For the skeptics out there

The other day, Wet Boots and I were discussing the likelihood that I would find noteworthy wilderness  outside the national parks.  He made a good point that many national parks come about because the terrain is so spectacular that someone made it their life's work to protect it.  Ergo, if some land is not part of a national park, that increases the chance that it is just plain vanilla.

With that in mind, before I begin reviewing trails and places you've never heard of, here's a quick list list of some noteworthy non-national parks already in pop culture.

Big Sur
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park (California)

Taken by Tink during our day trip in 2004

Mount Washington, and the other White Mountains

Mount Washington State Park and White Mountain National Forest (New Hampshire)

Alaska climbed Mt. Washington during last month's Nor'easter

El Yunque

El Yunque National Forest (Puerto Rico)

Haven't visited America's only tropical rainforest yet (*sigh*) so photo courtesy of Wikipedia

The Great Lakes

Spent many a summer vacation enjoying these beauties in the pre-digital age.  Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.

Ok, that's all for now.  Coming up soon, great hikes in Puerto Rico, Florida, and Virginia, and the first Spur Trail post!