hikes Archives - Distracted Birder

Dog-friendly Adventure in the State Parks: Oconee State Park

distractedbirder — Sun, 11 Aug 2024 22:38:33 +0000

Oconee State Park in South Carolina has reasonably priced dog-friendly cabins with options for folks who want to bring their pets. But the biggest selling point of this park is the location. It’s a perfect jumping-off point for outdoor recreation in the mountains of South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. This is the first post in a series about dog-friendly State Parks. Finding Your Dog-Friendly Cabin The great part about booking a cabin at a South Carolina State Park is how easy they make it to search for dog-friendly options. This can be hidden a bit more in other state systems, but South Carolina must see/appreciate the demand from pet owners wanting to bring along the pets. And I appreciate them for making this process so easy. First, cabins and villas can be found from the main state park page with a few clicks to their reservation system, or just go here to see a bit of preliminary information about options. Once you’re on the reservations page, you can click “lodging” on the left, select “Cabins/Villas” and then an option to further select “pet-friendly” appears. Click that if you want to bring your pets along (I assume that’s why you’re here). Now suddenly your SC State Park options are reduced to only those options with Pet-Friendly Cabins! Sure, there are only five, but that’s better than none, and there are some good locations here. And frankly, this presentation is much easier to navigate than most: If you’re interested in Camper Cabins, some of those at Lake Hartwell are also pet-friendly. Campgrounds are also likely to be pet-friendly but you’d need to verify rules for those sites. Alas, I don’t look at those because my dogs and densely-packed campgrounds would not equal a relaxing getaway. High Season Booking Rules Some parks will have minimum stay requirements or special rules during the high season or holidays. If you see 2-3 days of availability but the system isn’t letting you reserve a cabin, there’s probably a minimum stay requirement preventing your reservation. But all hope is not lost. The best thing to do is call that specific park directly and ask if they will reserve the room for you. I did this at Oconee, and they were happy to book me for 3 nights even though the minimum requirement in July is 4 nights. Hate the phone? Yeah, me too, I get it. But this is one time when you should definitely make a call; only the individual state park can accommodate these exceptions. Oconee State Park Oconee State Park is one of South Carolina’s State Parks in the mountain region. It’s not a huge park, but there is a campground, a small lake with swimming areas for people and pets (the pets are separate), a few trails, and a park office. The cabins were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, and the old barracks are still used by Park staff. There’s even a statue in front of the office, as an homage to the CCC who developed so many of the amazing Park infrastructure and trail systems throughout the U.S. The great thing about Oconee is its location. The park is in the mountains of South Carolina, but it’s also less than an hour from either northern Georgia or western North Carolina. It’s a smaller property, but it’s hard to beat the access it provides to little mountain communities and additional recreation areas, which I describe in a bit more detail below (see: Side Quests). Oconee Cabins There are three cabin areas at Oconee. One group of cabins is set further to the southeast and feels a bit more remote, as it is further from the busier lake and the park office. Cabins 1-6 are on the north side of the lake and have adorable log-cabin exteriors that just scream CCC. The pet-friendly cabins are Cabins 14-20 and are near the lake (many have direct views/access). They all look pretty similar, although cabins at the park might offer 2 bedroom or 3 bedroom options. The cabins are fully furnished, have a full kitchen, and include a shower-only bath. The interior feels very rustic, but they also include wifi and have a smart TV. There are many other awesome features of Oconee’s cabins. The entire front of the cabin shown is a screened deck. The July heat was abysmal but the deck stayed pleasantly cool all morning. The wooded setting was perfect for a morning lakeside walk with the dogs. And until the lake was open for swimming, the park remained quiet even on a holiday (Independence Day) weekend. If keeping a budget in mind, this cabin ran us just over $600 for 3 nights. That being said, the pet fee is very reasonable here (whether you’re comparison is a pet boarding facility or a standard hotel). And since there’s a full kitchen, you have the ability to really budget food costs rather than spending