One Adventurer's Lone Journey Against the Wind to See the National Parks.
In the golden glow of a San Francisco sunset, Jonathan Baker straddled a rented motorcycle with the goal of seeing as much of the nearby beauty as he could in the weekend, not knowing that the twist of the throttle would kickstart an odyssey—traversing the wonders of America's National Parks. From the breezy coastal lanes to the towering redwoods, those initial 48 hours became the overture to a journey etched in tire marks and the echoes of freedom.
Q: What inspired you to embark on this epic journey of visiting all the national parks on a motorcycle?
Jonathan: I was on a work trip in San Francisco and decided to rent a motorcycle over the weekend to check out a bit of the coast. I had always heard people talk about the PCH and had always wanted to see redwood trees. During the 48 hours I had the bike, I put about 900 miles on the engine because the scenery was so breathtaking I just couldn't quit riding. My next trips were planned around some National Parks around my home state of Utah, and from there the goal emerged to eventually ride through all of them.
What started as a weekend escapade trasnformed into an audacious goal—to traverse the nation, visiting every national park he could on his motorcycle.
Q: Can you share some of your most memorable experiences during this adventure?
Jonathan: Being on Kona during the eruption of Manua Loa was incredible. Talk about good timing! During one of the few nights the lava flow wasn’t hidden by the clouds, I rode up. Ash was hitting me in the face with the visor being up, and I was awestruck by the power and beauty of nature.
Q: Did you have a favorite national park that stood out from the rest, and if so, what made it special?
Jonathan: Kings Canyon really shocked me, mostly because I had never really heard of it before planning the trip. It had elements of Yosemite and Sequoia, all in one. I loved the smells of the pines and a small hike I did where I was able to observe a black bear play with her two new cubs.
Every adventure has its challenges and Jonathan's was no different. Between blown tires, broken chains, and raindrops pelting against his visor, the road wasn't just a source of joy; it was a testing ground, challenging not only his bike's resilience but his own.
Q: Were there any unexpected challenges or obstacles you faced along the way, and how did you overcome them?
Jonathan: Flat tire, blown tire, broken chain, torrential rain and near-freezing Temperatures. Sometimes had to improvise, other times the only option was to call AAA.
On a motorcycle, nature isn't a distant tableau viewed through a windshield, it's an immersive experience. The smells, the temperature changes, the wind—it's not just a ride, it's a sensory feast. Exploring on his motorcycle created completely different experiences in each of the parks, even to those he had been to before.
Q: Traveling on a motorcycle is quite different from other modes of travel. How did it shape your experience and connection with nature?
Jonathan: On a motorcycle, the scenery isn't framed in by a windshield so everything just appears bigger. While you are on a bike you are literally outside in nature, noticing all of the temperature changes, different smells, and feeling the wind. I had driven through Yellowstone several times in a car, I was shocked the first time I drove through on my bike, at how different and new of an experience it was.
Each pit stop, each interaction, and each park became a chapter in the book of Jonathan's adventure. From the sprawling vistas of Carlsbad Caverns to the icy wilderness of Denali, each place imprinted itself on his memory. Jonathan became more than a tourist but started to dig deep roots into the fabric of his surroundings. These trips helped him realize that this journey was more than a bucket list; it became one of the most impactful decisions he has made in his life.
Q: Can you share a heartwarming or enlightening interaction you had with locals?
Jonathan: Once while filling up with gas, a older gentleman asked where I was from and where I was headed and explained that when he was younger he did a similar journey. He asked if he could pray for me and when I said yes, he put one hand on my head and one hand on my bike and said a prayer for me to be safe and to "ride with the angels." I didn't really know what that meant but I was touched by how much he cared about me, being a complete stranger. That was near Durango, Colorado.
The journey wasn’t just a perpetual ride; it was nights under starlit canopies, sometimes in designated camping spots, other times in the nooks and crannies that only a seasoned traveler could find.
Q: Did you ever camp within the national parks, and if so, what was it like to spend the night in these natural wonders?
Jonathan: Yes - during Covid one of the park rangers at Carlsbad Caverns said he wanted me to set up my bed on a scenic overlook so that I could watch the sunrise over the valley. It wasn't a designated camp spot, but he said he would be the only one on patrol that night and I had his permission. That was awesome. Also those bats are insane!
Q: Your story is a testament to perseverance and dedication. What advice would you offer to others considering a similar adventure?
Jonathan: Make sure you have all the tools and skills you need to solve any mechanical issue you might face, especially if you are riding alone. Invest in AAA and carry a Satellite phone. Check in with friends/family or share your location so that people can follow you on your journey. Always carry some wet wipes and zip-lock bags in case of an emergency lol.
Q: What kind of preparation and planning went into a multi-year road trip to visit all the national parks?
Jonathan: I really only had to plan about 10 days at a time, and a lot of the planning was just figuring out the order of the parks that I wanted to hit. I never planned on where I would sleep or what I would eat, but would figure it out as I went. Usually I'd sleep next to the bike and just eat gas station food. The most planning I had to do was when I went to the east coast and had to store the bike in a storage unit for a month so I could fly home for a few months and go back to work before continuing that leg of the journey.
Jonathan had to push boundaries to accomplish this huge feat, it became a delicate balancing act. With only two weeks of vacation per year, this meant pushing his limits--riding for 12 to 14 hours to maximize park time and see them all.
Q: How did your journey impact your perspective on conservation and the importance of preserving these natural spaces?
Jonathan: I've always been a big proponent of conservation, these trips just made me appreciate the natural spaces more than ever. Wish there could be more law enforcement to keep people on trails and away from wildlife.
Each park had its own character, a unique piece in the mosaic of America's wild beauty. From the grandeur of Rainier to the misty allure of Olympic, each stop was its own adventure.
Q: What Parks would you go back to see again?
Jonathan: Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Yosemite (smells) Smoky Mtns, Glacier, Olympic, Acadia, Death Valley.
Now, as the dust settles, Jonathan has a new chapter to write. A chapter that involves sharing the wonders he discovered with family and friends.
Q: What's next on your adventure bucket list?
Jonathan: Take family and friends to the national parks to enjoy them together now.
One mile, one park... these moments add up and the numbers underpin this epic tale. What would it look like to traverse the nation, visit every national park, and live the dream of the open road?
Miles:
Over 12,000 miles traveled
Hours on Motorcycle:
Over 155 hours logged
Hotel (when used):
approx. $125 a night
Fuel:
At $5,000 for fuel, with 250 fill-ups at 40 mpg
Food:
Approximately $3,000 for food, a mix of gas station snacks and canned goods
Motorcycle:
A KTM 1290 Super Adventure R
Supplies:
Tools for the bike, a satellite phone for connectivity,pannier, and essentials like wet wipes and zip-lock bags
Jonathan's journey wasn’t just about visiting parks; it was about getting to know America, intimately. Each park, each town, each interaction contributed to a deeper understanding of the country he calls home.
From the Bay Area's cool breeze to the epic heights of the Smoky Mountains, from the fiery spectacle of a Hawaiian eruption to the deep crevices of the Grand Canyon, Jonathan's journey was a tapestry woven with the threads of adventure, resilience, and a love for the open road. Much of the experience Jonathan gained can't be taught/learned any other way than going out and becoming apart of it.
His motorcycle, more than a mode of transport, became a conduit connecting him to the pulse of America. As his wheels traced the contours of the land, Jonathan's epic adventures continue to echo through the canyons--a testament to the fact that sometimes, the most profound stories are written not with pens and paper but with the hum of engines and the winding roads of the great American landscape.
Follow for more of Jonathan's epic adventures.
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