Olympic National Park

Yesterday I had a nice, well-earned day off in which I spent golfing with my brother.  It was a beautiful day out and I feel well-rested.  With this considered, I am back at work today and continue to wish I was out somewhere in the world.  In continuation with my thoughts in moving to Seattle, Washington for a year to explore the local National Parks and state forests (Canada & US), today I will cover Olympic National Park.

Olympic National Park is located on the Olympic Peninsula, directly west of Seattle, Washington.  The park has 4 regions:  The pacific coastline, the alpine areas, the western temperate rainforest, and the drier forests on the eastern side.  The park is 922,651 acres in size (95% is national park, 5% state park), has 73 miles of wilderness coastline, 3,000 miles of rivers and streams, 60 glaciers, and multiple mountain peaks.  Olympic National park has over 3 million yearly visitors, making it one of the most popular National Parks in the country.  There are 16 campgrounds, 64 trailheads and over 600 miles of trails.  This park is approximately a 2 hour drive to the South-East side of the park, and can take an extra 30-45 minutes to reach the North-Eastern areas of the park, from central Seattle.  Visitors can easily make a day trip or even a weekend trip out if they live in / nearby Seattle which is one of a few reasons why I want to move to Seattle for a year. 

Climate:  The climate in this region is diversified due to the sheer size and geography of the park… Therefor I am just going to cover the general specs.. Please check your local weather before heading into the park AND YES YOU MUST CHECK THE WEATHER!  The climate in the Seattle area is pretty consistent year round.  Due to its unique geographical location with the weather streams, extreme heat waves are rare as well as very cold temperatures.  During winter months, temperature averages from 36-45 degrees Fahrenheit, and during the summer month’s temperatures average from 56-76 degrees.  However, this weather can completely change once you head inside the National Park.  Once you begin gaining elevation in the National Park, temperatures begin to change.  The average during the summer months is in the range of 42-63 degrees Fahrenheit (6-17 Celsius) but can reach into the 90’s(F) at some points.  The average during the winter months ranges from around 20-34 degrees Fahrenheit (-5-1.5 Celsius) and can hit extreme lows into the teens (-15F for example).  

When to visit: Although the park is open year round, the Summer is the dry season.  Compared to the other location National Parks in the region (Mt. Rainier and Northern Cascades), this National Park can be hiked / traveled for more months out of the year due to its geographical location near the Pacific.  Making for less snowfall, the trails are much less dangerous and open.  Expect cool temperatures, rain and fog at any point throughout the year as this is considered a rain-forest. 

How to get there: Take US 101 west, which will pass by 3 different sides of the park.  The main visitor center and entrance are in Port Angeles.  The United States of America has almost all of its roads / and all of its highways mapped out through GPS.  It is extremely easy to plug in a location or address through GPS to find your best route based off of your current location. 

Wildlife:  There is a huge diversity in Olympic National Park due to its geographical location.  There are 20 reptile and amphibian species, 37 native fish species, 300+ bird species, and 56 different mammals, including 24 marine mammal species.  At least 16 of these species are considered endemic (only in one geographical location… I learned this word todayJ).  Animals that are common in this park are chipmunks, squirrels, skunks, 6 species of bats, weasels, coyotes, muskrats, river otters, beavers, red fox, mountain goats (accidentally introduced and being controlled), martens, bobcats, black bear, moles, shrews, whales, dolphins, sea lions, seals and sea otters.  Uncommonly spotted in the park are Canadian Lynxes, and cougars (mountain lions).  Bird species include wrens, gray jays, flycatchers, raptors, warblers, grouses, siskins, ravens, spotted owls, nuthatches, kinglets, red crossbills, thrushes, bald eagles, western tanagers, pygmy owls, Vaux swifts, pigeons, grosbeaks, and many many more. 

What to do here: Boating, fishing & hiking is what brings the majority of people to this park.  Other activities include tidepooling because of the vast length of shorelines and wildlife diversity, camping, backpacking, wildlife viewing tours (you have a good chance of seeing wildlife on your own if you research beforehand), ranger tours as well as night sky tours are also very popular.  If you are in the area during the winter, there is a pretty awesome ski slope that exists within the national park as a more natural ski slope.

