2018 Fall Road Trip

In October through the first part of November 2018, I took my first solo road trip. I made a platform bed for my family’s 2003 Subaru Outback and hit the road from Missoula, MT, winding down through Montana and Wyoming to Idaho, then in a figure 8 shape through many of southern Utah’s National Parks and Monuments, starting and ending in Zion. Some places I only passed through and spent one night in, and others I explored for 3-4 days. Each place had endless adventures and left me wanting to stay forever. My goal was to make it to Mammoth Lakes, CA by mid-November, where I would begin my first season as a ski instructor at Mammoth Mountain. I learned many lessons and a lot about myself, gained new and valuable experiences, and found several ways to grow as a human being all while on the road. Following are some photographs I captured along the way.

Lewis Lake, Yellowstone National Park

This photo was taken the morning after my first night camping in the car. The night was a chilly one. I remember waking up to the windows being frozen inside the car from my condensation and having to scrape them. I also made the car alarm go off in the campground early in the morning because I started my car with the doors still locked, which I did from the key fob the night before. I made a note to myself to never do that again.

The morning was so calm and surreal. It was hard to tell where the water and sky met. I spent a good hour walking along the beach that appeared as if it never ended; the fog made the land just disappear into the sky. The water was so still that only the slightest ripples lapped against the shoreline rimmed with ice. A beautiful start to the trip.

Part of the Teton Range, Grand Teton National Park

I wish I could’ve spent longer here at Grand Teton NP. This was a short hike to Leigh Lake that I did. The trail kept going and I wanted to also but didn’t have time. I found a small island outcropping that went towards the center of the lake that I climbed out on and sat for a little while. It was quiet and there was a freshness and crispness in the air that I’ll never forget.

The Teton Range, Grand Teton National Park

Detail, Craters of the Moon National Monument

This place was otherworldly. The closer I looked at details I felt like I was on a different planet.

Lava Tunnel Exploring, Craters of the Moon National Monument

Top of a Cinder Cone, Craters of the Moon National Monument

I think this was the highest point in the Monument. It was only a short hike up from the parking area, but on a relatively steep pumice slope. The top was flat and quiet but crunchy when I walked. I could see so far. Fields of black lava spanned in every direction. It was neat to get this perspective as well as the detailed perspectives on and under the ground.

Zion Canyon from Observation Point, Zion National Park

When I told some people I did two big Zion hikes in one day, Angels Landing and Observation Point, they thought I was a bit crazy. I didn’t start my day planning on this but the bus driver announced that If we wanted to do Angels Landing, this was the last opportunity for 3 days because they would be closing the trail in order to clean out the restroom near the top by helicopter. I popped out of the bus and scrambled up. It didn’t take me too long so I figured I would do another hike as well. I was sleeping only a short drive out of the park in a BLM dispersed camping area so I had all day until the last bus went out.

Looking NW from Observation Point, Zion National Park

Observation point was not quite as thrilling as Angels Landing but the hike takes you though some cool areas with a variety of sandstone colors and vegetation zones, plus the view is awesome since it is almost in the back of the canyon.

Colors and Textures, Zion National Park

Along Observation Point Trail, Zion National Park

The Narrows, Zion National Park

I only worried slightly when I showed up to this trailhead and saw that everyone was wearing nice waders and had walking sticks… I didn’t get the memo somehow and just had my chacos. I rolled up my pants and stepped in the water - pretty cold! As I walked up the river, people looked at me with wide eyes and those that talked to me asked whether I was cold. I told them I was numb at this point so I couldn’t really feel the cold, but also that I was from Alaska. That seemed to make people understand and not worry as much that I was a young girl wading in the chilly Narrows by myself.

Layers of Bryce, Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon wins for the closest dispersed camping spot. Literally a quarter mile or less from the entrance sign is a turn off onto National Forest land where you can park for free. Made for the possibility of packing in a one full day of hiking to see most of the park’s Amphitheater after a sunset along the drivable road the evening before.

In the Amphitheater, Bryce Canyon National Park

I started early just across from my campsite and just made a big loop linking a lot of the trails in the Amphitheater of Bryce Canyon. Not too many people down there on the trails, but there sure were at the top of the rim, which I climbed to twice.

