Cub Lake

Posted on 30 November 2008

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado Trail Name: Cub Lake Summary: A delightful walk through meadows and aspen groves to a tranquil lake backed by Stones Peak. Trail Description This is one of the Park’s good early season hikes, as it becomes snow-free much earlier than the higher trails around Bear Lake. However it is popular, [...]

Dream and Emerald Lakes

Posted on 29 November 2008

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado Trail Name: Dream and Emerald Lakes Summary: A climb to three mountain-framed lakes, ending at the rugged saddle beneath distinctive Hallett Peak. Trail Description The Bear Lake area is understandably popular – the scenery is majestic as you are so close to the mountains. An extremely popular 0.5 mile nature [...]

Mills Lake

Posted on 28 November 2008

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado Trail Name: Mills Lake Summary: A definitive Rockies trail, encompassing a gushing waterfall, a pristine lake and magnificent mountain views. Highly Recommended One Day Hike Trail Description The trailhead is directly across the road from the parking area. Ignore the path on the right to Bear Lake, cross the bridge, [...]

Sliding Sands-Halemau’u

Posted on 27 November 2008

Haleakala National Park, Hawaii Trail Name: Sliding Sands-Halemau’u Summary: Explore the massive basin at Haleakala’s summit, an eerie volcanic landscape of colorful cinder cones. Trail Description At the summit of Haleakala is a giant depression, 7.5 miles long, 2.5 miles wide, and up to 3,000 ft deep. It was formed by water eroding the volcanic [...]

Pipiwai

Posted on 26 November 2008

Haleakala National Park, Hawaii Trail Name: Pipiwai Summary: Climb from a rugged volcanic shoreline through lush, tropical rainforest to two majestic waterfalls. Trail Description The Kipahulu Valley drops 9,000 ft from the east rim of Haleakala’s huge summit basin to the ocean. It is a rainforest wilderness, home to numerous rare plants, birds and insects. [...]

Sliding Sands

Posted on 25 November 2008

Haleakala National Park, Hawaii Trail Name: Sliding Sands Summary: A half-day hike into the alien volcanic landscape of Haleakala’s giant summit depression. Trail Description The world’s largest dormant volcano, Haleakala (“House of the Sun”) dominates south Maui. At its summit, the forces of erosion have formed a huge depression, rather misleadingly called Haleakala Crater (a [...]

Waldron Ledge-Sulphur Banks

Posted on 24 November 2008

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii Trail Name: Waldron Ledge-Sulphur Banks Summary: Dramatically contrasting scenery at the summit of Kilauea volcano. Trail Description This hike combines several of the interconnecting trails at the summit of Kilauea: Waldron Ledge Loop (itself formed of sections of Crater Rim, Byron Ledge and Halema’uma’u Trails), Sandalwood and Sulphur Banks Trails. [...]

Kilauea Iki

Posted on 23 November 2008

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii Trail Name: Kilauea Iki Summary: Cross the floor of ‘Little Kilauea’ Crater, the site of Hawaii’s most furious eruption. Trail Description One of the world’s most active volcanoes, Kilauea is also one of the most accessible, with a road snaking right up to the summit. At the top, just east [...]

Halema’uma’u-Byron Ledge

Posted on 22 November 2008

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii Trail Name: Halema’uma’u-Byron Ledge Summary: Cross the floor of Kilauea Caldera and peer into the depths of steaming Halema’uma’u Crater, home of Pele the fire goddess. Trail Description Hawaii Volcanoes National Park encompasses two of the world’s most active volcanoes: Mauna Loa and Kilauea. Of the 150 miles of trails [...]

Hanakapi’ai Valley

Posted on 20 November 2008

Na Pali Coast, Hawaii Trail Name: Hanakapi’ai Valley Summary: Take the classic Kalalau Trail to magnificent coastal views, a golden beach, and a luxuriant valley with a towering waterfall. Trail Description The remote Na Pali Coast. A land of fluted cliffs, lush valleys, tropical plants, plunging waterfalls, idyllic beaches, and the clear turquoise Pacific. It [...]

See more articles in the archive

Argentina Trails

Bahia Lapataia – Tierra del Fuego

Posted on 21 October 2008

Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego Trail Name: Bahia Lapataia Summary: A coastal walk between two beautiful bays on the southern shore of the Land of Fire, one of the remotest regions on earth. Trail Description Tierra del Fuego, the Land of Fire, is an island divided between Chile and Argentina at the southern tip of South [...]

Australia

Kings Canyon Rim

Posted on 03 November 2008

Kings Canyon, Red Center Trail Name: Kings Canyon Rim Summary: In the heart of the Australian outback, follow the weathered rim of an impressive sandstone gorge to a lush oasis. Trail Description Kings Canyon is a dramatic gorge of vertical sandstone cliffs formed over millions of years. The rim trail provides many views over the [...]

Bolivia Trails

Huni Palca – Palca Canyon

Posted on 05 October 2008

Palca Canyon, La Paz Trail Name: Huni-Palca Summary: Mount Illimani towers in the distance as you walk back in time through a dramatic canyon to the rural life of a Bolivian village. Highly Recommended One Day Hike Trail Description It is almost certain that La Paz will be your starting point. The highest capital in [...]

