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Mount Rinjani

Mount Rinjani (Gunung Rinjani) is an active volcano and a national park in Lombok and one of the largest mountains in Indonesia. On a clear day you can see breathtaking views from the summit. The trek to the summit usually takes about three days and highlights include the crater lake Segara Anak, and the natural hot springs there.

Understand

At 3,726 m, Rinjani is the second highest volcano in Indonesia, second only to Mount Kerinci on Sumatra, and it dominates the landscape of the relatively small island of Lombok.

Within its huge 50 km² caldera sits the crater lake Segara Anak (Child of the Sea). Eruptions within the caldera have formed a new small cone called appropriately enough, Gunung Barujari (New-finger Mountain).

The mountain and its satellites form the Mount Rinjani National Park officially Taman Nasional Gunung Rinjani with 41,000 hectares within the park boundaries and a further 66,000 hectares of protected forest outside.

In 2008, the Indonesian government proposed to UNESCO that Mount Rinjani be one of the world's official geoparks. Rinjani-Lombok UNESCO Global Geopark of 2800 km² was inaugurated in 2018.

History

This is a very active volcano. The oldest recorded historical eruption was in 1847. Previous to that this was a very remote region indeed, hence the lack of records. However, approximately in 1257 the volcano erupted so violently that its shape changed to what it looks like today and the event is believed to have contributed to the onset of the Little Ice Age. There was a spate of activity from 1994 to 1995 which resulted in the further growth of the crater cone Gunung Baru, since renamed Gunung Barujari (New-finger Mountain). Gunung Barujari was active again 2009, 2010 and 2015. In 2015 the Ngurah Rai airport in Bali had to be closed, disrupting international flights.

Landscape
The lower and mid levels of the mountain are quite heavily forested. Above the tree line though the slopes are barren and rugged scree slopes and volcanic rock. The views of the crater lake are quite breath-taking from the caldera rim, as is the sunrise. From the absolute peak you can see Bali to the west and Sumbawa to the east.

Flora and fauna
The lower and middle elevation slopes are densely forested with typical tropical species. Fig trees are especially apparent. Casuarina forest (cemara) takes over higher up and eventually these give way to an alpine flora above the treeline.

Lombok is east of the Wallacean Line and some Australian bird species are therefore apparent. These include a lot of sulphur crested cockatoos and green hanging parrots. Bird life is generally not easy to observe here though due to the density of the forest.

The familiar long-tailed grey macaque (the Bali temple monkey) is common right up to the crater rim. Also the rare ebony leaf monkey inhabit these forests. Rusa deer and muntjacs are more often heard than seen.

Climate
Rinjani is best climbed during the April–November dry season. It is possible to climb during the rainy season as well but treks are often cancelled at short notice if the rain is heavy.

It gets very cold on the mountain above 2,000 m and nears freezing at the summit. Warm clothing is an absolute must.

Park information

 * Rinjani National Park website

Get in
Most visitors arrive via the village of Senaru (600 m), on the northern side of the mountain and thus closer to the main resort areas of the west coast including Senggigi. The other possible entry point is Sembalun Lawang (1,150 m), on the eastern side, which is closer to the summit. Both villages are accessed from the main north coast road.

Arfatourindo Transport serves transports to Senaru or Sembalun Lawang from which you can do trekking. It can drive you from any places in Lombok. The owner is knowledgeable for Lombok island and speaks English and German. You reserve transport to reach Senaru or Sembalun Lawang via e-mail:arfatourindo@gmail.com or visit http://www.lombokarfatourindo.com

Fees and permits
Entry to the Rinjani park costs Rp 150,000 per person. This fee is split up as follows: 13% to the national park authority, 62% to the Rinjani ecotourism trekking program and 25% for trek route maintenance etc.

Get around
Within the park the only way to get around is to hike. Porters can be arranged to carry your supplies. Officially you're not allowed to trek up the mountain alone, but it can still be done with some paperwork, see the do section for this.

See

The basics
At 3,726 m, Rinjani is the second highest volcano in Indonesia after Sumatra's Gunung Kerinci. It is very climbable by visitors with a high level of physical fitness. Critical is to understand and respect this great mountain: sadly, visitors have died here through failing to follow sensible procedures and make all necessary preparations.

Few actually make the very strenuous effort required to reach the actual summit but instead stop at the crater rim (approx 2,700 m) where the views of the crater lake are mind blowing. To make the extra 1,000 m ascent to the very top requires a considerably higher level of fitness, not to mention strength of spirit and sense of adventure. Even more, if you follow up with steep down/up trails to lake and Senaru rim crater camp same day and a third day after (consider accumulated fatigue and fitness conditions, especially if ankles or knees past-present issues).

Typically, a trek to the crater rim involves two days and one night on the mountain. The longer ascent to the summit can be done with just one night's camping but is often part of a longer trek of three to four days and two or three nights.

An organised trek is by far the easiest, safest and most popular option but it is also quite possible to make all of your own arrangements and just hire a guide and equipment from one of the trekking centres on the mountain. Rinjani Park regulations stipulate the use of a certified guide so the people at the center at the start of the hike are not happy to let you climb Rinjani without. With a lot of patience and explanations you can sign a paper which says that you are responsible for yourself and not the organisation. You will still pay the entrance fee, but it is by far the cheapest option to walk by yourself.

The mountains Licensed Guide Association (HPI) issues certification to the Rinjani guides and porters but it should be understood that the certification standards and required training are no where near as rigorous as would be expected in many other countries. Serious accidents including fatalities do occur on Rinjani treks when led by these accredited guides.

Proper sturdy climbing/hiking boots are an absolute necessity as is a substantial waterproof, windproof jacket, and a head lamp. If you are going to the top, use of poles (walking sticks) for getting through the scree (loose rock) at the top are also highly recommended. By 2,000 m, you will feel like you are not in the tropics any more as rising wet, hot air loses its temperature and may fall as rain. If inappropriate clothing becomes wet, difficulties will set in as air temperatures towards the summit are as low as 4°C, often with a significant extra wind chill factor. You must prepare accordingly.

Guides and trekking providers
At times it seems that everyone in Lombok is a trekking guide for Mount Rinjani, especially on the main tourist strip in Senggigi.

Take most of what you are told with a pinch of salt and you will find the most experienced and reputable guides at the main trekking centres at Senaru and Sembalun Lawang. It does happen that tourists who are highly experienced hikers or climbers may find themselves far better prepared and skilled for mountain conditions than the local guides. Codes of conduct have been developed for the local trekking support community that include climbing safety, environmental awareness and responsible use. Some of the guides and trekking organisations are better than others at respecting these agreements and guidelines. It is also a good idea to independently check for any volcanic alerts that may have been issued for Mount Rinjani.

Many visitors have found it is preferable to avoid package deals purchased away from Senaru, and instead negotiate either with one of the trekking providers listed below or with the guides themselves to ensure that they are actually competent. If there is a problem, you can then find a different guide company in Senaru or Sembalun.

To help you judge the experience, abilities and equipment provision of a potential guide and support team it may assist to consider the following:

 * preparation for rain squalls such as waterproof covers for equipment and supplies, personal raincoats or emergency ponchos
 * ensure that all trek participants are provided with clothing suitable to the conditions and provided with a thermally protective layer such as polypropylene
 * first aid equipment and training including treatment for exposure, provision of supplies such as emergency splints for fractures and space blankets
 * provision of a trowel or fold-away shovel for burying human waste and the provision of toilet paper
 * if the guide team are cooking or handling food are they going to wash and clean their hands, all plates and utensils using detergent/soap
 * ensure that the guides and porters understand how to pitch their supplied tents and can demonstrate that the tents are complete and can be pitched using adequate pegs and with the fly sheets secured away from the tent so that moisture does not seep in even if it is windy and raining.
 * provision of a route map detailing emergency assembly points and demonstrate a capacity to communicate a position to a rescue party
 * that an emergency management plan is in place in case of accident or other emergency during the climb
 * availability of a working mobile phone for emergency calls and provision of SIM cards that have sufficient credit to deal with communications in an emergency
 * availability of a serviceable VHF hand held radio with two fully charged batteries and a capacity to use it in case of emergency.
 * availability of a satellite phone in serviceable condition, in service, with active network reception and supplied with a fully charged battery

Guide fees are generally negotiable. Only the Rp 150,000 park entrance fee is set by the park authority. A sensible package price range would be:

 * 2 days, 1 night trek to the crater rim only: Rp 1,500,000-2,000,000 per person.
 * 3 days, 2 nights trek: Rp 1,800,000-3,700,000 (Jun 2024)
 * 4 days, 3 night trek: Rp 2,500,000-3,000,000.

These trekking fees will vary though according to how busy the guides are, how many people are in your party and if a commission is due to a referring person or agency. Some guide companies will charge as little as Rp 900,000 per person for a 2-night trek in the off-season, but it is important to check they are properly experienced, equipped and provisioned. Ensure your trek price is all-inclusive of any extra charges for transportation, provisions, porter fees and the park entrance fees.

The following all offer organised treks with accommodation, transport to the mountain, return to your accommodation and can also help with hiring a private guide if required:

Services and equipment
What can be rented
 * Trekking poles (~Rp 100,000)
 * Headlamp (~Rp 100,000 or combo with poles 150,000)
 * Gloves (free, basic one from Mart)

Usually included in more expensive tours
 * toilet tent
 * sleeping pillow
 * camping chair and table for meals

Ask
 * Radio VHF (seen some locals with one on day1/3 but minority)
 * Thermos to get hot drink at summit (warm body and hands)

Ascent routes
Serious trekkers should explore the options of staying on the mountain for 3 nights or more with a planned trek that takes in the crater rim, down to the lake shore, the absolute summit and more. Such treks normally start in either Senaru or Sambulan Lawang however in the last couple of years some other routes have opened including the Benang Stokel, Timbanuh and Torean routes.

The Senaru ascent route
This is by far the most used route as it allows the (relatively) less strenuous trek to the crater rim only. You start at an elevation of 600 m in Senaru village, normally in the late morning or early afternoon and make the 6 hour ascent to the crater rim before dark. The route passes through POSII at 1,500 m, breaches the treeline at 2,000 m (POSIII) and then it is a bit of slog up gravel paths to the camp site just below the crater rim at 2,600 m. Wake before dawn to make the 20 to 30 minute final climb to the crater rim to enjoy sunrise and the iconic view across Segara Anak to Gunung Baru.

