From Alaska’s remote bush to downtown Cleveland, our national parks provide us with millions of acres of public land to explore. We compiled a list of the best hikes in each park, according to the wilderness guides, park rangers, and hikers who know them.

Best Hikes in Acadia National Park

Maine

The Expert:ĚýPat Johnson, Maine Outdoor şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Club trip leader
The Hike: Penobscot and Sargent Mountain Loop

SummitĚýtwo of the on this 9.5-mile loop through thick spruce forest that eventually gives way to pink-tinted granite crags. The route offers access to three carriage-road bridges, relics from John D. Rockefeller Jr.’s philanthropic work—consider detouring less than a half mileĚýto the 230-foot-long Cliffside Bridge.

Best Hikes in Arches National Park

Utah

The Expert: John Tillison, former Washington State park ranger
The Hike: Devils Garden Loop

You’ll see eight of the on this 7.9-mile tour through Devils Garden. It’s an easy stroll to the longest arch in North America, Landscape Arch, but then the gentle trail transitions to narrow ledges that involve some scrambling to reach Double O, Navajo, and Partition Arches.

Best Hikes In Badlands National Park

South Dakota

The Expert:ĚýKelsy Koerlin, Rapid City, South Dakota, hiker
The Hike: Notch Trail

An easyĚý1.5-mile round-trip, this trail tours the best of the otherworldly assortment of eroded rock and clay, splashed with a brilliant array of red, white, and black. Ascend a log ladder to a bird’s-eye view of the rugged terrain and distant prairie of White River Valley.

Best Hikes in Big Bend National Park

Texas

The Expert:ĚýCourtney Lyons-Garcia, Big Bend Conservancy executive director
The Hike: Lost Mine Trail

through the heart of the Chisos Mountains for 4.8 miles round-trip, past alligator junipers and piñon pines. The viewsĚýof the Sierra del Carmen mountainsĚýin Mexico are spectacular. Visit in November or March to avoid the summer heat.

Best Hikes in Biscayne National ParkĚý

Florida

The Expert: Sandra Friend, author of ‘The Florida Trail Guide’
The Hike: Spite Highway Trail

Only accessible by boat, is the largest island in the park, home to the “,” a seven-mile sliver of forest that in the 1960s was flattened in opposition to a national-monument designation. It’s the park’s only hiking trail, and on it you’ll be immersed in tropical forests, even as Miami looms to the north.

Best Hikes in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Colorado

The Expert:ĚýElaine Brett, North Fork Valley, Colorado, hiker
The Hike: North Vista Trail

At Exclamation Point, snag the best view of the from 900 feet above the rim. Continue to Green Mountain for a panoramic vista of the San Juan Mountains and Grand Mesa, a seven-mile round-trip.

Best Hikes in Bryce Canyon National Park

Utah

The Expert:ĚýCharlie Neumann, owner of Willow Canyon Outdoor, in Kanab, Utah
The Hike: Under the Rim Trail

At 23 miles one-way, is the longest in Bryce. Take two days to experience the best of the Paunsaugunt Plateau’s hoodoo rock spires. Tackle most of the 5,000 feet in elevation change early by starting at Rainbow Point—you can arrange a shuttle there with the Park Service, free with your entry fee.

Best Hikes in Canyonlands National ParkĚý

Utah

The Expert:ĚýCort Wright, Moab şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Center guide
The Hike: Grand View Point

Although this is only a two-mile round-trip, the trail leading to isn’t short on views—you’ll gawk at the maze of basins, dozens of canyons, and the La Sal Mountains in the distance. Arrive before dawn (and the crowds) to watch the sun cast the desert in an amber hue.

Best Hikes in Capitol Reef National Park

Utah

The Expert: Andrew Wojtanik, former Capitol Reef interpretive ranger
The Hike: Halls Creek Narrows

The beauty of the Halls Creek Narrows, a slot canyon with towering cliffs, is often compared to the famous Narrows of Zion, yet this 22.4-mile round-trip hike is much more . The unmarked route requires a topographic map and compass to navigate. Plan to spend two nights in the backcountryĚýand to get wet through several creek crossings.

Best Hikes in Carlsbad Caverns National Park

New Mexico

The Expert:ĚýColin Walfield, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, employee
The Hike: Big Room Trail

It takes about an hour and a half to encircle the Big Room—the largest chamber within Ěýand the largest single cave chamber by volume in North America. ThisĚý1.25-mile walk twists among giant stalagmites on a paved trail with handrails. A ranger-guided tour provides insight into the geologic history of the cave system.

Best Hikes in Channel Islands National Park

California

The Expert: David Begun, Channel Islands park ranger
The Hike: Lobo Canyon Trail

This 5.2-mile loop is marked by its ecological diversity—more than a dozen grow in the park. You’ll start in grassland bluffs, with sweeping views of the Pacific, before dropping into a canyon harboring native plants like the canyon sunflower. When you reach the coastline, look out for peregrine falcons and bald eagles.

Best Hikes in Congaree National Park

South Carolina

The Expert: Barbie Smrekar, Columbia Outdoor şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Network organizer
The Hike: River Trail

Tour this park’s namesake river on a through bottomland and bald cypress forest, home to whitetail deer, otters, and feral hogs. In periods of low water, lounge near the river on exposed sandbars—but keep an eye out for alligators.

Best Hikes in Crater Lake National Park

Oregon

The Expert: Erik Fernandez, Oregon Wild wilderness-program manager
The Hike: Garfield Peak Trail

Starting from the Crater Lake Lodge, at an elevation of aboutĚý7,000 feet, climb another thousand feet in 1.7 miles to Garfield Peak. From hereĚýyou’ll have a view of , the deepest in the country at almost 2,000 feet. Go in July for peak wildflower viewing and early in the morning to miss the crowds.

