Informative, entertaining and fun travel videos for those who love or plan to visit National Parks, Monuments, State Parks and other incredible locations with natural beauty and or historic significance. Videos are made by Steve Salis who produces video, photos and instructional design for professional clients for over 25 years. The videos on this channel are researched and written at a professional level and shot, edited and voiced by a professional video guy.
I assume you made your decision long ago, but I vote "yes". There is a ton of useless crap on youtube, so the more helpful, informative, interesting vids the better!
I went back the Big Bend in March and half posted 2 videos on the park so far. ONe on their fossil discovery center- it was shot with a phone but still ok. and another on the hot springs that has lots of history info. The rest of the park will have to wait to the fall- there are some great trails there as well as rafting trips, and pretty volcanic scenery. Terelingua a gentrified ghost town will also be featured. Today, its a party area.
Just to say Thank You very much!! I'm going here for the first time this summer (coming over from Italy) and I've been doing a lot of research on our Grand Circle road trip, but your video is by far the best and most informative that I've come across. My most sincere compliments and keep up the good work.
Thank you for commenting! Its good to hear the work is appreciated. the video you watched is a portion of this video- ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-PFn-XYwVteE.html skip the parts you've seen. The new to you segments will help you plan you trip. (if you haven't already) please subscribe. My channel has several other videos on the 4 corners/ Utah area that you may want to visit on your trip. AND PLEASE go to each park's website to see if they have any new restrictions or reservation requirements. Arches requires a Timed reservation system- for example.
Glad you like them! I assume you've watched my 2 hr GNP video- if you''re going it will help a lot. If you're a hiker my 50 hikes in Glacier is a great resource
Great video Steve. It's rather sad that the Rio Grande has gone the way of many other rivers in the west and has been robbed of its water. I suppose some may call it progress, the sacrifice of our waterways for agriculture and development. But it it what it is.
in 1950 there were 2.5 billion people on earth with an average life expectancy around 46 years. Today there are over 5 billion more!! with world wide life expectancy now over 70 years- it takes lots of resources to feed, house, heat, cool and transport all those extra folks. the resource issue is a real one and it won't get better. Yep it is what it is
@@TheWestisBig No doubt about it. The population of Earth definitely at a critical high. All things considered though I think it's a shame that the NPS has to restrict entry to our Parks but honestly it is becoming a necessity in lieu of allowing them to be overran with too many visitors.
_Jemez,_ not _"Jeméz."_ Sounds like "hem this" without the "th." _Acoma,_ not _"Acooma."_ Homophonic with "a coma". The "escarpment" at Petroglyph is actually named "El Ceja"; the NPS employee should have known this. Today, there are four sites (new one opened within a week of this comment). the "Navajo Name" is pronounced "yah'-ought'-eh", where an apostrophe is a hard glottal stop, similar to the almost silent T when you use "mat" in a sentence. Yá'át'ééh means "hello" (lit. "all is well").
I am going to Glacier National Park in August and I am trying to decide between the Highline Trail from Logan Pass to Granite Chalet and back or the Swiftcurrent Pass Trail. We are staying at the Many Glacier Hotel during our trip. Which trail would you recommend if you had to pick just one. We are also doing the Grinell Glacier trail on another day.
Well, you’ve watched the video that allow you to make that decision. If you’re capable of doing all 15.2 that’s what i’d do. the trick of course is getting back to logan to get your car. I’ve hitched a ride both times i did it. If you want to take the spur up to the Grinnell Glacier overlook then it makes sense to go back to logan or down to the loop. sounds like u will benefit from watching my 50 hikes in glacier video- subscribe it’s easy to find. skip to the highline section where i talk about and show each option
Any recommendations for the best time to find parking at St. Mary Falls Trailhead and the Trail of Cedars Parking Lot? Also, I thought I read somewhere that you had to pay for parking in some areas. Is that accurate?
There’s no paid parking. but you do need to buy a $2 vehicle reservation to enter between 6am and 3pm. the best time to find parking is very early in the morning. or later in the afternoon when first arrivals have left. It’s a crowded park.
@@TheWestisBig Thanks! Can I ask one more question? I'm planning to take the shuttle to the St. Mary Falls Trailhead for the hike. Mainly, because I am very apprehensive about bears (especially because I will have my kids with me), and I figured there would be more people hiking the trail when the shuttle drops off, right? I've done all my research on what to do if you encounter a bear, but have never had this experience in real life. I'm just curious how often you, personally, have seen a bear on the St. Mary Falls/Virginia Falls trail? (What about the Cedar/Avalanche Lake Trail?) I'm just trying to prep myself (mentally, I mean - I will most certainly have my bear spray regardless)...like is this something I should just EXPECT/Guaranteed to encounter or that I just MAY encounter? lol Sorry! We only have black bears in NY and Grizzlies just seem so much more intimidating.
