What is your pick for most dramatic landscape in U.S.?
Oct 3rd, 2001, 08:06 AM
#24
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You want a cool, uncrowded place in summer?? Alaska! Kenai pennisula... Prince William Sound....Denali National Park. You hike 5 mins. (not even!) and your in the middle of nowhere. You see wildlife everywhere. I loved it and I can't wait to go back! My second favorite is South Dakota. Badlands or Custer State Park. That too, is not hot in summer and didn't really encounter enormous crowds. The parks of the Southwest are great picks but VERY hot in summertime.
Oct 4th, 2001, 03:47 AM
#26
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Have you been to Death Valley? Pretty dramatic! Spent a summer working at Glacier Nat'l Park and it is so beautiful. Great hiking, not too crowded, plenty of gorgeous glacial lakes for swimming. And some amazing accomodations inside the park at the beautiful older lodges.
Dec 11th, 2001, 06:56 AM
#31
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I have traveled all over the world and seen many beautiful sights. I think I've seen all the ones in the US mentioned above, and indeed many are really beautiful. But standing anywhere in Yosemite Valley or at the top of either side and taking in that panorama still brings tears to my eyes. Landscape just doesn't get any more dramatically spectacular than that! Although admittedly, this doesn't solve your avoidance of crowds problem, at least in the valley. But this summer we did an all day hike there and only passed a handful of other people until we got nearer the end.
Dec 11th, 2001, 09:33 AM
#32
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If you want COMPLETE solitude, may I suggest the Colorado Trail anywhere south of Hwy 50. Not quite complete solitude, but pretty darn close. The CT is almost 500 miles long and winds through gorgeous scenery along the continental divide between Denver and Durango. It includes several wilderness areas. The altitudes are generally around 10,000 ft. You won't get hot for long.
Dec 11th, 2001, 10:39 AM
#33
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I'll agree with those who have mentioned the South Dakota Badlands. Maybe not as spectacular as Bryce Canyon or some of those other places, but I guess it depends on your perspective. For me personally it stands out as one of the most extraordinary landscapes I've ever seen. We only had a chance to take a quick drive through and stop at a few scenic overlooks when we were there back in 1995, but ever since I've wanted to return and spend some time hiking there. It's like being on another planet!
Dec 11th, 2001, 01:41 PM
#35
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The most dramatic landscapes I've seen in the U.S. are the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons, the Big Sur coast, and the coast of Maine around Acadia National Park. I do think that you should not rule out the first two. Both get lots of visitors in the summertime but both are huge and have lots of quiet, serene places to get away from the crowds too. They are breathtaking. The heat on the rim of the Grand Canyon is not a problem, as someone mentioned before, because it is at a pretty high elevation -- it's on the floor of the canyon where the heat gets bad (about 20 degrees higher than on the rim). I was in the Grand Canyon at the end of August and the highs were in the high 60s on the rim and in the 80s on the floor. It actually got quite chilly at night on the rim.
By the way, if you were not limiting this question to the U.S. then I would definitely recommend Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper in the Canadian Rockies -- the most dramatic landscape I've seen in North America -- absolutely glorious!
By the way, if you were not limiting this question to the U.S. then I would definitely recommend Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper in the Canadian Rockies -- the most dramatic landscape I've seen in North America -- absolutely glorious!
Dec 11th, 2001, 08:09 PM
#36
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Wow what a question. I cannot give one answer and be done with it.
First I am not sure that most dramatic landscape equates to wide open spaces.
My most dramatic landscapes are not in those places. Secondly, I never found desert views to be dramatic; scenic, picturesque, multifaceted, colorful, intriguing, fearsome, but somehow not drmatic.
Here are my nominations:
Bryce Canyon
Glacier National Park, but you must take to the back trails. Of those my favorite is the hike to the Sperry Glacier, or what is left of it. What one sees now is a rocky, glaciated landacape that a few years ago, was covered in snow. I was there 3 times and the change between 1990 and 2000 was dramatic. Where I walked on snow and ice is now barren.