Climbling Mount Olympus: It is highly recommended that only skilled mountain climbers attempt this challenge.  Due to Mount Olympics rocks being composed of shale, sandstone, and basalt, the mountain is extremely fragmented, choosy and loose.  Unlike the solid granite in the Cascades and Mount Rainier, Mount Olympus guarantees that at some point you will have a few showers of loose rock falling towards your head (helmet is required).  Climbers on this challenge often find unstable snow, fractured rocks, hurricane-force winds, and rapidly changing weather.  Cell phone coverage is rare and help is far away.  Make sure you do your research ahead of time and plan plan plan.  This may save your life before the climb even begins.

My recommendation:   As mentioned before, the park has 4 regions:  The pacific coastline, the alpine areas, the western temperate rainforest, and the drier forests on the eastern side.    I would recommend spending 1 day in each region to gain the most out of this National Park.  Spend the trip camping out in the night stars to get the most definitive experience (after all you are visiting a National Park). I would recommend backpacking in North Cascades National Park instead of here due to the extreme weather and geographical location.  Backpacking here could get a little wet, and for the same reason I would only stay at one of the 16 campsites or within a camper.  Make sure to bring campfire snacks / food and plenty of beer for the cold nights.

If anyone has ever been to Seattle or lives(d) in Seattle, please leave any tips or information!

Thank you for reading.  Please like, share and subscribe for more daily places in the world that I am currently dreaming of being at rather than work.

Please Note: I do not advertise for any of the mentioned companies or locations in which I advertise for.  I do this 100% for fun and for other want-to-be travelers who want to read.

 

North Cascades National Park

Today I wish I was hiking or on a backpacking adventure in North Cascades National Park.  North Cascades National Park is located in Washington State, about 2 hours 30 minutes driving from central Seattle.  North Cascades is just over 500,000 acres of reserved land, doubling the size of Mount Rainier National Park.  The park is separated into two main regions: The Northern district and the Southern district.  The Northern district goes up all the way to the Canadian border.  North Cascades National park is apart of the Cascades Mountain region and is the largest park in the area.  There are over 500 lakes / ponds and over 300 glaciers, which is the most in the entire United States mainland 48 states.  This park consists of many extreme peaks that top off at over 8,000 Ft.  Out of the entire Cascade mountain region, North Cascade has the steepest mountains.  There are over 400 miles of hiking trails throughout this park as this was one of the main traveling routes for Native Americans and for Western Settlers back in the day.  Last night I was stuck working until 8pm, followed by a 2 hour commute home.. when I began my day at 6am… only being paid for 8 hours… I am definitely counting the days before I begin traveling the world..

Climate:  The climate in this region is diversified due to the shier size and geography of the park… Therefor I am just going to cover the general specs.. please check your local weather before heading into the park AND YES YOU MUST CHECK THE WEATHER!  The climate in the Seattle area is pretty consistent year round.  Due to its unique geographical location with the weather streams, extreme heat waves are rare as well as very cold temperatures.  During winter months, temperature averages from 36-45 degrees Fahrenheit, and during the summer month’s temperatures average from 56-76 degrees.  However, this weather can completely change once you head inside the National Park.  Once you begin gaining elevation in the National Park, temperatures begin to change.  The average during the summer months is in the range of 42-63 degrees Fahrenheit (6-17 Celsius) but can reach into the 90’s(F) at some points.  The average during the winter months ranges from around 20-34 degrees Fahrenheit (-5-1.5 Celsius) and can hit extreme lows into the teens (-15F for example).

When to Visit:  Low elevation trails are most visited between April and October, with the driest weather from mid-June to September. Visitation to the highcountry (above 5,000 feet/ 1524 m) is greatest after the snows melt, generally from July through early October. The best snow mountaineering conditions are often June and July. The park is open year round, but heavy winter precipitation limits road access and increases backcountry hazards between November and March. 

