desert, national park, scenic drives, mountains Kyle Hanson desert, national park, scenic drives, mountains Kyle Hanson

#175 Twenty Mule Team Canyon

Twenty Mule Team Canyon in Death Valley National Park is a beautiful drive with colorful badlands and eroded cliffs. It was named after the famous 'Twenty Mule Team' of 18 mules and 2 horses who hauled borax in wagons out of Death Valley between 1883 to 1889. The trip was a difficult ten day, 165 mile trek across the Mojave. History lives on in this perfect symbolic spot of the Old West. *Please use caution on this dirt road in the desert

 
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monterey, central coast, ocean, mountains Kyle Hanson monterey, central coast, ocean, mountains Kyle Hanson

#174 Bixby Creek Bridge

Bixby Creek Bridge is an iconic landmark along the famous Highway 1 Big Sur Coast. Opening in 1932, it is one of the tallest concrete bridges in the world and the most photographed on the West Coast. The bridge was named after Charles Henry Bixby, a New Yorker who harvested lumber and constructed a sawmill on the creek here in the late 1800's.

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

#167 Tharp's Log

Tharp's Log is a hollowed giant sequoia tree in Sequoia National Park. Led here by the Yokuts Native Americans, Hale Tharp was the first modern pioneer to discover the Giant Forest. He lived in this log 'cabin' in the summertime from 1861 to 1890, the year the park was established. Adjacent Log Meadow was the perfect spot for Tharp to raise his cattle. This National Register of Historic Places Landmark is a great mild hike for any visit to the park.

 
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san diego, desert, mountains, state park Kyle Hanson san diego, desert, mountains, state park Kyle Hanson

#166 Shelter Valley

Directly along the historic Great Southern Overland Stage Route lies a magnificent valley known as Shelter Valley or geologically, Earthquake Valley. This desert valley, once home to the Kumeyaay Native Americans, is one of the most beautiful spots in all of Southern California. It is protected by Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and the Pacific Crest Trail passes through. Spring wildflowers dot the ground while mountains rise majestically in the background. With its clean air, light streams down and paints the ground and makes it the perfect spot for stargazing at night.

 
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sierra nevada, mountains, desert Kyle Hanson sierra nevada, mountains, desert Kyle Hanson

#163 Fossil Falls

Fossil Falls Scenic Area along the beautiful Highway 395 contains volcanic lava flows up to half a million years old. Basalt lava was sculpted by rushing water creating the smooth formations seen today. Native American artifacts have been found here dating from 12,000 to 3,000 years ago when the area was a wonderful place to live for its plants, animals and once abundant water supply.

 
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inland empire, scenic drives, palm springs, mountains, forest, desert Kyle Hanson inland empire, scenic drives, palm springs, mountains, forest, desert Kyle Hanson

#155 Palms to Pines National Scenic Byway

Palms to Pines National Scenic Byway is one of the most scenic drives in Southern California. From the desert ecosystem of Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley to the snow-covered peaks of the San Bernardino National Forest, this winding road takes you from sea level to peaks more than a mile high in pristine wilderness. Beautiful overlooks offer dramatic views that soar for miles.

 
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los angeles, mountains, forest, foothills, desert Kyle Hanson los angeles, mountains, forest, foothills, desert Kyle Hanson

#153 Devil's Punchbowl Natural Area

Devil's Punchbowl Natural Area is a grand assortment of sandstone boulders and cliffs at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. At 4,750 feet, the San Andreas Fault travels directly beneath the park helping to create its striking formations. A one mile trail takes you down into the heart of the punchbowl for an up-close look at this geological wonderland.

 
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