Jeff Goulden National Park Pictures, Images and Stock Photos

Dallas Peak at 13,815' above sea level is a rock summit in the San Juan mountains of southern Colorado near the Continental Divide. The wide-open landscape is surrounded by many peaks approaching 14,000'. This photograph of a young woman hiker and her dog was taken from the high meadows above Blue Lake in the Mount Sneffels Wilderness near Ridgway, Colorado, USA.

Many people identify the typical desert as a vast area covered by sand dunes. That may be true in some parts of the world but in the Mojave, less than one percent of the desert is covered with sand dunes. In order for sand dunes to exist there has to be a source of sand. Also there needs to be winds to move the sands and a place for the sand to collect. The eroded canyons and washes of Death Valley National Park in California provide plenty of sand. The wind seems to blow frequently here, especially in the springtime, and there are a few areas where the sand is trapped by geographic features such as mountains. Mesquite Flats near Stovepipe Wells is one such place. This sunset picture of the sand dunes and the Grapevine Mountains was taken after a winter storm had passed.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park lies where the Great Plains meet the rugged Badlands near Medora, North Dakota, USA. The park's 3 units, linked by the Little Missouri River is a habitat for bison, elk and prairie dogs. The park's namesake, President Teddy Roosevelt once lived in the Maltese Cross Cabin which is now part of the park. This picture of the badlands at sunset was taken from the Painted Canyon Overlook.

Sixty million years ago the west side of Bright Angel Fault was lifted higher than the east side, creating the canyon that we now see. The exposed walls of Bright Angel Canyon allow us to see the geological history of the area. Tropical seas, coastal beaches, sand dunes, swamps, lagoons, and Sahara-like deserts are represented by the horizontal layers that are exposed. The upper five layers of stacked rock records 70 million years of rising and falling sea levels. The limestone layers represent shallow sea environments, sandstone layers mean sandy beaches or dunes, while shale layers translate to mud flats, swamps, or coastal plains. This picture of Bright Angel Canyon was taken at sunrise from Bright Angel Point on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA.

On May 18, 1980 Mount Saint Helens violently erupted, and lost much of its upper flanks, shown here covered in snow. This rare picture was taken in 1973. At the time, the mountain was part of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Washington State. It has since received recognition as a national monument.

The Tule Elk (Cervus canadensis nannodes) is a small elk found only in California. It lives in the grasslands and marshlands of the Central Valley to the grassy hills of the Pacific Coast. At one time, an estimated 500,000 tule elk roamed this region. By 1870 they were thought to be extinct. In 1874 a single breeding pair was found in the tule marshes of the southern San Joaquin Valley. In the 1970’s conservation measures were taken to protect the elk. Today, the wild population numbers about 5,700. This bull elk is silhouetted on a hillside at Tomales Point in Point Reyes National Seashore north of San Francisco, California, USA.

This woman hiker is looking down on Lower Grinnell Lake while hiking the Grinnell Glacier Trail in Glacier National Park, Montana, USA.

A young woman hiker and her companion dog look out over the San Juan Mountains from 12,000' Columbine Lake Pass in the San Juan National Forest near Silverton, Colorado, USA.

This young woman and her dog are hiking on Humphreys Peak in the Kachina Peaks Wilderness near Flagstaff, Arizona, USA.

The North American River Otter (Lontra canadensis) is a semiaquatic mammal native to North America. It is found in and along the waterways and coasts. An adult North American river otter can weigh up to 18 pounds. This family of river otters was photographed while basking on the bank of the Snake River in Hell's Canyon National Recreation Area near Lewiston, Idaho, USA.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park lies where the Great Plains meet the rugged Badlands near Medora, North Dakota, USA. The park's 3 units, linked by the Little Missouri River is a habitat for bison, elk and prairie dogs. The park's namesake, President Teddy Roosevelt once lived in the Maltese Cross Cabin which is now part of the park. This picture of a bison herd (Bison bison) was taken from the Jones Creek area.

