Kyle FrostExplorer

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 trail up Lyons Creek, until you reach Lake Sylvia (about 4.6 miles). Over this distance, you've...

The goal for our weekend was to do some winter camping in the Yosemite backcountry; we decided on Sentinel Dome as our destination. The trail is a cakewalk during the summer, but winter turns it into a 10 mile uphill grind from the car. Most people opt to head for the ski hut at Glacier Point, but Sentinel Dome is less crowded, and in my opinion, more rewarding. The trailhead begins at the Bad...

Rucu Pinchincha is an incredibly accessible (yet difficult) hike from Quito. If you're staying in the Old Town or Mariscal, it's a cheap cab ride to the base of the Teleferico (cable car) that will take you up to the start of the hike. The cable car opens at 9am most days, and costs 8.50 for foreigners.A 20 min ride brings you to almost 12.5k ft. There are a couple of shops and a viewpoint here...

Whitewater is a short 20 minute drive from downtown Nelson. There are only 3 lifts here, but a surprising amount of terrain — most of which will satisfy even the strongest of skiers. Our favorite runs were the Trash Glades, accessed via a short traverse off the backside of the Motherlode Chair (and the boot-pack above the traverse that’ll get you a few more creamy turns).  This isn’t a resort t...

While the full track can take multiple days to complete, this adventure describes a section that can be completed in a long day hike.Leaving from Marahau, take a water taxi north to Bark Bay. Here, you'll begin hiking south back to Marahau, a trip of around 25km. The trail winds down the coast, eventually reaching Torrent Bay, which if you time incorrectly can add mileage to your hike because ...

Start your hike at the parking lot/trailhead at the end of Maroon Creek Rd. Keep in mind that the road is closed from about 9am-8pm to traffic and is only accessible by shuttle bus during that time. You'll be wanting to get a very early start anyways, so it shouldn't be an issue. Your path begins at Maroon Lake, where you can see you destination looming above you in the distance. You'll take ...

Antisana is the 4th highest peak in Ecuador, after Chimborazo, Cayambe, and Cotopaxi. However, due to it's access restrictions and remote location, it is climbed far less than the others. East of Quito, surrounded by an ecological preserve, you won't find a cushy refugio here to start your hike. However, I'm of the opinion that this is one of the most beautiful mountains I've ever climbed.You'l...

Drive to the overlook at Crater Lake well before sunrise. Actually, you should probably just sleep in your car for a bit to make sure you're not late for this incredible sight. Witness the changing colors and light as the sun creeps over the east side of the lake, throwing shadows and reflections around the rim.You can hike up the ridges near the parking area for to get a different perspective ...

I don't know what you think of when you think of the Galapagos, but giant volcanoes isn't one of the things that was in my head. This day tour (around $40-$60) will take you to the second largest caldera in the world, and then explore the lava fields of Sierra Negra.You'll be picked up at your hostel/hotel in town in the morning, and the drive to the island's interior to start your hike. After ...

Bitexco Financial Tower is the tallest building in Saigon, and the Skydeck provides stunning views in every direction.It'll cost you $10 USD to go to the top, but the perspective on this sprawling city is worth it.

Start at the Long Lake Trailhead ($10 parking fee) and head up the trail towards Isabell Lake. You'll pass both Long Lake and Isabelle lake, with spectacular views at both. At Lake Isabelle, be sure to continue straight on the trail, further up the valley, not the right turn up to Pawnee Pass.Continue up past Lake Isabell, following the trail and cairns along the way. You'll reach an unnamed ta...

The highlight tour on Cristobal, and possibly the Galapagos, is Kicker Rock (aka Leon Dormido aka The Sleeping Lio). This rock formation rises out of the ocean a 45min boat ride from the main town. It features two giant splits in the rock that have created channels you can snorkel through. There are two types of Kicker Rock tours, an “around this island” tour, that circles San Cristobal with a ...