If that has not sapped all of your energy you can then make a very precarious descent down to shores of the crater lake and bath in the hot waters. You need some confidence to do this as it is a steep descent of 600+ m using handrails and ropes.

And then it is back to Senaru the way you came.

There is an option to go on to Plawangan II where you overnight again before making the ascent to the absolute summit. This is not especially recommended from the Senaru side though. If you want to get to the top, the climb to Plawangan II is best made from Sambulan Lawang.

The Sembalun Lawang ascent route
Starting in the morning from the Rinjani Trek Centre in the village, the climb to Plawangan II at 2,638 m will take about 8 hr via POSI (1,300 m), POSII (1,500 m) and POSIII (1,800 m). Overnight at the campsite here and go for the summit starting at 2AM the next day. You need to be well rested as this is a stiff task - the final climb is nearly 1,100 m on difficult sandy ground (two steps forward, one backward).

This is available usually as either 2 days (ascent and back same way), either 3 days (ascent, lake, hot spring, back via senaru path).

Sembalun Gate to pos 2/kandang sapi can be done by motorbike taxi, Rp 200,000-300,000 but missing a warm-up before steep part. Or for return path.

Usual 3 days route: , ,, , , (end day 1 after 6-8h), ,, , (end day 2 after 10-12h), ,, , , (end day 3 after 6-7h)

The Benang Stokel route
Departs from the village of Aik Berik in Central Lombok and is about 27km east of Mataram or a little less than an hour’s drive. Locally Benang Stokel is well known for its 2 waterfalls, the Benang Kelambu waterfall and Benang Stokel waterfall. Treks normally depart from this waterfall location. The ascent up to the crater rim takes around 6 hours. From there a descent to the crater lake requires a further 3 hours. This track offers lots of variety and includes the Tiara Dewi Anjani waterfall. This is a route suitable for experienced trekkers.

Other activities
There are other activities centred around the park including eco-walks and tree planting treks.

A day trip around the Senaru and Bayan region can provide a mix of nature and culture. Some providers can organise visits to the traditional village in Senaru, a walk through the rice paddies, and a short walk to the two waterfalls of Senaru with a refreshing dousing in the falling water at the bottom. It's also possible to visit the old mosque in Bayan, or to have a look at the production of handicrafts in and around Bayan. The food market in Ancak might appeal to some people who would like to try some typical local food. All those things may be done independently, or with a guide from one of the trekking providers. This can offer some good alternative activities for those who are unable to make an ascent for any reason, including the standard seasonal closure of the ascent routes.

Choose the provider for a mountain ascent carefully to ensure they do actually have an understanding of the local environment and an informed and genuine commitment to environmental sustainability practice. One long term Rinjani trek provider, Rinjani Trekking Club, has attempted to shift the focus of activities upon the mountain to one of environmental respect and sustainability. Programs such as carrying out rubbish and maintaining clean camp sites and trails is a stated objective of the more eco-sustainable trek providers. It is important to ensure that if a trek marketed as eco-friendly is taken that the trekking guides do indeed thoroughly conform to their own stated objectives and policies during the trek.

Eat
If you are trekking outside of an organised group, you should carry in all necessary food for your trek. Fresh fruit and high energy foods are especially appropriate. If you are planning to make the ascent to the absolute summit try to carry a special food item with you for celebrating your achievement of reaching the top.

Trekking packages usually include food which is carried and prepared by the porters.

There are simple restaurants at the lodges in Senaru and Sembalun Lawang.

Drink
If you are trekking independently, stock up with some liquids at Senaru or Sembalun Lawang. A flask of hot tea or coffee is very appropriate.

There are a lot of fresh springs on both routes and these determine the positioning of the campsites. You therefore do not need to carry large quantities of water with you. The springs can run a little dry sometimes but all guides should know the status of each spring beforehand.

Lodging
There is no lodging in the park itself, but some simple places to stay can be found at Senaru & Sembalun Lawang.

Tanjung on the nearby northwest coast has several more upmarket offerings, and both it and the Gili Islands are reasonably close to Mount Rinjani. Many visitors choose to stay in the Senggigi region and travel north to Mount Rinjani by road.

Accommodation for the Senaru route
Please see the sleep section at Senaru for details.

Camping
Camping is possible at designated rest shelter areas on the ascent routes, and at the crater rim.

Stay safe
This is a very active volcano. Always be aware of the current assessment of eruptive activity. Sources worth keeping an eye on include local media and The Smithsonian Institute's weekly Volcanic Activity Report. Do not take the word of a trek organiser as gospel on safety issues.

Rinjani is high enough that altitude sickness is a concern. Be aware of the symptoms and treatment.

It is also very cold up on the summit (4–5°C), so warm, windproof clothes are a must as are appropriate hiking boots and a head lamp. The sun can be very strong during the day and severe sunburn is a risk — you're on a high mountain and just a few degrees south of the Equator.

Make sure that your guide is carrying a radio with him and that it is fully charged and working. A test call to the trek centre is advisable. The trek centre has a satellite telephone and it can be used by visitors – ask to see the chart of charges.

A "medical health check" (less than 5 min, Rp 15,000, ) will take place in morning just before trek registration and start. Like Ijen in Banyuwangi, it has very limited relevance and value at least under western criteria.

Mobile phone coverage is very limited in park. Telkomsel is usually better and have some reception in both crater rim camping grounds. It may also depend on your device.

Emergency shelters are present on Summit Campsite Sembalun Crater Rim and Segara Anak lake but locked and with unknown access conditions. Small red building like a big tent, marked Taman Nasional Gunung Rinjani, Rei Outdoor Gear, FMI Federasi Mountaineering Indonesia.

As guides remind often, there are no chopper and no doctors in the park. It is better to arrive slower than not arrive. While most groups have variable walk pace and spread around, it is still hard to be very far from somebody and guide will usually help people with difficulties once identified.

After trekking, plan some time to rest and chill.

Go next

 * Back to Senggigi, Tanjung or Kuta for some well earned rest on the beach.
 * Cross to the Gili Islands for a chill out and views of the huge mountain you just climbed.

Mount Rinjani Commons:Category:Mount Rinjani

title: Mount Rinjani


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Mount Robson Provincial Park

Mount Robson Provincial Park is in Robson Valley and is part of the Canadian Rockies. Its focus is the peak that tells its name. It's listed as a World Heritage Site.

Understand
"On every side the snowy heads of mighty hills crowded round, whilst, immediately behind us, a giant among giants, and immeasurably supreme, rose Robson's Peak." - Milton and Cheadle, 1865

History
Established in 1913, Mount Robson Provincial Park is the second provincial protected area in the province. The Texqakallt First Nations called the peak Yuh-hai-has-kun, "The Mountain of the Spiral Road" owing to the mountain's ringed appearance. Mount Robson was first climbed to the summit in 1913, which with 3000 m of pure ascent, is an impressive feat. Roy Fredrick Hargreaves settled in the area in the late 1800s and built some cabins near the foot of the mountain. During his settlement he developed the Berg Lake Trail.

Landscape
As you might expect, the park's landscape is quite mountainous, although there are some low flat marshlands around Moose Lake. The portion of the park most seen by travellers follows a long narrow valley from Tete Jaune Cache up to the headwaters of the Fraser River and beyond to Jasper. You will likely not recognize the Fraser River if your first impression is of the large, slow, lumbering waterway that flows into the Strait of Georgia in Vancouver. In this area the Fraser is a fast moving glacier fed river in its infancy, just beginning its 1,400 km (870 mi) journey which drains 220,000 km² of British Columbia.

Flora and fauna
A brief survey of mammals native to this area include grizzly and black bears, caribou, wolverines, mule deer, whitetail deer, moose, elk, wolf, and coyote. There are also over 182 species of bird and waterfowl, 4 amphibians and one reptile native to the area.

By car
Highway 16 (Yellowhead Highway) bisects the park east/west. Jasper is and Edmonton is  to the east, while Prince George  to the west. Valemount is and Kamloops are  to the south via Highway 5 (Southern Yellowhead Highway), which ends just west of the park.

Fees and permits

 * Vehicle accessible camping fee: $19 per party/night at Robson Meadows and Robson River, Lucerne is $15 per person/night.
 * Backcountry camping fee: $10 per person/night

Hiking
Mount Robson Provincial Park offers everything from short day hikes to week long backcountry expeditions that meet up with Jasper National Parks trail system.
 * Robson Meadows and Robson River campsites have several short trails suitable for day hiking.
 * Kinney Lake Trail is a 4.5-km (one way) hike that departs from the Berg Lake Trailhead.
 * Berg Lake Trail gains 800 m in 23 km, and is the entryway to several other trails at or near Berg Lake. You must register at the information centre if you plan to camp along this trail, or further backcountry. There are seven separate sites with tent pads along this trail. Bicycles are not allowed past Kinney Lake at the 7-km mark. There are many waterfalls along this trail along the Robson River.
 * Hargreaves Lake Route is a half day hike that climbs from Marmot campsite (along Berg Lake Trail) to Hargreaves Lake and glacier. After the viewpoint this trail intersects with the Toboggan Falls trail and becomes Mumm Basin Route, which is another steep alpine trail which heads to Robson Pass. It is a half-day return to Berg Lake.
 * Toboggan Falls Route is a two-hour return route that climbs to Toboggan Falls and alpine meadows. If you continue on for 45 minutes past the falls you will find some caves.
 * Snowbird Pass Route is a full-day hike from Berg Lake past the impressive Robson Glacier and the backside of Mount Robson. This trail is closed in May and June so as not to disturb the caribou calving that takes place in this area.
 * Moose River Route should only be attempted by experienced, well-equipped backcountry hikers. This is a several day hike that crosses Robson Pass into Jasper National Park before cutting back across Moose Pass. It is 66km from Berg Lake Trailhead to Highway 16 at Moose River.
 * Yellowhead Mountain Trail. The trailhead is 52.8 km east of the Mount Robson Park Visitor Centre at Yellowhead Mountain. This trail gains 800 m in elevation in only 8 km, so should only be attempted by those in good physical condition. Culminates in sub-alpine meadows with astounding views of the mountains and lakes of the park. There are no facilities along this trail, and it is recommended for day hikes only.
 * Mount Fitzwilliam Trail trailhead is 54 km east of the visitor centre. This trail which heads south from Highway 16 travels 13.5 km up and around Mount Fitzwilliam to a sub alpine lake.