Zion Canyon is a unique and different experience than the Grand Canyon. At Zion, you are standing at the bottom looking up where at the Grand Canyon you are at the top looking down. Zion Canyon is mostly made up of sedimentary rocks, bits and pieces of older rocks that have been deposited in layers after much weathering and erosion. These rock layers tell stories of an ancient ecosystem very different from what Zion looks like today. About 110 – 200 million years ago Zion and the Colorado Plateau were near sea level and were close to the equator. Since then they have been uplifted and eroded to form the scenery we see today. Zion Canyon has had a 10,000-year history of human habitation. Most of this history was not recorded and has been interpreted by archeologists and anthropologist from clues left behind. Archeologists have identified sites and artifacts from the Archaic, Anasazi, Fremont and Southern Paiute cultures. Mormon pioneers settled in the area and began farming in the 1850s. Today, the descendants of both the Paiute and Mormons still live in the area. On November 19, 1919 Zion Canyon was established as a national park. Like a lot of public land, the Zion area benefited from infrastructure work done during the Great Depression of the 1930’s by government sponsored organizations like the Civil Works Administration (CWA) and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). During their nine years at Zion the CWA and CCC built trails, parking areas, campgrounds, buildings, fought fires and reduced flooding of the Virgin River. This view of the red rocks of Zion Canyon was photographed from the Emerald Pools Trail in Zion National Park near Springdale, Utah, USA.

Often overshadowed by Yellowstone National Park, its larger neighbor to the north, Jackson Hole and the Snake River Valley is a land of vast scenic beauty. What it lacks in geysers and hot springs, it more than makes up for in the rugged Teton Mountain Range. The Teton's many canyons lead to alpine meadows, cirques and towering peaks. It was this rugged range that became Wyoming's second national park in 1929. In 1950 the park boundaries were expanded to include much of the Snake River Valley. This grassy meadow and the Teton Range was photographed from Kelly, Wyoming, USA.

The Pacific Crest Trail, officially known as the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, stretches 2,653 miles from the Mexican border to the Canadian Border. It follows the Cascade Range of mountains in Washington, Oregon and Northern California. In Southern California it follows the Sierra Nevada range. The mountains, lakes, meadows and forests along the Pacific Crest Trail are a visual delight in any season. This colorful fall scene was photographed at Sheep Lake, north of Chinook Pass, in the Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest, Washington State, USA.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA - May 17, 2011: The American flag flies in front of the Grand Canyon Visitor Center at Mather Point.

Lake McDonald is 10 miles long and over a mile wide making it the largest lake in Glacier National Park. It fills a deep valley formed by erosion and glacial activity. Lake McDonald is on the west side of the Continental Divide. The Going-to-the-Sun Road parallels the lake along its southern shoreline. The lake was photographed from Lake McDonald Lodge in Glacier National Park, Montana, USA.

The San Juans in southern Colorado are a high altitude range of mountains that straddle the Continental Divide. This wide-open landscape, at an elevation of 11,400 feet above sea level, is well above timberline. This woman hiker was photographed crossing a meadow at Lower Ice Lake Basin in the San Juan National Forest near Silverton, Colorado, USA.

The Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) gets its name from the way the leaves quake in the wind. The aspens grow in large colonies, often starting from a single seedling and spreading underground only to sprout another tree nearby. For this reason, it is considered to be one of the largest single organisms in nature. During the spring and summer, the aspens use sunlight and chlorophyll to create food necessary for the tree’s growth. In the fall, as the days get shorter and colder, the naturally green chlorophyll breaks down and the leaves stop producing food. Other pigments are now visible, causing the leaves to take on beautiful orange and gold colors. These colors can vary from year to year depending on weather conditions. For instance, when autumn is warm and rainy, the leaves are less colorful. This fall scene of gold colored aspens was photographed by the Inner Basin Trail in Coconino National Forest near Flagstaff, Arizona, USA.

