What Remains Untouched
Written by: Jack Hoye | Photos by: Jack Hoye
Explore the natural wonders of North America through the eyes of a longtime nature aficionado and national park traveler. The earth is a special place for us to enjoy and embrace.
North America: Home of the last frontier, wild and enchanting. One could spend a lifetime chasing their wanderlust for this vast and diverse continent. Outside bustling metropolitan cities lies a land where freedom truly resides. An astonishing selection of environments and ecosystems await eager pioneers looking to enrich their perspectives and enjoy all that nature has to offer. The National Parks of North America protect and preserve these natural marvels, offering unforgettable immersive experiences to all. Take it from a guy with over ten years' experience visiting parks — these expansive sanctuaries can sincerely broaden your horizons and reinvigorate your lust for life. If you are fortunate enough to visit the untamed territories of this land for you and me, follow some guidance from a guy who’s been just as lucky. For you, a review of what remains untouched — my beloved National Parks.
Banff National Park
Alberta, Canada
Banff National Park offers nature lovers a gorgeous glimpse of the Rocky Mountains in central North America. Snugly situated among the peaks of the Alberta Province, Banff is a crowning jewel of Canadian nature. The park is most well-known for its snow-covered mountains, graced with glaciers, that run rivers throughout bountiful coniferous forests.
I first visited Banff as a teenager and to this day Banff National Park remains a favorite destination. Wherever you may be from, I recommend beginning your journey with a roundtrip flight to and from Calgary. A mere few hours’ drive from the Banff park entrance, the cosmopolitan hub offers the most direct vantage point of entry. That being said, it’s essential to travel by car during your Rocky Mountain venture. Soon after the onset of your journey, one cannot help but be mesmerized by the grand mountains that immediately rise from the grasslands. Striking and impressionable, the range has a distinguishable origin and stretches as far as the Pacific Ocean to the west. Entering the rough terrain, notice the carefully constructed wildlife crossings that cater to the local elk populations. These crossings are structures that allow animals to traverse human-made highways, avoiding the road altogether — a literal mound of earth that bridges one side of the highway to the other.
When entering the park, prepare yourself for the spectacular splendors of mother nature — taking shape in uniquely built stone caps dashed with snow. Even during the summer months, one can enjoy fresh snowfall that highlights the iconic Rocky Mountain ridges. Formed by sedimentary rock, exposed layers of stone are a bold and iconic feature of this unique range. The layers and striations of this rock make for a dazzling sight when covered and laced with snowflakes.
A must-see stop in Banff is none other than the aquamarine waters of Lake Louise — an ovular-shaped glacial-fed lake enclosed by high reaching snow caps. Overlooked by an up-scale chateau, one is not only offered incredibly comfortable accommodations for a visit but a great view of the lake and Victoria Glacier — a magnificent ice sheet that adorns the mountain of the same name. On a clear night, one may be able to spot the moon perfectly perched above the mountain, reflecting its light onto the lake waters. Dine at Poppy’s Brasserie, a gourmet casual eatery featuring seasonal Canadian cuisine and a fabulous breakfast. During my stay, I made the executive decision to try their elk and bison bourguignon for dinner — and I made an incredible decision. Tender world-class meats, succulent vegetables, and bouquet garni, slow-cooked in a stew of red wine and stock offer a robust and truly delectable meal.
Jasper National Park
Alberta, Canada
Just north of the sprawling forests and mountain caps of Banff, lies the alluring lands of Jasper National Park. Spanning over six thousand eight hundred miles of rugged terrain, Jasper remains the largest protected park in the Canadian Rockies. Nearly twice the size of Banff, Jasper has all the more majestic natural wonders and attractions for serious adventurers. I say serious adventures — as Jasper is not for the faint of heart. Logistically, Jasper is much less accessible compared to its southern neighbor. It’s much farther from the city of Calgary and located deeper into the mountains. One has to pass through Banff and drive beside icefields to access Jasper. This is not to say there aren’t easier access points. Taking a short flight from Calgary to the isolated burg of Edmonton, Alberta may offer an easier ride by car.
