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YouTopo Hands-On Learning Adventures. Guided learning activities that add a dose of adventure to your homes

Some places never get old!Vasquez Rocks Natural Area in Auga Dulce California⭐️ Check this place out in full bloom! ⭐️ T...
30/05/2023

Some places never get old!

Vasquez Rocks Natural Area in Auga Dulce California

⭐️ Check this place out in full bloom!

⭐️ This is the best time of the year to go, check out all the Hespero Yucca Whippeli also called Our Lords Candle!

Things you must see:
❤️ Grinding stone and prictograph replicas
❤️ Walk the Geology trail
❤️ ABOVE ALL ELSE....climb all the rocks!

Rock angles are mostly walkable, so easy for the whole family!

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Coyote Gulch: Where bloggers failed me. Coyote GulchTrip we took: Hurricane Wash to Crack in the WallI don't take resear...
16/05/2023

Coyote Gulch: Where bloggers failed me. Coyote Gulch

Trip we took: Hurricane Wash to Crack in the Wall
I don't take researching a trip lightly. I want to know the nitty gritty of it so my family and I can be prepared. I travel everywhere with my kids and husband.

Every blog and video I saw about the tip looked good and fun. (which I agree it is)

ALL RECOMMENDATIONS SAID:
The easiest route was Hurricane Wash to Crack in the Wall.
This would save the best views for last.
Hurricane Wash is boring, it would ruin the end of the trip, so do it first.
The trail leads you right to the sand dunes.

THE TRUTH
Crack in the Wall does have an amazing view. But don't save it for last!
To get to crack in the Wall you will travel almost 2 miles UP sand dunes. (in the heat, carrying a large full backpack!)
You will use most if not all your water just on the trip up the sand dunes. Then still have to walk through partial sand for 2 miles to your car after getting up crack in the wall.
The trail up the dunes is not obvious, these sand dunes are covered in plants. If you miss the trail, you will end up crossing a scary slanted cliff area. (NOT good with kids)

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO:
Start at Crack in the Wall! Use fresh feet and excited beginning of the trip energy to cross the partial sand 2 mile hike to crack in the wall.
Take in the view.
Bring 30 ft of rope to lower backpacks down crack in the wall.
Hike about 2 miles DOWN sand dunes! Lots easier.
The view continues the whole way down.
When you reach the canyon bottom follow the trail to the LEFT!
Enjoy all the water cliffs and arches! Hike about 7 miles to a split in the canyon. Canyon that goes to the left of the river is Hurricane Wash. Following the river will lead you to Red Well Trailhead.
Hurricane Wash is still beautiful, just dry, and a mainly flat hike. (Lots easier after 2 days of hiking!)

📸 1-3 Sand Dune
📸 4-8 Hurricane Wash

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Backpacking with kids, Coyote Gulch, UT.Part 1Not going to lie, this trip made me feel every emotion. Joy, fear, exhaust...
02/05/2023

Backpacking with kids, Coyote Gulch, UT.
Part 1

Not going to lie, this trip made me feel every emotion. Joy, fear, exhaustion, elation, wonder, worry, anxiety, peace and more.

I'm going to show you the highlights over the next day or two then give you the dirt after. I read many blogs researching this trip and wish someone would have been real in their advice. It would have saved us a lot of tears. (Adult stress and tears, kids are incredibly resilient.)

So let's start with the good!
This is the icon of Coyote Gulch, the Jacob Hamblin Arch.

⭐ As you can see it's big, and beautiful!
⭐ Great spot to spend the night, but everyone else wants to stay there too, so it's not private.
⭐ Fun place to have lunch, a snack, and refill your water.
⭐ Great spot for pictures
⭐ Located about 7 miles from the Hurricane Wash trail head.
⭐ If hiking with kids, 7 miles is a lot in one day, we broke it up and camped at the 5 mile spot where the wash first meets the river.
❤️ Then we saw the Arch on day 2.

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Can you guess the National Park?Hint: 🌍 green is vivid here!🌍 Lots of rain🌍 Waterfalls galore🌍 Has its own rainforest🌍 L...
29/04/2023

Can you guess the National Park?

Hint:
🌍 green is vivid here!
🌍 Lots of rain
🌍 Waterfalls galore
🌍 Has its own rainforest
🌍 Lots of amphibians and banana slugs!
🌍Great place for mushroom hunters!