a ton at restaurants. This is not as budget-friendly as a campsite by any stretch, but it’s definitely a lot less anxiety for all of us – and for that, we are willing to pay a bit extra. Note: Our stay was over a holiday weekend. Weekdays are more affordable, as are stays outside of the summer. Another dog-friendly benefit of Oconee? Fireworks are not allowed. Of course, you can’t force the thunderstorms to stay away, but at least one source of anxiety is abated for noise-sensitive dogs. On Independence Day weekend this was a huge, if unexpected, win for our pups. And a family-friendly note, too: Our two-bedroom cabin could actually sleep up to six! Each bedroom only had one double bed, but there was actually a loft. It’s accessed via a ladder, and it has two twin beds. This might not be a dog-friendly feature, but I’m guessing most kids would love this space. Dog-Friendly Side Quests! So where did we spend our time when staying at Oconee State Park? Well, mostly North Carolina! Stumphouse Tunnel (SC) The Stumphouse Tunnel is a neat stop, just 6 miles south of Oconee State Park. The tunnel was started prior to the Civil War but was never completed. About a quarter mile of the tunnel is accessible to people (and this is also dog-friendly). It’s dark and damp, and the ground is a little uneven… but it’s neat to experience, and the temperature is cool inside even when the rest of the Southeast is miserably hot and humid. There’s a $5 fee (per vehicle) to access the Stumphouse Tunnel. There are a few other little hikes and a view of waterfalls, as well. Panthertown Valley (NC) A part of the Nantahala National Forest near Cashiers, NC, the Panthertown Valley provides tons of outdoor recreation opportunities. Our route took us down to Frolictown Falls, up Little Green Mountain, and back around to Panthertown Valley Trail to exit, which was about 6 miles in total. We saw a number of waterfalls, took in some nice mountain views, and ate a few blueberries along the way. And our dogs swam like they might never see a stream again (don’t tell Aussies they’re not water dogs, they won’t believe you). Despite being here on a Saturday over the Independence Day weekend, the crowds were not too bad. There are tons of falls and swimming holes, which were certainly the most popular spots for people to gather. Even so, the actual trail experience was generally quiet and pleasant*. The Panthertown Valley has a few access roads. We made it to the Salt Rock Gap trailhead easily without AWD, although it’s a slow approach at the end. There’s no day use fee. Volunteers were greeting visitors in the morning and were able to answer questions about trails. We also picked up a map of the area, which is recommended instead of reliance on AllTrails. The recommended map can be purchased in Cashiers, NC at the Highland Hiker. *Note for Reactive Dogs: There’s not a firm leash law here – dogs should always be under control of their owner, but this may be vocal command if the dog is well-trained. We only ran into a couple dogs that were unleashed, but most folks were very quick to bring their dogs to heel (or leash them) once we indicated our need to maintain space. Gorges State Park (NC) A small State Park in North Carolina, Gorges has a remarkably large visitor center that probably speaks to how busy the place can be on a bad day. However, we drove down to the main parking lot and found plenty of space, so we headed down the main trail to the star attraction here: Rainbow Falls. The waterfalls here are pretty, but if you have dogs that love to swim, they might be disappointed. It’s terribly difficult to find easily accessible swimming holes for the pups due to all the boulders. That’s true of the entire trail – you’re near water most of the time, but rarely can you access it easily for a leashed swim. If you dogs are good on a leash and not reactive*, this will be a great stroll. Gorges State Park is near Sapphire, NC and access to the park is free. *Note for Reactive Dogs: Our experience was that this trail could be a bit narrow approaching the falls, with quite a bit of foot traffic later in the day. This is a popular trail for leashed dogs, so be prepared to see many other dogs along the way. Given our particular dog parameters (i.e., excitement reactivity for one; excited leash pulling from both), this hike was a bit more stressful than anticipated. Final Note We really enjoyed our stay at Oconee State Park. The cabin was quiet, comfortable, and provided all the amenities we needed. Plus, Panthertown Valley is a great hiking area and would warrant a return visit on its own. We’d be happy to go back or check out other cabin options in South Carolina State Parks. I’m hoping to check out Devil’s Fork sometime soon, as many folks from South Carolina recommend it first as a pet-friendly option (with nicely updated cabins).