Wildlife:  Wilderness of the North Cascades hosts wildlife less common in the more populated areas of Washington State. 75 mammal species in 21 families can be found in the North Cascades. Three species (gray wolf, grizzly bear, and Canada lynx) are listed as “threatened” or “endangered” under the Endangered Species Act. Other species include black bear, wolverine, river otter, cougar, lynx, and bobcat, mule deer, marmots, pikas, and occasionally elk, moose and mountain goats.  There are over 500 species of birds for bird watching fanatics.  Some popular birds that can be found here are bald eagle, osprey, Harlequin duck, golden eagles, and more.  In addition, 21 species of reptiles reside here, at least 28 species of fish, and over 500 types of land insects, including butterflies, dragonflies, stoneflies, and mayflies (the most of any National Park).

What to do here:  North Cascades National Park is an extremely popular destination for backpackers.  With over 400 Miles of hiking trails, one can easily get lost in the beauty and challenges that this park has to offer.  There are hundreds of trails for people who want to come for either a day hike and head out, or for individuals who just want to spend a few days visiting the park and want to hit different day trails in different sections of the park.  The majority of the day hiking trails are located off of the Northern Cascades Scenic Highway, where there are easy access trail starts.  Also check out Cascade River Road, Baker Lake Road and Mount Baker Highway areas, which also have many great day hikes.  One of the more famous trails is the Hidden Lake Trail which offers more scenic views per trail compared to all other trails within the park.   If you’re looking into backpacking, check out the Stehekin region.  Stehekin is translated into “The way through” by local Native Americans.  This is the region and trail set that settlers and Native Americans used to travel by and would be pretty neat to experience some history while backpacking.  This region is also where McGregor Mountain (and trail) are located.  This is the most popular Mountain trail in the park and is over 15miles round trip with an elevation gain of 6,400 Ft (1920M).

Couple with backpacks hiking on Sahale Arm Trail, Cascade Pass, North Cascades National Park, Washington.

My recommendation: If I was in the area for a short period of time, and was planning on visiting all 3 local National Parks, I would utilize this park as a backpacking opportunity.  I would hike through the Stehikin region for approximately 3-4 days while setting up my own campsite or staying in my van.  If you are coming with family and backpacking is not something you are interested in, I would recommend visiting this park for at least 4 days due to its shier size.  2 days in the Northern region and 2 days in the Southern Region.  Although the Southern region is more popular, I always find that the less explored sections of the park have the most to offer.  Take advantage of the day hiking trails and remember to camp out under the stars and enjoy some beer and campfire activities (your kids will thank you when they’re older).  Personally when I am in this area, if I am living in Seattle for a year as I am thinking of doing, I am going to take multiple 3 day weekends to attempt some of the backpacking opportunities as well as some of the day hikes.  If I am passing through this park with my van, I am planning on spending 1 full week in the Southern region, and one full week in the Northern region while backpacking for 4 days in each and spending the other 3 doing day hikes.

If anyone has ever been to Seattle or lives(d) in Seattle, please leave any tips or information!  

Thank you for reading.  Please like, share and subscribe for more daily places in the world that I am currently dreaming of being at rather than work.

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Why I am considering moving to Seattle, Washington

Seattle, Washington is located on the most North-Western corner of the United States on the Pacific Ocean, excluding Alaska.  Right now I wish I was working here as opposed to the concrete jungle that is NYC.  Seattle is a beautiful city surrounded by water, mountains, evergreen forests, contains thousands of acres of parkland, within an hour drive of three national parks, and over 10 national parks (Canada and U.S.) within a day’s drive.  

The climate in Seattle is pretty consistent year round.  Due to its unique geographical location with the weather streams, extreme heat waves are rare as well as very cold temperatures.  During winter months, temperature averages from 36-45 degrees Fahrenheit, and during the summer month’s temperatures average from 56-76 degrees.  This weather makes the living temperature very comfortable year round and definitely makes hiking less sweaty.  Seattle is known for being the cloudiest city in the United States as well as receiving the most rain.  Seattle does not actually receive the most rain per year (in inches), however it does have the most “rainy days” in the country.  Rainy days are more infrequent drizzles and mist compared to actual pouring rain. 

