Emerald Pools Trail, Zion National Park, Utah

Lower Emerald Pool Zion Lodge 1 hour 1.2 mi / 1.9 km 69 ft / 21 m Leads to the pools below Middle Emerald Pools and the Upper Emerald Pools Trails.

Waterfalls, Emerald Pools Trail, Zion National Park, Utah

Lower Emerald Pool Zion Lodge 1 hour 1.2 mi / 1.9 km 69 ft / 21 m Leads to the pools below Middle Emerald Pools and the Upper Emerald Pools Trails.

Emerald Pools Trail, Zion National Park, Utah

Lower Emerald Pool Zion Lodge 1 hour 1.2 mi / 1.9 km 69 ft / 21 m Leads to the pools below Middle Emerald Pools and the Upper Emerald Pools Trails.

MIlky Way Galaxy, NIght sky photography, Zion National Park, Utah, Light Painting, I Love You

I Love you Utah

Abraham, Isaac and Jacob peaks, Court of the Patriarchs, Zion National Park, Utah

The Patriarchs are three neighboring sandstone peaks on the west side of Zion Canyon. Each is named after biblical fathers. From left to right (south to north) they are Abraham Peak, Isaac Peak, and Jacob Peak. Abraham Peak is the tallest at 6,890 feet. The white top of Jacob Peak rises behind the orange rock of Mount Moroni. The Patriarchs were named by Frederick Vining Fisher, a Methodist minister who ventured into Zion in 1916, labeling numerous prominent points in Zion Canyon. He decided to name these three peaks after Old Testament daddies, and the titles stuck.

Sunset, Riverside Walk, Temple of Sinawawa, The Narrows, Zion National Park, Utah

Riverside Walk by Virgin River Temple of Sinawava 1.5 hour 2.2 mi / 3.5 km 57 ft / 17 m Paved trail follows the Virgin River in a deep canyon. First 0.4 miles is wheelchair accessible but may be sandy.

Sunset, Riverside Walk, Temple of Sinawawa, The Narrows, Zion National Park, Utah,

Riverside Walk by Virgin River Temple of Sinawava 1.5 hour 2.2 mi / 3.5 km 57 ft / 17 m Paved trail follows the Virgin River in a deep canyon. First 0.4 miles is wheelchair accessible but may be sandy.

Tunnel, Zion National Park, Utah, Highway 9 - Zion Mt Carmel Highway

On July 3, 1930, the work was completed and the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway and Tunnel was officially dedicated and opened to the public. Two years and ten months after the project began, visitors traveled along the new scenic route in the comfort of an automobile and enjoyed views of the high desert landscape along the way. The once imagined "Grand Circle Tour" of Zion, Bryce, and Grand Canyon National Parks was now a reality.

Checkerboard Mesa, Zion National Park, Utah, Highway 9 -Zion Mt Carmel Highway

Most of the rocks in Zion National Park are sedimentary rocks –made of bits and pieces of older rocks that have been weathered, eroded, and deposited in layers. These rock layers hold stories of ancient environments and inhabitants very different from those found in Zion today. In this distant past, Zion and the Colorado Plateau were near sea level, and were even in a different place on the globe—close to the equator. The rock layers found in Zion today were deposited between approximately 110 –270 million years ago –only in recent geologic time have they been uplifted and eroded to form the scenery of Zion National Park.

Tropic Ditch Waterfalls, Mossy Cave Trail, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

One of the easiest and relaxing trails in Bryce Canyon. As you turn the corner and see the waterfall, if there are no others near you, then for a moment, you can hear the tune to the Good, Bad and Ugly playing in your head, and imagine Clint Eastwood riding along the canyon floor. This is the perfect view of the Western USA.

Milky Way Galaxy, Night Sky, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

In 2019, Bryce Canyon National park officially gained International Dark Sky status. Bryce Canyon's high elevation, clean air, and remote location creates some of the darkest skies in the country. During a new Moon on a clear weather night, you can see thousands of stars and the spectacular band of the Milky Way Galaxy shooting across the sky. On a clear day at Bryce you can see nearly 200 miles to the Black Mesas in eastern Arizona. On a clear dark night, you can see 2.2 million light years or 527,000,000,000,000,000 miles to the Andromeda Galaxy.