Badlands are a particular type of rock formation found in arid regions around the world. These formations require poorly consolidated rock and infrequent but torrential rain. The soft rock allows large quantities of water to channel down gullies, carrying away sediment. Bentonite clay within these formations can swell up with moisture. As the clay dries it shrinks and cracks, creating a surface resembling the skin of an elephant. Beneath the surface, an intricate maze of natural pipes and spaces form within the badlands. This hidden plumbing appears on the face of the badlands as dimples, sinks, slumps and seeps. As erosion continues, new features including caves and natural bridges can form. Badlands often take on varied colors giving the formations a banded appearance. These colorful badland formations were at Blue Mesa in Petrified Forest National Park near Holbrook, Arizona, USA.

Cottonwood trees turn color in the Autumn along the San Pedro River. The San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area is near Sierra Vista, Arizona, USA.

The Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis) is a North American sheep named for its large curled horns. An adult ram can weigh up to 300 lb and the horns alone can weigh up to 30 lb. This big old ram with its broken-off horns was photographed on the Grinnell Glacier Trail in Glacier National Park, Montana, USA.

The historic Bell Trail was built in the rugged canyon of Wet Beaver Creek in 1932. Wet Beaver Creek is in Yavapai County near Camp Verde, Arizona, USA. Rancher Charles Bell needed the trail to move his cattle up and down the Mogollon Rim. Today, the Bell Trail is used mainly for recreational purposes. The "Crack" on Wet Beaver Creek is a fault in the sandstone that has become a popular hiking destination and swimming hole.

At 14,410' above sea level, Mount Rainier dominates the landscape of the Puget Sound region. Mount Rainier is the highest point in Washington State, and is also the most glaciated mountain in the continental United States. This picture of a cross country skier was taken from Reflection Lakes in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington State, USA.

The American Pika (Ochotona princeps) is an herbivorous, smaller relative of the rabbit. These cute rodents can be found in the mountains of western North America usually above the tree line in large boulder fields. The pika could become the first mammal in United States to be listed as endangered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service as a result of global climate change. This pika was found near Mount Fremont, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington State, USA.

Mount Rainier at 14,410' is the highest peak in the Cascade Range. This image was photographed from the beautiful Paradise Meadows at Mount Rainier National Park in Washington State. The image shows the meadow in full bloom with aster, lupine, bistort and other wildflowers.

The Columbia Gorge is a canyon of the Columbia River which forms the border between the states of Oregon and Washington. The canyon is up to 4,000 feet deep in places and stretches for over 80 miles as the river winds westward through the Cascade Range. This scene of the Columbia River was taken from Cape Horn near Washougal, Washington State, USA.

Long's Peak was named in honor of explorer Stephen Harriman Long and is featured on the Colorado state quarter. At 14,259 feet above sea level, the mountain can be seen from a wide area. This photograph of Long's Peak at sunrise was taken from Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USA.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park lies where the Great Plains meet the rugged Badlands near Medora, North Dakota, USA. The park's 3 units, linked by the Little Missouri River is a habitat for bison, elk and prairie dogs. The park's namesake, President Teddy Roosevelt once lived in the Maltese Cross Cabin which is now part of the park. This picture of a classic badland formation was taken from the Scenic Loop Drive.

Capitol Reef National Park is in the desert of southern Utah. The park is filled with cliffs, towers, domes and arches. The first part of the park’s name derives from the many dome shaped Navajo Sandstone formations each of which resembles the US capitol. The second half of the name refers to the parallel impassable ridges which the early settlers called reefs. The first paved road through this area wasn’t constructed until 1962. Central to the area is the famous Waterpocket Fold, a 100-mile wrinkle in the earth, which is 65 million years old and the largest exposed monocline in North America. The Fremont River has carved canyons through some parts of the Waterpocket Fold but the area remains a dry desert. The park is also a showcase for ancient history and the more recent history of the Mormon pioneers. This scene of ancient petroglyphs was photographed in Capitol Reef National Park near Fruita, Utah, USA.

This mountain bike was photographed in a meadow on Observatory Mesa. The San Francisco Peaks are in the background. Observatory Mesa is in the Coconino National Forest near Flagstaff, Arizona, USA.