Hmm I can tell you haven't watched my complete guide to Glacier it's the one that's about 2 hours long. If you subscribe (I don't see a subscribed icon next to your name) it's easy to find. I've been to the park 19 times I've seen never seen a bear near me on a trail. I've only seen a griz up close once and it was on the Sun Road. Follow the rules for bear safety and you should be fine. If you watch my latest Sun Road video you'll see the area near the Falls trailhead burned recently and is pretty open. Also, the park is crowded, you will not be alone on any trail off the Sun Road.
I booked a year in advance to stay in whitefish and a red bus tour For this september 2024. I am visually and hearing impaired. The more that I research, the more terrified I become and feel like I should cancel this trip. I can only do old granny hikes, and I am a person who is naturally highly anxious and am worried about altitude sickness. The more research I do, The more scared I become. Even though this is probably one of the prettiest places on earth.. It is beyond overwhelming to plan. I even read about people who took a red bus tour but couldn't get anything to eat BEcause when the tour stopped to eat at one of the lodge restaurants, it was so packed that not everyone could eat. People leaving the park in the evening. Sometimes can't find a place to eat because everything has closed. I would have done better to have had a guide lead me. I know if I don't go this year, I will never go. I'm thinking about doing an alaska cruise instead. Any advice for a nervous nelly like me? Thank you for this wonderful video.
Well, it’s not high enough to get altitude sickness. Regarding food. The first thing i do is go to a grocery store. I alway cary my own food and water where ever i go. There are private guides though they are a few hundred $$ relax and enjoy you’ll be fine. it’s a great place
I still think these sites r build by the fallen angels the nephilum ... No human can carry those lime stones that far & heavy trees...it was the Giants !
When you enter from the East Entrance, can you travel the full length of the Going to the Sun Road and then come back through, or do you have to exit at the Apgar Checkpoint on the West side? Thanks! I love your videos!
Thanks and please subscribe if you haven't' already. that's a good question. They check for res tickets west of the main west gate- so I think you'll be fine in Apgar. I wouldn't exit the west gate. When the Sun Road is open the park web site will post more and better info.
Just go early before the timed entry starts you'll want to anyway to get parking at the logans pass which filled up before 7am when I was there. You can also just book an activity. McDonald lodge place to stay was the best. Many Glacier way the prettiest.
I think they were inhabited at and during a time once the giants started hunting and eating the smaller humans before they banded together to hunt and kill the last cannibalistic red haired giants!! That's my theory! Please take me with you on at least one of your trips.?!
Hii I book st Mary campground and fish creek for 4 night I want to visit many glacier and lake McDonald . I don’t get vehicle reservations for those days if I enter before 6am am I able to drive my truck without reservation in the park ? Thanks sir
This is a nice video but it kind of sugarcoats the gravity of the drive. The drive is scary if you don't have a specialized vehicle, aren't a confident driver....too many people just turn on and think it's a nice scenic drive. The signage really isn't explicit enough. There are some treacherous, tight spots. And some people drive or bike like idiots.
Thank you for recognizing the hard work. I have a feeling you'll enjoy my longer guide to the park. skip past things you've already seen. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-h3tnwgh6fTk.html
You obviously didn’t watch the whole video. I interview a Park Ranger and that’s one of the things I asked him. The short answer is - they disturb park visitors, particularly when thier owners disregard common courtesy and allow their dogs to bark, dig and otherwise disturb the peaceful nature of the parks. They also cause undo stress to native plants and animals who already have enough trouble just surviving in the harsh desert. Hopefully you understand how dogs could negatively impact ancient ruins! I was just in Big Bend- there it’s not just the lizards who don’t need the stress dogs cause. There black bears may decide to attack- but apparently Bob cats take advantage of the easy food source when owners ignore the no dog rule. Providing a less than positive experience- particularly for children. So please leave your dog at home.
you might be surprised how many Tribes don’t wish to share their stories with outsiders. And diff tribes have different versions of history. It’s very complicated
@@TheWestisBig I live in the area. So you might be surprised on how many do wish to share their stories. The old ways of considering people "outsiders" it's not so much anymore. Yet here these tour guides give their opinion on history, who is to say their version is correct. They just make up stuff like the Anasazi possible cannibals. but thanks for your response.