One reason why this city is sounding more and more attractive for me every time I read up on it is the amount of outdoor attractions this city has.  It is located within 2 hours (from center city) from Olympic National Park as well as within 2 hours from Mount Rainer National Park AS WELL AS a 2 hour 30 minute drive to the infamous North Cascades National Park.  These National parks offer countless weekends of outdoor adventure.  Seattle is also located within a 4 hour drive from a half a dozen State forests and National forests as well as multiple parks in Canada.  Seattle is a 2 hour 30 minute drive to Vancouver which offers a lot of good food and attractions for a nice day trip.  There is also a half-dozen ski resorts within a 3 hour drive here which is a huge attraction for myself.  You can even ski in Mount Olympic National Park if you apply for a pass in advance!

Right in the Seattle bay area, you can easily find yourself out on the water fishing, boating, sailing, island hopping and general exploring.  There are over 12 famous waterfall hikes right outside of Seattle in the local State forests that are less than 4 miles of total hiking at a novice level.  No wonder why Seattle’s population is in the top 5 growth in the United States at 2.1% a year.  

Attractions inside Seattle: Within Seattle there is always something to do.  With a population base of around 600,000 people and growing annually, there is something for everyone.  There are hundreds of restaurants, sporting events, museums, exhibit centers, tours, boating, fishing, and more.  The nightlife in Seattle is also a fun time, with over 200 bars and clubs; one will never not have anything to look forward to on the weekend!

While living here I would spend my time exploring the 3 U.S. National parks nearby on the weekends.  I would take multiple 3 day weekends to explore the Other U.S. National parks that are within a day’s drive such as Redwood forest in California (9 hour drive) and Glacier National park in Montana (8hour drive) As well as all of the state forests in the area.  I would also heavily explore the Oregon coastline and inland State forests as these are on my bucket list.  I would use this time and nearby nature resources to begin planning the final stages of my travel business that I plan on launching 4 and ½ years from today.  Potentially considering moving here 1 year before that plan is going to launch.  

If anyone has ever been to Seattle or lives(d) in Seattle, please leave any tips or information!  

My next 4 blog posts will be focused on the nearby National Parks here because I am now very interested…. I will focus on the wildlife in the Seattle Area as well as the hiking / outdoor activities during those blog posts as much of the outdoor activities involve the National Parks / State parks.  

Thank you for reading.  Please like, share and subscribe for more daily places in the world that I am currently dreaming of being at rather than work.

Please Note: I do not advertise for any of the mentioned companies or locations in which I advertise for.  I do this 100% for fun and for other want-to-be travelers who want to read.

Devil’s Path, New York

Devil’s Path is a difficult hiking trail that is located in the Greene County section of the Catskill Mountains in New York, United States of America.  The trail is approximately 24 miles long, elevating upwards of 2,700M(9,000FT) at its highest point along the path.   This trail attracts hikers from all over due to the challenging climbs straight up and down steep gaps between different peaks on the mountain range.  This trail often requires hikers to use hands as well as their feet to pull themselves almost straight up cliffs and through the rocky shoots.  Devil’s Path starts on Platte Clove Road, New York.  This road is extremely dangerous during the winter because of the steep and windy roads and can often be closed off.  This trail is best hiked between March and October and provides spectacular views year round.  

There are a few different ways of going about this trail.

One way is when you make it to Platte Clove Road, you have 2 options: East or West.  The Eastern half of the trail is the more treacherous of the two trails, and attracts daring hikers (like myself) from all over the country for a challenging and rewarding hike.  The western half has fewer ups and downs, remaining more flat throughout the hike.  The mountains come progressively closer throughout the hike, until you reach the tallest point, West Kill.  At this point either finish the hike, or head on back.  

Another popular that hikers often do, require 2 vehicles or a taxi reservation.  Park one vehicle at Devil’s Tombstone Campground, hop in the other vehicle and drive to the entrance on Prediger Road.  This path is one of the more popular because although it is 16 miles long, this way can be completed in a single, long day.  