On the flip side, due to its isolated situation, Jasper is all the less touched by travelers. It is a park where few have the gumption to visit and where human fingerprints have yet to taint its picturesque vistas. The park is most well-known for its pristine wilderness, abundant local wildlife, and truly breathtaking grandeur. Following the Icefield Parkway north from Banff into Jasper park territory, I found it difficult to avert my gaze from our car windows. Driving through tundra to pine groves to mountain tops to plains, I was spellbound. To this day, a few of my fondest memories spur from being present and enjoying the nature of Jasper.
A fascinating park experience I recommend to anyone fit for a hike to Mount Edith Cavell. Some say Mount Edith Cavell is considered the most prominent peak in all of Alberta Province. And as far as sheer magnificence is concerned, it’s easy to agree with that opinion. The same can be said for what rests beneath the mountain. The manageable trail puts hikers within sight of Angel Glacier — a stunning sheet of ice hanging off Cavell’s mountainside, leaving behind a mystical blue glacial pond. At the hike’s culmination, be sure to respect and enjoy an army of inuksuk.
Now, you may be thinking, what is an inuksuk? From the surface, inuksuk are statues formed from stacking stones made to resemble the human figure. Traditionally, inuksuk was used by the Inuit peoples of northern Canada as directional signs. An inuksuk in the form of a human being is symbolic of safety, friendship, and hope. And they’ve been reinvented to signify a sense of friendship and hope for people across the globe.
Yellowstone National Park
Wyoming, United States of America
Otherworldly and active, Yellowstone National Park is a classic destination. Most conjure an image of a barren yellow rocky ground spewing a beam of water high into the air at the mention of national parks. And as do I. Though what you may be unaware of is that Yellowstone is the first declared national park in North America. Maybe this is why when so many think of national parks, they can’t help but imagine this cult classic original.
More ultra-natural than supernatural, Yellowstone National Park is home to one of the most captivating and theatrical geysers in North America: Old Faithful. Geysers are a kind of rare hot spring under pressure below the earth’s surface. When this pressure builds, they erupt from the ground, sending up vertical jets of water and steam into the air. Steps away from the geothermal wonder, there sits an Old Faithful clock in a beautifully restored historic lodge. The clock gives actual time frames for when the next Old Faithful eruption will occur — erupting usually every hour. And note, it’s quite spectacular to spend the night in a hotel with a close-up geyser view — though your rest may be disrupted if you’re a light sleeper.
Yellowstone features other bizarre and impressive geographic and geologic wonders including dramatic waterfalls, deep canyons, alpine river systems, dense first-generation forests, and steamy hot springs. There is much more to this park than the popular Old Faithful geyser. A must-see sight in this truly unique park is the Upper Falls of the Yellowstone River. The Yellowstone River becomes a gargantuan waterfall as the river cascades into a wide golden canyon. As I saw from a cliffside, sunlight highlights the brilliantly exposed yellow rock. And when the sun meets with mist, vivid rainbows spring from the frothy depths.
Geography aside, what pleasantly surprised me about Yellowstone is its biodiversity — home to many rare and majestic North American mammals. Do not be alarmed if you should meet a wild bison while hiking or outside lodging accommodations. The beautiful bison are relatively friendly around people, though that is no invitation to invade their space. While I was visiting, I was able to spot elk, and meet bison and bear up close. It’s of vital importance that we respect these creatures’ space and their home. For safety, ensure that you keep your distance from any encounter with a wild beast. The animals are not celebrities and they did not invite you to their home. Nevertheless, they will not run nor be inclined to harm you if you keep a distance and remain calm.
Yosemite National Park
California, United States of America
Whether you know of Yosemite National Park for our friend Yogi the bear or its iconic Half Dome, Yosemite is genuinely breathtaking. A muse for artists and photographers across the world, it’s no surprise why this park is so iconic and intriguing for many. Whether audiences have loved these artworks from afar, been inspired to take a trip because of them, or have made art during and after a visit — the relationship between Yosemite and human creativity has withstood the test of time. Maybe this is why many are familiar with the name Yosemite and what the park has to offer.
The park is firmly planted in southeastern California, often very warm and lush during summers and frigid and white during the long winters. When I think back to my visit about three years ago, the memories in my mind paint a picture of paradise. Yosemite could be considered a kind of modern-day Eden, especially considering how wild and versatile the park is. From raging rivers to uniquely shaped mountain summits and age-old towering trees, Yosemite is the home of the United States’ most precious natural spectacles. Take a look at the iconic Half Dome mountain ridge, the cliffs of El Capitan, and the classic Yosemite Falls.
