National Parks

Last Updated Feb 2026

The Parks

• Kings Canyon and Sequoia, first national park trip ever.
  Sequoia trees are unreal. Massive.
  A hundred of me could probably stand inside one.
  Maybe I should gain some weight.
  Hanging Rock looked like it was considering its options.
  Saw a treesome.
  
  Later I saw photos of the park in fall and snow. It looked even better.
  Same place. Different season.
  Definitely going back.
  Kings Canyon was beautiful too.
  The Tesla, however, did not keep up with the charge.
  Waited in a Dhaba for over 2 hours for food.
• Lassen Volcanic
  Did a random weekend trip.
  The rotten egg smell reminded me of high school chemistry.
  Cool seeing the earth actively bubbling.
  Confidently identified a deer as a bear.
• St. Louis: Gateway Arch
  Saw the Arch.
  Not entirely sure how it qualifies as a national park.
  The city looked like it had been through a lot.
  The park and zoo was solid.
• Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, Sedona
  Angel's Landing. The Narrows. Some of the best hikes I've done.
  
  Bryce Canyon at sunset might be the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.
  
  The Grand Canyon doesn't fit in your field of view. Hiked as far as I could.
  
  Sedona is a beautiful city. It looks like a national park in the middle of a city.
  Every restaurant and shop had beautiful views.
• Arches, Canyonlands
  Utah is stunning.
  The arches were amazing formations. My mind can't comprehend how they formed.
  Double Arch. Landscape Arch. Beautiful.
  
  Sunrise under Mesa Arch and Delicate Arch was worth waking up for.
  
  Dead Horse State Park was amazing, should just be part of Canyonlands National Park. Great Sunset and Star gazing spot.
  
  
  Definitely going back.
• Rocky Mountain, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Sand Dunes
  Rocky Mountain National Park was partially closed for winter. Frozen lakes. Clear reflections. Great hikes.
  Definitely going back in the summer.
  
  The views from the top of the mountain were amazing.
  Drove up Pikes Peak. A casual 14er.
  Black Canyon of the Gunnison is underrated. Beautiful views.
  
  The sand dunes in the snow looked out of place.
  
  Would go back when it's warmer.
  Sunset in the San Juan Mountains was one of the best I've seen.
  
  
• Death Valley and Joshua Tree
  Joshua Tree was a great drive.
  Got stuck in Death Valley during a flash flood warning.
  
  Rain one day. Sun the next.
  Saw Badwater Basin filled with water.
  Watched stars from 2 a.m. to sunrise.
• Yosemite
  Tunnel View lives up to it. Mountains, waterfalls, lakes, all in one frame.
  The Vernal Falls hike was worth the climb.
  Yosemite pizza was an hour wait, but lasted until the next morning for breakfast.
• Pinnacles
  Yes, it's a national park. It exists.
  Convenient drive from the Bay. Solid views.
  Saw a California Condor.