If you are interested in backpacking and spending more than 1 day on this trail, repeat the above process of parking 2 vehicles, one at Tombstone Campground and the other on Prediger Road.  Complete your hike and stay at the campground for $16.  Here you will have access to water, food, have the ability to build a fire, and gain some rest for the next day.  The next morning, continue onwards to complete the other half of the trail then head back to the campground to complete your 2-3 day hike.  

There are plenty of fresh water springs and rivers throughout this path, so it is recommended to research ahead of time these locations so you are aware of when to stop to refill.  Bring a water filter as it is will save you some weight of carrying 2 gallons of water on your back.  

You are not allowed to camp or start a fire in any area above 1550M(3500FT) in elevation due to the risk of starting a forest fire.  The fines are hefty and you can even spend jail time.  There are signs that post these warnings very clearly throughout the trails.  

This hike is definitely something that any hiking enthusiast should attempt.  It may sound extremely dangerous but as long as you take your time, stay hydrated, and stay aware of your surroundings, you will have no issues completing this trail.. and trust me the view is rewarding.  I usually go hike this trail at least once a year as it is the most challenging, rewarding, and enjoyable hike within 3 hours of NYC.   Ensure to get an early start… I recommend waking up early and start heading up before dark to guarantee you complete the hike before nightfall.   Please use your best judgment as everyone hikes at a different pace.  

Fun fact: The naming of this trail is actually pretty interesting.  The trail was named The Devil’s Path because the route is so difficult and steep at certain points that it was originally believed that only the Devil could complete this trail because of his hooves.  The Devil was believed to have come here to escape, when he had to.  

Thank you for reading.  Please like, share and subscribe for more daily places in the world that I am currently dreaming of being at rather than work.

Please Note: I do not advertise for any of the mentioned companies or locations in which I advertise for.  I do this 100% for fun and for other want-to-be travelers who want to read

Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park is located in the North-Eastern United States of America.  The National Park is located on Mount Desert Island, in the US State of Maine, and covers most of the island along with other smaller nearby islands in the Atlantic Ocean.  Acadia is one of the oldest national parks in the country, as well as one of the smallest.  Covering only 40,000 acres of land, this National Park has the most scenic views per square acre in the entire United States.  I had actually visited Acadia last summer.  Today while I am 45 stories up in the middle of the concrete jungle, I had a sudden craving for the delicious lobster and immediately wanted to be back in Maine.  There are 2 main parts to Acadia, the “Maine” (main) side, which is the Eastern side of the island, and the quiet (western) side of the island.  The Eastern side is home to the most famous trails including the beech trail, beehive trail, precipice trail, thunder hole, and more.  The quiet side has much to offer as well, and I highly recommend spending at least a day there from my experiences.

Climate in Acadia: Because of Acadia’s geographical location, it has 4 very distinct seasons.  Spring and Fall can range anywhere from 30-70 degrees Fahrenheit, while the summer can average anywhere from 45-90 degrees Fahrenheit.  The winter can be brutal: temperatures average from below zero-mid 30’s in Fahrenheit.  Snowfall in the winter is only 61 inches on average, but is a beautiful sight if you ever get the chance.  When I was here, it was during the month of August and temperatures were in the mid 80’s all week long, and dropped to almost 40 degrees Fahrenheit every night.  

Wildlife in Acadia:  Acadia is home to about 40 different species of mammals including squirrels, chipmunks (so many chipmunks..), white-tailed deer, moose (don’t count on seeing any here), beavers, porcupines, minks, muskrats, fox, raccoons, coyotes, bobcats, black bears (rare), falcons, golden eagles, owls, hawks and bald eagles. You may also get to see seals, dolphins, and humpback whales if you make your way onto a tour boat.  If you are a bird-watching enthusiast, then Acadia could be a good fit for you.  I did not see a ton of birds, but there was at least 10 different species of birds that I ran into in just 4 days.  I just want to cover moose in Acadia real quick.  The reason why Acadia adds Moose into their list is because Moose used to migrate through the park.  They are rarely seen anymore due to the high human population around the entrance to the park.  If you want to see Moose you need to drive approximately 2 hours North-West to Kennebec County, also known as Moose County.  This national park is less about the wildlife, and more about the scenic views and epic hiking trails the park has to offer.    

