Week 368 - Hiking Collection No. 3 - 09-01-2013

Hiking Collections No. 3

We're back in Atascadero, so we bring you Hiking Collection No. 3.

Pinnacles National Park, California
There are many hikes in the Pinnacles. We took a 7.7 mile hike, it was strenuous and took many hours. First off, we recommend you hike Pinnacles in the winter. We did it in May and it was hot, hot and more hot. There is very little shade once you start up. It is a great hike and some very cool formations. Take a hat and lots of water. For a very in-depth tour, see http://bigrigbible.com/WeeklyTravelogues/week247-249.php

Directions: From Atascadero, head north on the 101 60 miles to King City. Take the 1st Street exit. Follow onto Lyons and onto Bitterwater Road for 15 miles. Turn north at Hwy 25 for 14 miles and left onto CA-146 for four miles and you are at the park.

Just one of the very unique formations.

Most trails are wide and dirt paths. And then there are these really fun sections.

Vernal Falls, Yosemite National Park, California
3 miles round trip, 3 hours, moderate to strenuous. This is a fabulous hike with lots of shade. You can stop short at the foot bridge below the falls and it takes only 1.6 miles in a hour and one half.

Directions: From Fresno take Hwy 41 north to Yosemite National Park. Pass through the entrance gate and follow the road all the way to Yosemite Valley. The hike starts in the south-eastern end of the valley.

This view from the top is worth the strenuous rock staircases that you must climb once you are past the footbridge. This was in September and the water flow is puny. Try it in the spring and the water comes over to the railing.

Lots of stairs in the final half mile. See more photos at http://bigrigbible.com/WeeklyTravelogues/week214-215.php

Feather Falls, Oroville California
This hike can be 9 miles (moderate) or 7 miles (strenuous) or 8 miles (half of each, as we did). Most of the hike is through the forest with lots of shade. There are a few nice views of Lake Oroville and other sites. But mostly you hike just to see the falls which do not appear until the final stretch.

Directions: Start in Oroville by taking the CA-162 to the east for six to seven miles. Right on Forbestown Road for six miles. Left on Lumpkin for 12 miles bearing right on Mill Road. Follow Mill for five and one-half miles to and back onto Lumpkin turning left. Turn left at La Porte and in short distance turn right onto Frey Ranch Road. Stay on Frey Ranch for 3.3 miles to the Feather Falls trail head.

Your reward for working your tail off! See more at http://bigrigbible.com/WeeklyTravelogues/week252.php

1) Choose your path 3.5 or 4.5 miles. 2) This bridge might be flat again one day. 3) The Feather River below the falls.

Angels Landing, Zion National Park, Springdale, Utah
This is the best hike we have taken in seven years! Five miles, five hours, strenuous. If you hike it, buy the T-shirt 'I survived Angel's Landing". Some don't survive. The vertical climb is 1488 feet and the final several hundred feet is on sand stone. You must hang on to the chains to be safe.

Directions: Starting in St. George, head north on Interstate 15. In about nine miles turn East on UT-9 and follow it all the way to the park entrance. You can only drive a short distance into Zion. It is best to park and take the shuttle to the Angel's Landing trail head.

Fabulous view of Zion Canyon from the top and good Verizon cell reception!

Looks scary and would be without the chains. We met a 90+ year old woman on the way up. She was sitting when we past. We asked if she would like us to continue with her. She said no, she would make it. She just goes a short distance and stops and prays and then continues. Nice! Want to see more? http://bigrigbible.com/WeeklyTravelogues/week011.php

We just can't get enough the God's amazing world and all of the unique creations that He made.

Next week Ellen is off to Texas with her Aunt Glo and sisters Carla and Janice. We'll get back to you in two weeks. May the Lord bless your time.

Photos from Oct 2006 to May 2011