Fishing
There are opportunities for fishing at ' and '. There is seasonal flyfishing along the Fraser and Moose rivers. Species include Dolly Varden, Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Kokanee and Whitefish. A fishing license is required and is available at the .

Buy
Options to buy supplies are limited. For more options, you'll need to travel either to Jasper or Valemount.

Camping

 * ' (125 sites) and ' (19 sites). All spots are minutes from the visitor center.
 *  is east towards Jasper. This site has 36 campsites available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Backcountry

 * Berg Lake Trail has seven back country campgrounds and one must register at the visitor centre for overnight trips
 * Kinney Lake, 6 km, 14 pads.
 * Whitehorn, 11 km, 22 pads.
 * Emperor Falls, 16 km, 9 pads.
 * Marmot, 18 km, 7 pads.
 * Berg Lake, 22 km, 26 pads.
 * Rearguard, 23 km, 5 pads.
 * Robson Pass, 24 km, 15 pads.
 * Mount Fitzwilliam Trail backcountry camping at the east end of the park.

Please practise leave-no-trace camping.

Stay safe
The wildlife in this park can be hazardous, especially if with their young. Do not approach bears, moose or caribou. Many of the trails travel through extreme terrain so utmost care should be taken when hiking alongside cliffs and over wet rocks. It is recommended to boil all water, and it is illegal (and dangerous) to pick and eat mushrooms and berries in this park. When hiking in the backcountry you should always register your itinerary with park staff, and carry adequate supplies including first-aid gear.

Go next

 * Jasper National Park is right next door to the east.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Mount Robson Provincial Park


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Mount Roraima

Roraima is the highest tepuy (Spanish for table mountain) on the triple border of Venezuela, Brazil and Guyana. It is around 2,800 m tall. Its name is derived from 'Roroi-ma,' which in Pemon means 'big blue-green.' The only way visitors can climb to the top is from the Gran Sabana side, in Venezuela.

History
The first recorded person to climb this tepuy was Sir Everard im Thurn in 1884.

This mountain also inspired Sir Arthur Conan Doyle for his classic novel The Lost World in 1912. He envisioned cavemen and prehistoric animals running amok atop the summit. Although far-fetched, the idea is a valid one: the tepuys are regarded as 'islands in time' by scientists since species have developed in complete isolation on top of them over millennia.

First described by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1596, its 31-km² summit area is surrounded by 400-m-tall cliffs on all sides.

Landscape
The top of the tepuy consists of quartzite (hard) and sandstones (softer when weathered), they appear black due to added organic matter (moss, fungi) over millions of years. Erosion on the top has created ponds and pools with crystal clear and crystal rain water, there are some areas with pink sands, which gives it a truly other world landscape feeling.

Flora and fauna
Due to its remote location, one-third of the plant species found on the top are endemic to the tepuy. Many of them are also carnivorous.

Climate
The tepuy's steep sides, surrounding rainforest, and altitude at summit create a unique climatic environment that is most notable for its changeability. Moist air rising off the surrounding rainforest in the tropical heat creates heavy rain clouds that billow up and across the summit of Roraima causing frequent showers and downpours. Due to the altitude, nights on the summit are cool. You may find yourself having to ascend or descend the path up the cliff in heavy rain in which case there will be torrents of water rushing down the track and waterfalls in the upper areas that will hit you like a fire hose. You may also need to wait at river crossings until the river level goes down. Your guide will help you.

Get in
There are very few flights to Santa Elena de Uairén. Rutaca Airlines is the only airline that services the town with any regularity from Ciudad Bolívar and Puerto Ordaz. You should contact the airline at the Ciudad Bolívar Airport +58 285 632-4465 / 632-8426 to find out more information about the flights. They should direct you with information on how to book.

Night buses go to Santa Elena from Ciudad Bolivar, Puerto Ordaz, Maturin and Puerto la Cruz in Venezuela and from Boa Vista in Brazil. There are also buses that go direct from Caracas Terminal de Oriente (22-hour trip). Bus companies that do the route are Expresos Los Llanos, Expreso Occidente, and a state owned company with red buses.

The buses are cold and drivers refuse to raise the temperature. Bus temperatures average around 7ºC (45ºF).

The Boa Vista route is the best connection for those coming from anywhere in Brazil.

Fees and permits
To climb you need a permit from inparques. Joining a guided tour will handle this for you. It is possible to sneak up and down, if you are so inclined. Remember don't leave anything on top, but pee.

Get around
There are at least 4 operators:
 * 1) Backpacker Tours - run by a German-Venezuelan family
 * 2) Mystic Tours - Apparently the oldest one. Good and cheap
 * 3) Marcos - great cook, slightly more expensive
 * 4) Francisco - good and cheap too.

There are a lot of Europeans on the trail — mostly Germans, French and English tourists — and some Venezuelans with all companies. Consider that the more people walk the trail the more degraded it becomes, so try and reduce the amount of your kit and hence the number of porters needed or consider managing without porters.

There are 5 ways to do it:
 * 1) Fully ported, porters carry everything - check to see if everything includes sleeping bag, mattress personal effects, etc.
 * 2) Pay-to-be-a-porter, as above, but you carry 12 kg
 * 3) Self-equipped and -catered
 * 4) Get to paratepui by yourself and hire a guide there
 * 5) Going on your own, with or without permission from inparques. Risk of getting lost on the top.

See
The summit of Roraima has several natural attractions.

 * The cave near the entrance.
 * The cave near the entrance.
 * The cave near the entrance.
 * The cave near the entrance.
 * The cave near the entrance.
 * The cave near the entrance.

Do
Most tours up Roraima go for 6 days: 2½ days up, 1½ on top, 2 down. If you and your guide are feeling fit enough, you can ascend in 2 days, stay 2 full days on top and then come back in another 2 days.

You can also do an 8-day extended trip with 2 more days on top.

It is possible to do it in 4 days with 1½ up, 1½ on top, and 1 down.

Buy
Umbrellas

Sleep
It gets cold and wet on Roraima. There are about 10 habitable caves on the plateau in which one camps. This is very welcome but in peak periods the caves are all occupied and there is plenty of evidence of tents being pitched on the flatter stone pavement with stones to secure guy ropes.

You must join a tour to climb to the summit of Roraima, but select your tour company carefully. Backpackers Tours comes well recommended by other travelers and offers good food, tents and guide. 'Aponwau Tours', on the other hand, may be the cheapest option but is reportedly a false economy: reports of broken stoves, shoddy equipment and a shortage of food.

Try to get a written contract from any company before paying.

Stay safe
Hygiene standards suffer in difficult conditions and the two camps before the base of the cliffs are not models of cleanliness. Be very careful as traveller's diarrhea can persist after it seems cured and is debilitating.

title: Mount Roraima


text:
Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a United States national memorial in the west of South Dakota. Featuring the monumental faces of four former Presidents – George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln – blasted and carved from the white rock of a mountain, Mount Rushmore is a national icon.

Understand
The four 60-foot granite faces of Mount Rushmore National Memorial draw more than three million visitors each year.

The first blast on the mountain occurred in 1927. Under the direction of sculptor Gutzon Borglum, 400 workers labored through hot summers and cold winters to create the sculpture, nearly 500 feet up the side of the mountain. More than 90 percent of the mountain was carved using dynamite. The fine details of the faces were achieved with a jackhammer. Operators hung from the top of the mountain in bosun chairs held by steel cables. Despite the dangerous work, during the 14 years of construction, not a single person died. The memorial was officially declared complete on October 31, 1941.

However, Gutzon Borglum's vision was not completed – original plans included head-to-waist depictions of the presidents. When Borglum died suddenly in July 1941, his son, Lincoln, tried to continue his father's work, but funding ran out as America entered World War II. Visitors wanting to see a model of Borglum's vision can view it at the Sculptor's Studio at the memorial.

Another part of Borglum's grand vision was for a Hall of Records to be carved into the canyon behind the faces. Borglum envisioned a majestic room that held important documents like the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. Borglum started blasting the hall, but never finished it.

On August 9, 1998, Borglum's Hall of Records was somewhat completed when a repository was placed in the floor of the hall entry. Inside a titanium vault are 16 porcelain enamel panels inscribed with the story of Mount Rushmore, the reasons for selecting the four presidents and a short history of the United States. The Hall of Records is not accessible to visitors, but is left as a record for people thousands of years from now.

History
Before the name Rushmore was ever used in the area, the Black Hills were sacred land for the Lakota Native American people, who have never recognized the U.S. seizure of their land, condemn what they consider the defacing of a sacred mountain, and refused to take compensation when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in their favor but declined to restore any of the stolen land to them.

The mountain now widely known as Mount Rushmore was renamed to honor Charles E. Rushmore, a New York City attorney who was sent out to this area in 1884 to check legal titles on properties. The giant outcropping of rock was a favorite place that many presidents visited with their families.

The four granite faces that give the mountain its greatest claim to fame were carved over a 14-year period (October 4, 1927 - October 31, 1941) by over 400 workers under the supervision of Gutzon Borglum, an American sculptor. Each face is about high; if the bodies were to be included, each figure would be about  high.

Mount Rushmore is a project of colossal proportion, colossal ambition and colossal achievement. It involved the efforts of nearly 400 men and women. The duties involved varied greatly from the call boy to drillers to the blacksmith to the housekeepers. The workers had to endure conditions that varied from blazing hot to bitter cold and windy. Each day they climbed 700 stairs to the top of the mountain to punch-in on the time clock. Then 3/8 inch thick steel cables lowered them over the front of the face of the mountain in a "bosun chair". Some of the workers admitted being uneasy with heights, but during the Depression, any job was a good job.

The work was exciting, but dangerous, 90% of the mountain was carved using dynamite. The powdermen would cut and set charges of dynamite of specific sizes to remove precise amounts of rock. Before the dynamite charges could be set off, the workers would have to be cleared from the mountain. Workers in the winch house on top of the mountain would hand crank the winches to raise and lower the drillers. During the 14 years of construction not one fatality occurred.

Dynamite was used until only three to six inches of rock was left to remove to get to the final carving surface. At this point, the drillers and assistant carvers would drill holes into the granite very close together. This was called honeycombing. The closely drilled holes would weaken the granite so it could be removed often by hand. After the honeycombing, the workers smoothed the surface of the faces with a hand facer or bumper tool. In this final step, the bumper tool would even up the granite, creating a surface as smooth as a sidewalk.