The post Dog-friendly Adventure in the State Parks: Oconee State Park appeared first on Distracted Birder.

Finding Solitude in Banff National Park: The Skoki Valley

distractedbirder — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 12:06:40 +0000

We planned a trip to see the Canadian Rockies. I’d never been to Banff, but it’s a popular spot. My first objective while planning this vacation was to find some time away from the maddening crowd. Objective achieved. Canadian National Parks How are Canadian parks different from US National Parks? In many ways they’re similar. Huge areas preserved primarily for nature-based recreation. A variety of campgrounds, lakes, and trails provided for people to get back to nature. But in Alberta parks, at least, there are entire towns within the Parks. Entire towns. Like Jasper. Banff. Waterton. Just sitting there providing all sorts of services, with pricetags ranging from not-cheap to too bloody expensive. To be clear, this is not just a village atmosphere run by a Parks concessionaire, as most lodges are in the US National Parks. These are legit towns, which have their own ordinances and taxes and actual citizens. They operate in tandem with Parks Canada. On the one hand, this makes it easier to get a hotel INSIDE your park without booking more than a year prior to your trip. There are more hotels, after all. On the other hand, there are loads of folks staying in one place. It’s a town, after all, so it might not give the feeling that you’re in a remote destination Basically, it can just be a different vibe. Especially if you’re talking about a very popular destination… Banff National Park Banff National Park is a very popular destination. For good reasons: It’s Canada’s first National Park. It’s beautiful! Fulls of glaciers, glacial lakes, wildlife, and mountain views for days. It’s enormous. The park includes the towns of Banff and Lake Louise, two towns very popular with people looking for access to the outdoors or looking for great shopping, fancy hotels, and instagram backdrops. (I’m sure this Venn diagram has overlap… but not a lot.) It’s very accessible from Calgary, a large urban area (with an international airport). And so, Banff is very popular. And great, too! But don’t expect to be alone if you’re staying in either town. Options for getting away from the crowds: (1) Wake up early. Seriously, the vast majority of people are not on the trail at 7am. Be in the minority. Get out of bed, y’all. (2) Do harder (or just longer) hikes. Lots of people do hard hikes in these parks, true, but not nearly as many who just go to overlooks and paved trails… and the single best tip if you seriously need some alone time? (3) Go to the Skoki Valley*. Skoki Valley Hiking for about 7 miles behind the Lake Louise Resort will take you up to Ptarmigan Lake and over Deception Pass. When you descend, you’re in the Skoki Valley, where you won’t encounter more than 25 other people. It’s pretty awesome. You should do it. There’s a campground. I can’t tell you much about it, except there’s a camping option here for budget-minded folks. If interested, you can read about a backpacking loop, which will take you to both the Merlin Meadows campground (near the Skoki Lodge) and another spot at Baker Lake. The trail is well-described on AllTrails, too. But since I just like being a special snowflake, I opted to stay at the lodge. Yep, a lodge. For no more than 25 people. Skoki Lodge This is it, the hidden gem of Banff National Park. The Skoki Lodge, a tiny rustic getaway from anything resembling a crowd. And yes, this is still in Banff National Park! It’s managed by the Lake Louise Resort, but it’s hidden miles away in the wilderness. Given the effort involved, you’ve gotta really want to stay here. Remarkable* amenities include: No cell service. No electricity. No indoor plumbing. Nope… no lights. No showers. And, to confirm that suspicion that just snuck up on you… nope, there are no toilets here. But I’m not crazy. This place is a truly memorable experience. You’ll always remember that time you stayed in that backcountry lodge with the outhouses and the gas lamps. *Remarks include, but are not limited to, “we paid HOW MUCH for this room???” And if you do make this remark, everyone will hear you. These walls are original build, folks. Everyone hears everything. Cost Also, I said that the campground was for the budget-minded traveler. Skoki Lodge