Record breaking numbers in Yellowstone National Park

The 2010 summer marked the biggest numbers in terms of visitors that Yellowstone National Park has ever seen.

Over 2.5 million people came to visit the world’s original national park during the months of June, July, and August. That number has increased by over 200,000 people compared to the summer of 2009. This has put Yellowstone National Park on course to break another attendance record. Approximately 3.3 million visitors stopped by during all of last year, beating the prior record, which was put up back in 2007 by almost 5 percent.

Park officials believe that the marketing done by the tourism offices in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming is a big part of the recent rise in visitors at Yellowstone National Park. Also believed is that the slow economy could be helping by championing more affordable vacations.

Officials claim that checking out all types of national parks is a good value. This is so because it is flexible lengthwise and time wise as well as affordable. Visiting parks is also very easy to adjust to work in accordance with your schedule.

However, one possible downfall of the increased visitors is that there are longer waits and lines at the entrances, food vendors, and gift shops. It also clogs walking areas because of the people that halt to peer at the wildlife on the side of the road.

There are nine hotels in the area as well as gift shops and restaurants run by Yellowstone National Park’s largest vendor, Xanterra Parks & Resorts.

Officials from Xanterra say it was a successful summer and that the visitors to
Yellowstone certainly reflected the business they did.

On any day in Yellowstone Park, it was likely to see between 25,000 and 30,000 people. This number is exponentially bigger than what Yellowstone estimates its large mammals population to be.

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Great worldwide hiking trails you’ve never heard before

Floating_Huts, Khao Sok National Park
Image via Wikipedia
There are many hiking trails to experience, not only in the US, but also all over the world. The following will detail some of the great places in the world to hike that you may not have heard about.

In Nepal, lies The Great Himalaya Trail. It is the highest and longest walking trail on Earth. The trail, 4500 kilometers in length, spans from Namche Barwa in Tibet to Pakistan’s Nanga Parbat. Robin Boustead, a well-known adventurer, is the only person to walk the trail. If you are constricted time wise, the trail can be split up into 7 walk able pieces, done over multiple years.

In Southern Thailand, there is Khao Sok National Park. Besides the park, the accommodation is also part of the fun. There are over 30 floating bamboo huts on the Ratchaprapha Dam. There is no electricity in the hut, however. It only costs about $20 a night, an affordable shelter price for travelers. Also featured in the park are limestone cliffs, which are housed by nearly 200 species of birds. If you want a real accommodation experience, head to the Khao Sok Nature Resort. They have houses in the treetops. It costs about $52 bucks a night to go even more elegant and get the Tarzan and Jane tree house, which comes with a waterfall shower.

The next destination is the Jatbula Trail in the Northern Territory of Australia. In 2009, the Trail went under a lot of track work. This under the radar trail is ready to become one of the more notable trails in the area. It is a 58-kilometer trail that displays varied landscape from rainforests to grasslands to waterfalls. Also along the way is Aboriginal rock art in caves as well as outdoors. Try to come from May until September before monsoon season hits.

This is just a short list of lesser known, but excellent, hiking destinations all over the world.

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Balancing Online Casino Time with Family Fun

Online casino games can be fun for adults, and as long as you don’t believe there is anything wrong with placing bets, or let the games completely take over your life, then there is no harm in occasional play. You should never, however, let anything take away from family time.

For this reason, it is important to balance family with online playing, and one way you can do this is by taking hikes with your family. There are so many places in which you can hike that you will probably be able to find one close to your home.

For example, many state parks have nature trails winding through and around them. In most states, a state park is usually no more than a few hours away, and some may even be closer: as little as forty-five minutes to an hour away. These parks not only provide a safe place to hike, but the trails may be marked so that you and your family can identify native plants and look at interesting things that may only be found in your state.

National parks are well known for their hiking opportunities. Hiking trails range from easy ones that lead to a hidden stream or waterfall to more strenuous ones that take you to the top of a mountain for a breathtaking view that stretches for miles. You may be huffing and puffing by the time you get to the top, but there are usually plenty of places to stop and rest along the way.

Your own neighborhood may even have hiking trails. Walking trails often follow natural wood lines or waterways, giving you an opportunity to get a little closer to nature. They are usually well maintained, and may have certain operating hours so that you and your family can enjoy them safely.