Start from the McCullough gulch trailhead. If possible it would be worth having 2 cars and leaving one at the main McCullough trailhead so you don't have to walk the road on your way down. Bushwack through trees and willows up the ridge directly to the north of the trailhead. You might be lucky and find a few faint trails, but you're mostly on your own here. After ascending above treeline, veer...

Starting at Coffeen Park, head south on the Solitude Trail. This trail will wind through the woods for several miles, passing Lake Geneva, and then Solitude Lake. After a glimpse of Solitude (it's a bit off the trail to the west), you'll start the climb up to Geneva Pass. After Geneva Lake, the elevation comes quickly, and in a relatively short distance. Push through it and you'll be at the pas...

The Young Lakes trail starts from the Lembert Dome parking area and then winds up around 6 miles into the high country past alpine meadows and stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Lower and Middle Young Lakes are beautiful, but you're going to want to push on to Upper Young Lake, where you'll find the best views of the lot. One of my favorite campsites can be found here, but you'll ha...

After picking up your required overnight permit, start your morning with a coffee in Aspen, then drive out 15 min to the trailhead at the end of Conundrum Creek road. The trail is a straight shot 9 miles up the valley, through expansive meadows and an always incredible view of the mountains and aspens that cover the slopes. There are 16 campsites in the area of the hot springs, varying in pro...

At nearly 14,000 ft, a trip up Toubkal is no joke, and much more than most people expect to find in Morocco. You'll find a landscape that reminded us of Colorado, and some great hiking (and even some snow).Getting thereAll hikes to Toubkal start in the small mountain town of Imlil. You can arrange your own transportation here, or arrange a hiking trip that picks you up in Marrakech and takes yo...

Start the hike at the Mono pass trail. You'll eventually take the fork towards Parker Pass a couple miles in. We tackled the trail in late spring, and it quickly became clear that there was still enough snow to make our lives difficult. As we climbed out of the Parker drainage, the trail essentially disappeared and we resorted to map and compass for our backcountry route finding. Reaching the...

There’s something delightfully old-school about RED. Show up, park where there’s room and get going from the pretty basic base area. Don’t stop skiing until your legs do. Highlights for us included Powderfields, Ledges, Captn Jacks, and Beer Belly — as well as the “Poochies Trees” off the Red Mountain chair. It’s easy to see why the locals here can rip. Wherever you are on the mountain, you’ll ...

Beginning at the Ten Lakes trailhead, the trail to the lakes is a moderately strenuous uphill grind to Ten Lakes pass, followed by a quick downhill into the lake basin. We met a woman at the top who made sure we didn’t miss the short side trail to a vista point on the pass that offered a sweeping panorama of the basin and the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne just to the north. The official Ten Lak...

You'll start the hike at the Echo Lakes trailhead, just off of Highway 50 in Lake Tahoe. The trail meanders past Lower and Upper Echo Lakes, slowly gaining altitude as you pass a smattering of summer cabins. The climb is enough to make you feel it, but before you know it, it's over. Once cresting the "pass" you'll traverse mostly flat and slightly downhill terrain into the lake basin. The tra...

Mala Osojnica Viewpoint is accessed from the far end of the lake. This short hike provides one of the best views of Lake Bled. You climb quickly from the path surrounding the lake, switchbacking through the forest past a few intermediary views. There is a steep set of stairs, but otherwise it's a short and straightforward (if tiring) hike. The view from the top is a sweeping panorama of Lake Bl...

You can reach the start of this hike by taking the (free) hiker bus from Engelberg to the Fürenalp cable car. Take the cable car to the top, and you'll have a long, pleasant descent towards Staüber, with stunning views along the way. Near Staüber, the trail cuts back down the valley towards Fürenalp, although you could choose to continue on towards Blackenalp or Surenenpass. If you're descendin...

Most people visiting Togariro National park do the 1 day Alpine Crossing. I opted to do the full circuit, a 27 mile hike that takes you all the way around the prominent summit of Mt. Ngaroe.I traveled the trail clockwise, leaving from Whakapapa Village and heading to Waihohonu Hut on the first day. This part of the trail is fairly flat and winds 14.3 km around the south side of Ngaroe.Day 2 bro...