isn’t. It’s not cheap, and a minimum two-night stay is required. It’s pretty pricey, at about $1200 for 2 nights. But some rooms do hold more than two adults, so it becomes more reasonable as group size increases. Noise This place is old. They served their first guests in 1931, and the character of the building remains true to its historic roots. There is no sound-proofing. This leads to a lot of folks heading for the outhouse at the same time in the middle of the night. If you’re a light sleeper, try to get a cabin instead of a lodge room. And definitely bring ear plugs. Meals Meals are provided and included in the room rate. They serve breakfast and dinner, with all guests seated in the lodge at a specific time. The food is really quite good. We enjoyed every entree we were served. And the bread and desserts were especially tasty. They also provide lunch options to pack for taking on the trail – sandwiches, cookies, bags of trail mix. After 2pm, a tea is provided with warm soup and other snacks. Plus, someone is happy to prepare a coffee, tea, or cocoa at any time when requested. Beer and wine are also available, but they are not included in the room rate. Customer Service On your hiking day, the staff will provide loads of advice about local trails based on your interest/abilities. Generally, the staff is very helpful and pleasant. The rooms stay clean, and the meal service is quite good. Rooms have varied configurations, but the website shows these accurately. The site also provides information about getting there, inclusions, and packing lists. We found the customer service for the registration (in the town of Lake Louise) to be friendly and helpful as well. The Journey Genuinely, a great amenity of staying in the Skoki Lodge is that guests hike to and from the lodge through beautiful, serene, and blissfully uncrowded wilderness. And to make the journey more pleasant and less of a chore, guests of the Lodge are provided the option to take a shuttle up the forest road (and back, on the return day). This cuts out about 2 miles of the most boring bit of the hike, and it’s all uphill on the way to the lodge. The hike can be an out and back or a loop. We chose to do a loop, taking Deception Pass on the way to the lodge. If you haven’t saved waypoints, it’s just easier to find (better marked), if nothing else. Deception gives a great overview of the valley below, including the distant Skoki Lakes. On the way back to Lake Louise, we took the Packer’s Pass route, which follows a stream to a boulder field. It is great fun. The scenery is lovely. And you climb up the side of a waterfall. And then you pass the most beautiful blue glacial lakes you’ll see in Banff National Park. Eat your heart out, Moraine Lake. The Skoki Lakes are easily more idyllic that your insta-crowds would have anyone believe. This hike is worth doing, period. Just lovely. This is a Recommendation, I Promise! Please understand that much of the above amenities are described with tongue firmly planted in cheek. You might even think “whew, she is NOT selling this place”, which is fair. I would be terrible at marketing. But hey… let’s be honest. Plenty of people wouldn’t want to stay in this play due to cost. Some wouldn’t want to pay this cost for a place without electric or running water. It’s realistic to see those details and know they’re important. I don’t say those things to be off-putting. I’m saying them to be transparent. This destination simply isn’t for everyone. But if you’re interested in novel experiences, this might be for you. If you’re interested in disconnecting from modern life, you should definitely give it some consideration. If you like great, and not too terribly hard, hikes in the wilderness away from most people, this should be on your to do list. This lodge is a luxury, although it’s a luxury with the limitations of a backcountry wilderness lodge constructed in 1931. Would I go again? Definitely. But only if I could snag a cabin room, just to limit noise while sleeping. Otherwise, the scenery can’t be beat. The food is surprisingly good. The service is friendly and helpful. And the relaxed and restful atmosphere is a great value if quiet and nature are what you’re desperately seeking. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a contrast to the Banff town experience.

The post Finding Solitude in Banff National Park: The Skoki Valley appeared first on Distracted Birder.

