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Off the Beaten Path
ParkChat
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A2 Unfortunately I have always found the best way to avoid the crowds and enjoy a hike off the beaten path is to get up early. Very early. Crack of dawn. With coffee. #ParkChat
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replying to @Exotichikes
@Exotichikes A2. Where possible, a listing weekends is my first plan; then I am for the off season, again, if at all possible.
We're hitting .500 there for that #parkchat meetup.
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replying to @mjn126 @mjn126 @RCGibby73 @Wild_Tribute @Exotichikes Both look like great Parks. Going to have to get to them someday. #ParkChat
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RT @Exotichikes: Q2) Many claim that our parks are too crowded. How do you avoid the masses and discover off the beaten path destinations w…
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replying to @Exotichikes
@Exotichikes A2 #parkchat Definitely depends on the park, but generally anywhere off of pavement—whether trails or roads—will lighten the crowd substantially. Off of trails entirely usually results in solitude.
However, the further you go, the smaller the crowd is needed to feel crowded.
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replying to @Exotichikes @Exotichikes A2: get out early in the morning, study the map, ask Rangers where to best avoid the crowds. So many options to escape it all. Barring all that, go in shoulder season #ParkChat
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replying to @AlongfortheTrip @AlongfortheTrip @59NationalParks @Exotichikes @Wild_Tribute @DryTortugasNPS No, I went to @EvergladesNPS , which is headquarters to @DryTortugasNPS to location scout for interviews in April. #ParkChat https://t.co/dHO6uHx3UD
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replying to @Exotichikes @Exotichikes A2) Prepare yourself for crowds, at least in the beginning, then head to the backcountry or at least a longer path. OR, get there earlier than the others! #ParkChat
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replying to @Exotichikes @Exotichikes A2) I tend to avoid the crowds by visiting the parks during the weekdays in the shoulder & off seasons while going to the areas that are less popular/visited. #ParkChat
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replying to @Wild_Tribute @Wild_Tribute @Exotichikes A1. Any hike where you use a map and compass would qualify as off the beaten path. #ParkChat
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replying to @Exotichikes @Exotichikes A2. Sometimes it's pretty easy to do a little extra research to find less crowded places. Also, I find that a lot of places aren't crowded if I go midweek. #ParkChat
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replying to @Exotichikes @Exotichikes @Wild_Tribute @rscottjones I thought a talus was what I wrap around my shoulders during morning prayer #parkchat
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replying to @59NationalParks @59NationalParks @mjn126 @Wild_Tribute @Exotichikes There’s an eclipse in a few years 🙂 #ParkChat
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replying to @Exotichikes @Exotichikes @rscottjones Indeed! If the winds not ripping, you’re either listening to the chirp of a pika, the gurgle of snowmelt, or a crazy marmot (and often the sound of your heart beat in your head) #ParkChat
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replying to @Exotichikes @Exotichikes We always found that telling a ranger what you are looking for prompts a pretty good answer. #ParkChat
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replying to @DryTortugasFilm @DryTortugasFilm @59NationalParks @Exotichikes @Wild_Tribute It should be fun. #ParkChat
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A2 Hiking or climbing is my preference to get away from the masses. Usually after a few miles, the masses thin out, so putting down miles is necessary. Off trail above Hurricane Pass looking at Grand Teton. #parkchat
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replying to @RoadTripsCoffee @RoadTripsCoffee Also the best time for pictures..#ParkChat
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Q3) We all know the popular National Parks, but what is your favorite off the beaten path National Park you have or would like to visit and why? #ParkChat
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replying to @AlongfortheTrip @AlongfortheTrip @unconpeace Also: me after finishing off a jar of @SugarlandsShine. #ParkChat
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replying to @Exotichikes @Exotichikes A2. Homework ahead of a trip to find less-visited areas, study maps. Get going early in the day. This worked well when I was in Rocky Mountain NP at the height of the season. No one was in the Trail Ridge Visitors Center lot at 7 am. Hiked 2 hours before I saw anyone. #parkchat
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A2) Instagram. Can't go wrong there! Seriously though, we try to do our research ahead of time though do crowdsource through great resources like AllTrails and Hiking Project. @AllTrails @hikingproject #ParkChat
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replying to @Exotichikes @Exotichikes A2) #Parkchat It means walking a bit further and being more prepared than the "Crowds" would like to be and going EARLY, with a plan. #OffthebeatenPath
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replying to @Parkasaur @Parkasaur @Exotichikes And/or GPS. The unsung beauty of smart phones #ParkChat
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replying to @TPRjerks @TPRjerks Totally. If you are lucky enough to be able to go on weekdays, the trails and roads are often less crowded. Great tip. #ParkChat
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replying to @Exotichikes @Exotichikes A3) Big Bend is "popular" but not REALLY popular. I prefer National Forests to avoid the crowds (usually in New Mexico or Oklahoma/Arkansas) #ParkChat
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replying to @Wild_Tribute @Wild_Tribute @Exotichikes Definitely never hear heavy breathing. 😬 #parkchat
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replying to @Wild_Tribute @Wild_Tribute THIS is very true. Unless you have an ND400 filter that allows me to capture a 5-minute long single exposure in full sunlight. I can make Times Square at noon appear abandoned. #ParkChat
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replying to @unconpeace @unconpeace @AlongfortheTrip I went to grad school in Jonesboro. You are exactly right. #ParkChat
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RT @Exotichikes: Q3) We all know the popular National Parks, but what is your favorite off the beaten path National Park you have or would…
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replying to @Exotichikes @Exotichikes A3: Guadalupe Mountains is a low visited Park and I’d love to hike to the top of Texas (Guadalupe Peak) or in McKittrick Canyon #ParkChat
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RT @Exotichikes: Q3) We all know the popular National Parks, but what is your favorite off the beaten path National Park you have or would…
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replying to @Wild_Tribute @Wild_Tribute @Exotichikes A1 Somewhere where you can go on a summer weekend and never see another soul. #ParkChat
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A3) We would LOVE to visit American Samoa. For now, @DryTortugasNPS wins for most #offthebeatenpath I think. #ParkChat
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replying to @Exotichikes @Exotichikes A2. As homeschoolers, we love trying to visit during the school year - although trying to coordinate visits with extended family often complicates that. #ParkChat
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replying to @ParksandPoints @ParksandPoints @AllTrails @hikingproject I have legitimately found great data on IG. It is a great start before seeing the real trail beta. I helped provide the @OlympicNP trails for @hikingproject, so I totally agree with that one. #ParkChat
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A3) We haven't been there, but from our #Alaska planning, we would love to do the week long group hike out of the crater at Aniakchak NM & PRES to the Bering Sea. #Parkchat #All50Before40 @AniakchakNPS
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replying to @RCGibby73 @RCGibby73 @Exotichikes Yes, 100x yes. On my list, for multiple visits this year hopefully. #ParkChat
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replying to @mjn126 @mjn126 @Exotichikes We drove the Talimena National Byway last year from OK to AR and loved it. Very pretty country. #ParkChat
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replying to @Exotichikes @Exotichikes A3) One of my favorite off the beaten path National Parks is @GreatBasinNPS in Nevada near the Utah border. It takes some time to get there but its worth it. #ParkChat
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replying to @e_terren @e_terren Yes. Planning head and being ready for the tri, and early mornings, makes everything so much easier! #ParkChat