Visitor information

 * Park website

By plane
The closest commercial airport to Mount Rushmore is Rapid City Regional Airport. South Dakota State Route 16 links Rapid City with Mount Rushmore.

By road
Travellers on I-90 should exit at Rapid City and follow Highway 16 southwest to Keystone and then Highway 244 to Mount Rushmore. Travellers coming from the south should follow Highway 385 north to Highway 244, which is the road leading to the National Memorial.

If you're coming from the east or south, you could take the Iron Mountain Road, which is twisty and tunnel-y and offers great scenery – including some unique views of Mt. Rushmore.

Fees and permits
Entrance to the memorial is free; however, there is a fee to park a vehicle. This fee isn't covered by the National Park Pass, Golden Age or Golden Access Passport cards because the parking facilities are privately owned. The structure was built to accommodate visitation, and because federal or donated funds weren't available, it was contracted out, and the non-profit organization became Presidential Parking Inc. Parking is $11 for private vehicles (cars, motorcycles, and RVs).

Get around
The small space between the parking lot and the terrace is fully accessible.

See
Mount Rushmore depicts the faces of four former U.S. Presidents (from left to right):

 * George Washington, first president
 * Thomas Jefferson, third president
 * Theodore Roosevelt, twenty-sixth president
 * Abraham Lincoln, sixteenth president

The park is set up straightforwardly as a sort of amphitheater to the display. Follow the trail along the Avenue of Flags (one flag for each state in the nation), head over to the Grad View Terrace, take a seat, view, ponder, reflect, and then be on your merry way!

If you'd rather linger, though (and you drove all this way), you can stop by the Visitor Center and Museum to watch a film on the carving, or follow the (easy) Presidential Trail (colored  on map) for a closer view of the faces.

Do
During the summer the park service offers several interpretive programs, all of which are free. Schedules are posted in the visitor center. There are no trails in the park aside from the short walk to the viewpoint. Rock climbing is permitted in the park, although not in the closure area surrounding the sculptures. Overnight use, camping, and open fires are not allowed within memorial boundaries.

Buy
The gift shop is enormous. The wide variety of Mount Rushmore t-shirts and sheer availability of sizing is astonishing.

Lodging
No lodging is available at the memorial. Keystone is nearby, with several lodging opportunities. There are many more hotels and motels in Rapid City, if you'd prefer to avoid the kitschy, tacky atmosphere of Keystone and don't mind a slightly longer drive.

Camping
There are no campgrounds at the memorial. Several campgrounds are in nearby Black Hills National Forest and Custer State Park, as well as in communities in the Black Hills. A nearby KOA is within 5 miles of the monument.

Backcountry
Backcountry camping is not permitted at the memorial.

Go next

 * Work on the Crazy Horse Memorial (admission $10 per adult or $25 per carload, "whichever is better for you") has been underway for more than sixty years - first by one man, Korczak Ziolkowski, an assistant to Borglum on Rushmore - and now by his several sons and daughters. It dwarfs Rushmore in size, and is intended to be the world's largest sculpture, but only the head, face, and basic outline of the outstretched arm have been completed. The project relies exclusively on private donations and admission to the visitors center, which features a theater and a massive collection of Indian art and history. Visitors cannot walk up to the mountain itself, but tour vans drive to a vantage point nearby. The Crazy Horse Memorial is on US Highway 16/385, just 17 miles southwest of Mount Rushmore. From SR 244, it's easier seen northbound (coming from Custer) than southbound.

title: Mount Rushmore National Memorial


text:
Mount Shasta

Mount Shasta (also known as Mount Shasta City) is an incorporated town in Siskiyou County in the Shasta Cascades region of California, at the southwestern foot of Mt. Shasta.

By car
The City of Mount Shasta is located off of Interstate 5 about 60 miles (97 km) north of Redding, 220 miles (354 km) north of Sacramento, and less than 60 miles (97 km) south of the Oregon/California border.

By train
The Dunsmuir Amtrak station is located less than 10 miles south of Mount Shasta City.

By plane
The closest major airport is Sacramento International Airport, with the Reno-Tahoe International airport a good alternative. There are also smaller airports in Redding and Medford. In travelling to or from airports, be aware of road conditions. Especially in the winter, it is not uncommon for the roads to Reno or Medford to be closed or have chain restrictions.

Get around
The city is small, but you'll still need at least a bicycle to get around.

See
You can see views of Mt. Shasta and Black Butte throughout town.

Do

 * Climb Black Butte or Mount Shasta. While the former is itself a strenuous 6 mile out and back trek, the latter requires great preparation, including as to gear and timing. It shouldn't be undertaken lightly because Mt Shasta is a serious mountain with steep pitches and snowfields, and all sorts of other hazards, that can kill. It's definitely advisable among other things to be in prime physical condition and go with others.

Events

 * Mountain Runner's 4th of July Fun Run & Walk - Annual July 4th event - 4 walks or races to participate in with great food and entertainment along the way including: gourmet snacks, jazz choirs, country music bands, individual singers & classical instrumentalists, clowns, magicians, church choirs and belly dancers, cheerleaders, gymnasts on the ground and surprises in the sky.

Buy
The town consists of several main commercial streets, a shopping center and dozens of tourist oriented hotels and stores.

Go next

 * Hike on Mt. Shasta. A number of routes are possible, of varying degrees of difficulty. A person of decent fitness can do a bit of hiking on the mountain without great strain.
 * McCloud, 8 miles away, has three waterfalls, a golf course and historic Main Street shopping.

title: Mount Shasta


text:
Mount Sinai

Mount Sinai (Arabic جبل موسَى Gebel Musa) is in the middle of the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt and rises 2,285 metres above sea level. The mountains is a sacred site for Jews, Christians and Muslims.

Understand
Mount Sinai is said to be the place where Moses received the Ten Commandments from God; indeed, the Arabic name Gebel Musa means "Mount of Moses". While there is very little archaeological evidence to support this assertion, the mountain is still a popular pilgrimage site and home to the world heritage listed Monastery of St. Catherine, a Greek Orthodox monastery founded in the 6th century, one of the longest-running monasteries in the world and itself at the supposed location of the Burning Bush. The small town of al-Minya, outside the entrance to the valley, has sprung up to cater to tourists.

The mountain is also a holy site for Muslims, who consider this to be the place from where the prophet Muhammed started his journey to heaven on the winged horse Buraq.

Climate
Daytime temperatures vary from mild to warm around the year. However, nighttime temperatures are considerably lower. Precipitation is negligible through most of the year.

Get in
The closest airport with passenger traffic is in Sharm el-Sheikh, and your only choice of transport is by road. Dahab is 2 hours and 133 km away, Nuweiba is 120 km and a similar 2 hours away, while the trip from Sharm el-Sheikh (230 km) is closer to 3 hours. Most visitors arrive on tours that arrive at approximately 1AM at the foot of the mountain in order to climb Mount Sinai overnight and watch the sunrise. Any guesthouse in Sinai can arrange for you to join a tour. There are also several camps, guesthouses and hotels in St. Catherine that can accommodate tourists and travellers alike.

By bus
To arrive from Dahab or Nuweiba, you can use the Bedouin Bus running twice weekly services to each destination for LE50 (Apr 2016). From Cairo, the East Delta Bus Company leaves the new Cairo Gateway station daily at 11AM and takes about 7 hours. The cost is LE75 (Apr 2016), and the schedule for this bus is also available at the Bedouin Bus home page.

Public buses arrive at the monastery, at the base of Mount Sinai. From there it's about 2 km to the St. Catherine Village, also known as el-Milga.

By taxi
A taxi from Dahab or Nuweiba can cost around LE200 (Dec 2011).

Get around
You have two choices for getting around and climbing the mountain: on foot, or by camel. See Do for the full scoop.

See
The Monastery of St. Catherine (دير سانت كاترين, Dair Sānt Kāt(a)rīn) at the foot of the mountain, is the easier of the two destinations here. Looking more like a fortress than a church, access is through a massive iron gate shut for the night and opened in the morning from 9AM to noon only (daily except Friday and Sunday). Note that the monastery observes the Greek Orthodox rites and is thus also closed for Christmas and Easter as calculated by the Greek Orthodox calendar. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2002.

History
St. Catherine is one of the oldest monasteries in the world, founded sometime in the early 4th century. According to the 9th century chronicles of patriarch Eutychios of Alexandria, the monastery was founded in 324 by emperor Helena who visited monks living in the mountains. The monastery was also mentioned in the diaries of a nun, Etheria of Galicia, who visited towards the end of the 4th century.

The monastery got its current form between 548 and 564 when the East Roman emperor Justinian I according to the wishes of the monks built the fortification and stationed a force to protect the monastery. Some of the monks still opted to continue living outside the walls. During this period the main church of the site was constructed. A century later, the remains of Catherine of Alexandria was found at the nearby mountain nowadays known as Mount Catherine. She was the daughter of a Cypriot king who refused to abandon her faith and to marry the pagan Roman emperor Maxentius and was therefore tortured and beheaded in 305. The remains were brought to the monastery, which was also renamed after her.

Also the future prophet Muhammed visited the monastery several times, and later on he guaranteed the protection of the monastery. Only in the 11th century the caliph Al-Hakim threatened to destroy the monastery, and between the 15th and 18th centuries the monks were indeed expelled numerous times but the monastery itself was never destroyed.

1575 the monastery was declared independent from Rome, at that time St. Catherine was the site of an archdiocese. Later on, under the guardianship of the Russian czar, a Greek-Orthodox monastery was established. Nowadays the monastery is juridically a part of the patriarchate of Jerusalem.

Sights
The monastery complex is 1570 m above sea level at the foot of Mount Sinai in the Monastery Valley — Wadi ed-Deir. It is surrounded by a walls that are 12-15 m tall and 2 m thick. The old entrance is located at the western side and was only built in the early 19th century when Napoleon invaded Egypt; before this people entered and exited the site by the elevators used for goods. This entrance was actually named after the French general Jean-Baptiste Kleber.

However today's visitors will use the newer gate, at the northern side of the complex. When entering, you will see the monks' housing building at the right-hand site. Straight ahead stands the main church — the.

