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The View From Johnny Horn Trail, Virgin Islands National Park

Who doesn't dream, from time to time, of warm, brilliant turquoise-blue waters rimmed by sandy beaches and tropical vegetation beneath a sunny sky? Perhaps your vision looks much like the view you'll see from Johnny Horn Trail on St. John Island at Virgin Islands National Park. A little under 2 miles, this is a strenuous hike that's steep and rocky in places, but the view at the top is amazing.

National Park Service
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Emerald Spring In Norris Basin, Yellowstone National Park

Microorganisms play a large part in coloring hot springs at Yellowstone National Park. According to the National Park Service, "The color of Emerald Spring comes from the inherent blue of the water combined with the yellow of the sulfur-coated pool. The water in this 27-foot deep pool is so hot (close to boiling) that only the most heat-tolerant thermophiles can survive. In sulfur-rich hot springs, such as Emerald Spring, some microorganisms use sulfur as their energy source. Byproducts from these reactions can be used by other microbes.

Rebecca Latson
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El Capitan at Sunset, Guadalupe Mountains National Park

According to the National Park Service, "Capitan Reef is now recognized as one of the most well-preserved fossil reefs in the world ... Movement of faults over the last 20 million years caused a long-buried portion of the Capitan Reef to rise several thousand feet above its original position. This uplifted block was then exposed to wind and rain causing the softer overlying sediments to erode, uncovering the more resistant fossil reef and forming the modern Guadalupe Mountains.

NPS - D. Buehler
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Precariously Perched Desert Bighorn Sheep, Canyonlands National Park

According to the National Park Service, "Desert bighorn sheep roam some of the most inhospitable land in canyon country. Their diet consists of the same spiny shrubs that scrape the shins of hikers. Once feared to be nearing extinction, the desert bighorn is making a tentative comeback in southeast Utah due to reintroduction efforts by the National Park Service. With one of the few remaining native herds, Canyonlands has been a vital source of animals for this program."

NPS - Jennifer Anderson
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Early Iron Rung And Stonework Of The Precipice Trail, Acadia National Park

Precipice Loop Trail is definitely not for the faint of heart. With an elevation gain of almost 1,000 feet (305 m) just under a mile (1.4 km), this trail "is a rugged, non-technical climb with open cliff faces and iron rungs. Upon reaching the summit of Champlain Mountain, climbers are rewarded with impressive views." Precipice Loop Trail, however, "is not recommended for small children, for people with a fear of heights, or for anyone in wet weather. Descending the Precipice is dangerous and not advised."

NPS - Michael Custodio
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Sandhill Cranes, Dunes, and Mt. Herard In The Distance, Great Sand Dunes National Park And Preserve

One of 250 bird species found in the park, More than 20,000 sandhill cranes will spend 6 - 7 weeks each year in the San Luis Valley during their annual migration to southern New Mexico. Look for them in early February through late March, then again in late September through late March.

National Park Service
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