U.S. National Parks: A Lifetime of Domestic Bliss

distractedbirder — Sat, 17 Apr 2021 22:50:31 +0000

A recent post about a more thoughtful, intentional approach to travel left out a massive United States-sized hole in my personal bucket list. But of course I don’t think this country lacks for spectacular, noteworthy destinations! There are many amazing places here that I still hope to visit, and most of them are public lands. Despite there being some great cities in the U.S., those urban centers are no match for the grandeur of our greatest National Parks. What’s in a Name? Okay, let’s be really clear about something. Because titles might confuse people. There are 63 “National Parks” in the National Park System. But there are hundreds of properties managed by the National Park Service. National Historical Sites, National Monuments, National Seashores, and National Parks – the list goes on. There are many types of NPS designations. One important thing to know is that there’s nothing hierarchical about it. One placename doesn’t trump another. A seashore indicates the type of habitat, obviously. A historic site probably protects resources of historic significance. Some of the titles are pretty dang specific, right? But “National Park” doesn’t necessarily mean “bigger property” when compared to other NPS properties. After all, some national monuments are enormous, and some National Parks are not. (I’m looking at you, Gateway Arch). And “National Park” doesn’t necessarily mean “more important” when compared to the other sites managed by the National Park Service. Gettysburg and Vicksburg are National Military Parks. The National Mall and Memorials is kinda just doing its own thing out there in Washington, D.C., being absolutely fabulous. Heck, “National Park” mostly means it took an act of Congress to designate (a President can create a National Monument independently by Executive Order) and generally indicates the public uses allowed at the site. So the National Parks aren’t necessarily the “best” properties in the National Park System. But many of them certainly are the jewels in the crown, containing some of the most iconic sights this country has to offer. Step Away from That Screen For the avid outdoorsy traveler, the National Parks are basically affordable playgrounds. Who needs water parks and roller coasters? We have geysers and glaciers and fjords and sand dunes. Don’t like crowds? Take a hike. Literally, not figuratively! Don’t like noise? There’s millions of acres out there. You can find solitude if you seek it, usually only a couple miles down the trail less traveled. Tired of the city lights? Marvel at a flawless night sky at one of a dozen National Parks (of 27 sites in the system). I love visiting our National Parks because they impart the briefest sense of serenity, of connection with nature. The entire point is to gawk at the world around us, whatever strikes our fancy. We can be wowed by the displays of vivid fall foliage, enjoy spectacular views after a challenging mountain ascent, or immerse ourselves in every type of desert landscape. Oh, and there are also fjords and volcanoes. In case we get bored, I guess. Sure, not every site is going to be as appealing (or as accessible) to every person. But it’s a good thing that NPS manages over 400 sites – there are plenty of locations, interests, and activities to choose from. Domestic Bucket List The point so far is that the National Park System is huge, diverse, and there are tons of worthwhile destinations. But in an effort to continue focusing on intentional travel, this is where I bite the bullet. I’m making decisions. I’m putting down in writing which National Parks I’d most like to visit. Luckily blog posts are easy to edit, so I don’t feel much pressure! (1) Glacier National Park This is number 1 because I’m hoping to go here in September 2021. So it’s just going to be listed as #1, and that’s how it is. It also borders northern Montana (Canada). Glacier shares designation with Waterton Lakes National Park as an International Peace Park, so I sure hope to add a new country to my map! But other than its proximity to the great nice north, I’m also very excited about the hikes, the scenery, and the Going to the Sun Road! We’d like to take at least one hike at Logan Pass and a long hike at Two Medicine. Oh, and see bears. BEARS!!! Because I saw a grand total of ZERO brown bears in Alaska, and I’m bitter about it. (2) Yosemite National Park Because the canyons and waterfalls are supposed to be amazing. And it’s good enough for UNESCO, so I guess it’s good enough for me. I might even want to hike half-dome, if I were able to get drawn in the lottery and felt completely crazy