Centennial Trail
The Centennial Trail is a 123-mile point-to-point hike in the Black Hills of South Dakota, best hiked from late spring to fall. The trail is mostly well-marked and -graded and can be hiked in 5-10 days.
Backcountry Rescue Teams Put Their Lives on Hold When Accidents Happen
Search and rescue teams are the backbone of outdoor adventures across the US, taking injured hikers or skiers off mountains, searching for people lost in the mountains, recovering avalanche victims. The job is never-ending. SAR team members are on call all day, all week. They have jobs. They train continually Read more…
5 Pieces of Gear Maggie Started Using Over the Past Year and Really Liked
My gear switches a lot, but I do have a core setup that I typically don’t change. This year though, I discovered a new tent, sleeping pad, and favorite inexpensive, noise-cancelling earbuds that kick my AirPods’ butt.
Central Cascades Permits Needed for 2021; Applications Open April 6
The Deschutes and Willamette National Forests in Oregon will require permits for hiking this year from May 28 to Sept. 24, with an exception for Pacific Crest Trail thru-hikers who have a long-distance permit. Day-use permits will be required for 19 of 79 trails in the Mount Jefferson, Mount Washington, Read more…
Death Valley Indian Pass Canyon
Death Valley Indian Pass Canyon is a 16-mile out-and-back cross-country hike in Death Valley National Park. This is a two-day hike with mild elevation gain into the canyon, and route-finding necessary. This is a perfect winter overnight backpacking trip for people exploring the Southern California desert.
15 National Parks Set Visitor Records in 2020
Fifteen national parks set records for visitors in 2020, a year that saw Americans head for the outdoors to escape Covid-19 limits on indoor gatherings. But overall visits to the 423 parks in the National Park System declined 28 percent from 2019 to 2020, a drop attributed to 66 parks Read more…
Arizona Trail Remains Closed at Southern Terminus
Seven months after the southernmost mile of the Arizona Trail was closed because of border wall construction, open trenches, unstable soil from blasting, and abandoned construction areas continue to make the trail unsafe for hikers.
Death Valley Cottonwood-Marble Canyon Loop
The Death Valley Cottonwood-Marble Canyon Loop is a 31-mile winter backpacking route connecting two canyons in Death Valley National Park. if you plan water carefully and stay vigilant with your GPS track, this is a very reasonable route for most people, and can be hiked in 2-3 days.
Backpacking and Covid in 2021: Are Shorter Thru-Hikes the Way of the (Near) Future?
With Covid-19 still an unavoidable part of US life, a Triple Crown trail might not be the best option. Remember, there are more options
Striving for a <10-Pound Base Weight: It's Not For Everyone
Hugh adds up what it would take to go ultralight, and decides it’s probably not for him.