Navajo Loop Trail into the canyon, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

One of my favorite views in Bryce Canyon, maybe even across National parks, this view capturing the gently carved out switchbacks into the canyon, leading the viewer into the depths, and plunging them in to the middle is a sight to see. THe people walking the trail, shows the scale of the formations.

Rim Trail, Sunset Point, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

If sunrise in Bryce Canyon is the opening act, then sunset is the grand finale. Just as every pillar, every rock formation, every corner was slowly illuminated, so does it get turned off. As the shadows creepin, slowly plunging the canyon into darkness, the shades from yellow to deep red, linger on.

Natural Bridge, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah - 8627 feet

Bridging the gap. As I stood at the lookout point, taking a moment to capture this view, I thought to myself, imagine this above the mantlepiece. The opening in the fireplace complemented by the opening in the bridge. Strange thoughts but maybe not for someone who loves photography as musch as home design.

Navajo Mountain view, Black Birch Canyon,, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah - 8750 feet

Pine and Fir on the forest floor provide the perfect view into the canyon. There are no Black birches here, but the two columns frame the entrance like a Hoolywood movie would. What lays past this? Should one enter? How would you enter? So many questions, so many reflections, all only made possible by Mother Nature.

Large Cloud for scale, Rainbow Point, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah - 9115 feet

Clouds are one of most favorite natural phenomenon. They are by nature ephemeral and localized. Sometimes at the right time at the right place, you get to see the scale of these natural formations.

Inspiration point, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah - 8100 feet

To see the canyon plunge below the plateau, that is a sight. Vantage points are plenty at Bryce Canyon, especially from the Rim Trail.

Hoodoos, Inspiration point, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah - 8100 feet

Bryce Canyon is not a single canyon, but a series of natural amphitheaters or bowls, carved into the edge of a high plateau. The most famous of these is the Bryce Amphitheater, which is filled with irregularly eroded spires of rocks called hoodoos.The formation of Bryce Canyon and its hoodoos requires 3 steps: 1) Deposition of Rocks 2) Uplift of the Land 3) Weathering and Erosion. Part of the beauty of the hoodoos comes from their strange patterns. The shape of the hoodoos is attributed to slight variances in the material which comprises the rock. There are multiple types of rocks that make up Bryce Canyon. All of the rocks contain abundant calcium carbonate (CaCO3), a mineral that dissolves when it comes into contact with even slightly acidic water. When it rains at Bryce Canyon, the (slightly) acidic rain is enough to dissolve the calcium carbonate that holds these rocks together and allows them to erode into their current shape (and continues to shape them). When you look at the Hoodoos you will notice some layers that jut out, and some that indent inwards. This is a result of the rocks having varying amounts of calcium carbonate cementation and that controls how easily dissolvable (or how resistant) that rock layer is.

Tree color, Inspiration point, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah - 8100 feet

I wanted color contrast. Here is where each viewer, each photographer finds something that appeals to them. To me, the green tree against the red background, appealed. The discord of the branches, clashed against the symmetry of the hoodos. Print large, so the branches and the hoodoos can be seen.

Grottos, Bryce Point, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah - 8300 ft

Large cavities in white limestone layer of the Claron formation

Queen's Garden Trail, Sunrise Point, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah - 8100 feet (2469 m)

Sunrise at Bryce Canyon is an unbelievable sight. As night turns into day, the colors of the sky pour into the canyon, slowly inlluminating the amphitheater, aptly named, as a show gets put on. Get there early, and move around as even small angles can make a difference in the view. No one view is the best, it is all in the viewers eye. Enjoy it.