Built in the mid-6th century, this basilica features inscriptions about emperor Justinian, empress Theodora I, as well as the church's architect Stephanos of Aila. The doors are made of cedar and are decorated with various ornaments. The three main sections of the church are demarcated by twelve granite pillars and have three chapels each, named after saints. The sacristy and the treasure room make up the rest of the church. The tower of the church is comparatively new, constructed only in 1871.

Iconostases and mosaics from several epochs can be seen in the church. The most famous of them is the Mosaic of the Transfiguration. Overall St.Catherine possesses a collection of some 2000 icons. At the right-hand side of the altar there's the marble shrine containing the relics of St. Catherine. The holiest place is the, located behind the choir. It was constructed in the 13th century at the place where, according to the Book of Exodus, Moses was instructed by God to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt.

In the northwest of the complex you'll find the ; the spring that supplies water to the monastery and, according to legend, the location where Moses met his wife for the first time. Next to it, the Monastery museum, showing icons, writings, equipment used for services as well as gifts given by pilgrims.

At the west side there's the from the 12th century, with a minaret north of the mosque itself. Other parts of St. Catherine is normally not accessible to visitors. Accommodation inside the monastery is found at the west and south. The southeastern part hosts the library; the world's oldest Christian library and with 3500 religious manuscripts and 50,000 books the second largest after the one in the Vatican. 4500 of the works are regarded as rare, but perhaps the largest treasure is the Codex Sinaiticus, the world's oldest almost perfectly preserved Bible, discovered in 1844 by the German theologian Konstantin von Tischendorff. No access without special permission (granted only to VIPs and bona fide scholars).

Outside the walls, on the western side, there's a garden, cemetery and. The latter is a morbid charnel house containing the skulls of 1400 years' worth of monks who have lived and died here.

Fees and hours
In Feb 2011, there were only a few parts of the monastery which are accessible to tourists.

There is also a small museum mainly about Byzantine icons and tempera on wood. You must make a LE25 donation as entrance fee but it is worth it.

A guide for the monastery could start at LE100 but you could/must bargain.

Nowadays about two dozen, mostly Greek, monks live at the monastery. They elect the abbot and archbishop, who mostly lives in Cairo. At the time he isn't present, four caretakers are performing his functions.

The main service takes place from 4:30 to 7:30AM, while the vesper takes place from 2:30-4PM. In order to keep up the normal functions of the monastery, visitors are only allowed in between 9AM and noon. On Friday, Sunday and Greek Orthodox holidays it is entirely closed. Yearly some 100,000 people visit the monastery, which means that it can get quite crowded during the opening hours. Entrance is free, but the museum charges you LE20.

However to enter the protected area, to which also the monastery belongs there's a fee of LE17 for adults and LE10 for students.

Do
Climbing is the main objective for most visitors. Mount Sinai is the second highest mountain in Egypt—only neighboring Mount Catherine is higher. Therefore you will have an undisturbed view in all directions. Many tourists climb the mountain during the night, see the sunrise at the summit and visit the monastery during the day. Therefore, if you want to avoid crowds, climb the mountain in the night before a Friday or Sunday when the monastery is closed to visitors. If you want to see the sunrise, you should start sometime between midnight and 3AM, depending on your level of fitness. Those of average fitness should be able to get to the summit in no more than three hours. Alternatively, the sunset is also an impressive sight; for this you should start your climb in the early afternoon.

A local guide is required despite the fact the trails are well signposted once you get onto them. Starting price at the entrance LE110 (Apr 2016) but bargain it. In daytime, which is less popular, the fee is lower.

Note that it will be much cooler at the summit than on the coast, and in the winter subzero temperatures at night and even snow are not unknown. Dress warmly in layers, a flashlight is also a must. Blankets and mattresses can be rented at the top for ~LE10 per piece, however, their state of cleanliness may be objectionable.

There are two routes to choose from, entrances to which are rather poorly signposted, so choose carefully especially if climbing at night. Both paths lead to natural amphitheater known as Elijah's Hollow or the Seven Elders of Israel, where you'll find a teahouse for a break. From there, it's a final 750 steps (30 minutes) to reach the summit.
 * Steps of Penitence. This aptly named steep path has been quite literally carved out of the rock by monks, and with 3750 steps to climb is the shorter but more challenging of the two.  No mountain-climbing equipment required though, just strong thighs, and the views back down into the valley are superb even in the middle of the night.  If the sky is clear the stars above can also be a spellbinding sight, as there are no major cities for miles and miles around.  The route can be climbed in as little as 45 minutes, or as long as three hours, depending on your pace.
 * Camel Path (Siket El Bashait). A gentler, winding, wide path that snakes its way up to the summit that can be completed by the average traveler in 2½ hours.  As you can guess from the name, you can also climb up this way on the back of camel, and the "sawdust" that appears to coat much of the length of the path is in fact dried camel byproducts from the many trips before you.  Be warned that the camel will bite you if it doesn't like you, so be nice, and a 3-hour ride up a mountain — going on foot is actually faster for most people — may not be the easiest introduction to the notoriously swaying gait of these camels.  You'll also have to dismount about a kilometer before you reach the top and cover the last 700 steps on foot.  Take care at the top also, as the surface is uneven.

At the top you will find a small chapel dedicated to the Holy Trinity, constructed in 1934 on the ruins of an older 16th-century church. Better yet, if you timed your ascent right, you can see the sunrise over the parched, rocky expanse of the Sinai.

The intense silence of the mountain as well as its spiritual history makes it a popular spot for yoga and meditation groups. The local 'Gebeliya' Bedouin also run silent retreats for visitors, as well as trekking trips Sheikh Mousa.

Climbing Mount Catherine
(جبل كاترين Ǧabal Kāt(a)rīn) is a few kilometers southwest of Mount Sinai and is with 2637m the highest mountain in the Sinai and in all of Egypt. The relics of Saint Catherine were found at this mountain, and due to this discovery the monastery and the mountain were renamed.

The trek starts at the monastery, crosses the plain of el-Milga past Aaron's chapel, the monastery of the holy apostle and the pavilion of king Fuad. After an hour of walking you'll reach the (دير الاربعين Dair al-Arbaʿīn). From here, there is a four-hour climb to the summit, where you'll find the chapel of St. Catherine. Inside the chapel, a rug marks the place where the relics were found.

Buy

Moreover you can buy souvenirs and necessities in the shops in el-Milga.

Eat & drink

 * You can get food at any of the camps/guesthouses in town and there are some small restaurants opposite the mosque and near the petrol station.
 * The monastery's hostel serves breakfast, but charges LE10 for an egg, a slice of bread with fig jam and a tea bag if you're not spending the night. There is a café in the garden of the guesthouse, which is open to the public.
 * In the village el-Milga there are several restaurants and a bakery.

Sleep
St. Catherine has quite a few camps, guesthouses and hotels. As mentioned above, it's also possible to rent mattresses and sheets on the mountain.

Respect
This being a sacred site, you should dress modestly. Robes are available for rental.

Go next
The only way out from Mt. Sinai is to get back to the coast. There are a few options:

By bus to Cairo: East Delta has a daily bus going to Cairo, leaving at 6AM from the bus station just behind the mosque.

By minibus to Dahab: Bedouin Bus runs a twice weekly bus service to Dahab on Tuesday and Friday. Buses leave at 11AM from the parking next to the bakery (opposite the mosque) and cost LE50 one way. The bus stops in Dahab at Hotel Jowhara (Mashraba street) and Marine Garden Camp (Lighthouse area)

By minibus to Nuweiba: Bedouin Bus runs a twice weekly bus service to Nuweiba on Wednesday and Sunday. Buses leave at 8AM from the parking next to the bakery (opposite the mosque) and cost LE50 one way. The bus stops at Nuweiba Port (opposite the East Delta bus station) and at Nuweiba City (at the hospital).

By minibus to El Tor: There are daily mini buses (except Friday) to El Tor, the governorate capital. Buses leave from the parking opposite the mosque in St. Catherine at 7:30AM and 2:30PM and return at 2:30PM and 8PM respectively to St. Catherine.

title: Mount Sinai


text:
Mount Sinai (New York)

Mt. Sinai is a small town on the east coast of Long Island in New York, bordering the north shore of the Long Island Sound.

History
The first inhabitants of Mt. Sinai were the Native Americans, followed by colonial settlers. New home construction began later. In the early 1960s, the suburbanization of the once vast farmland increased. Many people migrated east to escape the “city life” and retreat to a quiet, family-oriented suburban area. In the 21st century, the development of Mt. Sinai has been aimed at building private communities and classic housing developments, such as Island Estates, the Orchards, the Ranches and the Hamlet. Each development has different amenities, appealing to different age groups, hobbies and social classes.

Do
In this small Long Island town there aren't endless options of entertainment. The main attractions are Cedar Beach, which is open to all residents of the town of Brookhaven. The only requirement for entry is a legitimate form of identification. Mt. Sinai harbor is at the tip of Cedar beach. Here locals dock their boats and can easily travel to Connecticut, across the Long Island Sound. Within walking distance of the entrance to the beach itself is a park for small children, a snack bar and outdoor restaurants for everyone. Some of the other activities Mt. Sinai has to offer are Casa Del Sol day spa and Inline One Skate-park.

 * - in Mount Sinai Long Island
 * - in Mount Sinai Long Island
 * - in Mount Sinai Long Island

Eat
When it comes to food Mt. Sinai has many options. In a five-mile radius there is everything from Japanese to Italian cuisine. Some of the locally owned restaurants include:

title: Mount Sinai (New York)


text:
Mount Snow

Mount Snow is in the towns of Wilmington and West Dover, in southern Vermont. It is located off Vermont's famed Route 100 - aka the skiers' highway.

By plane

 * Mount Snow Airport, Phone: +1 802 464-8481. Located near the Albany County Airport.
 * Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, CT. - 1 and 1/2 hours
 * Albany Airport in Albany, NY - 1 and 1/2 hours
 * Manchester, New Hampshire. - 1 hour 45 minutes
 * Logan International Airport in Boston.

By train

 * Amtrak Vermonter provides service to Brattleboro, Vermont. Another option would be taking the Ethan Allen Express to Rensselaer/Albany, which is a 1.5-hour drive to Mount Snow.

By car
Most tourists travel to Mount Snow by car. Mount Snow is 1.5 hours from Albany, 2.5 hours from Boston, 3 hours from Providence and 4 hours from New York City.