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Tell me what you think!Have you ever been to Death valley?⭐️Check out our first video and blog featuring Death valley!ht...
27/04/2023

Tell me what you think!

Have you ever been to Death valley?

⭐️Check out our first video and blog featuring Death valley!

https://youtopo.com/blogs/destinations/death-valley

Every Thursday we will be releasing another incredible, must see California location!

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Man among men! Who is he?This is John Muir. The Father of our National Park System.🌄 Through his efforts in exploration ...
21/04/2023

Man among men! Who is he?

This is John Muir. The Father of our National Park System.

🌄 Through his efforts in exploration of our country's wilderness and fight for its conservation we have the ability to explore these beautiful protected natural lands.

🙌 Thank you John Muir, the beauty Yosemite would no longer exist without you!

🌲 Join us in celebrating our National Parks as we kick off National Parks week tomorrow April 22 2023!

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Hidden Gem Alert!I lived 15 min. from this gem for three years and I just found out about it!This is Camarillo Grove Par...
19/04/2023

Hidden Gem Alert!

I lived 15 min. from this gem for three years and I just found out about it!

This is Camarillo Grove Park
⭐️ Its located off of the first exit coming down the grade going into Camarillo.
⭐️ Trail name: Daryl Wagar Trail, just under 1 mile loop.
⭐️ Trail has 2 trail heads one at the park entrance, the other at the end of the parking lot just past the group picnic tables.
⭐️ Beautiful short hiking trail with gentle switch backs.
⭐️ Kids and seniors can do this trail
⭐️ Views of hillsides and groves.
⭐️ Playgrounds and picnic areas.
⭐️ $3 cash entrance fee
⭐️ Interpretive signage along the trail.
⭐️ Bench at the top of the hill to sit and enjoy views

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Go see the wildflowers!Antelope Valley CA Poppy Reserve is beautiful right now.Some of the flowers you will see:😍 CA Pop...
11/04/2023

Go see the wildflowers!

Antelope Valley CA Poppy Reserve is beautiful right now.

Some of the flowers you will see:
😍 CA Poppy
😍 Goldfields
😍 Blue Dicks
😍 Fiddleneck
😍 Red Maids
😍 Pygmy-Leaved Lupine

Go and tell me, did you find even more?!!

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Sea Caves and Tide pools!This is Leo Carrillo State Beach. This is one beach we can't help visiting over and over again!...
06/04/2023

Sea Caves and Tide pools!

This is Leo Carrillo State Beach. This is one beach we can't help visiting over and over again!

Why?
⭐ You can wander from cove to cove through Sea Caves!
⭐ Beautiful Tide pools at low tide.
⭐ Trails to walk along the to of the cliffs
⭐ Stairways are available to reach the different coves.
⭐ Lots of sea life
⭐ Lots of rocks to climb
⭐ Great place for a beach day, sand play, and picnics
⭐Good break for surfers

Only down side to this beach
It's not a swimming beach due to rocks in the water.

Sun is shining.... yeah it's time for the beach!The weather is warm, ok only 65 ish, but wow the beach is the place to b...
02/04/2023

Sun is shining.... yeah it's time for the beach!

The weather is warm, ok only 65 ish, but wow the beach is the place to be.

This is Silverstrand Beach in Oxnard CA.

Why go?

This is a beach with a calmer wave break.

Great for beginner surfers. They even have surf lessons and camps in the summers.

Family friendly

Free Parking

Next to a harbor so you can watch boats passing in and out!

This trip came with driftwood on the beach, but with a little imagination... Huts, forts and leantoos popped up everywhere!


Who loves airplanes?!This beauty can be found at Bombay Beach at the Salton Sea. 👍 When you explore the Salton Sea make ...
27/03/2023

Who loves airplanes?!

This beauty can be found at Bombay Beach at the Salton Sea.

👍 When you explore the Salton Sea make sure to bring enough food and water for the whole day trip. There isn't anywhere for you to go out and eat along this area of the Salton Sea.

Salton Sea gems!
⭐️ Walk among the art structures at Bombay Beach. Drive around the outer homes to find the airplane!
⭐️ Walk around Salvation Mountain.
⭐️ Hike Rock Hill Butte, (a small volcano) 2 miles round trip.
⭐️ Go birding. Watch out for burrowing owls peeking out of artificial burrows and pipes at the Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge.
⭐️ See the fishbone sand at Salton Sea Recreation Area

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Do you see Beauty or a Beast⭐Art comes in many shapes and forms. 🏴‍☠️ This is The Death Ship. It was created by artist S...
23/03/2023

Do you see Beauty or a Beast

⭐Art comes in many shapes and forms.

