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Moraine Lake & Larch Valley- Banff NP, AB
Moraine Lake is impossibly beautiful. It is exactly what you would imagine when picturing an idyllic alpine lake; brilliantly blue-green from glacial rock flower, surrounded on all sides by towering snow capped mountains. It is so impressive, it has been featured twice on the Canadian twenty dollar bill. It is also one of the most photographed locations in all of Canada, which means you will be sharing the experience with a crowd of others. Fortunately, it’s fairly easy to escape the crush. Much like Lake Louise, the parking lot at Moraine Lake fills up early; when it is filled, the road is closed. So, either show up before dawn, or…
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Icefields Parkway- Banff NP, AB
To really get an idea of the unique character of the Canadian Rockies, explore the Icefields Parkway. Traveling through Banff and Jasper National Parks, this historic parkway showcases all that is magical and special about the region. From stunning blue glacial lakes to a collection of retreating glaciers, it provides countless opportunities for once in a lifetime adventures. Predated by the 1885 Glacial Trail, the current parkway has its roots in a 1931 Great Depression relief project, which employed 600 men to hand constructed a single track road between Lake Louise and Jasper. Completed in 1941, the Icefields Parkway was modernized in 1961 to accommodate increased tourist traffic. Today, the…
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Bow Valley Parkway & Johnston Canyon- Banff NP, AB
Although there are faster ways to get from Banff to Lake Louise than the Bow Valley Parkway, its not always about the destination. This short scenic drive offers excellent wildlife spotting opportunities, views of the surrounding mountains, and access to the Johnston Canyon trailhead, one of the most popular hikes in the park. In fact, you may never even make it to Lake Louise. Although there are several stops along the parkway, the 8000 year old Johnston Canyon is perhaps the most popular. Here, a cantilevered trail winds through a lush limestone canyon, past several stunning waterfalls. An extension of the trail ascends to a serene alpine meadow studded with…
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Hocking Hills State Park- Logan, OH
Chances are, if you are not from Ohio, you have not heard of Hocking Hills State Park. Virtually unknown outside the Buckeye State, it is a mossy, lush wonderland, with dramatic rock formations and impressive waterfalls. Much like Ithaca, it is absolutely Gorges. Consisting of several discrete park areas, many of them connected by hiking trails, it is the perfect weekend destination. Start the day early at Ash Cave, where a short but scenic hemlock lined path leads directly to the eponymous rock formation, the state’s largest recess cave. Rising 90 feet above the valley floor, the horseshoe shaped cave is an impressive 700 feet long, and 100 feet deep; a…
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Cuyahoga Valley National Park- Peninsula, OH
When you think of America’s National Parks, you probably imagine the big ones. The dramatic Western parks, with their canyons, arches and geysers; home to ancient redwood forests, towering monoliths, and rugged wilderness. You probably are not thinking of a sprawling stretch of land between Akron and Cleveland. Nevertheless, that is where you will find Cuyahoga Valley National Park. And while it may be more modest than some of its siblings, it is a verdant oasis, full of wildlife, waterfalls, and dramatic rock formations. Unlike many other National Parks, Cuyahoga is an open park, and no admission is charged. It consists of a collection of once rural communities, a historic…