Interstate 91, Exit 2 in Vermont. Take Route 9 West for 20 miles to Wilmington, VT. Turn right at the stoplight onto Route 100 North. Nine miles to Mount Snow/Haystack.

By bus
Two lines, Vermont Transit and Greyhound  provide service to Brattleboro.

See
Leaf-peepers travel to the Deerfield Valley to see the brilliant foliage in late September and October.

Do
There is great kayaking and boating in the area.

Eat
There are lots of great places to eat in the Deerfield Valley. However, during the peak ski season, be prepared to wait or make reservations ahead.

title: Mount Snow


text:
Mount Sterling

Mount Sterling is a city in Kentucky. While it lies within the state tourism region known as the Kentucky Appalachians, it is locally considered part of the Bluegrass region, which covers a noticeably larger area than the state-defined tourism region of that name.

See
The town is home to several historical places.

title: Mount Sterling


text:
Mount St. Helens

Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument is a United States national monument in southwest Washington State that was the site of a massive volcanic eruption on 18 May 1980. In 1982, the President and Congress created the 110,000-acre (445-km²) National Volcanic Monument, within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, for research, recreation, and education.

See volcanoes for background information.

History
On 20 March 1980, Mount St. Helens awakened from over 100 years of dormancy with a magnitude 4.1 earthquake which began a series of events leading to eruption. Steam and ash eruption started on 27 March and over the next two months the north side of the mountain started bulging at the rate of about 5 to 6 feet a day.

Then on May 18, 1980, at 8:32AM, a magnitude 5.1 earthquake caused the bulging north face to collapse in one of the largest landslides in recorded history. The highly pressurized magma burst forth in an explosive eruption, sending super-heated volcanic gas and ash across a large portion of the United States, destroying hundreds of square miles of forest, and killing 57 people. This was a VEI-5 event, one of the largest eruptions of the 20th century and the most destructive in United States history.

By 2005, life was starting to return to the barren landscape surrounding the mountain. However, as the steam eruptions starting in October 2004 illustrated, the danger of another catastrophic eruption is ever present. Visiting Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument is to simultaneously witness the result of catastrophic destruction and see the result of rebirth.

Landscape
Mount St. Helens is a typical stratovolcano, the volcanic form most familiar from photographs of their typically conical profiles. The great 1980 eruption destroyed most of the volcanic cone, leaving a huge amphitheater on the north side that is well seen from the Johnston Ridge observatory and visitor center. Volcanic activity in 2004-05 built a new lava dome within this amphitheater, visible from the "VolcanoCam" at the observatory but not yet large enough to replace the destroyed cone.

St. Helens is still glaciated to some extent, despite its reduced altitude. One unexpected and remarkable bit of landscape on the mountain is the astonishing Loowit Falls, a waterfall that emerges directly from the amphitheater bearing meltwater from a glacier within the crater. This falls can be seen (use binoculars) from the observatory, but to get the best feeling for the incongruity of the falls -- it seems to emerge as though from the surface of the moon -- requires a hike on a trail that is closed during volcanic activity.

Flora and fauna
As you explore the monument it's easy to see the results of ecosystem recovery since the eruption. Plants that sprouted from buried soil and late lying snow banks have gradually spread, transforming a gray-brown landscape to green. Over time, these survivors have been joined by legions of colonizers as wind-blown seeds of weedy plants like fireweed and pearly everlasting have taken root on shattered hillsides. In spring the monument glows with the purple blossoms of penstemon and lupine. By late summer, magenta fireweed and patches of cream-colored pearly everlasting frame the blown down forest. In autumn, monument breezes will dance with cotton-covered seeds as life continues its march across the blast zone. Watch for animals that have taken up residence in the developing forest. The once silent blast zone is punctuated by the calls of killdeer and red-winged blackbirds that have made their homes in lush shoreline vegetation. Red-tailed hawks can be spotted hunting for abundant mouse populations while osprey dive for trout in blast zone lakes. The open valleys and hillsides are a favorite feeding ground for North American elk. If you listen you can sometimes catch the echo of a whistling elk or maybe the howl of a lonely coyote.

Climate
Most viewpoints on the monument's north, east, and south sides can be reached from Memorial Day until snow closes the roads, usually in late October. Trails are generally open from June through October, although some lower elevation trails can be hiked all year. The Mount St. Helens Visitor Center (Highway 504 milepost 5) now operated by Washington State Parks is open during the winter, except winter holidays.

Visitor information

 * Park website

Get in
Mount St. Helens can be visited as a longish day trip from Seattle or Portland, or more conveniently as a side-trip while traveling between the two cities.

The most popular tourist route into the Mount St. Helens area is via Washington state route 504. It can be reached at Castle Rock (exit #49) off Interstate 5 in Washington, about 2 hr 15 min north of Portland and two hours south of Seattle. If going north on the return route (Seattle/Tacoma), State Route 505 can be used as a short cut back to I-5 (turn right a few miles east of Toutle). This is not recommended for the initial trip up the mountain, as it bypasses the main visitor center near Castle Rock. If you are coming from Portland or anywhere south, Mount St Helens can be accessed from Woodland (exit 21 from I-5) along State Route (SR) 503. SR-503 becomes Forest Road (FR) 90 past Cougar and goes along the south side of Mount St Helens to (FR) 25, which goes north and south along the east side of Mt. St. Helens.

From the east, there are three main routes. If using GPS or computer routing, be sure it doesn't send you on unpaved, one-lane forest service roads unless that's what you want. From Spokane, all three take roughly the same amount of time.

 * US Hwy 12 West from Yakima to SR-131 in Randle, halfway between Yakima and I-5. SR-131 become FR-25 south of the US-Hwy 12 intersection. US HWy 12 is a two-lane highway beyond Yakima, with lower speed limits than the freeways. You also risk getting stuck behind slow-moving vehicles, especially when going uphill.
 * I-84/WA-14 West to Hood River/White Salmon along the Columbia River. If coming from Oregon cross over the Hood River/White Salmon Bridge to SR-14 (Exit 64 at I-84). Go west on SR-14 to Wind River Rd in Carson from White Salmon. Wind River Rd becomes FR-30/Meadow Creek Rd in Gifford Pinchot NF to Curly Creek Rd (FR-90)  (north of Carson). Go west on Curly Creek Rd (FR-90) to FR-25.
 * SR-131/Forest Rd (FR) 25 goes between US-HWy 12 in Randle and Jct FR-90 through Gifford Mt St Helens. FR-99 connects FR-25 to Windy Ridge, opposite the volcanic crater from Johnston Ridge. There are no roads connecting Johnston Ridge to Windy Ridge or to Spirit Lake. During the winters FR-25 is closed to due to standing snow accumulation (no plowing through there) in high altitudes.
 * I-90 West to WA Hwy 18 (exit #25) via Maple Valley and Auburn, then I-5 South for 93 miles. (Drive with caution on the older sections of WA Hwy 18, and watch for large trucks.) Though further, I-405 South (exit #10) from Bellevue is also an option

Fees and permits
Monument passes are sold for single-day admission to the visitor centers along Washington 504 (Mar 2018):
 * 16 years or older: US $8
 * 15 years or below: Free.

See
Along Washington Hwy 504 are three visitor centers operated by Cowlitz County, the State of Washington, and the U.S. federal government. (Mount St. Helens and Spirit Lake are actually in Skamania County, but all the land near the mountain is federally owned.) A fourth center at Coldwater Ridge is semi-permanently closed now, and may be sold. The centers include video presentations, exhibits, and information desks. In addition, there are numerous viewpoints and turnoffs for taking photos along the highway.

Eat
There are no restaurants available within the park, but options are available outside of the park in the town of Toutle.

Drink
Water is available within the park. If scooping water from the lakes, rivers or streams be sure to boil or treat the water before drinking. Water is typically cleaner when taken from moving water in rivers and streams than from standing water such as ponds or puddles.

Lodging
There are no hotels located within the park, but the town of Toutle, located to the west of the park, and along US Hwy 12 between Packwood & Morton, offer numerous options.

Camping
Camping near I-5 exits to Mount St. Helens along Route 504 is available at Seaquest State Park or south of Hwy 12 at Lewis & Clark State Park. There are also National Forest Service campsites south of Randle (NE of MSH access forest road 99) and along the Lewis River east of Cougar.

Stay safe
Volcano safety is, to put it mildly, a controversial subject; see the article on Volcanoes for some of the issues. Compared to many other active volcanoes, Mount St. Helens has been studied extensively, and therefore has a relatively well-defined "safety envelope" that allows informed decision making as regards trail closures, etc. Even St. Helens, however, is prone to bouts of unexpectedly violent behavior, as for example on 8 March 2005 when an explosive event sent ash and steam to elevations above 35,000 feet (10 km) essentially without warning. The monument, therefore, has established a policy regarding road and trail closures that at first glance appears unnecessarily conservative -- but it is not. Believe it. The closures aren't there simply to inconvenience and irritate you. If a trail is closed due to eruptive hazard, stay off the trail.

Other than the volcanic activity, St. Helens poses basically the usual set of hazards associated with mountainous country -- changeable weather, potential for road closures due to snow in the winter, etc. One extra thing to be aware of is that much of the area on the north side of the mountain, particularly the northeast, does not yet have many travel services, even things as basic as gas stations. When leaving the main roads to head for the observatory, or particularly the Windy Ridge viewpoint and trailhead, it's wise to have a full gas tank.

Go next

 * Toutle is the closest town to the park along the Spirit Lake Highway, offering amenities such as hotels and restaurants.
 * Mount Rainier National Park
 * Portland (Oregon)
 * Seattle

title: Mount St. Helens


text:
Mount Tai

Mount Tai (泰山 Tài Shān) is a sacred mountain in Shandong, China, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Understand
Tai Shan (Peace Mountain) is one of the five Daoist sacred mountains in China. Because of its history it is the most climbed mountain in China.

History
Tai Shan has been climbed by many people important in Chinese history. The emperors of great dynasties had to climb the mount to show that they were the sole ruler of the country.

Mount Tai was inscribed as a in 1987; it is one of only two sites to fulfill seven out of the ten criteria to become a world heritage site, with the other being the Tasmanian Wilderness in Tasmania.

Landscape
Mount Tai is in the north of Tai'an city, in the middle of Shandong province.