🏴‍☠️ This is The Death Ship. It was created by artist Sean Guerrero for the yearly Bombay Beach Biennale.

❤️ New works of art by Sean Guerrero have just been added, make sure to go see them!

❤️ Many works of art have been created to draw attention to the Salton Sea and its need to be saved.

👍 This art challenges the world to find beauty in what is considered waste.

👍 Whether your RVing, camping or day tripping seeing the art of Bombay Beach at the Salton Sea it won't disappoint. youtopo.com

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She's small yet mighty!Nature is for everyone, both young and old. 👍 Take your family and friends with you on your next ...
15/03/2023

She's small yet mighty!

Nature is for everyone, both young and old.

👍 Take your family and friends with you on your next adventure.

👍Remember.... exploring is about the journey, not the destination!

Though we do still love a good destination. 😜

Happy trails.

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Not just a rock pile.🌞 Cairns are stacks of rocks made by hikers to help them find their way back from a long hike in a ...
09/03/2023

Not just a rock pile.

🌞 Cairns are stacks of rocks made by hikers to help them find their way back from a long hike in a new area.
🌞 Don’t make cairns for fun, only make them if you feel you might need it.
🌞 Hikers can become lost if too many cairns are randomly made just for fun.
🌞 If you find a cairn don't destroy it. A hiker just might need it to find their way.

👀 Hike safely and keep your eyes open for cairns as you explore!

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❤️ Pure magic!Who doesn't love a good slot canyon.... with ladders!⭐️ As its name implies, the ladders of Ladder Canyon ...
07/03/2023

❤️ Pure magic!

Who doesn't love a good slot canyon.... with ladders!

⭐️ As its name implies, the ladders of Ladder Canyon make this hike unique.
⭐️ Tucked into a beautiful slot canyon, they allow you to climb up dry waterfalls.
⭐️ Don't let the trailhead fool you, your ladder hike begins by scrambling up a small rock fall to the left of the main trail that leads you into the slot canyon.
⭐️ The trail is sandy and requires good hiking shoes and the ability to climb ladders. This is a fun area for the kids to explore and wander.
⭐️ The high walls and windy turns make the slot section of the hike exciting, and it will seem to go by quickly.
⭐️ The full loop is about 4.9 miles, so you’ll need to bring snacks and plenty of water.
⭐️ You are also hiking in the desert, so plan for the hot weather and don’t hike this area after it has been raining.
⭐️ Check out the weather report before visiting. Flash floods can kill or injure you and can damage the trails and ladders.

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Best word ever! Hoodoo!⭐️ Have you ever seen or explored a hoodoo? ⭐️A hoodoo is a tall column of rock in the shape of a...
02/03/2023

Best word ever! Hoodoo!

⭐️ Have you ever seen or explored a hoodoo?

⭐️A hoodoo is a tall column of rock in the shape of a totem pole. It can have several layers of stacked sedimentary and volcanic rocks that give it unique colors.

⭐️At Red Rocks Canyon SP in California some of the rock layers contain iron that oxidizes or rusts as is mixes with water and oxygen!

⭐️Wind and water slowly break down hoodoos until they fall down. This really takes a long time, so even though hoodoos are constantly changing and breaking down, they will still be around for years to come!

⭐️Hoodoos are also typically found in hot, dry areas of the desert.

⭐️Check out the hoodoos of Red Rocks Canyon, CA.

To learn about Red Rocks, hoodoos, and more check out our California Desert Explorer! Click link in Bio.

Special 📷 thanks to for the beautiful image!

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He'll 👀 you before you 👀 him.🙌 Yes the red-tailed hawk's eyesight is 8 times better than yours!⭐️ They can see a mouse o...
01/03/2023

He'll 👀 you before you 👀 him.

