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Chris MongeauExplorer

I am a 26 year old lifestyle and travel photographer from Providence, Rhode Island. I spend my time planning trips, scouring maps, and drinking lots of coffee. I love sharing travel tips and hearing stories from other folks, feel free to get in touch with any questions!

This is a great beach but gets crowded so sunset in the summer is always a great option. Lots of good food and bars nearby for dinner options afterward!

Unfortunately it was cloudy the day we hiked up to see Laguna de los Tres but the view was still amazing. This campground is pristine-that last 1km is a real steep trek though!

This drive is a great drive in Argentina since you get to stare at Fitz Roy the whole way from Ruta 40. If you continue into El Chaltén (where else would you go?) a great place to stop for a bite to eat is Patagonicus. This restaurant and inn has tons of photos from the regions history and amazing food/good beer.

I'd seen hundreds of photos from this spot and never got the chance to visit until this past summer. The falls are honestly incredible and worth every minute of getting pushed around by the throngs of people that flock here. Can't hate on 'em, they're here to do the same thing as all of us, but it does get ridiculously busy. I envy anyone who lives close because I'm sure you can catch it on off days where the crowds are lighter. Nonetheless, it's totally worth the drive if you're in Portland or the surrounding area and the views of the Columbia River on 84 are awesome.

A friend of mine from Portland brought myself and our group of friends here a few summers ago on a road trip down the coast and it was easily one of my favorite days amongst time we spent in big national parks and more popular spots. It definitely is the perfect place to escape on a hot, humid day. The old mining tunnels are also really cool.

Definitely stop here if you get the chance to visit Vermont in the fall. There's usually a maple syrup stand in the parking lot with best maple syrup you can find out there.

I haven't done too many longer hikes in Yosemite aside from this one so I don't have a lot to compare it to, but I personally thought this hike was amazing and well worth the crowded trail (definitely start early if you want to enjoy the hike up to Nevada Falls). The part of the trail where it's basically rock steps near Vernal Falls was slammed with people when we were there, probably because I stopped too many times to take photos coming up, but it's still worth every minute. Definitely take the JMT on the way down.

Purgatory Chasm is one of those places that is great anytime, but in the fall, this is one of the best spots to see the foliage and enjoy a day hike.

This is a beautiful spot close to S.F. to get a taste of the Redwoods. Combine it with a drive through Point Reyes if you're visiting the area for a day well spent.

I spent 4 days in Kings Canyon and 4 in Yosemite, of all the hikes we did this was honestly one of my favorite. The view is breathtaking and just walking through the trail lined with Redwoods is worth the hike alone. Don't forget a beer for the summit ;)

This is a beautiful spot to catch some foliage and go on a short hike in the fall months.

The Cliff Walk is a great walking trail along the coast. Especially awesome in the winter when it's cold and empty, or after a big storm.

This is such a good spot to watch a storm move in when the waves are crashing!

While not good for biking or outdoor water activities, Block Island is really special in the winter, especially if you can catch some snow covered dunes. No one visits during the cold months, so it's just a handful of residents and the island really feels desolate. Obviously a different visit but still worthwhile.

Really informative and helpful review of the Skaftafell trails! I was just here during the summer months, and it's a different world entirely, but this adventure had great advice for every season. Stunning photos!