Rachel DavidsonExplorer

Cheget Peak isn’t just one of Russia’s premier ski and snowboard destinations; it’s an awesome acclimatization climb to the European peak of the Seven Summits, Mt. Elbrus (18,510 ft.). The Baksan Valley is remote, even for Russia. From the small Mineralnye Vody airport, it’s a three-hour drive to the valley proper, which hosts a number of villages with lodging, restaurants, and gear shops. You ...

Clackamette Park is known for its prime destination right off of the freeway and across from Oregon City's most popular shopping area, but it's frequented for its public boat dock, RV facilities, and handicap-accessible picnic benches. While the rest of Portland's parks freeze over or flood, Clackamette is a safe bet for a scenic day on the water that the entire family will enjoy. This 1.2 loop...

Yosemite's Panorama Trail is undoubtedly one of the most scenic and worthwhile trails in the entire national park. The stretch that reaches from the valley floor to the top of Glacier Point involves 8.5 miles and a monumental amount of elevation gain. If you want to see the entire stretch of trail - but you also want to catch an unbeatable sunrise view beforehand - try out this demanding revers...

This short and easy summit is located just outside of Kernville, California. To get there, follow Highway 178 towards Kernville and turn left on Highway 155 towards Wofford Heights. After a long, steep incline you’ll reach the top of Greenhorn Summit, marked by large parking areas on either side. Turn right onto 24S15 (Forest Road 90) and you’ll see a sign for a number of trailheads – including...

Whether you’re looking for a dayhike near Mammoth Lakes, planning a backpacking trip along the JMT, or have a few extra hours to spare on a cross-California road trip, this is an easy and popular trail choice for killer mountain views. I was delighted to discover that this is one of the most easily accessible trailheads in the Eastern Sierras. You’ll be looking for the McGee Creek Road exit of...

The Sunrise to Summit Trail on Mt. Bachelor is the easiest and most straightforward way for peakbaggers to reach the summit of one of Central Oregon’s classic volcano climbs. The top boasts views of Broken Top, the Three Sisters, and even Mt. Jefferson beyond. Mt. Bachelor’s official Sunrise to Summit Trail map should help you get a clear visual of this hike. This route begins at Sunrise Lodge...

One of the best routes to add to your itinerary when exploring Deception Pass State Park, one of Washington’s most popular year-round camping, hiking, and kayaking destinations; The Lottie Point Loop trail is a great offshoot of a larger trail system that takes you across soaring cliffsides and alongside untouched beaches for some of the purest, bluest water you’ll find in the state. You can fi...

Most people climbing Island Peak are adding this summit onto an extended 3-week long Everest Base Camp Trek, this climb occurring after a visit to EBC, between days 10 and 12. Folks embarking on the longer and more challenging 3 Passes Trek may complete this climb before visiting EBC, between days 8 and 10. Either way, the jumping off point for this climb will be in the village of Chukung, east...

Sky Pilot Mountain is the highest peak past Stawamus Chief, Squamish's famous vertical rock face. Luckily, the rock just beyond the Chief is just as beautiful and reliable for climbers, hikers, and scramblers looking to stretch their legs and challenge their vertigo limits on an exposed, thrilling summit push. Begin by taking the Sea-to-Sky gondola from Shannon Falls area. Unfortunately, the fi...

The Easton Glacier route is one of the mountain’s most popular and likewise, most crowded. Check out Mt. Baker’s Squak Glacier route or Coleman Deming Glacier route for an alternative climb with similar difficulty.You’ll start out at Schreibers Meadow Trailhead (3,200 ft.). To get there, exit off of I-5 north of Mount Vernon, head east on Highway 20, and turn left on Baker Lake Road. Follow thi...

This route follows a narrow goat and yak trail high up in the hills overlooking the capital of Tibet. Though the trip is not very long or steep, tourists visiting from sea level will feel the strenuous effects of altitude as they complete this trek (elevation highpoint is around 13,000 feet). Begin your day with a tour of Pabonka Monastery, a 7th-century sacred site that was actually the locati...

Portland and its surrounding suburbs are filled with trails and hidden treasures, including this stretch along the Willamette River. This road is a super popular pedestrian path and can be accessed from West Linn, the Mary's Woods and Marylhurst Development, or from Lake Oswego off of Highway 43. The route described here begins in the Riverwood district of West Linn, near Cedaroak Park Primary...