🙌 Yes the red-tailed hawk's eyesight is 8 times better than yours!
⭐️ They can see a mouse on the ground from 100 feet away.
⭐️ Soaring over the landscape and letting out a screechy loud “keeer” call, they are common throughout North America.
⭐️ Adults sport a characteristic red tail, a deep brown back, and banded belly.
⭐️ Finding water in the desert isn't a problem for these powerful birds, they get needed moisture from their prey!
⭐️ They prefer open woodlands with tall nesting trees and an abundance of small mammals, but can also live in rocky desert areas.
⭐️ Nests are stick piles sometimes measuring over six feet high and three feet wide.
⭐️ In Red Rocks Canyon they make their nests in the canyon cliffs.

Find them and more on your next trip to Red Rock Canyon State Park!

Thanks for the beautiful 📷

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Hidden gem only 2 hours from Los Angeles! Its red vibrant rock formations make it a unique and fun place to hike and exp...
28/02/2023

Hidden gem only 2 hours from Los Angeles!

Its red vibrant rock formations make it a unique and fun place to hike and explore with family and friends.

⭐️ For a good time at Red Rock Canyon State Park:

1) Hike the Hagan Canyon loop
2) Find Turks Turban and look through Window Rock.
3) Hike Red Cliffs trail
4) Hike the 1.4 mile trail behind Ricardo's Campground and explore small caves and hoodoos.
5) Look for rocks of all colors in the riverbed at the beginning of the Nightmare Gulch hike.

⭐️ Remember find but don't keep the rocks in state parks.

Thanks for the great 📷

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Who knew rust could be so beautiful!❤️ Yes, that's what you see when you visit Red Rocks Canyon SP.👍 The colorful pink, ...
28/02/2023

Who knew rust could be so beautiful!

❤️ Yes, that's what you see when you visit Red Rocks Canyon SP.

👍 The colorful pink, red, white, and brown stacked cliffs of Red Rock Canyon offer visitors of all ages opportunities for rock scrambling and exploration.
👍 For thousands of years, Red Rock Canyon was used as a Native American trade route.
👍 Many of the rocks in the area have slowly been eroded by the wind and rain, forming tall stacked columns called hoodoos.
👍 Thanks to a natural process called oxidation, we will continue to see these beautiful "rusted" red rocks for thousands more.

Special 📷 thanks to for the beautiful image!

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🙌 2 easy to find oases in Palm Springs! Indian Canyons and Coachella Valley Preserve.🌴 Indian Canyons is home to the And...
25/02/2023

🙌 2 easy to find oases in Palm Springs! Indian Canyons and Coachella Valley Preserve.

🌴 Indian Canyons is home to the Andreas Canyon Loop that will take you through the oasis to the spring where water feeds the oasis, then it loops gradually up the hill above the palm tree line to see the oasis from a new perspective. Yes there is a fee to visit here.

🌴 Another oasis you can visit in the Palm Springs area is the Coachella Valley Preserve. (Also known as Thousand Palms Oasis) The cost is free, and has a fun boardwalk to view the first oasis and hiking trails to view a second oasis pond that has desert pupfish!

Thank you for the beautiful images:
Indian Canyons image 1 📷
Thousand palms oasis image 2 📷

Visit us at Youtopo.com

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More than just a pretty face. As one of the Mojave Desert's largest predators they do more than look good and pest contr...
23/02/2023

More than just a pretty face.

As one of the Mojave Desert's largest predators they do more than look good and pest control. Coyotes are important to spreading life in an oasis.

🐺 They eat the fruit of the California fan palm that live in oases, and spread its seeds throughout the desert in their p**p!
🐺 This spreads California fan palms to other oases and fertile land. These trees provide shelter, shade and food for other creatures and reduce water evaporation in an oasis.
🐺 In the desert the coyote has light brown to greyish fur for camouflage to help it hide in the grass and the rocks.
🐺 They are not picky eaters which allows them to live in the wild and in cities.
🐺 They also eat small animals such as mice, rabbits, cats, small dogs, grasses and fruit.

Learn about coyotes, oases and more in the California Desert Adventures workbook. Click link in bio!

⭐Thanks for the great coyote 📷

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wolf

Ever seen an oasis?❤️ A real oasis, not a mirage or a scene on your TV or phone.Check out this beautiful oasis at Indian...
20/02/2023

Ever seen an oasis?

❤️ A real oasis, not a mirage or a scene on your TV or phone.