Hoodoos, Paunsagunt Plateau, Sunrise Point, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah - 8100 feet (2469 m)

Bryce Canyon is not a single canyon, but a series of natural amphitheaters or bowls, carved into the edge of a high plateau. The most famous of these is the Bryce Amphitheater, which is filled with irregularly eroded spires of rocks called hoodoos.The formation of Bryce Canyon and its hoodoos requires 3 steps: 1) Deposition of Rocks 2) Uplift of the Land 3) Weathering and Erosion. Part of the beauty of the hoodoos comes from their strange patterns. The shape of the hoodoos is attributed to slight variances in the material which comprises the rock. There are multiple types of rocks that make up Bryce Canyon. All of the rocks contain abundant calcium carbonate (CaCO3), a mineral that dissolves when it comes into contact with even slightly acidic water. When it rains at Bryce Canyon, the (slightly) acidic rain is enough to dissolve the calcium carbonate that holds these rocks together and allows them to erode into their current shape (and continues to shape them). When you look at the Hoodoos you will notice some layers that jut out, and some that indent inwards. This is a result of the rocks having varying amounts of calcium carbonate cementation and that controls how easily dissolvable (or how resistant) that rock layer is.

Sunrise Point, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah - 8100 feet (2469 m) From Left to right: Boat Mesa, Sinking Ship, Bristle Cone Point

Sunrise at Bryce Canyon is an unbelievable sight. As night turns into day, the colors of the sky pour into the canyon, slowly inlluminating the amphitheater, aptly named, as a show gets put on. Get there early, and move around as even small angles can make a difference in the view. No one view is the best, it is all in the viewers eye. Enjoy it.

Kemil Beach, Indiana Dunes National Park

Retreating water is beautiful. An abstract view from the national park closest to my home in the suburbs of Chicago.

Kemil Beach, Indiana Dunes National Park

Lake Michigan is no lake at all. It took us almost 3 hours on a fast ferry to cross it from Michigan to Illinois. This view from the Indiana Dunes National Park, acros the lake and the city of Chicago looking in the distance is a beautiful view. The birds casually walking the beach, added to my interest.

Rain Cloud, Pass Mountain Overlook, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

A panoramic view of the Shenandoah valley. Can you spot the rain?

Limberlost Trail, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

My love for benches. Love this photo.

Stars, Milky Way Galaxy, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

In 1880, less than 150 years ago, electric light first came to American cities. In 2017, roughly 80% of people in North America cannot see the Milky Way due to electric lights at night. In other words, our dark night skies often really aren’t all that dark. When was the last time you were able to experience the awe of seeing a sky full of stars? It can be easy to feel disconnected from, or simply forget about, the beauty and sheer vastness of the cosmos. The National Park Service recognizes dark night skies as a valuable resource that needs to be protected. While Shenandoah National Park may not get as dark as some of the Parks out in the west or northern United States (check out info on how dark skies are rated, 420kb pdf), its high elevation, combined with its relative remoteness from dense urban areas, make the Park a great place to engage in stargazing on the east coast. On moonless and cloud-free nights it is a wonderful spot to view the Milky Way or some of the 2500 stars visible to the unaided eye that make up one of the 88 official constellations. Finding and observing constellations, phases of the moon, meteor showers, and eclipses can provide a sense of wonder about our place in the universe.

Sunset, Timber Hollow Overlook, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Sunset at Shenandoah. Looking west, the valleys, hills and sky get lit up.

Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Come drive with me

View from Black Rock Summit Trail, Appalachian Trail, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

The rock outcrops of Shenandoah National Park are some of the largest in the region and contain many significant vegetation communities and rare plant and animal populations. Rock outcrops are defined as visible exposures of bedrock or other geologic formations at the surface of the Earth. Rock outcrops take many different forms within the Park, ranging from the massive granite boulders of Old Rag Mountain, to the sheer cliffs of Little Stony Man, and the jumbled boulder fields of Blackrock. Many of the Park's outcrops are popular visitor destinations due to the dramatic scenery and open vistas they provide.

Calf Mountain Overlook, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

The lushness of Shenandoah is something I can't forget. Green is everywhere.