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Wildlife warning in Yellowstone National Park

With the fall quickly approaching in Yellowstone National Park, the lower temperatures and snow in the high country, forces a lot of animals to start making their way to lower elevations.

Normally, multiple big bull elk head off towards the Mammoth area in autumn to fight for the cow elk’s attention. Bulls are aggressive toward people and cars during this time and are threats. Elk damage many vehicles every year and sometimes, these elk will charge people and injuries occur.

Yellowstone National Park staff and patrol volunteers look over the area when the elk are near, hoping to keep them separated from the Park visitors. Park rules state that visitors must stay at the minimum 25 yards away from most of the larger animals.

Once the fall season hits, black bears and grizzly bears also head to low elevations. There, they hope to find berries, roots, deer and elk so they can store these items to get through the winter hibernation period. Just because they are hibernating, doesn’t mean it is out of the question to see them venturing along hiking trails or even road corridors.

Yellowstone National Park’s rules state that visitors must be 100 yards away or more at all times when it comes to the big animals like wolves and bears. If you see one of these on your way along the road, get off of it and park on the shoulder and do not move from your vehicle. Keep an eye on the movement of the bear.

Backpackers and hikers are urged that when they travel, to do so in groups of three people or more. They are also urged to make noise along the trail and be on the look out for bears. Sightings of bears should be immediately reported to the closest visitor center or park ranger as quickly as possible.

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Hiking Mount Rainier

Kelvin Kay user:Kkmd
Image via Wikipedia
Rising high over the Puget Sound and the sparkling towers of downtown Seattle is Mount Rainier. The mountain, usually lost in the clouds, is a snow-capped beacon of light for outdoor enthusiasts of any type as soon as the sun breaks through. In the summer months, Mount Rainier National Park has a plethora of spots to bike, camp, fish, and, most importantly: hike.
Situated just ninety five miles from downtown Seattle, Mount Rainier National park is home to some of the most breathtaking hikes in the entire country. Whether you’re the novice hiker who prefers paved paths and plenty of bathroom breaks, or the experienced woodsman who doesn’t want to see another face for miles around, Mount Rainier National Park has you covered.
Paradise Visitor Center is perhaps the park’s busiest destination, and for good reason. Accessible through the park’s southern entrance, Paradise offers a variety of different hikes, accommodating every skill level. Stop at the Longmire Museum on your way up to learn a bit of history on the gorgeous mountain. There, hike the smooth, half-mile Trail of Shadows as a warm up. Then hop back in the car and continue on to the Paradise Visitor Center.  Park the car, stuff your packs, and head out on the 5-mile Skyline Trail. The trail is steep but rewarding, ending at Panorama Point and some simply amazing views of the mountain.
Those coming from the eastside of the mountain may prefer to visit Sunrise Visitor Center. Enter through the park’s White River entrance and end at the Sunrise visitor center. The visitor center sits right about the tree line, allowing visitors the contrasting views of lush forest and frigid mountaintop. Hike the 1.5 mile Sourdough nature trail for a cool look at the area’s plants and animals.
Paradise and Sunrise are just two of the many spots for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy the Pacific Northwest’s crown jewel.  Just remember, always check current road and weather conditions before leaving.
Now get out and enjoy!
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Walls of History

