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Chris McCloud

@cairochris2

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Former park ranger & outdoorsman.
Travel record:
242/425 NPs
AZT, LT, UHT
50/115 NE 111
25/51 highpts
#hiking #camping #nationalparks #backpacking.

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Telephone Canyon roaring at the Temple of Sinawava at Zion National Park. Absolutely ripping. Not sure the last time I’ve seen it flow like this (if ever).

These waterfalls are temporary and only flow when it is actively raining, so unless you visit under that condition they will not exist (that is part of what makes this situation so magical) but were an incredible sight while they lasted nonetheless.

#nationalparkadventures #zionnationalpark #utahweather #beutahful #waterfalls by @cairochris2

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2 days ago

Ephemeral waterfalls in the pouring rain on the Lower Emerald Pools Trail at Zion National Park. As we headed back to the trailhead, the rain picked up in intensity and more waterfalls started to appear on the north wall of the side canyon containing Emerald Pools. None of these are usually there.

#waterfalls #zionnationalpark #nationalparkadventures #utahweather #beutahful by @cairochris2

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2 days ago

Hiked up to Lower Emerald Pools at Zion National Park a couple days ago. Never seen Lower Emerald Pools flowing like this. Just wow. Thundering down. Felt more like the Cave of the Winds at Niagara Falls than the typically mellow Lower Emerald Pools.

#waterfalls #zionnationalpark #beUtahful #utahweather #nationalparkadventures by @cairochris2

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3 days ago

Behunin Canyon Falls flowing near the Emerald Pools area of Zion Canyon as remains of Tropical Storm Rachel pass through Zion National Park, 8/11/26.

#zionnationalpark #nationalparkadventures #waterfalls #beutahful #utahweather by @cairochris2

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4 days ago

Birch Creek Falls at the Court of the Patriarchs at Zion National Park on October 11, 2026 as remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel hit the park.

#zionnationalpark #beutahful #nationalparkadventures #weather #utah by @cairochris2

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4 days ago

Got an early start on my first day heading to Yosemite to prep for Whitney and was rewarded by a spectacular view of the eastern Sierra, the Range of Light, at sunrise near Mono Lake off CA-120. Views of Mono Dome, Lee Vining Peak, Mt Warren, Gilcrest Peak, Mt Olsen, Dunderberg Peak, and Copper Mountain.

#sierranevada #choosemountains #SunriseViews #SunriseVibes #hikingadventures #california taken in California by @cairochris2

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5 days ago

It’s been a great year for rain and rainbows. As Tropical Storm Rachel sets her sights on this area, hoping for some more of this this weekend.

#weather #rainbows #beutahful #utah #utahphotographer by @cairochris2

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6 days ago

Well, it was maybe the second most difficult single day hike of my life to date, along with Borah Peak in Idaho (I might put Borah slightly ahead because of the final scramble up the summit block, but it is a tight one). I also had to reschedule from a planned backpack next week back to a dayhike this week because of looming weather. So this had its logistical and physical challenges.

But yesterday, I completed my 29th state highpoint, California’s Mt Whitney, which is also the highest point in the contiguous 48 states.

I guess it is all downhill from here outside of Alaska! 🤣😜

#choosemountains #highpointing #travel #hikingadventures #california #mountwhitney by @cairochris2

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8 days ago

A once in a lifetime moment on Clouds Rest. 😲😍

#Yosemite #sunrise_sunset_photogroup #choosemountains #backpackingadventures #california taken in Yosemite National Park by @cairochris2

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10 days ago

Waterfalls off the Twin Brothers, as well as those across the river at the Court of the Patriarchs and Birch Creek Falls flowing strong at Zion National Park, 9/28/26.

#waterfalls #nationalpark #zionnationalpark #MonsoonSeason #weather #beutahful #utah by @cairochris2

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11 days ago

It was nice having visited Chiricahua while the experience was pristine. Spare a thought for the park (and the coatis) because that won’t be the case anymore. It didn’t need to have “National Park” on the sign to be one of the best parks in the system. Odds are, it is going to be overrun now, considering the parking is very limited and the visitor center is ancient. 😞

#chiricahuanationalmonument #choosemountains #travel #arizona #nationalparks #nationalparkadventures by @cairochris2

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15 days ago

Waterfalls off the slot between the Sentinel and Beehive on the west rim of Zion Canyon at Zion National Park.

#waterfalls #nationalparkadventures #travel #zionnationalpark #MonsoonSeason #weather #utah #beutahful by @cairochris2

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17 days ago