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Which state in the Western US has the most jaw-dropping beauty out of the ones you've been to?
It seems that each Western state (or almost each) has a plethora of diverse landscapes, so it would be interesting to see which one comes out on top in terms of most scenic per square mile.
I think all are equally beautiful but Alaska would have the most breath taking spots, simply because it's the largest. However, I don't think it makes it more beautiful than a smaller state such as Utah.
Location: northern Vermont - previously NM, WA, & MA
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I love them all. I can't single out any of them. I most recently went to Arizona and I was amazed by the varierty of topography and scenery that was there from the Ponderosa Pine forest and alpine peaks near Flagstaff, to the red rocks and desert vegeation variety in Sedona, to the Seguaro cactus covered hills and mountains around Phoenix, it's a stunningly beautiful state. But then again I've had those same reactions from New Mexico, Washington, Colorado, Oregon, and California. The West is the Best!
Been to:
Arizona
Colorado
Hawaii
Nevada
New Mexico
Washington
Utah
Reside in California
Each state has jaw dropping beauty in their own way. California is probably the most diverse, but honestly can't just pick one. Favorites are California, Hawaii and Arizona.
Alaska has the most amazing scenery in terms of the immense scale of the state. California has the most diversity and the best coastline, except for Hawaii which has it's own set of amazing coasts. Utah in it's southern half has the most otherworldly desert terrain, except that northern Arizona comes close. The Cascades in Oregon and Washington are amazing in terms of how they rise from close to sea level to immense glacial cover volcanic slopes. Can't leave out the Colorado Rockies either, but you can't forget about all the other sub-chains of the Rockies from Montana to Wyoming to Idaho all the way down to New Mexico.
So in short...it's kind of a draw. But my favorites are probably California, Alaska, Washington, Hawaii, Utah, Colorado, Montana and Arizona, maybe in that order. With Oregon, New Mexico, Wyoming, Idaho, and Nevada receiving honorable mentions.
Location: The western periphery of Terra Australis
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I voted Cal but didn't see Alaska. I would say a California/Alaska tie with Hawaii coming third.
California for sheer diversity: it has what Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming.etc have in one state!
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