Most people when visiting Yosemite don’t leave the valley, but in staying there they miss where Yosemite really shines: the high country. Perhaps one of the lesser-known gems in this area is Mount Hoffman, a mountain practically smack dab in the middle of the park that showcases some of the best mountain and lake views in Yosemite. 

Rough Ridge is one of the most well-known hikes along the Blue Ridge Parkway and for good reason. With panoramic views of the surrounding Blue Ridge mountains and a bird's-eye view of the famous Linn Cove Viaduct, this is a year-round hike that cannot be missed! 

Virginia’s Peaks of Otter is one of my favorite spots along the Blue Ridge Parkway. With multiple incredible hikes, a lodge, and the beautiful Abbott Lake in the shadow of Sharp Top Mountain, it’s a perfect stop for hikers.

In the summer of 2017, I managed to snag a position as an Interpretive Park Ranger Intern at Shenandoah National Park; it was one of the best summers of my life! I got to explore much of the park in my time off, hiking to my heart’s content. The great thing about Shenandoah is that a lot of the hikes are on the shorter side and are relatively easy to access from Skyline Drive, which means you can see a lot in a short time. Here are a few of my favorite - and some of the park’