Cerro Aconcagua is the tallest mountain outside of the Himalayas, the highest point in the Western Hemisphere, and the second-highest of the Seven Summits behind Mt. Everest. It is a high-altitude endeavor not for the faint of heart, or legs.Since the normal route on Aconcagua is largely non-technical, this climb is considered to be more of a grueling slug up an incredibly high-altitude mountai...

Deception Pass State Park is one of Washington state's favorite year-round destinations; Beachside camping, salt-water kayaking, and plenty of short, accessible trails with endless views of the strait. Goose Rock, the tallest point on Whidbey Island, is just southeast of the Deception Pass bridge and a popular destination for its moderate hike and gorgeous payoff. This adventure starts just ben...

The valley of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is most well known for the mountain it’s named after, Western Europe’s highest peak. Yet just right across the valley on its north side lies a dramatic and beautiful range that cuts the horizon with tall rock spires: The Aiguilles Rouges.Part of the Rouges range, the Aiguilles Crochues Traverse offers incredible views and breathtaking heights for new climbers r...

The Avalanche Gulch route is the second easiest, non-technical route to the summit of Mt. Shasta after the Clear Creek Route, but is by far the most popular. Many people complete this climb in one day from the trailhead, but you also have the opportunity to overnight at Horse Camp (7,950 ft.) or Helen Lake (10,400 ft.).Begin at Bunny Flat Trailhead (6,940 ft.), off of Everitt Memorial Highway. ...

The first half of the Canyon Creek Drainage is one of the most popular destinations within the Trinity Alps, but the second half goes largely unexplored and uninhabited by sojourners. Four peaks – Thompson Peak, Wedding Cake, Mt. Hilton, and Sawtooth Peak – surround the basin and offer adventurers some spicy off-trail scrambling. The drainage opens into three lake basins, including the always-p...

The Aiguille du Midi Cable Car is the #1 tourist destination in the world’s capital for extreme sports, Chamonix. For regular tourists, a trip to the top of the 3842 m-high cable car museum provides plenty of excitement for one day. But for adventure seekers and outdoor enthusiasts, it’s just the starting point for countless high-altitude climbing routes.This route describes one of the most pop...

You'll never stumble upon Canemah Park unless you're really looking for it. Tucked away in the hills of Oregon City above the Locks, this residential park has a miniature-sized set of everything you'd expect in a children's park: Playground, picnic benches, bathrooms, and wide, forested trails. Dogs are only allowed on leash in the vicinity of the actual park, but to reach the Canemah Bluff Ove...

Most tourists who visit Russia spend their time in the Eastern European region, staying far west in a country whose width spans over 6,000 miles. But when you venture to its center, the Russian region of Siberia will open your mind, eyes, and heart to an authentic and ancient culture that is unlike any other in the world. Lake Baikal is both the oldest and deepest, and one of the clearest lakes...

This adventure begins at the Canyon Creek Lakes in the Trinity Alps wilderness. Park at the Canyon Creek Trailhead near Junction City and hike the well-maintained and easy-to-follow trail for 8 miles. Once you reach the Canyon Creek Lakes, your off-trail adventure officially begins. I’d recommend setting up camp for 1-2 nights as a base camp at the Upper Canyon Creek Lake, where you have the be...

NOTE: This is a very challenging mountaineering adventure. Please do not attempt without the proper skill, knowledge, and equipment.  The Sulphide Glacier is the easiest and most popular route to the summit of Mt. Shuksan, and is a great beginner’s glacier + rock climb. More experienced climbers may enjoy the Fisher Chimneys route. The route described here makes for a very long two days becaus...

Tryon Creek State Park has a fantastic, well-maintained trail system that’s a great alternative to Portland’s downtown Washington Park and Forest Park. It’s a super family-friendly area with a Nature Center that hosts kid’s events year-round. This entire area is relatively small and therefore easy to navigate. You’ll also have full cell service up here, and all of the trails are trackable on Go...

Leif Erikson Drive is a wide dirt road running through the heart of Forest Park that is closed to motorized vehicles…making it a magnet for those looking to add some relatively easy and scenic distance to their workouts. The road itself is nicely graded and well maintained. It has relatively good drainage, so it’s a good go-to destination if you’re looking for a more scenic run during wet weat...