Trail Guides, Gear Reviews, and Backpacking Tips
Stretching almost the entire length of the “Sunshine State”, the Florida Trail (FT) winds its way more than 1000 miles from Pensacola beach in the north to Big Cypress National Preserve in the south. Along the way it passes through Read More …
The Badlands of South Dakota is one of the jewels in America’s National Park System. It combines a fauna-abundant prairie land with a moonscape of other-worldly rock formations, to form one of the country’s most unique natural environments. Last month I hiked Read More …
On the afternoon of September 5, I completed an eight day traverse of Colorado’s Sangre De Cristo (i.e. “Blood of Christ”) mountains. My route began in the town of Salida and finished at the informal trailhead for Blanca Peak, just off Read More …
The Southeastern Serpentine Trail (SST) is a 583 mile (938 km) trek through the southern part of the Appalachian mountains. It passes through four states and consists of a combination of the Foothills, Bartram and Benton Mackaye trails, along with the Smokies section of Read More …
Vermont’s Long Trail is the oldest long distance hiking trail in the United States. Completed in 1930, it winds its way through the rugged Green mountains from the MA – VT state line to the border with Canada. I hiked Read More …
I hiked the Colorado Trail (CT) during the first two weeks of September. No crowds, monsoon season practically over, the Aspens changing from green to flaming gold. A wonderful time to be outside in the Rockies. Coming in at around Read More …
In 2012, the PCT represented the 10th of the 12 Long Walks series. It was the only one of the dozen hikes that I had previously done (2007). It was a trek that turned out to be a lot more Read More …
Distance: 60 miles (96.6 km) approx. Avg.Time: 4 days Start / Finish: The Grotto Easy access via the shuttle system which departs regularly from the Zion NP Visitor’s Center. Season: All year. For more moderate conditions, Spring and Autumn are Read More …
At a Glance Distance: 2181 miles (3510 km) Avg. Time: 5 – 6 months Start / Finish: Northern Terminus: Mt. Katahdin, Baxter State Park, ME Southern Terminus: Springer Mountain, GA Season: Regular hiking season for northbounders runs from March through Read More …
At a Glance Distance: 2,500 miles – 3,00 miles | Depending on route choices. Avg. Time: 5 months Start / Finish: Southern Terminus: Crazy Cook Monument, NM (official), Antelope Wells and Columbus, NM (alternates). Northern Terminus: Waterton Lake, MT or Read More …
Distance: 743 miles (1196 km) approx. Avg. Time: 45 – 50 days Start: Cap Gaspe, Quebec, Canada Finish: Mt.Katahdin, Baxter State Park, Maine, USA Maps / Information: In October 2011, I hiked from Cap Gaspe, Quebec, via New Brunswick to Read More …
This is the gear list from my 2012 thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail. It represented the tenth hike of the 12 Long Walks series. I began at the Mexican border on May 6 and finished on July 29. In Read More …
The Pacific Northwest Trail (PNT) stretches from Montana’s Rocky Mountains to Washington’s Olympic Coast—two geographically distinct termini separated by three national parks, seven national forests, and 1,931 km (1,200 mi) of some of the finest mountain scenery in the United Read More …
Distance: 288 miles (463.5 km) Start: Davenport Gap, TN Finish: Springer Mountain, GA For trailhead access details, see the BMTA hiker resources page. Avg. Time: 18 – 20 days Season: For my money, spring & autumn are ideal. Comfortable temps Read More …
Distance: 76 miles approx. (122 km) Start: Table Rock State Park, SC Finish: Oconee State Park, NC Avg. Time: 5 days Maps & Info: I used the trail map and guidebook available from foothillstrail.org. Foothillstrail.org: Online source for up-to-date information Read More …
Death Valley to the summit of Mt.Whitney. From the lowest spot in North America (280 ft below sea level) to the highest point in the contiguous United States (14,495 ft). The brainchild of Brett “Blisterfree” Tucker (creator of the Grand Read More …
The Ouachita National Scenic Trail is a 223 mile (359 km) pathway that winds its way through the Ouachita (pronounced wa-she-ta) mountains of Oklahoma and Arkansas. Relatively little-known outside of the US long distance hiking community, it is a non-motorized Read More …
Distance: 296 miles (476 km) Avg. Time: 14-17 days Start / Finish: South – Jay Cooke State Park North – Otter Lake Road Transport: See the Transportation page on the Superior Hiking Trail Association website (SHTA). Provides up to date information on getting Read More …
I’ve always loved the ocean. Growing up on the east coast of Australia, it has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Swimming, fishing, diving, and yes, walking along its shores. Waves rolling in, Read More …
This post has been rewritten, updated and expanded as of March, 2018. The new version is titled: A Quick & Dirty Guide to the Sierra High Route.