is the largest tree in Yosemite. This tree's trunk has a diameter of approximately 29 ft., 100 ft. around the base, 209 ft. tall and is estimated to weigh about 2 million pounds. The Grizzly Giant is believed to be about 2,700 years old, making it the oldest known Sequoia tree in the world. With so many years under its "trunk," Sequoias' are one of the oldest known living organisms on earth. 

Giant Sequoia Tree

Whether your are traveling with family, friends or on a solo adventure, the granite cliffs, raging waterfalls, clear streams, enormous Sequoia trees and breathtaking wildlife of Yosemite National Park is without a doubt a must-see destination for all.

On October 1, 2015 Yosemite will have its 125th Anniversary. 

www.reefocusphoto.com

Lucas Halopoff

Winter in Yosemite

Sunrise

Pictures

http://www.nationalparks.org/explore-parks/yosemite-national-park

http://travelplaces24x7.com/yosemite-waterfall-california/

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Yosemite_Valley_Half_Dome.jpg

http://beauty-places.com/sequoia-national-forest/http://www.scenicwonders.com/yosemite-park-attractions/yosemite-photography/
http://www.allyosemite.com/nature/giant_sequoia_groves.phphttp://www.allyosemite.com/nature/giant_sequoia_groves.php
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/national-parks/yosemite-national-park/

Facts

http://www.yosemite.com

http://www.livescience.com/39515-yosemite-national-park-facts-information-lodging.html

http://www.nps.gov/yose/naturescience/index.htm

http://www.nps.gov/yose/naturescience/geology.htm

http://www.shannontech.com/ParkVision/Yosemite/Yosemite11.html

Cuevas de Marmol, Chile

This marble cave, also known as the Marble Cathedral in Patagonia, Chile may just be one of the most majestic places you will ever see in your lifetime. The glacial lake sits on the southern tip, crossing the border of Chile and Argentina. Without any other known caves like it, this one is without-a-doubt worth the long trek. To reach this jaw-dropping location, you will have to endure an 800 mile plane ride from Chile's capitol, Santiago, to the nearest big city, Coyhaique. Next comes a 200 mile dirt road car ride, followed lastly by a boat ride. This spectacular cave has been in the making for the past 6,000 years, being carved out by whirling winds and relentless waves washing up against the calcium carbonate. Depending on the time of year, the luminescent turquoise water changes to different shades of blue. This is affected by the melting glaciers that feed into Lake General Carrera (as known on the Chilean side) or Lake Buenos Aires (as known on the Argentine side).

The marble islands, caverns and tunnels are the largest deposit of marble on earth, estimated at 5,000 million tons. If you want to make a day or two out of your trip, Lake General Carrera/Buenos Aires is also known for its abundance of Salmon and Trout. Whether you decide to visit for the fishing, the scenery or the marble caves, this beautiful place will definitely be worth the adventure.

Facts & Pictures:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2021181/The-beautiful-caves-world-Chiles-Marble-Cathedral-photographed.html

http://www.travelingmyself.com/2013/04/28/marble-caves-chile-lago-general-carrera-lake-patagonia/

http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/marble-caves-of-chile-chico

The Huashan TeaHouse, China

We all know that the Great Wall of China is a must see when visiting, along with numerous other must-see destinations such as Yangtze, Guilin's mountains, Jiuzhaigon, and Reed Flute Cave, but I have decided to explore a restaurant that is a little off the beaten path. Some people like to work up an appetite before a meal and the Huashan Teahouse takes working up an appetite to an entirely new level. This adventurous hike is not for the faint of heart. To get to this amazing destination, you have to first take a tram up to the start of the trail. After that, it is safe to say you are pretty much holding on for dear life. You have to maneuver yourself along small planks, tiny toe holes and chained handholds all while on the side of a mountain. If you have managed to make it that far, then prepare yourself for an incredibly steep climb up hundreds of stairs with only a small fence between you and the side of the cliff. At the end of your long, exhausting climb, hopefully at the top will be the best cup of tea you will ever have in your entire life; or it may just seem that way after what you just went through to get there. Either way, you will be sitting atop Mt. Huashan, which makes up one of the five mountain peeks in Huayin, in an old Taoist temple with breathtaking scenery as far as the eye can see. 

Facts & Pictures:

http://www.ratestogo.com/blog/most-dangerous-hiking-trail/