How to get there:  The closest airport is located in Bangor, Maine, however the flights there are very infrequent depending on where you are coming from.  Your best bet is to fly into Portland, Maine.  From either of these airports rent a car and drive.  If you are driving to Maine, use an updated GPS or Google Maps to get you to Acadia as the United States has practically every road mapped out through GPS.  

Where to stay: If you are making the trip to Acadia, to get the most out of the park, I recommend camping.  There are numerous campsites that are fairly cheap (Mine cost $20USD / Day), and they all include showers, electricity, as well as a little shop for basic needs.  If you do not want to camp, there are plenty of hotels and Bed & Breakfast locations in Bar Harbor, which is located on the North-Eastern side of the island.  

Things to do in Acadia:

Bar Harbor is a must while you are visiting.  It is a small old-style fishing town that has a ton of shops, restaurants, nature tours, whale watching tours, & LOBSTER.  While you are here, you must get Lobster.  If you do not get lobster then you did not really go to Acadia.  My favorite place for lobster was Geddy’s.  Geddy’s prepares and pre-cuts the lobster for you.  They have the best lunch specials which included corn on the cob, clam chowder, a drink, a blueberry pie slice, and a 1 ¼ lb lobster for $20.  The other restaurants, including the famous Stewman’s Lobster Pound, are over-rated and consist of foreigner workers who can barely speak English and always messed up our orders.  

Hiking: Hiking in Acadia is one of the Maine(main) attractions.  Hiking here is difficult yet extremely rewarding.  The most famous trail is the beech trail, which is an easy hiking trail that is popular among families with younger children.  This trail provides a scenic view of the Ocean and is a few miles long.  If you are looking for a truly challenging experience check out the beech cliffs trail, beehive trail, and the precipice trail.  These trails are all considered a ladder and railing trail.  They are difficult and only attempt when the rocks are dry.  I completed all of these trails, and I loved them.  The views at the top are amazing, and you really have to earn it.  One of my favorite hikes was the Jorden Pond to the Bubble trail.  This trail starts at Jorden Pond, continues into the Bubble trails.  From there you can take the Jorden Cliffs trail which is an extremely difficult trail that really should have railings… This will loop you around back to the parking lot in which you began.

Bike riding:  There is one road that connects most of Acadia national park called Park Loop Road.  It is a must do if you are big into bike riding.  This road is extremely scenic, challenging in some areas, and relaxing in others.  The road is 27 miles long.

Other things to do:  In Acadia, you can go whale watching, seal watching, dolphin searching, canoeing, kayaking, camping, go out to eat, shopping at the local shops, beer tastings, wine tastings, parasailing,  bird-watching, go visit the famous lighthouse, photography, watch the sunrise / sunset, and the famous morning fog depending on the day.  One last thing I recommend doing is star gazing along the Beech trail at night.  The park is open until midnight so this is a must do.  

My recommendation: For visiting Acadia, you can easily get everything done in 4 days.  I recommend camping while you are here for the full experience.  Spend 1 day hiking the quiet side of the island, spend 2 days hiking the Maine(main) side of the island, spend 1 day doing anything else you choose.  Spend 2 nights going into Bar Harbor (first night is recommended for 1 of 2 nights), spend 1 night star-gazing, and spend the last night just having a nice campfire with some campfire food and beer.  Make sure you grab one of the Lobster lunch specials while you are here, especially if you are coming with a family this will save you a lot of money.  

Thank you for reading.  Please like, share and subscribe for more daily places in the world that I am currently dreaming of being at rather than work.

Please Note: I do not advertise for any of the mentioned companies or locations in which I advertise for.  I do this 100% for fun and for other want-to-be travelers who want to read.