As one of the five most famous mountains in China, it is recognized as the head of the Five-mountain and defined to be East-mountain adoringly. Many emperors climbed to the top for enthronement or other significant ceremonies in ancient China, for they considered it to be a symbol of Chinese power that given by master of nature. The earliest activities could go back to Xia dynasty and Shang dynasty, so it preserved a good many of cultural relics and historic sites. Famous literators, poets and celebrities were attracted here and thousands of poems and articles about Mount Tai are best-known nowadays.

Mount Tai is considered to be a cultural and historical museum. It is a famous place of Taoism and Buddhism.

There are four marvelous spectacles in Mount Tai, and they are sunrise watching on the peak, shine of sunset, Yellow River watching in sunshine and sea of cloud.

From Beijing
There are almost a dozen express trains per day which take 2 hr from Beijing South railway station to Tai'an railway station. The fare of standard class is ¥220 (2nd class). The train is fast, clean, air-conditioned and comfortable.

There are other several regular trains from Beijing railway station (main) stop at the old Tai'an railway station. The travel time of regular trains varies from 5 hours to 9 hours. Some of them are night trains, which depart from Beijing at midnight. Sleeper and seat services are available on all the regular trains. The fare of air conditioned seat service is around ¥80, while sleeper service costs around ¥150. These days there are so many express trains available it is not recommended to go with the slow ones unless you are on a budget.

Although it is not recommended, it is still possible to take the plane from Beijing to Jinan. At the Jinan airport, there are regular buses that go to Tai'an directly.

Long-distance coaches are also available from Beijing to Tai'an, which are slower, but more expensive than train services - so only choose it when no train tickets available.

From other cities
More than 100 train services originating in most of China's provinces stop at Tai Shan railway station each day.

To Tai Shan, express train services cover some provinces and major cities in the eastern part of China, like Beijing, Shanghai, Shenyang, Tianjin, Zhengzhou, Nanjing, Jinan and Qingdao.

Trains run regularly from Qingdao to Tai'an and take 6 hours while costing ¥56-65 one way. Express trains also run from Qingdao and take only 3½ hours, though the ticket price jumps to ¥148. As of July 2009, express trains only leave from Qingdao at 6AM and 10:30AM. Purchasing your train ticket in advance is a must during busy season, unless you don't mind standing in the aisle for the entire trip. The regular and express trains pass through Jinan.

Or, you can take a bus from Qingdao's Sifang long-distance bus station. The trip takes 6 hours and costs ¥116. It is virtually impossible, however, to figure out the bus schedule without going to the bus station (there is no number to call and nobody in town seems to be familiar with the schedule), but Sifang is a short cab ride from town (only about ¥12-15 from the train station).

Trains are also available to Tai'an from Fuzhou and Shanghai.

From the rail station to the Mount
To get from the train station (the bus stop isn't near the station, it's about 5 minutes walk to the downtown, near KFC, Pizza Hut and Dico's) to the base of Taishan by local bus, take bus #3 (actually this bus connects two entrances - if you take the bus from the bus stop closer to Dico's/Pizza Hut it will stop at the entrance without the bus to the Halfway. Take the bus from the opposite side of the street). This only takes about 15 minutes and costs ¥2.

Taxis from the Tai'an train station are available to the foot of the trails up Tai Shan and cost about ¥7 (Taishan Bus Station) to ¥10 (Red Door). A brisk walk experiencing some of the culture and atmosphere of the city is a wonderful option for those wanting to warm up for the hike up the mountain itself.

The hike to the top of Tai Shan is an experience of beautiful sites with flora, fauna, and a rich history of the mountain. Hiking by foot, though physical in nature, is very achievable and is regularly accomplished by people of all ages. There are several paths up the mountain with the main path being bricked the entire length making it relatively safe. An added benefit of the hike to the top is the lore that anyone climbing Tai Shan will live 100 years.

Alternatively, buses are available to the mid-way point and are available 24 hours (¥30). A cable car is available for the remainder of the distance to the top. The cable car is open between 6:30AM-5:30PM, although unpublished it may be open longer during peak times. (¥140 roundtrip, ¥80 single ride)

If you are interested in seeing the sunrise (a very popular activity) you will need to hike up the stairs at night or stay overnight on top.

Fees and permits
Admission is ¥127 which includes a pre-stamped postcard ticket you can mail within China.

Student fares are available at ¥52, but a student ID may be required (expired student ID is enough)

Cable car fares are ¥80 one way or ¥140 return.

Bus fares to the midpoint base are ¥30 one way.

Get around
Winding stone and brick sidewalks link the different village areas on top of the mountain.

Tai Shan is very popular to Chinese visitors. This means it is often covered with tourists and the vendors that follow them. There are many nice paths up the mountain but the main climb is sometimes crowded with everything from beggars, to chickens, to monkey on chains that you can pose for pictures with.

See

 * Views overlooking Tai'an and the surrounding areas
 * Watch the sunrise in the east
 * Mountaintop monasteries
 * Carvings of prayers and phrases on the rock faces along the paths up the mountain
 * Ancient altars, gates and archways along the hike up the mountain

Do

 * Hiking up the mountain can be tiring (about 4-7 hours of stairs) but there are plenty of places to stop along the way, buy water and drinks (prices get higher as you go up the mountain). The bottom of the trail starts here.
 * A highlight is watching the morning sunrise from the top of the mountain

Buy
Shops and vendors line the first steps at the base of the mountain as well as on top of the mountain with the usual assortment of trinkets found at tourist destinations.

A common purchase is a red headband giving a blessing of long life and prosperity to those climbing Tai Shan.

Eat

 * A restaurant and various vendors are located as you climb up the mountain.
 * Multiple restaurants are available on top of the mountain.
 * A variation of the famous Shandong "Jian Bing" is readily available from various stands on the mountain; it is made with egg, spread with a thick soy sauce and wrapped around a stalk of green onion.
 * For those that spent the excessive prices of the 3-star hotel, they provide a morning buffet for all guests for ¥30 (though they conveniently forget to tell you this!)

Drink

 * Beverages are available along the hike from vendors
 * A teahouse serves drinks mid-hike up the mountain
 * For those looking for alcoholic beverages, the 3-star hotel found above the Confucius temple does have a restaurant with a well stocked bar. The restaurant is found on the second floor of the hotel.

Lodging
Hotels and hostels exist on top of Tai Shan, giving you the ability to sleep overnight to watch the famed sunrise the next morning. Sales people will meet you to rent available rooms or reservations can be made in advance. Hot water is usually only available at certain times for showers, but is available all hours for the more expensive three star hotel. Check with the hotel on hours of availability before renting to coordinate availability with your schedule.

Be aware the hotels at the top will often times charge 3 times the normal rate during holiday seasons (Oct. 1-8 and May 1-7). ¥1600 is the price we were quoted.

There are plenty of hotels at the base of the mountain in Tai'an. There are also hostels in the city. The International Youth Hostel was clean and about an hour walk to the bottom of the mountain, although cabs are readily available to take you to the bottom of the mountain from the town.

Prices on Tai Shan and in Tai'an often are negotiable.

Camping
Camping is no longer permitted on Mount Tai due to concerns for forest fires.

Toilets are provided on the mountain top but be wary when walking off the beaten track for places where people have not felt inclined to make use of the facilities.

You can rent large bulky military jackets at the top for ¥20 plus a ¥30 deposit and ID. These are very popular and well worth the money though you can also sometimes rent or buy them while climbing though this means you have to carry them up and down again.

Stay safe
The mountain is very safe, with many tourists. Just be careful of steep ledges and if you are hiking, of dehydration and the cold at the top of the mountain (vendors rent or sell Chinese military coats if you need one). Walking up the mountain is, while physically demanding, very achievable, though walking down the mountain should be done with caution as the steps are very steep with few landings near the summit. Also, you should avoid if at possible attempting to climb the steps in wet conditions.

Go next
The same options available up the mountain (bus-cable car or hiking paths) are available for the trip down the mountain. Hikers will often take an alternate path down from the path taken up the mountain. The cable car closes at 5:30PM, well before sunset. The cable car also closes when there is thunder in the area, so it is vitally important to check the weather report beforehand.

After climbing the most sacred mountain, it is only natural to pay respect to the wise man, Confucius. Qufu, his birthplace, is only 1 hour away by bus.

title: Mount Tai


text:
Mount Tambora

Mount Tambora (Gunung Tambora) is an active volcano located on the island of Sumbawa in West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. It is classed as a supervolcano, among the most powerful on Earth.

Understand

This is a difficult mountain to reach, let alone climb. Few non-Indonesian visitors ever make it to this remote corner of northern Sumbawa and far fewer still to the top of mighty Mount Tambora. This makes Tambora a unique experience, since the nature is unspoiled and during a hike you will most likely encounter no other tourists.

History
In 1815 this was the site of the most powerful volcanic explosion in modern history – an explosion that was heard as far away as Batavia (modern day Jakarta). The mountain was reduced from 4,200 m to 2,800 m. It is estimated that 36 km³ of the mountain was reduced to dust which then swirled around the globe for the next few years, resulting in a 'year without summer' in Europe and a period of spectacular sunsets some of which can be seen in the paintings of English landscape artist, John Constable. The explosion, which was far bigger than that of Krakatoa in 1883, devastated the peninsula on which Tambora is located, killing many thousands of people outright and rendering much of the country uninhabitable for years to come. The resulting famine led to thousands of more deaths.

There is a book about that eruption, The Year of No Summer.

Get in
To reach Tambora you need to get to the village of Pancasila. It is problematic if you want to do this in one day from Sumbawa Besar. If you want to try, take the Sumbawa Besar–Dompu bus very early in the morning and tell the driver you want to go to Calabai/Pancasila Mau mendaki Tambora ("I want to climb Tambora"). He will drop you after four to five hours at the T-intersection from where the road to the right goes to Dompu (about 20 km away) and the road to the left takes you to Calabai. There are regular buses to Calabai but the road is very bad and the 110-km trip takes 4–5 hours. From Calabai you have to take an ojek (back of a motorcycle) to Pancasila.

It may be wiser and less taxing to go to Dompu, have a good night's rest and make the journey to Calabai and Pancasila the next day. In that way you will arrive in Pancasila reasonably rested. Buy supplies for the climb in Calabai. There are plenty of shops selling noodles, biscuits, fruit, bottled water etc. If you are riding a motorbike/scooter, be warned: the road is really smashed and you must pay it the respect it's due. Allow six hours for the 130 km Dompu–Pancasila.

