Page update July 6, 1999
Site update Sept. 19, 1999
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JULIE'S JOURNAL
You may follow along in our journey by visiting Julie's Journal page. It will include photographs, suggestions, mishap adventures and our experiences on the road and back-country trails.
HISTORY
If you would like to know more about the history of our adventure click here for the history page. How we planned, saved money, chose our equipment and prepared for ten months on the road.
LINKS
These are some other web sites we found useful and/or have recpical links with.
Below are the trips stops.
Returning Home
(July 19 to July 23, 1999)
Port Angeles, WA;
Olympic National Park, WA;
Seattle, WA
(June 13 to July 18, 1999)
Victoria, Naniamo & Vancouver, British Columbia (June 22 to June 25, & July 12, 1999)
Mt. St. Helens & Mt. Rainer, Washington (June 7, to June 11, 1999)
Redwoods National and State Parks, California (May 22, to June 4, 1999)
Pacific Coast Highway - Oregon, US Route 101, May 1999
Pacific Coast Highway - Los Angeles to Oregon, Route 1, May 1999
White Rim 4x4 Trail, Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Crater Lake National Park, Oregon and Oregon Caves National Monument, Oregon (May 18, 1999 to May 21, 1999)
San Francisco, California (May 7, 1999 to May 12, 1999)
Los Angeles, California (May 1, 1999 to May 6, 1999)
Yosemite National Park, California (April 23, 1999 to May 1, 1999)
Lake Tahoe, California (April 19, 1999 to April 23, 1999)
Titus Canyon 4x4 Trail Death Valley National Park, California
Canyonlands and Arches National Park, Utah (April 10, 1999 to April 18, 1999)
Mesa Verde, CO; Durango, CO; Colorado Springs, CO (March 27, 1999 to April 10, 1999)
Special Report "Our Truck and Trailer"
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona (March 18, 1999 to March 27, 1999)
Zion National Park, Utah (March 12, 1999 to March 18, 1999)
Death Valley National Park, California (March 7, 1999 to March 12, 1999)
Las Vegas, NV (March 3, 1999 to March 7, 1999)
Jousha Tree National Park, CA (February 22 1999 to March 2, 1999)
White Sands NP, NM to San Diego, CA (February 14, 1999 to February 22, 1999)
Big Bend National Park, TX (February 4, 1999 to February 13, 1999)
Delaware Water Gap, PA (August 26, 1998 to August 30, 1998)
Niagara Falls, NY (May 22, 1998 to May 25, 1998)
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written by Julie Hackler & David Fink
March 12, 1999 to March 18, 1999
Zion National Park, Utah
Finally – trees and a river! After a month and a half in the desert, Zion is a sight for sore eyes. The canyons are a beautiful red color complemented by the deep green of the trees and the blue of the river. A gorgeous place. Our most memorable hike was the trail to the largest freestanding arch in the world. A 14.4 mile hike (our longest yet!) through the Kolob Canyons. It followed the Timber and La Verkin Creeks and up and down the canyon. The trail stopped before we reached the arch and you had to hike through the river to get to it. After climbing rocks, trudging in knee deep water, surviving a small landslide created by a fall, and 45 minutes of this we never found the arch. We had to call it quits or we wouldn’t have made it back before dark. Our backs ached, our feet sweaty and blistered and we were just plain tired and although we never made it to the arch we were proud of what we accomplished.
Another one that challenged us was Angles Landing, a steep 1,488-foot climb. The last ˝ mile was basically rock climbing.
They warned that anyone fearful of heights to not take the trail and I could see why. One false move and someone’s collecting life insurance.
They installed chains along the ledges for safety and I’m glad they did, because I held onto those chains until my knuckles were a bright red. I’m exaggerating a bit, but it was scary. The South Campground was cozy, a lot better than the parking lot at Death Valley, and the same price, $10 a night. The park only offers two campgrounds so during the peak season it is best to get there early and on a weekday. Southern Utah seems to be both of our favorite place so far, maybe it has to do with the trees, grass and water. On to the Grand Canyon!!
Death Valley NP
---------------Grand Canyon NP
We welcome any suggestions or comments. hacklerj@mindspring.com
Copyright by Julie Hackler © 1999
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