NaturePods has been offering a solution to the dilemma of in-depth nature-based information for two years.   Today we announce a new partnership that provides this tremendous benefit to hikers.

NaturePods has teamed up with EveryTrail to offer detailed stories and insights for hiking trails across the nation.  EveryTrail provides apps for your iPhone or Android of trail descriptions across the globe.  Hikes include digital maps, photos of scenes and waypoints, descriptions of the trail, and now, NaturePods is one of the first to also provide audio and video guides.   Not only can these guides help you plan hikes to places you’ve never been, but you can also contribute and share your hikes through EveryTrail.

A NaturePod EveryTrail Guide combines that digital map with a selection of our videos.  As you hike with your phone by your side, your phone will notify you as you approach specific waypoints. A quick push of a button, and you’re listening to expert insight on the scene before you.
NaturePods has already produced 4 guides for EveryTrail.

Precipice trail

The Precipice Trail in Acadia National Park:
To understand the geology and get the most out of your views, download this challenging signature hike.    Perhaps you might even catch a glimpse of a peregrine falcon.  Your NaturePods EveryTrail Guide will give you the background story of how the National Park Service has brought this magnificent bird back from the brink of extinction.

Dark Hollow Falls in Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive:

Dark Hollow Falls

This hike will take you to one of President Thomas Jefferson’s favorite places.  Along the way learn about the efforts of the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) in developing the park by building roads, trails, and planting thousands of trees.  You will be delighted to learn the reason for Mountain Laurel’s complicated flower structure when you see these blossoms by the millions in summer. Winding your way off the ridge, you will become enchanted by this dynamic forest and its residents, from endangered salamanders to black bears.

Pictographs along Bright Angel Trail

Bright Angel Trail in Grand Canyon National Park
Download this guide to explore the depth of the canyon.  As one of NaturePod’s satisfied customers once told us, “your guides can make you an instant expert.”  Along this scenic and challenging trail, you’ll stop to explore the wildlife of the canyon and the history of some its most wild pioneers.

Rich Mountain Loop Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

John Oliver homeplace

Check out this guide for a hike in Cades Cove.  You’ll enjoy videos covering geology, human history, and the ever-popular black bears of Cades Cove, allowing you to experience the Cove as it is today and as it once was.

As a co-author to the Hiking Trails of the Smokies, and an avid hiker, I know the importance of a good map, trail profile, and accurate description.  EveryTrail offers all this plus interpretation and actual trail photos in the convenience of your own pocket device.  A paper trail guide would never be able to include all these features and still be portable.

EveryTrail offers these NaturePod Trail Guides for just $1.99 each; a small price for the expertise to enrich your hiking experience.  Why not get a few for the hiker on your holiday list?  Watch for more guides here.

Death Valley/NPS photo

Death Valley National Park is open year-round, but most visitors avoid the fiercely hot summer months and schedule a visit in the milder winter. The 61st annual Death Valley ‘49ers Encampment is the unofficial season kick-off and a big crowd-pleaser with activities like a pioneer costume contest, wagon train parade, western-style music, craft show, and much more.  It just took place November 10-14.  With average August highs around 115 and January highs in the 60’s, winter is the time to hike, camp, explore and enjoy the Mojave desert environment.

Big Bend/NPS/Dan Leavitt photo

Big Bend National Park encompases the Chisos mountains to Chihuahuan desert, so depending on where you go, winter temperatures range greatly.  Generally, winter is the dry season, but storms can blow in suddenly with snow or cold rain. November to April is the popular season, peaking in March and April. Because of this diversity and latitude, birding any time of year here is fantastic.  Over 450 bird species have been recorded.  Hiking and camping and all sorts of activities are great here in the winter.

Early Snow in Grand Canyon tree/Nancy Condon photo

Grand Canyon National Park is also open for various winter activities. November 28th marks the seasonal close of the visitor center, campground, roads, and services at the North Rim, however primitive group campsites are still available to hikers and cross-country skiers with a backcountry permit.  The South Rim’s amenities stay open year-round.

Winter scene in the Smokies/NPS photo

Great Smoky Mountains National Park reveals even more vistas in the winter when deciduous leaves are absent.  The summer crowds are gone and locals enjoy this time of year most in the park where solitude is easy to find.  Clingman’s Dome Road closes to vehicular traffic in winter, and becomes available to cross-country skiers or hikers.  Periodic closures of other roads, especially Newfound Gap road is likely to occur due to snowy or icy conditions.

Skiing in Acadia/Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce photo

Acadia National Park offers a playground for winter enthusiasts.  If you are looking for scenic drives in your car, better come in summer.  Most of the Park Loop Road is closed to car traffic in winter, except two short sections.  Sargaent Drive and Route 102A are also available to cars and take you to some scenic views.
Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing – The forty-five miles of carriage roads and the unplowed park roads provide fantastic opportunity for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.  Be aware that snowmobilers can also use the Park Loop Road.
Snowmobiling is permissible on the 27-mile Park Loop Road as well as the road up Cadillac Mountain.  The carriage roads are for the skiers and snowshoers, with the exception of two miles as connector trails only.
Winter Camping – Blackwoods Campground is available for primitive winter camping from December 1 to March 31.  A camping permit is required.  
Winter hiking, ice fishing and even dog sledding and skijoring are winter sports enjoyed by Acadia visitors in the winter.

Shenandoah view/Ann & Rob Simpson photo

Shenandoah National Park is always open. Now when the deciduous leaves don’t obscure vistas and the cool temperatures improve visibility, it is a great time for some hiking and backcountry winter camping.  That said, December through March you’ll find services such as lodging, food services, campgrounds, and visitor centers closed. Four picnic grounds: Elk Wallow, Dundo, Pinnacle and South River are open year-round.  Inclement weather will occasionally close portions of Skyline Drive, which is normally open 24 hours a day.  Even so, you can still enter the park on foot.  Skyline Drive is also closed dusk to dawn mid-November to early January due to deer hunting season.

Don’t let winter close you inside.  Your parks are still there awaiting your visit.

And, remember to download your NaturePod before you go.  Northern parks with winter closures don’t have ranger programs available, so you’ll want to get the scoop from your own iPod or iPhone.

Horses on Acadia National Park Carriage Road

John D. Rockefeller Jr. became interested in Mount Desert Island in the early 1900’s when he and his wife spent several summers vacationing in Bar Harbor.  Their son Nelson, future vice president of the US, was born here.

In 1910 John D. Rockefeller Jr. purchased a house in Seal Harbor and over the years converted it into a large 100 room mansion known as the Eyrie.  He was very interested in the preservation of land on the island and became the greatest donor of land and money to the formation of what is now Acadia National Park.

In 1913 he began building the carriage road system.  Initially it was just around his property but in time his interest expanded and construction continued until the early 1940s.

In the end John D. Rockefeller Jr. built 16 stone bridges, 57 miles of carriage roads and the two gate-lodges most of which have been given to the park. Along with over 10,000 acres of land and several million dollars for various other projects including the construction of the park loop road and restoration after the 1947 fire, John D. Rockefeller Jr. has been the single greatest benefactor to Acadia National Park.

To this day the Rockefeller family continues its interest and generosity to Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park.
The significance of the carriage road system is not simply a generous gift or an engineering feat but as a pathway into the heart of the park, where people can experience the full beauty of nature away from human influence.

Today, the carriage roads are wonderful opportunities to experience Acadia by bicycle.  Your only companions may be pedestrians and horses.   Find out more about biking in Acadia here.