Do
It is possible to climb Tambora, but it is not a stroll in the park. You have to be physically very fit and be ready for some discomfort and danger. Very few Indonesians, and far fewer foreigners, ever make it to this out of the way place. Since 2004 when records began to be kept by K-PATA - Kelompok Pencinta Alam Tambora (The Tambora Nature Lovers Group), only about 50 people per year have made the trip. For example in the first six months of 2009 only three groups climbed the mountain – a group of nine Indonesians, a Frenchman and one Australian.

At Pancasila you will be directed to K-Pata's headquarters. The manager is Saiful and his wife is Irma. They will give you a room to stay, feed you well and organise guides. A fair price for food and lodging is Rp 100,000 per night and the guides require Rp 200,000 per day. This is a very reasonable fee considering the amount of work they are required to do on the trip, the nature of the terrain and the length of the walk.

The walk is through virgin jungle. It is incredibly thick in parts and a lot of parang work is required. You will walk for hours along an almost indecipherable trail.

When it rains, it really rains. Expect to be soaked to the skin if you don't have really good gear. But then again it's not cold and what gets wet, dries eventually. Leeches are ever present, as are stinging nettles. There is a lot of fallen timber to climb over, under and along. The tree line ends quite abruptly and from then on the walking becomes easier. Dawn at the summit is a very special experience. The experience of gazing down into the crater and taking in its immensity will stay with you forever

Eat
Nasi Goreng, Bakso, Mie Ayam or some biscuits.

title: Mount Tambora


text:
Mount Tate

Mount Tate (立山 Tateyama) is a mountain in the Northern Alps of Toyama prefecture, Japan.

Understand
At 3,015 m, Tateyama is one of Japan's tallest mountains, and is considered one of both Japan's Three Famous Mountains and Japan's Three Holy Mountains.

Get in
Toyama is a popular starting point for day expeditions to climb Tateyama. Return trip tickets can be purchased from Toyama Dentetsu station (next to JR Toyama), for about ¥5000. An early start is advised and so is checking the weather beforehand. The journey comprises about one hour by train, then a transfer to the Bijodaira cable car (funicular), followed by a 50-minute bus trip.

See
Check out the Murodo crater lake before beginning the ascent, which may be a challenging climb for the inexperienced. Of the triple-peaked Tateyama range, the most popular climb is the peak named Oyama, from which, on a clear day, it is possible to see Mt Fuji.

Go next

 * Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
 * Kurobe

title: Mount Tate


text:
Mount Vernon

There is more than one place called Mount Vernon:

Australia

 * Mount Vernon (Australia) - A town in New South Wales.

Singapore

 * Mount Vernon (Singapore) - A town in Singapore.

United States of America

 * Mount Vernon (Alabama) - A town in Alabama
 * Mount Vernon (Arkansas) - A town in Arkansas
 * Mount Vernon (Georgia) - A town in Georgia
 * Mount Vernon (Illinois) - A town in Illinois
 * Mount Vernon (Indiana) - A town in Indiana
 * Mount Vernon (Iowa) - A town in Iowa
 * Mount Vernon (Kentucky) - A town in Kentucky
 * Mount Vernon (Maine) - A town in Maine
 * Mount Vernon (Maryland) - A town in Somerset County, Maryland
 * Mount Vernon (Baltimore) - A neighborhood of Baltimore, Maryland
 * Mount Vernon (Missouri) - A town in Missouri
 * Mount Vernon (New York) - A town in New York (state)
 * Mount Vernon (Ohio) - A town in Ohio
 * Mount Vernon (Oregon) - A town in Oregon
 * Mount Vernon (South Dakota) - A town in South Dakota
 * Mount Vernon (Texas) - A town in Texas
 * Mount Vernon (Virginia) - A town in Virginia
 * Mount Vernon (Washington) - A town in Washington (state)
 * Baltimore/Mount Vernon - A city district in Baltimore, Maryland
 * Washington, D.C./Mount Vernon Square - A city district in Washington, D.C.

Also:
 * Mont Vernon, New Hampshire (note slight spelling difference}

title: Mount Vernon


text:
Mount Vernon (Illinois)

Mount Vernon is a city in Illinois.

Understand
Abraham Lincoln used to argue cases here at times in his younger attorney days, as Mount Vernon featured as the Illinois state district court. More recently, it was a rail car and locomotive production hub.

Get in
Interstate 57 and Interstate 64.

See

 * Mitchell Museum and Cedarhurst Arts Center, 2600 E Richview Rd, local nostalgia evoking southern Illinois life and foofoo stuff. +1 618-268-7400. Free.
 * Jefferson County Historical Village, 1411 N 27th St. A recreated living history pioneer museum. +1 618-246-0033

Sleep

 * Americas Best Value Inn Mount Vernon, 222 S 44th St. Free light breakfast. +1 618-244-4343. $61 (Jul 2023).

title: Mount Vernon (Illinois)


text:
Mount Vernon (New York)

Mount Vernon is a city in Westchester County in New York.

By train

 * Metro-North Railroad - Harlem line, service to Mount Vernon East (New Haven line) and Mount Vernon West and Fleetwood (Harlem line) stations from New York City's Grand Central Terminal takes about 30 minutes. On-board train fares are subject to a stiff surcharge, so buy your tickets at the station or at the vending machines.

Metro North is also a convenient means of getting here from Yankee Stadium, the Bronx Zoo, and the Botanical Garden.

By car
Several parkways (no trucks!) are nearby, including the Bronx River Parkway just to the west, the Hutchinson River Parkway just to the west, and the Cross-County Parkway, which provides cars (not trucks!) access to the Saw Mill River Parkway and the New York State Thruway. Interstate 95 is just south of the city.

By bus
Several Westchester County Bee-Line Bus routes serve Mount Vernon, including those connecting it to the Amtrak stations at Yonkers and New Rochelle.

title: Mount Vernon (New York)


text:
Mount Vernon (Ohio)

Mount Vernon is the county seat of Knox County, Ohio. It has a small, cute downtown, and is home to Mount Vernon Nazarene University and the manufacturer Ariel.

History
Founded in 1805, Mount Vernon was named after George Washington's Plantation in Virginia.

By plane
Columbus International Airport is the closest major airport. If you have your own plane, there's also:

By car
The easiest way into Mount Vernon is by car. Mount Vernon is connected by US36.

By bike
The Kokosing Gap Trail connects to Gambier and is part of the Ohio to Erie Trail from Cincinnati to Cleveland via Columbus.

By bus
In addition to service to and from Mount Vernon, Knox Area Transit offers shuttle service within the city on four lines: Blue (North), Red (East), Orange (South), and Green (West). Shuttles cost $1 and run every half hour M-Sa 8AM-4PM. Transfers are available to the shuttles to Gambier.

Go next

 * Gambier — a small town nearby, home to Kenyon College

title: Mount Vernon (Ohio)


text:
Mount Vernon (Virginia)

Mount Vernon is a district in Fairfax County, Virginia, situated on the Potomac River. It takes its name from the country home and plantation of George Washington, the first president of the United States of America.

Since 2008, Mount Vernon has been on UNESCO's tentative list for its structures from the 18th century.

Understand
The Washington family acquired the land, then known as Little Hunting Creek Plantation, in the late 17th century. When Washington's elder half-brother inherited the land, he named it Mount Vernon in honor of Edward Vernon, a hero of the War of Jenkins's Ear and his commanding officer in the navy. Washington inherited the land in 1754 and had the manor house built up in phases from 1758 to 1778. In the mid-19th century, the Washington family sold it to the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, who have since maintained it and the grounds for the benefit of the public.

Get in
Mount Vernon is miles south of Washington, D.C.

By car
The Mount Vernon estate lies at the southern terminus of the George Washington Memorial Parkway, which follows the Potomac River from I-495 in Langley to the northwest. Along the way, it passes through parts of McLean, Arlington, and Old Town Alexandria, including Reagan Washington National Airport. The parkway, which is a national park, is pleasantly scenic.

By tour bus
Several tour companies operate bus tours from Washington to Mount Vernon.

 * Gray Line,, offers tours of Mount Vernon bundled with tours of Old Town Alexandria, Arlington National Cemetery, or Washington, D.C. daily except certain holidays (check website for details). Prices start at $55 adults, $30 children. Departs from Washington Union Station.
 * DC Trails,, offers a full-day package including a drive through Old Town Alexandria and self-guided activities at the estate. Prices start at $53 adults, $23 children.
 * OnBoard Tours,, offers a package that includes guided walks through Arlington National Cemetery and the Mount Vernon estate. Prices start at $69.99 adults, $59.99 children.

By bicycle
The fully paved, 18-mile-long Mount Vernon Trail follows the Potomac River from Theodore Roosevelt Island in Arlington all the way to the Mount Vernon estate. The trail is scenic, passing almost entirely through parkland, including the Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve. "Bike and Roll" tours are also available during the warm season, whereby you ride a rented bike from Alexandria to Mount Vernon, then return by boat. See "Bike and Roll" below under "Do."

By boat
While you cannot dock your own boat at Mount Vernon, several cruise companies offer Mount Vernon excursions.

 * Spirit Cruises, daily departure from the Southwest Waterfront in Washington, D.C.
 * Potomac Riverboat Company, departures from Old Town Alexandria and from National Harbor in Maryland.

Get around
The Mount Vernon estate is compact, but beyond the manor house, there are some steep hills. Private motor vehicles are not allowed on the grounds, but a half-hourly shuttle service connects the Education Center near the entrance, the Pioneer Farm, and the Wharf between 9:15AM and 4:45PM. During the peak tourist season between April 1 and October 31, an hourly shuttle also runs between noon and 5:30PM between the Education Center and the Distillery & Gristmill.

To go beyond the estate, a car is recommended. Fairfax Connector bus 101 stops at Fort Hunt Park, which is also accessible on foot or by bicycle from the Mount Vernon Trail.

Go next

 * Washington, D.C. - Explore America's national capital
 * Arlington - Location of the Pentagon, Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima Statue), and Arlington National Cemetery.
 * Alexandria - former hometown to famous American heroes and rebels that claims some of the richest history in the DC metro area
 * Visitors to President Washington's plantation at Mount Vernon may also want to visit Thomas Jefferson's home, Monticello, James Monroe's home, Ash Lawn Highland, or James Madison's home, Montpelier, all near Charlottesville, Virginia.

title: Mount Vernon (Virginia)