View of a red cliff in Zion National Park, Uta...
Image via Wikipedia
When hiking through the narrows of Zion National Park, there is plenty on one’s mind.  Thoughts range from the geological formations of the steep, rocky walls to the wispy, hopefully-not rainclouds overhead. In the presence of such nature, it is rare for one to think about people. The people, for instance ,that first inhabited the land around Zion National Park. The first to build settlements in the area. The first to brave the rushing waters of the North Forks River. But sometimes under the shadow of the canyon walls, it’s nice to think of other people. Especially when the water is at your thighs.
The first inhabitants to the area currently designated Zion National Park were the Anasazi people. The Anasazi- Navajo for ‘ancient ones’- were a tribe of nomadic hunters. They arrived sometime around 600 A.D. and made their home throughout the Four Corners. They began to dwindle around 1200 A.D when a shortage of trees- cut to create dwellings- caused a destruction of the watershed that was vital to their way of life.
After the Anasazi left, many other nomadic tribes briefly made the Zion their home, but a stable population didn’t exist again until the 19th century. The Paiutes Indians settled, quickly assimilating the canyons into their religion and stories. They crafted tales of the ‘Evil One’, believed to be a white man who would bring disease.
Early Caucasian explorers were hindered by the lack of cooperation by the native tribe, but began to explore the area in the mid-19th Century. Mormon Missionaries were some of the first whites to explore the area, finally convincing Native American guides to lead them up the all the way up to Oak Creek, stopping just before the narrowest part of the canyon. The Mormon’s later named the area Zion, paying homage to the area’s beauty, saying that the mountains were “the natural temples of God.”
The area caught the eye of the first director of the National Park’s Service, who fought hard to bring recognition to Zion. In 1918, Zion National Park was established.

When hiking through the narrows of Zion National Park, there is plenty on one’s mind.  Thoughts range from the geological formations of the steep, rocky walls to the wispy, hopefully-not rainclouds overhead. In the presence of such nature, it is rare for one to think about people. The people, for instance ,that first inhabited the land around Zion National Park. The first to build settlements in the area. The first to brave the rushing waters of the North Forks River. But sometimes under the shadow of the canyon walls, it’s nice to think of other people. Especially when the water is at your thighs.
The first inhabitants to the area currently designated Zion National Park were the Anasazi people. The Anasazi- Navajo for ‘ancient ones’- were a tribe of nomadic hunters. They arrived sometime around 600 A.D. and made their home throughout the Four Corners. They began to dwindle around 1200 A.D when a shortage of trees- cut to create dwellings- caused a destruction of the watershed that was vital to their way of life. After the Anasazi left, many other nomadic tribes briefly made the Zion their home, but a stable population didn’t exist again until the 19th century. The Paiutes Indians settled, quickly assimilating the canyons into their religion and stories. They crafted tales of the ‘Evil One’, believed to be a white man who would bring disease.
Early Caucasian explorers were hindered by the lack of cooperation by the native tribe, but began to explore the area in the mid-19th Century. Mormon Missionaries were some of the first whites to explore the area, finally convincing Native American guides to lead them up the all the way up to Oak Creek, stopping just before the narrowest part of the canyon. The Mormon’s later named the area Zion, paying homage to the area’s beauty, saying that the mountains were “the natural temples of God.”
The area caught the eye of the first director of the National Park’s Service, who fought hard to bring recognition to Zion. In 1918, Zion National Park was established.

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Exploring Great Basin

Nevada has never been a destination spot for National Park enthusiasts. Typically overshadowed by Colorado and its plethora of parks to the west, or the Grand Canyon- attracting about five million visitors per year- to the south, Nevada doesn’t garner much attention. There are only two National Parks in Nevada: Death Valley and Great Basin. Since Death Valley National Park is largely situated within California, this leaves solely Great Basin National Park to call Nevada home.
But don’t be fooled, Great Basin National Park is truly a sight to see.  13,000 foot glacier-carved peaks stand high above stunning caves running. Lands ranging from dry deserts to snowcapped peaks make for gorgeous examples of beauty in contrast. Visitors to the park should hike both the caves and the mountains, gaining a respect for the different landscape held within this seventy-seven thousand acre park.
The Lehman Caves is the park’s most popular cave. Carved by the flow of water, the cave is a friendlier, simpler dark space than one would find in the Carlsbad Caverns or other park’s caves. The guided hike through the cave covers a little less than a mile, running past beautiful stalactite formations. The Lake Room and the Grand Palace are the cave’s two main attractions, with enormous columns and shields filling the space. Special candlelight tours are occasionally offered, giving the visitor of how it used to feel to explore deep, dark caves.
From the depths of the cave, head up to a peak. The Wheeler Peak Summit Drive is a twelve mile long drive that begins low in the dry forest and ends with gorgeous 10,000 foot views in the high mountains.  Peak Overlook atop Wheeler Peak features a lookout situated directly a glacier 1,800 feet below. Hiking the Alpine Lakes Loop Trail allows for more amazing mountain views while stopping along clear and quiet Teresa and Stella Lakes.
A big perk to the park: it doesn’t attract as many visitors as other parks in the area. A huge plus, especially for those visitors whom desire a more intimate park experience.

