United States

Park at the Wyeth Trailhead parking lot and start hiking south along the old road bed. At the junction with the Gorge-Wyeth Trail, bear left and follow the Wyeth Trail as it goes beneath several power lines. Follow the trail as it goes back into the woods and crosses Harphan Creek. Continue on and y...

This can be done as a quick hike, or as an overnighter so you can catch both sunset and sunrise. Park at the Auxier Ridge Trailhead and take the Auxier Ridge Trail (#204). Do NOT take the branch on the left for the Courthouse Rock Trail (#202), which you will see after about 1 mile. In about 2 miles...

The hike to Chinese Harbor is a 14-mile out-and-back hike from Prisoners Harbor on Santa Cruz Island or a much more manageable 8-mile out-and-back hike from Del Norte backcountry campground. If you are spending the day on the island courtesy of Island Packers , a trek to Chinese Harbor might be diff...

There are two entrances to Bead Lake - the boat launch and the ridge road. Turn right onto Bead Lake Ridge Road and follow it until you arrive at the parking lot. Start the hike at the marked trailhead #127 down to the lake through a dark cedar forest. Turn right at the boat launch and continue on t...

The hike to Mount Aeneas in the Bob Marshall Wilderness and Flathead Valley can easily be overlooked since it is in such a geographically rich area, with Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness so close, but it is absolutely a hidden gem that doesn't get enough attention. Mount Aeneas ...

Although it stands only slightly higher than its neighbors, Pyramid Peak nonetheless dominates the Crystal Range atop which it sits. Great views from the summit make this a must-do. The Route: The route is fairly straightforward to Lake Sylvia (see map ). Simply follow the well-defined Lyons Creek t...

An offshoot from the Ozark Trail, the Bell Mountain Loop trail offers a 12 mile loop (when starting from the HWY A trail head) that works perfectly as a beginner backpacking trip. The Ozark Trail website offers excellent maps for all sections of the trail (for free!), click here . Day 1: Hike 7.5 mi...

Start at the Music Pass trail head south of Westcliffe, Colorado off County Road 119. You will need a 4x4 with high clearance to get to the actual trailhead as the last 2.5 miles are rough. Otherwise, park at the Crape Creek TH and walk the 2.5 miles up to Music Pass Trailhead. Once on the trail, th...

After parking at Shelter Cove and securing a camping permit ($3 per night in the backcountry) follow the bear prints down the coastline for 5 miles, keeping in mind that the tide devours the beach every 12 hours. Parts of the beach become impassable at high tide. Camp overnight at Buck Creek, the id...

Starting from the Rock Creek Trailhead parking lot, it is an up and down trek to Upper Slate Lake. The trail map states 10 miles each way, but accounting for switchbacks it ends up being closer to 14 long, hard miles. You will be among aspens and pines for the first half as you have a few moderate e...

This hike is 7.4 miles roundtrip, with 2100 feet of elevation gain. Once you're on the trail, it starts heading uphill to help get your heart rate up on the hike. As you enter the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, the trail starts to level out. You'll cross a few streams and hike through a fair amount of veg...

Step 1: Get Wilderness Permit from the Wilderness Office the day before! Permits are free and required. This trail is a Point-to-Point trail so make sure you have a shuttle situation figured out (or you can always hitch hike). The best option is to get dropped off at Tunnel View so that you don't ha...

Getting Started There is a good amount of parking at the Lupine Meadows Trailhead but on weekends and nice days it will fill up quickly so it is best to arrive as early as possible. The Trail The trail to Surprise Lake starts relatively level before quickly beginning to ascend after about a third of...

Park for free at Wolf Gap Campground and cross the road where you will pass some picnic tables and campsites. Follow the signs to the yellow-blazed Tibbet Knob trail. In half a mile, there is a little path to a summit on your left where you can catch a glimpse of Mill Mountain and Big Schloss. Conti...

This trip begins at the Wallowa Lake Trailhead at the south end of the lake. Permits are free and self-issued at the trailhead. Parking is also free! Follow the West Fork Wallowa Trail (#1820) for 3.1 miles until you reach Ice Lake Trail (#1808). Take a right on 1808 if you want to do the Ice Lake a...

If you are looking for a challenging hike in one of the most remote areas of the rocky mountains then this is the expedition for you. Starting near Pinedale, Wyoming in Elkhart Park you begin a 50 mile round trip that can include a summit of Gannett Peak. Starting elevation of the hike is near 8,000...