Two Mile Run Overlook, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Enjoying the view from scenic vistas is one of the most common visitor activities in Shenandoah National Park. Scenic overlooks along Skyline drive, and viewpoints on many trails, offer wonderful opportunities to enjoy the expansive view, and to study details of the land below. Air quality, vegetative cover and condition, landform, and land use all influence the characteristics of a scenic vista. Hot hazy summer days may afford only indistinct views of nearby mountains and the valley floor, while clear winter days may afford spectacular views of multiple adjacent ridgelines, and many details of valley homesteads. Skyline Drive was designed and constructed in the 1930's to provide scenic views within the park, and into the Piedmont plateau to the east and the Shenandoah Valley to the west. Seventy-six overlooks, and many drive-by vistas were constructed along the drive so motorists could enjoy the views as they toured the park. All overlooks in Shenandoah National Park must be maintained with periodic tree and shrub clearing to maintain the historic views. This clearing work is done within the original footprint of each overlook as it was created during the construction of Skyline drive. Regular vegetation management assures that quality views may be enjoyed by Park visitors for many years to come.

The Point Overlook, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Enjoying the view from scenic vistas is one of the most common visitor activities in Shenandoah National Park. Scenic overlooks along Skyline drive, and viewpoints on many trails, offer wonderful opportunities to enjoy the expansive view, and to study details of the land below. Air quality, vegetative cover and condition, landform, and land use all influence the characteristics of a scenic vista. Hot hazy summer days may afford only indistinct views of nearby mountains and the valley floor, while clear winter days may afford spectacular views of multiple adjacent ridgelines, and many details of valley homesteads. Skyline Drive was designed and constructed in the 1930's to provide scenic views within the park, and into the Piedmont plateau to the east and the Shenandoah Valley to the west. Seventy-six overlooks, and many drive-by vistas were constructed along the drive so motorists could enjoy the views as they toured the park. All overlooks in Shenandoah National Park must be maintained with periodic tree and shrub clearing to maintain the historic views. This clearing work is done within the original footprint of each overlook as it was created during the construction of Skyline drive. Regular vegetation management assures that quality views may be enjoyed by Park visitors for many years to come.

Big Meadows, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Make sure you take a walk in the Big Meadows across from the Byrd Visitor Center. There are guided tours which are great.

Milky Way Galaxy and night stars, Skyland Resort, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

In 1880, less than 150 years ago, electric light first came to American cities. In 2017, roughly 80% of people in North America cannot see the Milky Way due to electric lights at night. In other words, our dark night skies often really aren’t all that dark. When was the last time you were able to experience the awe of seeing a sky full of stars? It can be easy to feel disconnected from, or simply forget about, the beauty and sheer vastness of the cosmos. The National Park Service recognizes dark night skies as a valuable resource that needs to be protected. While Shenandoah National Park may not get as dark as some of the Parks out in the west or northern United States (check out info on how dark skies are rated, 420kb pdf), its high elevation, combined with its relative remoteness from dense urban areas, make the Park a great place to engage in stargazing on the east coast. On moonless and cloud-free nights it is a wonderful spot to view the Milky Way or some of the 2500 stars visible to the unaided eye that make up one of the 88 official constellations. Finding and observing constellations, phases of the moon, meteor showers, and eclipses can provide a sense of wonder about our place in the universe.

Sun circle, Trail in Skyland Resort, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

We circle the sun. The sun circle completes us.

Hemlock Springs Overlook, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Nature's Calling! Just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is a land bursting with cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, fields of wildflowers, and quiet wooded hollows. Shenandoah National Park straddles the Blue Ridge, a unique line of mountains forming the easternmost rampart of the great Appalachian Range. The story of Shenandoah’s mountains is the story of two mountain ranges, spanning over one billion years of earth’s history. Between 1.2 and 1.0 billion years ago, ancient collisions of tectonic plates raised a great mountain range, named Grenville by geologists. This process, very similar to the forces creating the Himalayas today, produced incredible heat and pressure that melted and deformed the rocks deep in the mountains’ core. These highly metamorphosed rocks are preserved within Shenandoah today and provide geologists a way to date the timing of these events.

Moraine Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

The Montane ecosystem has the richest diversity of plant and animal life. Meandering rivers and open meadows are surrounded by hilly slopes. Wildflowers blanket the meadows throughout the summer growing season.