Nevada has never been a destination spot for National Park enthusiasts. Typically overshadowed by Colorado and its plethora of parks to the west, or the Grand Canyon- attracting about five million visitors per year- to the south, Nevada doesn’t garner much attention. There are only two National Parks in Nevada: Death Valley and Great Basin. Since Death Valley National Park is largely situated within California, this leaves solely Great Basin National Park to call Nevada home.
But don’t be fooled, Great Basin National Park is truly a sight to see.  13,000 foot glacier-carved peaks stand high above stunning caves running. Lands ranging from dry deserts to snowcapped peaks make for gorgeous examples of beauty in contrast. Visitors to the park should hike both the caves and the mountains, gaining a respect for the different landscape held within this seventy-seven thousand acre park.
The Lehman Caves is the park’s most popular cave. Carved by the flow of water, the cave is a friendlier, simpler dark space than one would find in the Carlsbad Caverns or other park’s caves. The guided hike through the cave covers a little less than a mile, running past beautiful stalactite formations. The Lake Room and the Grand Palace are the cave’s two main attractions, with enormous columns and shields filling the space. Special candlelight tours are occasionally offered, giving the visitor of how it used to feel to explore deep, dark caves.
From the depths of the cave, head up to a peak. The Wheeler Peak Summit Drive is a twelve mile long drive that begins low in the dry forest and ends with gorgeous 10,000 foot views in the high mountains.  Peak Overlook atop Wheeler Peak features a lookout situated directly a glacier 1,800 feet below. Hiking the Alpine Lakes Loop Trail allows for more amazing mountain views while stopping along clear and quiet Teresa and Stella Lakes.
A big perk to the park: it doesn’t attract as many visitors as other parks in the area. A huge plus, especially for those visitors whom desire a more intimate park experience.

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Oregon’s Deep Lake

Crater Lake National Park
Image by Roger Lynn via Flickr
Seventy miles east of Medford, Oregon rests America’s deepest freshwater lake. The lake- its surface about 5,500 feet above sea level- formed after Mt. Mazama, a volcano in the Cascade Range, erupted in 4800 B.C. The explosion- estimated to be one of the biggest in history-left a massive caldera. Over time, water from melted snow collected in the caldera, creating Crater Lake.
The best time to visit Crater Lake National Park is in the summer. Visitors can drive the thirty eight mile Rim Drive, circling the lake. The drive provides numerous scenic overlooks and picnic spots. From the top of the crater’s rim, the fresh Oregon air allows for views of over one hundred miles.
For those looking to swim and play in the icy cold waters, hike down the Cleetwood Trail. ON your way down, notice the different vegetation. Mountain Hemlock, Shasta red fir, whitebark pine, and ponderosa pine are some of the many varieties of trees present in the park. The steep, mile-long trail ends at a boat launch, as well as a small area to swim.
Boat tours leave hourly in the summer, allowing visitors to become acquainted with the vastness of the deep lake. The boat stops on Wizard Island, and for those who feel up to it, a two-mile round trip hike ends on Wizard Summit. From the summit, look out over the water and up the steep cliffs. It’s easy to get lost looking out, feeling like you’re on the surface of a totally different planet.
The Rim Village Visitor Center is a perfect last stop. With plenty of information on how the lake was formed, visitors will leave Crater Lake experts. Plus, the Visitor Center has plenty of gifts, snacks, and postcards; plenty of trinkets to help you remember your day at Crater Lake.

Seventy miles east of Medford, Oregon rests America’s deepest freshwater lake. The lake- its surface about 5,500 feet above sea level- formed after Mt. Mazama, a volcano in the Cascade Range, erupted in 4800 B.C. The explosion- estimated to be one of the biggest in history-left a massive caldera. Over time, water from melted snow collected in the caldera, creating Crater Lake.

The best time to visit Crater Lake National Park is in the summer. Visitors can drive the thirty eight mile Rim Drive, circling the lake. The drive provides numerous scenic overlooks and picnic spots. From the top of the crater’s rim, the fresh Oregon air allows for views of over one hundred miles.