Canada Trails

Alpine Circuit

Posted on 05 November 2008

Lake O’Hara, British Columbia Trail Name: Alpine Circuit Summary: Experience some of the finest hiking in the Canadian Rockies on a dramatic high country route past jagged peaks and glacial lakes. For hikers of all levels, British Columbia offers some of those most breath-taking nature in the world. Amazing forest, lakes and mountains are there [...]

Chile Trails

Towers of Paine

Posted on 04 October 2008

Torres del Paine, Patagonia Trail Name: Towers of Paine Summary: Hike and clamber over rocks to see the unforgettable Towers of Paine rising imperiously from glacial cliffs. Outstanding One Day Hike of the World Trail Description The Towers of Paine resemble three mammoth tombstones rising from the rugged hills and snow-coated mountains of Patagonia. At [...]

France Trails

Lac d’Estom

Posted on 07 October 2008

Cauterets, Pyrenees Trail Name: Lac d’Estom Summary: An easy walk through a beautiful valley, followed by a climb to a lake surrounded by high mountain peaks. Trail Description The National Park is divided into six valleys: Aure, Aspe, Azun, Cauterets, Luz (including Cirque du Gavarnie) and Ossau. This hike is within Vallee de Cauterets, actually [...]

Hiking Books

Umtanum Ridge

Posted on 27 September 2008

On this side of the mountains, I seem to be slogging through snow and rain at least until June. In fact, I usually encounter patches of snow year round. It gets tiresome. I find myself daydreaming about a warm dry trail… Laurie and I decided to do something about it on Saturday, and we headed [...]

Hiking Gears

Hiking Tents

Posted on 28 August 2008

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS A tent is basically portable shelter that gives you protection from the surrounding environment. It protects you from rain, snow, wind, the sun, the cold, insects, and more. It’s also the focal point of any campsite and most, if not all, campsite activities center around the tent. So, having the proper tent in [...]

Hiking Info

You Are A Guest

Posted on 15 August 2008

If you are camping, hiking, biking, skiing, trail riding or simply walking on a quiet trail through acres of high country forests you are an uninvited guest there. It is the home of deer, hummingbirds, rabbits, moles, hawks and eagles, salmon streams, snakes, beetles, elk, bears and mountain lions. We’re sure most of these creatures [...]

Hiking Trails

Wire Pass to Buckskin Gulch

Posted on 21 May 2009

Paria Canyon Wilderness, Utah Trail Name: Wire Pass to Buckskin Gulch Summary: A sandy wash gives easy access to dramatic and exquisitely carved slot canyons, deep in the Utah canyonland wilderness. Highly Recommended One Day Hike Trail Description Buckskin Gulch, a narrow chasm gouged deep into the Navajo sandstone of the Colorado plateau, is probably [...]

Hiking Trips

Halfway to Muir

Posted on 30 September 2008

Rob and I headed to Mount Rainier confident that we’d be able break out above the clouds into the glorious sunshine. Well, at least I was confident. I kept telling him, “In all my hikes up to Camp Muir, I’ve never not broken out!” We hit the trail just before 11:00 am, and soon had [...]

Jordan Trails

The Deir

Posted on 12 October 2008

Petra, South Jordan Trail Name: The Deir Summary: Climb through a narrow gorge to a huge monastery cut into the cliff. Trail Description Petra is renowned for the delightful Treasury at the end of the Siq. Its exquisitely carved façade was known throughout the ancient world, as well as the modern one. The other significant [...]

New Zealand Trails

Waingongoro Track

Posted on 01 November 2008

Mt Taranaki, North Island Trail Name: Waingongoro Track Summary: Enjoy varied scenery on the lower slopes of a dormant volcano, from waterfalls and rock polls to distant views and lush forest. Trail Description Mt Taranaki, also known as Mt Egmont, dominates the prominent headland in the west of North Island. The National Park has 140 [...]

Spain Trails

Llanos de la Larri

Posted on 09 October 2008

Pineta Valley, Pyrenees Trail Name: Llanos de la Larri Summary: Climb to a meadow set amongst high peaks and descend via a series of cascades. Trail Description The National Park is divided into four sectors: Valle de Pineta, Valle de Escuain (information at Tella), Canon de Anisclo (information at Escalona), and Valle de Ordesa (information at [...]

UK Trails

Beacons Horseshoe

Posted on 28 September 2008

Brecon Beacons, South Wales Trail Name: Beacons Horseshoe Summary: A strenuous but highly enjoyable ridge walk that summits the three main peaks of the Brecon Beacons. Trail Description Brecon Beacons National Park encompasses the Black Mountains to the east; Fforest Fawr and the Black Mountain to the west; and the central range of the Brecon [...]

USA Hiking Trips

Halfway to Muir

Posted on 30 September 2008

Rob and I headed to Mount Rainier confident that we’d be able break out above the clouds into the glorious sunshine. Well, at least I was confident. I kept telling him, “In all my hikes up to Camp Muir, I’ve never not broken out!” We hit the trail just before 11:00 am, and soon had [...]

USA Trails

Wire Pass to Buckskin Gulch

Posted on 21 May 2009

Paria Canyon Wilderness, Utah Trail Name: Wire Pass to Buckskin Gulch Summary: A sandy wash gives easy access to dramatic and exquisitely carved slot canyons, deep in the Utah canyonland wilderness. Highly Recommended One Day Hike Trail Description Buckskin Gulch, a narrow chasm gouged deep into the Navajo sandstone of the Colorado plateau, is probably [...]