Petrified wood is formed when dead trees are buried by layers of sediment. The logs soak up groundwater and silica from volcanic ash and over time are crystallized into quartz. Different minerals create the colors seen in the logs. These petrified logs are at the Rainbow Forest in Petrified Forest National Park near Holbrook, Arizona, USA.

Crater Lake Lodge was built in 1915 to provide overnight accommodation for visitors to Crater Lake. The lodge is located on the southwest rim, 1,000 feet above Crater Lake. In 1967, the National Park Service acquired the Crater Lake Lodge and it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981. The building continued to deteriorate due to the harsh environment and lack of funds for maintenance. Despite being listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the National Park Service scheduled the building to be demolished. The decision was later reversed due to public opposition. In 1988, the National Park Service approved a plan to rebuild the lodge as part of a comprehensive effort to redevelop the entire Rim Village. Crater Lake Lodge is located in Crater Lake National Park, yyy, USA.

The San Juans in southern Colorado are a high altitude range of mountains that straddle the Continental Divide. This wide-open landscape, at 12,300, is well above timberline. The young woman was photographed while hiking on the Colorado Trail near Molas Pass, Colorado, USA.

The Joshua Tree (Yucca brevifolia) is a member of the Agave family that typically grows in the Mojave Desert of the American Southwest. Legend has it that Mormon pioneers named the tree after the biblical figure Joshua, seeing the limbs of the tree as outstretched arms. This Joshua Tree was photographed at the Jumbo Rocks area in Joshua Tree National Park, California.

The Liberty Bell was commissioned in 1752 by the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly, and was cast with the lettering "Proclaim LIBERTY Throughout all the Land unto all the Inhabitants Thereof." The Liberty Bell is an iconic symbol of American independence. Once placed in the steeple of the Pennsylvania State House, the bell today is located in Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. In this picture, Independence Hall can be seen through the window.

Crater Lake exists in the blown-out caldera of a once mighty volcano known as Mount Mazama. This view of the lake and Wizard Island was taken from the Rim Trail in Crater Lake National Park, yyy, USA.

The Rocky Mountain Elk (Cervus canadensis nelsoni) is a Western North America subspecies of elk found in the Rocky Mountains and adjacent ranges. In the winter, elk are mostly found in lower elevation open forests and floodplain marshes. In the summer the elk migrates to the alpine meadows and subalpine forests. Elk can reside in a diverse range of habitats but are most often found in forests and forest edges. In mountainous regions they often stay at lower elevations in the winter and migrate to higher elevations during the warmer months. This herd of elk was photographed while grazing in a meadow on Campbell Mesa near Flagstaff, Arizona, USA.

The Saguaro Cactus (Carnegiea gigantea) is one of the iconic plants of the Sonoran Desert in Southern Arizona and Western Sonora, Mexico. These plants are large cacti that develop branches as they grow and mature. The branches generally bend upward but not always. The fluted trunks and branches of the saguaro are covered with protective spines. In the late spring the plant develops white flowers and red fruit forms in the summer. Saguaros are found only in the Sonoran Desert. To thrive they need water and the correct temperature. At higher elevations, the cold weather and frost can kill the saguaro. The Sonoran Desert experiences monsoon rains during July and August. This is when the saguaro obtains the moisture it needs to survive and thrive. These saguaro cacti were found in Catalina State Park near Tucson, Arizona, USA.

The Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) gets its name from the way the leaves quake in the wind. The aspens grow in large colonies, often starting from a single seedling and spreading underground only to sprout another tree nearby. For this reason, it is considered to be one of the largest single organisms in nature. During the spring and summer, the aspens use sunlight and chlorophyll to create food necessary for the tree’s growth. In the fall, as the days get shorter and colder, the naturally green chlorophyll breaks down and the leaves stop producing food. Other pigments are now visible, causing the leaves to take on beautiful orange and gold colors. These colors can vary from year to year depending on weather conditions. For instance, when autumn is warm and rainy, the leaves are less colorful. This woman hiker was walking through a fall scene of gold colored aspens on the Arizona Trail at Bismarck Lake in the Coconino National Forest near Flagstaff, Arizona, USA.

Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA - January 1, 2013: A young woman, standing in the snow, is photographing the Grand Canyon with a smart phone. This picture was taken from Yavapai Point in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA.

Butterflies are some of the most colorful members of the insect family. They can often be photographed while resting and feeding on plants and wildflowers. This endangered Taylor's Checkerspot( Euphydryas editha taylori) was photographed on a Common Yarrow alongside the Iron Bear Trail in Wenatchee National Forest, Washington State, USA.

The American Southwest has some amazing landscapes, especially the rock formations. In the late evening, as the sun sets, the red rocks take on an even more colorful glow. This view of Capitol Butte and the town was taken from Airport Mesa in Sedona, Arizona, USA.

After the Summer Monsoon rains, wildflowers bloom in fields and forests all over Flagstaff, Arizona, USA.

The Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura), also known as the buzzard, is the most widespread of the North and South American vultures. Its common name comes from a bald red head and dark plumage which resembles that of a male wild turkey. The range of the turkey vulture is from southern Canada to the tip of South America. It inhabits a variety of habitats including forests, shrublands, pastures and deserts. The turkey vulture is a scavenger with a keen sense of smell and eyesight which enables it to find dead and decaying animals (carrion), its main source of food. In flight, they rely on thermals and need to flap their wings infrequently. The turkey vulture roosts in large communal groups and nests in hollow trees, caves and thickets. They usually raise two chicks a year which they feed through regurgitation. This turkey vulture was photographed at Chimney Rock Junction in Point Reyes National Seashore, California, USA.

The Peace Arch on the USA/Canada Border was built to dedicate 100 years of peace between the United States and Canada. The project was commissioned in the early 20th century by the wealthy railroad executive and entrepreneur Sam Hill who was also a Quaker pacifist. The Peace Arch, built in 1921, is located between Douglas, British Columbia, Canada and Blaine, Washington State, USA.

Badlands are a particular type of rock formation found in arid regions around the world. These formations require poorly consolidated rock and infrequent but torrential rain. The soft rock allows large quantities of water to channel down gullies, carrying away sediment. Bentonite clay within these formations can swell up with moisture. As the clay dries it shrinks and cracks, creating a surface resembling the skin of an elephant. Beneath the surface, an intricate maze of natural pipes and spaces form within the badlands. This hidden plumbing appears on the face of the badlands as dimples, sinks, slumps and seeps. As erosion continues, new features including caves and natural bridges can form. Badlands often take on varied colors giving the formations a banded appearance. These colorful badland formations were at Blue Mesa in Petrified Forest National Park near Holbrook, Arizona, USA.

In July of 2019 the Museum Fire of Northern Arizona burned 1,961 acres of Ponderosa pine and mixed conifer forest. This was caused by a forest-thinning project which was originally undertaken to help prevent devastating wildfires. The fire was started from a piece of heavy equipment striking a rock and sparking the blaze. Nearby neighborhoods were forced to evacuate. According to the National Forest Service, the fire cost $9 million before it was brought under control. This section of burned trees was photographed from the Sunset Trail in the Coconino National Forest near Flagstaff, Arizona, USA.

Grasses and Oak Trees growing along the Merced River display their fall colors beneath the towering monolith of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, California, USA.

The strange looking Joshua Tree (Yucca brevifolia) is a member of the Agave family that typically grows in the Mojave Desert. Legend has it that Mormon pioneers named the tree after the biblical figure Joshua, seeing the limbs of the tree as outstretched arms. The Joshua Tree doesn't bloom every year which may have something to do with the amount of rainfall received. This Joshua Tree blossom was photographed at the Split Rock area in Joshua Tree National Park, California.

The Olympic Marmot (Marmota olympus) is a large member of the squirrel family that lives only on the Olympic Penninsula of Washington State. This marmot is standing and looking out from its burrow on Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park, Washington State, USA.

