Posted on October 6, 2016, 3:43 pm, by QT Luong, under
Locations.
This year, to celebrate the National Park Service Centennial, a few individuals have embarked on well-publicized trips to visit all 59 U.S. national parks in a year. Besides releasing Treasured Lands, whose early reviews seem to acknowledge as “the” book of the Centennial, I am celebrating by quietly completing a second round of national parks […]
Posted on September 25, 2016, 9:58 pm, by QT Luong, under
Locations.
At the beginning of September, I was happy to take a break from “Treasured Lands” and return to Alaska for two weeks. The trip was neatly divided into two parts. Whereas the second week was devoted to two remote parks typical of Alaska, during the first week, I rented a car and drove around, just […]
Posted on August 14, 2016, 11:50 pm, by QT Luong, under
Locations.
Twenty years ago, I photographed Lehman Cave on a private tour. Last month, I participated in a regular tour. A comparison of photos from both occasions shows how much camera technology has changed for the better. Accessed by way of Hwy 50, “the loneliest road in America” in the middle of the American West (some […]
Posted on July 15, 2016, 7:10 pm, by QT Luong, under
Locations.
Zion National Park doesn’t have the equivalent of Yosemite’s Glacier Point. Because of the sheer walls surrounding Zion Canyon, there are only two trails leading from the valley floor to the rim. Although lesser known than Angels Landing, the Observation Point Trail is the higher of the two. Angels Landing Trail is is famous for […]
Posted on June 29, 2016, 6:47 pm, by QT Luong, under
Locations.
Most hikers into the famous Virgin River Narrows of Zion National Park turn around at the junction with Orderville Canyon, sometimes after taking a quick peak inside. Zion National Park’s most accessible canyon after the Narrows, Orderville is spectacular and distinctive, making it a worthwhile destination in itself for the adventurous hiker. Exploring the entirety […]
Posted on June 23, 2016, 7:45 pm, by QT Luong, under
Locations.
The Subway is a superlative backcountry area in Zion National Park which has become world-famous. The common way to visit the formation is via a hike from the bottom of the canyon. However, this approach misses some of the most beautiful sections of the canyon. In this post, I’ll take you through the entire length […]
Posted on June 3, 2016, 8:20 pm, by QT Luong, under
Locations.
The rare combination of wildness and accessibility makes the national parks a great place to experience a connection with the natural world and its vastness. At night, although darkness obscures land features, the night sky gives us an even clearer sense of the immensity of the universe. Recently, the National Park Service, under the motto […]
Posted on May 27, 2016, 11:18 pm, by QT Luong, under
Locations.
Wondering where to start in our 59th national park? The most spectacular views in Pinnacles National Park are on the High Peaks Trail which is fairly strenuous. However, the best introduction to the park is along a loop which is quite easy (1.5-mile loop; 250-foot elevation gain) despite the great diversity of terrain encountered. A […]
Posted on January 28, 2016, 1:27 pm, by QT Luong, under
Locations.
The most visited spot in Joshua Tree National Park lies somewhere near the meeting of Park Boulevard, the Hidden Valley picnic area, and the Barker Dam road. When I parked my car a hundred yard east of the intersection, nobody was around, because the time was one hour before sunrise. I walked in the dark […]
Posted on January 20, 2016, 12:35 pm, by QT Luong, under
Locations.
Although it is the first trail encountered after the Kings Canyon National Park entrance, most visitors skip the Big Stump Trail. However, it is an area quite different from the rest of the park, reserving discoveries. Photographically, the dead trees challenged me to find evocative images of what at first may not appear to be […]
