America: The Beautiful

Hang-glider pilots launch themselves over Yosemite Valley during a wildfire, a marine biologist takes a memorable dive through a Channel Island kelp forest and an arborist scales to the very top of a towering redwood.

Highliners walk 400 feet above the floor of Mineral Canyon, a 73-year-old rancher fights to preserve her historic cattle ranch and descendants of an ancient civilization restore the ruins of an irreplaceable American artifact.

Wildlife filmmakers capture incredible footage of a grizzly and wolves competing for food in Yellowstone National Park, climber Conrad Anker does a late winter ice climb in Hyalite Canyon and a summer rock climb on Devils Tower.

Photographer Ian Ruhter attempts to capture iconic images of Monument Valley using a camera that he built from a truck. Using a process called wet plate collodion, Ruhter utilizes his truck as the actual camera to make the photos larger. With the truck, he is able to become the mechanics inside the camera. But as he attempts to take the perfect shot, Ruhter's meticulous process is interrupted by high winds. By the banks of the Salt River, Becky Standridge works to document and protect one of the last known herds of wild horses. Standridge brings her camera out daily for pictures of the majestic horses, getting to know their stories and habits.

The Hudson River Gorge, a flight over Adirondack Park; and cliffs in the Shawagunk Mountains are featured.

Life-long residents of St. John, Jason Siska and Jane Conrad share the snorkeling secret of Hurricane Hole with a young local boy named Craig. As a tour guide, Jason's favorite place to take people snorkeling is Hurricane Hole. Craig has lived in St. John his whole life and, surprisingly, has never visited the remote location. Reaching the deserted part of the island, Jane, Jason, and Craig take a dive into the unique underwater environment that is unlike anywhere else in the world. The three snorkel around the undisturbed paradise that showcases colorful corals growing on the roots of mangrove trees and a variety of sea life. Craig is really excited to see a new part of the island and hopes to come back and introduce it to his friends.

Professional kayakers Rush Sturges and Evan Garcia return to familiar grounds as they take on the raging rapids along the Columbia River Gorge. Approaching the river, they instantly feel the freezing temperatures of the water. The fast-flowing river leads to a 30-foot waterfall. Evan explains that he is recovering from a serious rib injury; so, even though he is joining Rush, he doesn't know if he will want to risk dropping over the waterfall. They start to paddle down the river, battling the treacherous water and dodging logs and rock hazards in the way. Before reaching the 30-foot waterfall drop, they stop to discuss Evan's chances of hitting it. He decides to go for it with no hesitation.

At Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, burn boss Mike Knight uses fire to preserve ancient habitats in the area, including the last remaining stands of old growth bald cypress. Before his entire team arrives, Mike scouts the location of where the fire will be started. He is joined by Evan, an intern who has a passion for restoring nature. Mike shows Evan around the site. He explains how these environments need fire to thrive and also warns him of some of the dangers of setting off a controlled burn. The rest of the crew arrives and they start lighting up sections of the sanctuary. Mike explains that, as much as they try to control the direction of the burn, nature ultimately decides.