Rock Climbing
Capitol Reef, Waterpocket Fold, Land of the Sleeping Rainbow—all are colorful names to describe a park with many striking characteristics.
Waterpocket Fold, the main feature of the park, is the name of a 100-mile-long fold in the earth's surface. This uplift contains innumerable eroded basins or pockets that hold thousands of gallons of rainwater. These pockets of water have affected the history of humanity within the park and the flora and fauna of the region.
Entering the park from the west gives the most impressive view of the 1,000-foot-high stone barrier into which erosive forces have sculpted fascinating canyons, mesas, buttes and mazes. Once in the park, other astonishing panoramas await you.
Within a short distance of the visitor center, you will see Capitol Dome, Chimney Rock, the Goosenecks and the Egyptian Temple. Hickman Bridge, the Golden Throne and Capitol Gorge reward you after easy to moderate hikes. Prehistoric petroglyphs, the Fruita Schoolhouse, the Gifford Farmhouse and the Behunin Cabin speak of bygone eras and can be reached by car. The 20-mile round-trip Scenic Drive will take you past the Ripple Rock Nature Center and many of the park's features.
If you are seeking a remote wilderness experience, Capitol Reef has it. To the north of Route 24, dirt roads, which generally require high-clearance or 4-wheel-drive vehicles, lead into the park's north end through the heart of Cathedral Valley, an area of monolithic formations of Entrada and Curtis sandstones, some of which are 500 feet high. South of Route 24, graded roads, usually suitable for high-clearance vehicles, lead into some very fine hiking country. Besides good hiking opportunities, the southern part of the park also offers spectacular views of the folded strata of Capitol Reef and the Henry Mountains. Muley Twist Canyon is in the southern end of the park, as is Brimhall Bridge. Check with a park ranger before setting out for any of these more remote locations. Weather conditions may make the roads slick and impassable.
http://www.acadiatozion.com/?p=380
There are several parks where the bison (aka buffalo) roam. There are herds in the following national parks:
Theodore Roosevelt NP
Badlands National Park - reintroduced
Capitol Reef National Park - reintroduced
Grand Teton National Park
Wind Cave National Park - reintroduced
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park - introduced
Bison used to roam across the entire prairie and were extirpated from the following areas that are now part of the national park system:
Rocky Mountain National Park
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park
On the bottom of every page on OhRanger.com there is a square box that offers a link to ordering guides. The guides are not 100% free, but they are offered for less than $1/piece to cover handling.
If you want to find out where the guides are locally, you can send an email to distribution@americanparknetwork.com
Here's the link just in case:
http://www.altrec.com/american-park-network/national-park-guide-set/?american=1&market=1&cm_mmc_o=4zyLwfCjCzFwybgzECjCtff5cccBtyzETwygBFCjCndzFwybgzEC5zyLCEwfcByLndEzfbBEzkC5zyLCTAbpwClwfnd
As you might imagine, this is a question with a lot of answers depending on who you ask.
"The Gunks" (short for Shawangunk Mountains) in New Paltz, NY are widely regarded as the most approachable and lively climbing area in the region, with literally hundreds of climbing routes, many more than 200 feet high. There’s something everyone -- including non-hikers, with miles of trails, vistas, etc. Mountains and cliffs around North Conway, NH and Eastern Maine (see Acadia National Park http://www.ohranger.com/acadia/things-do) are also very popular.
One very good site to research for climbing routes, directions and feedback would be TheCrag.com
Enjoy, and let us know what you find along the way!