However, a favorite natural feature of the park is the hidden away Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias — speaking of trees. Located in the southern portion of the park, the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias is known to be the largest of its kind in Yosemite and houses over five hundred matured giant sequoia trees. These trees have been named giant for a fitting reason — these trees are truly epic. Like their redwood tree counterparts, sequoias are known for their extensive height and huge stocky trunks. Though, unlike the redwoods, sequoias feature a smooth honey blonde colored bark and pronounced needle-like foliage.
Take a stroll through this sequoia haven and marvel at the absolute magnitude of earth’s largest living organisms. Walking down the manicured path of the sequoia valley, a sense of my place in the world and humble feelings are conjured. My neck became sore, unable to avert my upward gaze. This is a stunning destination with scenic walking paths and hikes catered to all visitors. Rain or shine, these mighty evergreens will inspire.
Zion National Park
Utah, United States of America
Zion National Park was my first quintessential protected national park experience. Even after nearly twelve years since I visited, Zion easily remains a favorite of mine. Sitting in southwest Utah, the preserve is characterized by Zion Canyon characterized by its steep red, orange, and golden cliffs. These mountainous canyon walls are lit ablaze when graced by the morning sun. Stunningly bright and vibrant warm-toned rock outstandingly compliments the piercing blue skies of a Utah summer.
The park offers breathtaking views of the canyon and beautiful hiking trails along the Virgin River as it runs its course towards the Emerald Pools. The Emerald Pools appear as olivine-hued shallows. Waterfall-fed, the pools are accompanied by terrace-like hanging gardens that span the neighboring rock faces. Another aspect of this mind-blowing environment includes navigable and safe cliffsides. Hiking along these cliffs can be frightening for some and awesome for others. Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed the sensational vistas of the Zion Canyon from this hike’s vantage points.
While these stand out as park highlights and favorable activities, there are many avenues for all to enjoy the park to its fullest. Alongside wildlife and incredible natural feats is a shuttle bus. The Zion shuttle bus offers all visitors an ideal taste of all that lies within the canyon, offering views of some of the park’s most well-known sites. These sites include Angels Landing, a high-standing sculpted mountain, and the Narrows, a deep ravine featuring shallow rocky streams. What’s great about the Zion shuttle is that you can hop on and off the bus with ease as you explore, stopping at the most scenic sites and trailheads along its route. While the service does not operate during the winter months, the route is accessible via car.
While the attractions of this park remain memorable, it’s also important to keep logistics in mind. I feel the best time to visit this national treasure is during the spring and autumn months. Remember — the park sits amongst some of the United States’ most arid and intense environments. During the summer months, temperatures have the potential to reach a staggering one hundred degrees Fahrenheit. I found myself rather hot during my mid-September visit - and I can only imagine how the park must feel during mid-July. Climate aside, it’s important to keep in mind that Zion isn’t the most accessible park. A flight to Denver, a connecting flight to Grand Junction, Colorado, and a few hours’ drive into Utah may be your best bet for the most efficient travel experience. A flight to Las Vegas, Nevada, and a three hour drive east may also suffice.
These accounts scratch the surface of North America’s natural beauty. There’s a plethora of fantastic spots across the continent that have left deep impressions within me. May I reiterate — one can spend a lifetime exploring these gorgeous preservations. Here are some honorable mentions to consider…
Grand Canyon National Park
Arizona, United States of America
Arches National Park
Utah, United States of America
Redwood National Park & State Forest
California, United States of America
Acadia National Park
Maine, United States of America
Grand Teton National Park
Wyoming, United States of America
From someone as privileged as myself to have visited the parks, I can honestly say that my visits have become some of my most meaningful experiences. If I can provide any form of encouragement to spearhead these experiences for others, then I’ve fulfilled my purpose. Whether you take my recollections as grains of salt or praise them like megalithic monuments, I hope that one day you too can enjoy the sights and splendors of these prehistoric places. Let the untouched earth touch you.
Shot by Jack Hoye at Yellowstone National Park