The Castle, Capitol Reef National Park

This was a view from one of my favorite hikes of my whole trip. Remote and beautiful. Hiking to Navajo Knobs provided stunning 360 degree views of the park once I reached the top of the giant mesa-like structure that the trail follows. Once you climb most of the elevation, the trail follows the rim via carins to the far point pictured here. There are two towers (the “knobs”) that you can climb up for an even better view before turning around. I saw less than 10 people throughout the whole hike. Ideal!

West Entrance to Capitol Reef National Park

This was the view form the Navajo Knobs.

Sunrise at Delicate Arch, Arches National Park

The most photographed arch. I woke early to get there by sunrise both for less people and best light. There were still a lot of people here posing in front of the arch and climbing around and I found it quite difficult to get a photo without people in it.

An overlook point in Island of the Sky District, Canyonlands National Park

This was such a cool spot! No one else around. A bit windy and it was trying to snow, but it was honestly nice to have a day that wasn’t clear and sunny like most of the days during the trip so far.

Self Portrait, Island of the Sky District, Canyonlands National Park

Although I was focusing on capturing the natural beauty of parks, I felt like this needed a person for scale. This place is so expansive and the one park I felt like I could never have enough time exploring. It’s big and it’s rugged. I’ll be back someday.

Sunrise at Mesa Arch, Island in the Sky District, Canyonlands National Park

Behind the scenes of this photo included about 20 photographers all trying to get pretty much the same shot. It was quite laughable actually and I almost thought about leaving. I did end up squeezing through the group to lie down on my side for this shot. It’s pretty but doesn’t have that special unique feeling personally.

Druid Arch, The Needles District, Canyonlands National Park

This arch was way cooler than anything in Arches! I loved hiking in the Needles. I met a couple guys at the trailhead that started before me but I caught up to them. It ended up being my first hike with other people. So nice to have some quality socialization getting to know them and little did I know I would run into one of them again for more shared adventures!

Hiking in the Needles District, Canyonlands National Park

The Needles comes in second for best camp spots. The dispersed area was close to the park entrance, and the added bonus was the heated restrooms at the visitors center that stayed open!

My second day I did this cool hike but I actually kept going once I reached the main destination (I didn’t realize I had gotten there so quickly). I made a turn onto another long trail that went through a twisting canyon. When the footprints started diminishing, I started thinking whether I made a wrong turn or should turn around. A slight nudge of fear eventually caused me to turn around. I was completely alone, had no service, and was running out of snacks. I was relieved to make it back to the recognizable spot and trail.

Slot Canyon, Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument

I probably wouldn’t have explored this area much solo so I am glad that I coordinated and met Daniel (one of the guys from the Needles hike) again in Grand Staircase. He was also on his way to California! We spent two days exploring together in some pretty remote areas of the Monument. My car overheated on the way in and it was nice to park it and use Daniel’s car for a day and also have someone else to go get help if needed as there was zero service! He had researched a remote hike that we took a full day to do, and I would’ve missed out on that otherwise. I also wouldn’t have known that baby rattlesnakes can kill you after almost stepping on one…

Mountain of the Sun Summit, Zion National Park

This was a different hike that started outside of Zion canyon and required some navigating via All Trails. Slightly sketchy getting to the summit but so worth it!

Lowest point in Contiguous US, Badwater Basin (-282 ft below sea level), Death Valley National Park

I didn’t spend long in Death Valley but stopping here was super cool!

Alabama Hills Arch Framing Mount Whitney

After a stressful night getting out of Death Valley, (car was overheating and I had to stop frequently) I coasted down out of the park towards the Eastern Sierras. I called my dad once I got service and we decided it would be best to get the car checked out. It was Veteran’s Day Weekend and of course the one auto shop in Lone Pine would not open for a couple more days. I called my friend Julia in Mammoth and she decided to drive down and camp with me then attempt Whitney the next day!

We successfully summited and it was truly an amazing day. The following morning, my dad and I decided to get the car towed to Bishop, where there were more auto places. After diagnosing the head gasket was blown, I ended up getting towed all the way to Mammoth. I guess one way or the other I made it and it was overall a fantastic trip I would do again in a heartbeat.