at the time. I dunno. Stupider things have happened. (3) Yellowstone National Park Wildlife! Photos! Geysers and hot deadly holes in the ground! You’re right, it’s crazy that I haven’t been to Yellowstone yet. I absolutely agree. (4) Acadia National Park It just sounds pretty. And I’ve never been to Maine. Also, do you even realize how close Acadia is to… PUFFINS???! Definitely need to go to Maine. I mean, Acadia! (But also Maine.) (5) Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park I mean, there are flippin’ active volcanoes. It’s another of our UNESCO world heritage sites. And it’s in Hawai’i, with habitats and fauna that are sure to be unlike that of the continental United States. Surely, it is the most unique of the 63 National Parks. Sign me up! and… how many birds would I see??? Well, not as many as I’d like. Many are endangered. And yet… So many new birds!!! Been There, Done That – Might Go Back Some pretty amazing National Parks are on my above list, I know. Those are the big guns, there. It’s not even terribly hard to make this list with those options! So far, I’ve only been to 19 of our National Parks. Not even half! But at least a few notable parks aren’t on my above list solely because I’ve already been at least once. That isn’t to say that return trips aren’t worthwhile. Sometimes you fall in love with a place and its all you need. Many people love to vacation that way, and I feel a sort of envy at that type of… contentment? satisfaction? But I suppose wanderlust drives me to want to see all the pretty things or exciting things. Or, maybe more accurately, the new-to-me things. Some already-visited national parks, like the Grand Canyon or Olympic, I just loved. My trip to Mammoth Cave was back in 1992 or so, long enough that there are no photos and the memories are faded. My stop in Denali was a rainy half-day with little opportunity to explore. Of course I’d go those places again! But I’ll leave them off the bucket list for now, only because they don’t carry the same urgency as those I’ve yet to explore. Quibbles and Caveats For all my love our our National Park System, I can’t claim it’s a well-kept secret. Most people have probably ventured to at least a few of these properties, but some of them bring astounding crowds. Each year, literally millions of people flock to the most popular parks. Solitude and quiet must be intentionally sought; they probably will not be granted to you upon arrival at the Visitors Center! Vacation Considerations: Planning. Just check out basic information for any Park before visiting. Best seasons? Road construction? Trails might have been washed out, roads could be closed. All sorts of little details that could impact your trip can easily be found on each Park’s NPS site. For instance, the in 2020-2021 the pandemic is certainly changing shuttle stops and availability, access, and even capacity. If you’re aware of changes, you might at least be able to minimize disappointment or plan alternatives. Crowds. If you’re traveling during the summer when children are out of school and most Americans can also travel, you’ll encounter the most crowds. This is true pretty much everywhere. This doesn’t mean “don’t go”. The best time to go is… whenever you can go! But if you want less crowds, look for less popular sights/trails. And if you can, travel during the shoulder season. Lodging. Some Parks have lots of options both inside and at local towns nearby, some don’t. Many notable Parks have some rustic, historic lodges (if you’re willing to pay the price and sometimes book a year early). Some have fantastic campgrounds (Zion and Bryce Canyon are amazing examples!). You’ll need to check out availability if you want to reserve one (and some must be reserved well in advance). Pets. Ah, as a traveler with a big more flexibility in timing, I can avoid crowds more easily than I can avoid this complete disappointment. Alas, most National Parks are not at all pet-friendly. You’d need to check into this for any Park before visiting. Often pups are allowed in campgrounds and, often, on certain paved trails. But a more liberal trail policy is certainly the exception, rather than the rule. My previous post describes one shining example of a dog-friendly National Park, if you are indeed hoping to bring fido on your hikes. Ready to Go? I definitely appreciate our U.S. National Parks for beauty, recreation, and access to nature. I think they’re some of our best vacation destinations. How do you feel about the U.S. National Parks? Are you a Park “collector”, or do you have a favorite Park that keeps drawing you back?

The post U.S. National Parks: A Lifetime of Domestic Bliss appeared first on Distracted Birder.