The San Juans in southern Colorado are a high altitude range of mountains that straddle the Continental Divide. This wide-open landscape, at 12,300, is well above timberline. The young woman and her dog were photographed on the way to Upper Ice Lake in the San Juan National Forest near Silverton, Colorado, USA.

The Trinity Alps Wilderness is a 525,627-acre national wilderness in northern California. It is contained within and administered by Shasta-Trinity, Klamath, and Six Rivers National Forests. The wilderness is part of the Salmon and Scott Mountains which are subranges of the Klamath Mountains. The high, granite peaks of the eastern half of the wilderness are known as the Trinity Alps. This young woman and her dog were photograph while hiking the Canyon Creek Trail. Canyon Creek is located in the Trinity Alps near Weaverville, California, USA.

This lizard was resting in the sun on a downed log at Fisher Point near Flagstaff, Arizona, USA.

The Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) will often sit with its wings spread In the early morning. This increases the surface area of the body so that the sun can more easily warm it. This juvenile vulture was found on Campbell Mesa in the Coconino National Forest near Flagstaff, Arizona, USA.

Dallas Peak at 13,815' above sea level is a rock summit in the San Juan mountains of southern Colorado near the Continental Divide. The wide-open landscape is surrounded by many peaks approaching 14,000'. This photograph of a young woman hiker and her dog was taken from the high meadows above Blue Lake in the Mount Sneffels Wilderness near Ridgway, Colorado, USA.

Between 1100AD and 1200AD native people inhabited the plains between the Painted Desert and the San Francisco Peaks of Arizona. In an area so dry it would seem impossible to live, they built pueblos, harvested rainwater, grew crops and raised families. Their way of life was the key to survival in this harsh landscape. These people survived here, farming one of the warmest and driest places on the Colorado Plateau. They developed the skills to farm the land and endure hardship in an area where many would not. Today the remnants of their villages dot the landscape. These people, led by a ranger are examining the dwelling on East Mesa in Wupatki National Monument. The monument, established in 1924 to preserve this rich heritage, is near Flagstaff, Arizona, USA.

The San Juans in southern Colorado are a high altitude range of mountains that straddle the Continental Divide. This wide-open landscape, at an elevation of 11,400 feet above sea level, is well above timberline. This meadow of False Hellebore was photographed at Lower Ice Lake Basin in the San Juan National Forest near Silverton, Colorado, USA.

Between 1100AD and 1200AD native people inhabited the plains between the Painted Desert and the San Francisco Peaks of Arizona. In an area so dry it would seem impossible to live, they built pueblos, harvested rainwater, grew crops and raised families. Their way of life was the key to survival in this harsh landscape. These people survived here, farming one of the warmest and driest places on the Colorado Plateau. They developed the skills to farm the land and endure hardship in an area where many would not. Today the remnants of their villages dot the landscape. Wupatki Pueblo is in Wupatki National Monument, established in 1924 to preserve this rich heritage. Wupatki National Monument is near Flagstaff, Arizona, USA.

The Rock Squirrel (Spermophilus variegatus) is fairly large ground squirrel but can also be seen climbing boulders, rocks and trees. It is typically 17-21 inches long, with a bushy tail up to 8 inches long. Rock squirrels are grayish-brown, with some patches of cinnamon color. They have a light-colored ring around their eyes and pointed ears that project well above their heads. In the northern reach of their habitat, rock squirrels hibernate during the colder months of the year. In southern areas, rock squirrels may not hibernate at all. The diet of the rock squirrel is predominantly herbivorous, consisting mostly of leaves, stems and seeds. They may also eat some insects and other small animals. Because of high human visitation, rock squirrels have become the most dangerous animals at the national parks of the American Southwest. Rock squirrels attack more tourists at the Grand Canyon than any other wild animal. Attacks have become so common that park rangers have begun warning tourists about the dangers. This rock squirrel was photographed at Yavapai Point in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA.

This red sunset background was photographed over the Pacific Ocean at Sand Point in Olympic National Park, Washington State, USA.