Check out this beautiful oasis at Indian Canyons next to Palm Springs, CA
🌴 Hike the Andreas Canyon Loop, 1.2 mile loop 200 ft. elevation gain.
🌴 Splash in the oasis, or sit on a large rock by the water and sketch.
🌴 Attend a free Ranger Talk or Interpretive Hike.
🌴 Look at the palm frond huts and grinding mortars at the bottom of the hill near the start of the Palm Canyon hike, .4 mile round trip.
🌴 Hike to the Seven Sisters Waterfall in Murray Canyon, 4.7 mile loop 450 ft. elevation gain. For a shorter hike take the same trail in and out, about 4 miles round trip.

Special 📷 thanks to for the beautiful image!

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Where's your ❤️ at?We once met a woman named Roxy who actively looked for hearts in nature. Since then I can't help but ...
14/02/2023

Where's your ❤️ at?

We once met a woman named Roxy who actively looked for hearts in nature. Since then I can't help but see them everywhere, in bark, rocks, and in the shape of some leaves. And yes, I'm reminded of her kindness every time we find one!

We found the heart in this image in the bark of a greenleaf manzanita in Pinnacles National Park.

Where do you find hearts?

❤️ Happy Valentines Day! ❤️

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❤️

See it and color it! Don't miss out on the beauty of Anza Borrego Desert State Park!👍 Color and Learn about the Great Ho...
09/02/2023

See it and color it! Don't miss out on the beauty of Anza Borrego Desert State Park!

👍 Color and Learn about the Great Horned Owl and the amazing sculptures, plants and animals of Anza Borrego Desert State Park!.

Have you ever seen a Great Horned Owl in the wild?

🦉 We spotted one in the trees at Tamarisk Grove Campground
🦉 Kids are great at spotting wildlife, listen and maybe you'll find one too!
🦉 Their feathers help them camouflage into the desert and trees, so look closely.

🖍 These coloring pages are part of our Nature Nerds California Coloring book.
🖍 Use the code COLORCA at Youtopo.com to get 30% off our CA Coloring book!
Good till Feb 31st

Color this page and tag us for a chance to be featured on our IG.

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Toughest owl on the block! 🦉 These owls are terrible nest builders so the often steal the nest of other birds like bald ...
07/02/2023

Toughest owl on the block!

🦉 These owls are terrible nest builders so the often steal the nest of other birds like bald eagles and hawks!
🦉 Their talons are so strong that if they were bigger they could crush a human skull
🦉 Their eyes are the same size as human eyes, except they can see up to 3 football fields away at night!
🦉 They can carry up to 3 times their weight! That means they can carry small dogs.
🦉 Their "horns" are actually large feathers that function like eyebrows to show expression and make them look larger when needed.

Find him and more on your next trip to Anza Borrego State Park!

Thanks for the great 📷 , and for all you do to help these incredible raptors!

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Are you a sculpture person or slot canyon person?❤️ That's one thing I love about visiting Anza Borrego State Park, I ca...
06/02/2023

Are you a sculpture person or slot canyon person?

❤️ That's one thing I love about visiting Anza Borrego State Park, I can be both!

Go early to explore The Slot, the parking area is small and the dirt road out there is narrow beat the crowds!
Sculptures can be seen at anytime because you can stay in your car right next to them. For best pics go ealy in the morning or before sunset.

On yout trip make sure to:
👍 Hike The Slot, .8 mile out and back.
Drive to see all the sculptures (the Serpent “Dragon” is my favorite).
Hike Cactus Loop Trail, .75 mile loop.
See the wildflower superbloom. This doesn't happen every year; call ahead and visit in the spring.
Take in the view at Fonts Point.

👍 Whether your RVing, camping or day tripping this place won't disappoint. youtopo.com

⭐️ Special 📷 thanks to for the beautiful image from Fonts Point!

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Relax and take in the view. Which view do you like best image 1 overlooking Palm Springs, or image 2 looking out above t...
04/02/2023

Relax and take in the view.

Which view do you like best image 1 overlooking Palm Springs, or image 2 looking out above the clouds?

Both are taken from Mount San Jacinto SP at the top of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway!

All it takes to get here, Mountain Station, is a short tram ride.

Mountain Station in Mount san Jacinto State Park is an amazing place to beat the heat, hike, play in the snow (winter), have a hot chocolate and enjoy your family and friends. Youtopo.com

Thank you for the incredible images:
Palm Springs Tram 📷
Palm Springs Tram clouds view 📷

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