For those looking to swim and play in the icy cold waters, hike down the Cleetwood Trail. ON your way down, notice the different vegetation. Mountain Hemlock, Shasta red fir, whitebark pine, and ponderosa pine are some of the many varieties of trees present in the park. The steep, mile-long trail ends at a boat launch, as well as a small area to swim.

Boat tours leave hourly in the summer, allowing visitors to become acquainted with the vastness of the deep lake. The boat stops on Wizard Island, and for those who feel up to it, a two-mile round trip hike ends on Wizard Summit. From the summit, look out over the water and up the steep cliffs. It’s easy to get lost looking out, feeling like you’re on the surface of a totally different planet.

The Rim Village Visitor Center is a perfect last stop. With plenty of information on how the lake was formed, visitors will leave Crater Lake experts. Plus, the Visitor Center has plenty of gifts, snacks, and postcards; plenty of trinkets to help you remember your day at Crater Lake.

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Hiking Through Chesler Park in Canyonlands National Park

Hiking in Chesler Park, Needles District, Cany...
Image by Molas via Flickr

While perhaps not as well known as Zion or Arches National Parks, Canyonlands National Park in Southeast Utah is a spectacular place for hiking and backpacking. Canyonlands features stunning views, otherworldly rock formations, arches, and narrow twisting slot canyons. There are also a wide variety of hikes from short walks to backpacking trails. Besides hiking, there are great opportunities in Canyonlands for off-roading, biking, and camping. Hiking trails are the most common, and are the easiest way to get to know Canyonlands in a personal way.

One of the great hikes in Canyonlands is the Chesler Park Loop / Joint Trail hike. The entire trail is 11 miles long, and can be done in one day, but if you prefer to break it up and do a little exploring, there are backpacking sites along the trail. You will need to pack in all the water you will need because there is no water along the trail. Canyonlands is a desert, and keeping hydrated is important. This trail starts at the Elephant Hill trailhead. After three miles you will come to a great viewpoint of Chesler Park. The loop around Chesler Park is called the Joint Trail, and while fairly level, it winds through narrow fractures in the rock. This is a great place to take some time and explore. Squeeze down the narrow canyons and enjoy finding your way through the mazelike contortions and corridors in the rock. This part of the trail is particularly fun for young hikers. If you have a 4wd vehicle you can actually drive to Chesler Park and then it is only a very short hike into this part of the Joint Trail. Before heading out on this hike, drop by the visitor’s center and ask about the water levels. Sometimes the narrow crevasses in Chesler Park will fill up with water during certain times of the year. Decide if that is something you will want to deal with.

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Hiking the Fiery Furnace in Arches National Park

Fiery Furnace at Arches National Park
Image via Wikipedia

Arches National Park has captured the imagination of explorers, photographers, filmmakers, writers, and visitors for generations. The deep red sandstone has been formed into intense and fanciful creations by the endless wear of water, wind, and sand. History is written in the sheer cliff faces, the finely crafted arches, and the stately pillars of stone. One of the greatest ways to see this geological history and stunning beauty, is to explore the hikes and trails that are available to visitors in Arches National Park.

One of the greatest hikes to get up close and personal with the sandstone is the Fiery Furnace. The Fiery Furnace is a twisted labyrinth of sandstone, with hidden arches, corridors, and streams within. There is no specific marked trail through the Fiery Furnace, and it is one of Nature’s greatest mazes. A guided tour through the Fiery Furnace is recommended, unless you or someone in your party has gone through the Fiery Furnace once (or preferably more times) previous to your trip. It is easy, even for a veteran, to get lost in the twisted corridors. There are several places where it looks like you must go through a solid cliff face, and unless you know where to look, you will think you have come to a dead end.

The Fiery Furnace requires that you obtain a permit from the visitor’s center prior to your hike. You must view a short video that will inform you of the damage that can be done to the environment by ignorant hikers. The video will advise you how to make the least impact during your hike. This particular area has received a lot of damage from the high volume of traffic. After you have received your permit and watched the video you are ready to be on your way. Enjoy your mysterious journey through the Fiery Furnace.

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