sierra nevada, national park, mountains, forest Kyle Hanson sierra nevada, national park, mountains, forest Kyle Hanson

#121 Chicago Stump

In the late 1800's, nobody in America believed that such a giant tree existed on Earth. To challenge believers, the life of the thousand year old General Noble Sequoia Tree ended. The stump then traveled by train to its new home at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. At the cost of $15,000, nearly half a million in today's dollars, this tree was cut 50 feet from the ground then hollowed into a 14 foot reassembled section at the fair.

Today in Sequoia National Forest on the border of Kings Canyon National Park lies the remaining stump. Several surrounding stumps can be explored as a reminder of the unfortunate Sequoia logging past. *4 wheel drive recommended to get to the stump

 
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palm springs, national park, mountains, scenic drives, forest, desert Kyle Hanson palm springs, national park, mountains, scenic drives, forest, desert Kyle Hanson

#120 Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument

Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument preserves 280,000 acres in the peninsular mountain ranges. The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians own and manage a large portion of the monument of which house many sacred sites. It is a land of extremes rising from the heat of the desert floor to the snow dusted peaks 10,000 feet high.

Palms to Pines National Scenic Byway winds through the encompassing mountains and is a great driving overview of the monument. The National Landscape Conservation System maintains the monument as a 'healthy, wild and open' space. Unlike many other parks and monuments, not many mapped trails or sites exist. It is a place for deep reflection and solitude. The beauty of nature awaits!

 
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national park, desert, mountains Kyle Hanson national park, desert, mountains Kyle Hanson

#113 Father Crowley Vista Point

Father Crowley Vista Point provides sweeping views of Rainbow Canyon in Death Valley National Park. Located right off Highway 190 on the west side of the park, beautiful cinder cones and lava flows tumble into the canyon. The Point honors Father Crowley, the Padre of the Desert. He was an advocate for desert tourism and the rebirth of the Owens Valley after Los Angeles stole its water supply leaving nothing for the people to live off.

 
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scenic drives, los angeles, mountains, forest Kyle Hanson scenic drives, los angeles, mountains, forest Kyle Hanson

#111 Angeles Crest National Scenic Byway

Known as 'the most scenic and picturesque mountain road in the state', Angeles Crest National Scenic Byway is a beautiful scenic drive high up in the San Gabriel Mountains. Also known as Highway 2, the road began construction in 1929 and took 27 years to finish in 1956. It winds through Angeles National Forest & San Gabriel Mountains National Monument to a land of pristine alpine wilderness. During rain storms, the mountain peaks become engulfed in foggy clouds and makes the road appear to soar above to the Angels of Heaven.

 
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sierra nevada, forest, mountains Kyle Hanson sierra nevada, forest, mountains Kyle Hanson

#109 Trail of 100 Giants

The Trail of 100 Giants is a beautiful Giant Sequoia trail high in the Sierra Nevada. Part of Giant Sequoia National Monument, a 1.3 mile trail meanders through sequoias at the long meadow grove. These gentle giants are estimated to be about 1500 years old and can be a great, less crowded alternative to Sequoia National Park.

 
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san diego, state park, mountains, forest, scenic drives Kyle Hanson san diego, state park, mountains, forest, scenic drives Kyle Hanson

#107 Cuyamaca Rancho State Park

High in the Laguna Mountains above San Diego lies Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. Forests of oak woodland and pine surround meadows and creeks which make for a beautiful hike. At a mile in the sky, warm summers, fall colors, snow-decorated winters and spring wildflowers make this a four season destination. It will be hard to believe you are still in San Diego at this perfect recreational escape. 

 
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state park, mountains, los angeles Kyle Hanson state park, mountains, los angeles Kyle Hanson

#106 Will Rogers State Historic Park

Will Rogers State Historic Park is a beautiful ranch in the Santa Monica Mountains. Once the estate of Will Rogers, the highest paid actor in the 1930's, this ranch was his place of relaxation. With almost 200 acres overlooking the ocean, the ranch contains more than 30 rooms, 7 fireplaces, horse stables, a polo field and hiking trails. in 1944, Will's wife Betty donated the property to California State Parks. Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the park is a great place to celebrate the life of Will Rogers as a philosopher and star.

 
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inland empire, mountains, scenic drives Kyle Hanson inland empire, mountains, scenic drives Kyle Hanson

#99 San Mateo Canyon Wilderness

With 38,000 acres of beautiful unprotected land, San Mateo Canyon Wilderness is the perfect escape for solitude. Part of Cleveland National Forest in the Santa Ana Mountains, chaparral, coastal sage and oak woodlands are the main vegetation of this Coastal Range. For those seeking a scenic drive, follow tenaja road through the south main divide road which winds through the mountainous canyon and offers magnificent panoramic views. Please use caution as most of the drive is a single lane road.

 
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national park, sierra nevada, mountains Kyle Hanson national park, sierra nevada, mountains Kyle Hanson

#97 Olmsted Point

Olmsted Point in Yosemite National Park is an essential beautiful vista point high in the Sierra Nevada. At more than 8,000 feet high, the point offers a unique view of Yosemite and its iconic Half Dome and can be accessed by the scenic Tioga Road. It was named after Frederick Law Olmsted, the Father of American Landscape Architecture and Conservationist.

 
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