It is a long trek, so you might want to stay at the Sperry Chalet, which is not cheap, but you do have a place to eat and sleep albeit in relatively rustic conditions. Near Sperry, just over the ridge behind [south] the Chalet, is one of the great hidden jewels of North America: Lincoln Lake. If you have never heard of it, it is because it is off the road so far that only dedicated hikers see it. But, believe me, it is a real jewel!
Another dramatic, glorious landscape that I wish I had the physical strength to see again is the view from the west flank and crest of the Mount of the Holy Cross in Colorado. It requires a good approach hike, but the reward is stupendous.
Unfortnately, my mountain climbing days are far, far behind me. But I get out my photos of that trek and relive my experience with fond memories.
For the most dramatic views of all of the ones that I can think of south of Alaska, I have to turn to Yoho National Park in British Columbia. Two places come to mind where the view is expansive and absolutely mindboggling.
1. The the high point on the Whaleback Trail.
2. The Yukness Ledge above Lake O'Hara.
The views from both locations rival the Swiss Alps for beauty and grandeur.
Well, almost. But it is about as good as it gets for scenic splendor.
First I am not sure that most dramatic landscape equates to wide open spaces.
My most dramatic landscapes are not in those places. Secondly, I never found desert views to be dramatic; scenic, picturesque, multifaceted, colorful, intriguing, fearsome, but somehow not drmatic.
Here are my nominations:
Bryce Canyon
Glacier National Park, but you must take to the back trails. Of those my favorite is the hike to the Sperry Glacier, or what is left of it. What one sees now is a rocky, glaciated landacape that a few years ago, was covered in snow. I was there 3 times and the change between 1990 and 2000 was dramatic. Where I walked on snow and ice is now barren.
It is a long trek, so you might want to stay at the Sperry Chalet, which is not cheap, but you do have a place to eat and sleep albeit in relatively rustic conditions. Near Sperry, just over the ridge behind [south] the Chalet, is one of the great hidden jewels of North America: Lincoln Lake. If you have never heard of it, it is because it is off the road so far that only dedicated hikers see it. But, believe me, it is a real jewel!
Another dramatic, glorious landscape that I wish I had the physical strength to see again is the view from the west flank and crest of the Mount of the Holy Cross in Colorado. It requires a good approach hike, but the reward is stupendous.
Unfortnately, my mountain climbing days are far, far behind me. But I get out my photos of that trek and relive my experience with fond memories.
For the most dramatic views of all of the ones that I can think of south of Alaska, I have to turn to Yoho National Park in British Columbia. Two places come to mind where the view is expansive and absolutely mindboggling.
1. The the high point on the Whaleback Trail.
2. The Yukness Ledge above Lake O'Hara.
The views from both locations rival the Swiss Alps for beauty and grandeur.
Well, almost. But it is about as good as it gets for scenic splendor.
Dec 11th, 2001, 09:28 PM
#37
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Most dramatic landscape in USA?
1. Sedona rock formations
2. Big Sur coastline from about Ragged Point to Carmel
3. Oregon coast from north of Brookings to past Bandon, then around Yachats, then Neskowin and north around the 3 Capes Loop
4. Mt St Helens
5. San Juan islands
Monument Valley is also very interesting but not very large area so one day is enough.
1. Sedona rock formations
2. Big Sur coastline from about Ragged Point to Carmel
3. Oregon coast from north of Brookings to past Bandon, then around Yachats, then Neskowin and north around the 3 Capes Loop
4. Mt St Helens
5. San Juan islands
Monument Valley is also very interesting but not very large area so one day is enough.
Dec 19th, 2001, 10:00 PM
#39
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I vote for the Badlands, myself. But that is very subjective as I used to live nearby on the reservation & would see them in the distance outlining the horizon across rolling plains. Still makes my heart pound to think about it. I just love that country.
A sunset or a sunrise, either one, is past beautiful.
A sunset or a sunrise, either one, is past beautiful.