Your dedicstion and work does not go unnoticed. Thanks for your videos. Am I correct in assuming that in the summer season, one can enter the westside of the park without a vehicle reservation pass and drive the going to the sun road as long as they come in the park before 6am?
I was sick and unable to get reservations 120 days prior for my trip this summer. I’ve never had a problem getting reservations the day before for other parks but do you see this as a concern for glacier? When I get reservations the day prior I’m logged onto wifi and the reservations app with everything up to date and ready to go. I just start refreshing the page a minute before until the time slots appear and click and pay immediately.
When i tried to get a res on the day i was ready with hotel wifi- it wasn’t fast enough. Be in a spot with good WiFi and be early. i’d try it a few days before you go as a test. Glacier is might be more popular than parks your use to. or get to the gate at 5am ish. or drive to east side
@@TheWestisBig Thanks! Would I need to be in before 5am or 6am? I’ve gotten conflicting feedback. I’m on eastern time so even 5am mountain is still only 7am my time. I usually stay on my time when I go west to parks so I can beat the crowds more and reduce jet lag coming back.
blame youtube!! i don’t control the number of ads. Of course if you’d like to cover the production costs- i have a paypal account - i’ll be happy to turn off all ads. This content doesn’t make itself!!
hmmm. The main Delicate Arch trail is almost all slick rock but it’s not smooth. It’s rutted and i’m. it sure if the small front wheels could negotiate some of the obstacles. That said, i was in BigBend Np recently and 8-10 yr old had a powered wheelchair. His Dad helped him get to the end of the Hot Springs trail. It’s flat but sandy. Del arch has elevation gain too. It’s my guess he would need help. -possibly to build stone ramps, to determine a route and pushing.
I'm thinking of going next week (may 9-12). I've been reading online about which trails are open. I'm thinking of driving up to the road closure on the west side and hiking from there, and driving around on highway 2 to St Mary for another hike on the east side. Any words of advice?
I'd call the park and talk to a ranger- may have to call a few numbers to get a human. The permit office is often answered. The Where are The Plows Page says the road is closed a long way from the Alpine section- you can bike to The Loop and Hike a little farther- weather depending. The drive on hwy 2 is the better option. the closure is up higher- near the Jackson Glacier viewpoint I think. The east side is also much prettier- also on the Many Glacier Road is open and there are many great trails there. They didn't get much snow this year so some trails might be open. Check trail status page and talk to a Ranger
Thanks for the reminder of keeping three rivers clean and be respectful. Unfortunately there is evidence of modern humans being there. But I'm sure anyone watching your channel, has nothing but the up most respect for how sensitive these sites are. Thanks for you work to give us touch of our southwestern history.
@@TheWestisBig Absolutely! You’ve got yourself a new subscriber lol I’m really glad I found your channel. It’s a bummer RU-vid makes it so hard to find quality channels like yours.
Correct pron : Hay mus (Jemez). Hubby is an Indian of the 8 Northern Pueblos. Most of the Pueblo peoples still call themselves “Indians” and have not fed into the garbage of calling themselves “Native” (what a person of any race born in North America can now call themselves a native honestly) or “Indigenous”. The leftist whites are the ones that have started all that name changing stuff. Pueblo Bonito is awesome. Was there in 1980 as excavation and restoration was ongoing there. we find it really funny how archaeologists that were paid by the Smithsonian went into these areas and truly plundered them in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, stealing all kinds of relics and historical items from the Indians in their own villages. An archaeologist plundered the hell out of my husband‘s Pueblo and his ancestors simply didn’t know any better and allowed the plundering to go on. At one point, the micaceous clay that came from the specific area of his people in which they made their pottery was deemed off-limits to the Indians because the manufactures of women’s cosmetics made a deal with the American government and went into that area and pondered the micaceous clay so the corporations could become filthy rich. Some of the Indians stood with firearms to try to stop the corporate people from coming into their area and plundering, but of course the feds treated them really bad because what the ignorant modern people do not understand is that the “Indian Grantland“ was granted and can be just as easily taken away in the blink of an eye should a corporation want to come in and plunder resources and the government will totally allow them to do it. The very people who have done all of the plundering are the very people that tell everyone else they’re not allowed to actually walk on these sites and take a look at things. As a conquered people, the American Indian has really been robbed and horribly miss treated so it all modern Americans can pay high interest to the banks for their homes and land. Rather disgusting when you really think about it. Cliff dwellings protected the people who were hiding from attacks that came from the sky. Modern archaeologist have completely lied to everybody and continue to do so on a constant basis. They have hidden all of the different artworks done by the ancient Indians that show these beings from the sky that were attacking them. These artworks are very visible in many areas of these national parks that are closed off to the public.
