For Earth Day, we asked one of our favorite girls, Lindsay Stevens (@lindzisme) some of her favorite places on this rad planet of ours. Check out her picks.
Zion National Park:
Zion is a mecca for adventure-enthusiasts and people looking to enjoy incredible views. Whether you want to hike or enjoy nature from your car window, Zion has views for everyone. The towering red rock walls make you feel like you’re on another planet, and it’s a place that always makes me feel insanely grateful for how beautiful the Earth is.
My favorite hike here is The Narrows, which weaves through towering canyon walls. The permit-free hike is 4 miles in and 4 miles back out, which takes about 6 hours. I did it in the Winter when the air and water were 30 degrees...there were even icicles hanging in the canyon! But the plus side was there were zero crowds. Worth it.
Grand Tetons National Park:
Jackson, Wyoming is one of those places you just never forget after you visit. Some of my favorite memories outdoors have been sitting by the Moulton Barns overlooking the Grand Tetons as the sun goes down, surrounded by tall golden grass. It’s also home to Delta Lake -- a bright blue lake situated perfectly at the base of a towering peak and one of the most incredibly beautiful hikes I’ve ever done.
If you find yourself in the Grand Tetons, make sure to also drive the few hours to Yellowstone National Park for more great views!
Yosemite National Park:
Yosemite is one of those national parks that makes you feel like you’re driving through a postcard everywhere you go. It’s notorious for its iconic Half Dome, but really anywhere you go in the park will leave you speechless. One of my favorite hikes I’ve ever done was through the backcountry of Yosemite. We hiked to the top of Upper Yosemite Falls, kept going into the backcountry, and camped there a few nights. I photographed the Milky Way and watched the sun rise over Half Dome...it was amazing!
Andes Mountains, Peru:
It wouldn’t be an Earth Day blog if we didn’t show appreciation for another corner of the Earth...another one of my favorite places I’ve ever hiked is through the Andes Mountains in Peru! While backpacking the Lares Trek at 14,000-16,000ft elevation, there was so little oxygen that I had to stop to catch my breaths every 10-20 steps. But the views were absolutely worth it. Think: fields of wild alpacas, towering mountain peaks, glaciers, and crystal blue lakes. My group backpacked here for 5 days and ended at the iconic Machu Picchu! If you head to Peru in the future, I definitely recommend checking out the Lares Trek.