Sheep Lakes, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

The Montane ecosystem has the richest diversity of plant and animal life. Meandering rivers and open meadows are surrounded by hilly slopes. Wildflowers blanket the meadows throughout the summer growing season.

Sprague Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

A maze of evergreen trees covers the mountainsides in subalpine areas. Hidden among the trees are crystal clear lakes and fields of wildflowers that may surprise you. The subalpine ecosystem occupies elevations just below tree-line between 9,000 and 11,000 feet.

Bear Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

My desktop background and my centerpiece in gallery wall at home. TA maze of evergreen trees covers the mountainsides in subalpine areas. Hidden among the trees are crystal clear lakes and fields of wildflowers that may surprise you. The subalpine ecosystem occupies elevations just below tree-line between 9,000 and 11,000 feet.

Elk, Alpine Ridge Trail, Alpine Visitor Center, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Access to "the land above the trees" is the most distinct aspect of Rocky Mountain National Park. Trail Ridge Road, the highest road in any national park, transports you to this realm of open sky where you'll find tiny but brilliant flowers and a harsh climate. Approximately one-third of this national park is above the limit where trees may grow in northern Colorado. The Alpine Tundra Ecosystem starts between elevations of 11,000 to 11,500 feet, depending on exposure. This is truly a land of extremes. Strong, frequent winds and cold temperatures help limit what plants can grow there. Yet, here was this Elk walking along in the stark loneliness.

Elk, Alpine Ridge Trail, Alpine Visitor Center, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

North American Elk (Cervus canadensis) Elk are one of the largest members of the deer family. Large males, called bulls, can weigh several hundred pounds and stand five feet at the shoulder. Females are called cows and are roughly half that size. A dark brown mane, light-brown bodies and white rumps characterize both sexes. They grow a thicker coat of hair each winter which they shed each spring. Only males have antlers, which grow in the spring and drop each winter. Antlers can grow up to an inch a day. They are covered with a protective layer of velvety skin. When the antlers are fully grown, the bulls scrape this layer off.

Elk, Alpine Ridge Trail, Alpine Visitor Center, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Access to "the land above the trees" is the most distinct aspect of Rocky Mountain National Park. Trail Ridge Road, the highest road in any national park, transports you to this realm of open sky where you'll find tiny but brilliant flowers and a harsh climate. Approximately one-third of this national park is above the limit where trees may grow in northern Colorado. The Alpine Tundra Ecosystem starts between elevations of 11,000 to 11,500 feet, depending on exposure. This is truly a land of extremes. Strong, frequent winds and cold temperatures help limit what plants can grow there.

Poudre Lake, Milner Pass, Continental Divide, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

At 10,759 feet, this mountain pass has exceptional views of Poudre Lake, and is located on the continental divide! The divide traverses the Americas from Alaska to Cape Horn in Chile. As it rains on the divide, the future course of a drop of water depends on a matter of feet. All water east of this pass will flow towards the Atlantic Ocean while all water on the west side will flow towards the Pacific Ocean. Look for a descriptive brown sign in the parking lot. Milner Pass is named for T.J Milner, an ambitious railroad promoter who surveyed a rail route across the divide. Like many surveyed routes of the 1880s, the railroad line was never built. This pass provides access to one end of the Ute Trail that leads to the Alpine Visitor Center.

Never Summer Mountains, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Lead Mountain with Glaciers. Glacial geology in Rocky Mountain National Park can be seen from the tops of the peaks to the bottom of the valleys. Ice is a powerful sculptor of this natural environment and large masses of moving ice are the most powerful tools. While the glaciation periods are largely in the past, Rocky still has several small glaciers. Other telltale marks of giant glaciers can be seen all throughout the park.

Colorado River, Coyote Valley Trailhead, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Rocky Mountain National Park’s 415 square miles encompass and protect spectacular mountain environments. Enjoy Trail Ridge Road – which crests at over 12,000 feet including many overlooks to experience the subalpine and alpine worlds. The backbone of Rocky Mountain National Park includes some of the highest mountains in the continental United States. The top third of the park encompasses the alpine tundra, a windswept land above the trees. Landscapes on either side of the Continental Divide feature alpine lakes, forested valleys and a wide range of plants and animals.