There are a variety of destinations to explore in Arizona beyond the Grand Canyon, which for this trip, is omitted. Scottsdale outside the urban sprawls of Phoenix and Sedona (Red Rock Country) are the highlights of this short 4 day adventure.
hiking
Parks ME – Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park, located on the United States’ East Coast, is the 7th most popular national park in 2019 with around 3.4 million visitors. It became a National Park in 1919 under the name of Lafayette National Park and renamed to Acadia National Park in 1929. The majority of Acadia is located within Mount Desert Island and spans across many nearby islands and Schoodic Penninsula.
On our trip in 2020, the bus service within Acadia National Park was suspended. While the park gets crowded from 10AM to 2 PM, finding parking was fairly easy before 9 AM.
Featuring:
- Lakes
- Ocean
- Stream
- Waterfall
- Beach
- Dog Friendly
- Good Views
- Picnic Area
- Playground
- Swimming Area
- Wild Berries
- Wild Flower
Hiking ME – Cadillac North Ridge Trail / Acadia National Park – August 2020
Cadillac North Ridge Trail is one of several options to hike up Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park. This is a moderately difficult, highly trafficked, 4.67-mile in-and-out trail. There are many other trails that intersect Cadillac North Ridge Trail one can choose from for additional hiking options. The path has many good lookout views to the east.
Cadillac Mountain is accessible via:
– Hike Cadillac North Ridge Trail (this post)
– Hike Cadillac West Face Trail
– Hike Cadillac Mountain S Ridge Trail – longest, yet, easiest of hiking trail options
– Hike E Face Dorr Trail to Schiff Path to Gorge Trail
– Drive up to Cadillac Mountain Overlook
An entrance fee is required at Acadia National Park. The automobile permit costs $30 and is valid for seven days. The permit can be purchase in advance at the Acadia National Parks website. For a detailed guide on Acadia, see post Parks – Acadia National Park, ME.
Featuring:
- Lakes
- Ocean
- Good Views
- Islands
- Mountains
- Wild Flowers
- Wildlife
PREVIEW – Acadia National Park in Maine
No worries, the blog has not been forgotten. Over the past week and a half, I have been busy exploring Acadia National Park in Maine and surrounding areas such as Bar Harbor and Portland. With the foliage season around the corner, I wanted to give folks a jump start on what is coming up, and … Read more
Parks NY – Minnewaska State Park Preserve – August 2020
Minnewaska State Park Preserve’s unique landscape was formed when glaciers were retreating from North America leaving stunning views behind. The park is open for all guests who want to enjoy the Awosting Falls, take a stroll or have a picnic by Lake Minnewaska, go swimming or get adventurous by choosing among multiple hiking and biking trails.
Many may be surprised but the park does not end at Lake Minnewaska. Lake Awosting is accessible by hiking or biking and allows swimming when a lifeguard is on duty. Additionally, there is another entrance at Sam’s Point where one can enjoy the Ice Caves hike.
Featuring:
- Lake
- Stream
- Waterfall
- Good Views
- Picnic Area
- Swimming Area
- Wild Berries
- Wild Flower
Hiking NY – Buttermilk Falls (Gorge, Bear and Lake Treman) – July 2020
Buttermilk Falls State Park is located in the Finger Lakes region of upstate NY. It is easy to moderate, 4.52-mile hike with well-groomed trails. Features a heavily used swimming area at the base of the falls. The hike along the gorge has good views of the cascading falls along the hike up towards Lake Treman. Don’t wait till August or later to come here as the falls can dry up late into the season.
Trail summary is per current COVID-19 trail rules regulating the flow of hiker traffic one way around.
Featuring:
- Lake
- Waterfall
- Picnic Area
- Swimming Area
- Wild Berries
- Wild Flower
Hiking MA- Bish Bash Falls (from NY) – July 2020
For those hot summer days, this is a wonderful and easy hike for the family to experience Bish Bash Falls. It is an easy, short 1.82 mile, in-out hike with minimal elevation. The view is worth it.
Featuring:
- River
- Waterfall
- Wild Flower
Hiking NY- Windham High Peak- June 2020
Windham High Peak is an in-out trail of medium-difficult rating. The terrain is rather easy but does have steady elevation gains to the top keep your body working hard. The trail is 7.19 miles according to my Garmin tracker, even though the trail is rated at 6.6 miles (3.3 miles to peak).
This is a good trail late spring through fall, including summer as the tree cover keeps the trail cool. Winter through early spring has this trail covered in snow and ice and recommend staying away unless you come prepared with the proper equipment.
Featuring:
- Stream
- Good Views
- Wild Flower
Hiking NY – Lake Minnewaska to Lake Awosting – June 2020
Minnewaska State Park Preserve is one of my favorite destinations within NY state. Has many gorgeous hiking trails, carriage ways for biking or simply picnicking by the lake. Today’s adventure is a hike to Lake Awosting via Castle Point and returning on Upper Awosting. This is a easy-moderate hike at 12.39 miles. This specific trail can be used for biking.
Park opens at 9am. During weekends, entrance is usually temporary closed by mid-morning for full parking and crowd control.
Featuring:
- Lake
- Stream
- Good Views
- Wild Berries
- Wild Flower
Hiking NY – Sterling Forest Bare Rock and Sterling Ironworks – May 2020
Moderate and fun hike at Sterling Forest State Park. It is roughly a half-day hike at 8.38 miles. Leading up to the fire tower there is a decent hike up elevation, otherwise, it’s a fairly easy trail with some beautiful views. It’s particularly nice here during the fall.
Featuring:
- Lake
- Streams
- Good Views
- Fire Tower (Closed due to COVID-19)
- Ruins (Sterling Ironworks)
- Wild Flowers
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