Best Hikes in Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Ohio

The Expert: Erik Baldwin, Cleveland Hiking Club member
The Hike: Buckeye Trail

You’ll be hard-pressed to find another park quite like , nestled in the middle of Cleveland. This one’s for the trail runners and the hardcore hikers: a 12.6-mile section of the from Station Road Bridge to the historic village of Boston. Pass waterfalls and old homesteads dotting densely forested hills before looping back.

Best Hikes in Death Valley National Park

California and Nevada

The Expert: Alan Gegax, VegasHikers trip organizer
The Hike: Panamint City Ghost Town

was a mining town founded by outlaws in 1873 that quickly garnered a rough reputation, but it was leveled a few years later in a flash flood. Hike to its ruins from Chris Wicht’s Camp, five miles via Surprise Canyon, and admireĚýits flowing water and lush vegetation—raritiesĚýin Death Valley.

Best Hikes in Denali National Park

Alaska

The Expert: Amy Eckert, travel writer
The Hike: Savage Alpine Trail

Few trails exist in Denali National Park, but among the handful that do, offers a lot in only eight miles round-trip. Wind overĚýtundra and past Dall sheep before climbing a ridge that on a clear day offers a view of 20,310-foot Denali, North America’s highest peak.

Best Hikes in Dry Tortugas National Park

Florida

The Expert: Sandra Friend, author of ‘The Florida Trail Guide’
The Hike: Fort Jefferson Loop

You won’t find any wilderness hiking trails in , an island 70 miles west of Key West. The main attraction here is Fort Jefferson, the largest masonry structure in the Western Hemisphere. A half-mile loop around the island is a great tour of the fort and overlooksĚýthe Caribbean’s crystal waters.

Best Hikes in Everglades National Park

Florida

The Expert: Sandra Friend, author of ‘The Florida Trail Guide’
The Hike:ĚýSnake Bight Trail

The Everglades are better known for swampy boat tours than hiking. But the best trail here is , 1.6 miles one-way through tropical forests. The terminus is a boardwalk that offers bird-watching near a bay—lookĚýfor pink flamingos.

Best Hikes in Gates of the Arctic National Park

Alaska

The Expert: Carl Donohue, Expeditions Alaska guide
The Hike: Koyukuk River Route

Take a plane to a gravel bar on the North Fork of the Koyukuk River, which snakes for more than 100 miles between glacial valleys. Spend a week and follow three creeks—Kachwona, Wolf, and Fish—up to 40 milesĚýdeep into the backcountry of the Brooks Range.

Best Hikes in Gateway Arch National Park

Missouri

At just 91Ěýacres, Gateway Arch is the smallest National Park. There’s not really any hiking, per se, but you should stroll the Mississippi River waterfront and then takeĚýthe elevator to the top of the Arch.

Best Hikes in Glacier National Park

Montana

The Expert: Grete Gansauer, Montana Wilderness AssociationĚýnorthwest Montana field director
The Hike: Hidden Lake Trail

Hikers habitually gawk at bears and bighorn sheep along this alpine . In summerĚýyou’ll be surrounded by wildflowers as you gaze at Glacier’s jagged peaks. Descend to Hidden Lake via switchbacks to lounge on the beach, with Bearhat and Reynolds Mountains just over your shoulder.

Best Hikes in Glacier Bay National park

Alaska

The Expert: Adam DiPietro, former Glacier Bay trail-crew member
The Hike: Gustavus Plane-Crash Site

This park is celebrated for whale-watching and towering glaciers, and those are definitely must-do’s, but so is this half-mile hike to a Douglas C-47 crash site—in 1957, the crew went down after clipping a tall tree. The trail takes you through woods smattered with mosses, like old man’s beard, and you’ll likely have it to yourself.

Best Hikes in Grand Canyon National Park

Arizona

The Expert: Melanie Radzicki McManus, Arizona Trail thru-hiker
The Hike: South Kaibab and Bright Angel Trails

The best hike in theĚý combines two trails, which traverseĚýthe mile-deep canyon, and takesĚýtwo days. From the South Kaibab Trailhead, descend seven miles via ridges and spend the night next to the Colorado River at the Bright Angel Campground. The next day, huff back up the canyon on the Bright Angel Trail for 9.5 miles.

Best Hikes in Grand Teton National ParkĚý

Wyoming

The Expert: Amy Eckert, travel writer
The Hike: Lake Solitude

, follow the crowds to Inspiration Point, which offersĚýviews of the Gros Ventre Mountains. As you enter Cascade Canyon, the masses dwindle as the Tetons’ jagged peaks flank the trail. Pass berry patches and boulder fields before reaching Lake Solitude at mile tenĚýfor a secluded night in the backcountry, then trek back the next day.

Best Hikes in Great Basin National Park

Nevada

The Expert: Nichole Andler, Great Basin National Park chief of interpretation
The Hike: Timber Creek–Baker Creek Loop Trail

You’ll have this to yourself virtually any time of year, starting from 8,000 feet and walking uphill via Timber Creek, with expansive views of Snake Valley below. Climb another 1,600 feet or so to aspen groves and a meadow, withĚý11,926-foot Pyramid Peak just overhead.

Best Hikes in Great Sand Dunes National Park

Colorado

The Expert: Ryan Kempfer, Salida Mountain Sports employee
The Hike: Sand Ramp Trail

Much more than sand dunes, creek crossings, wildlife viewing, and stunning shots of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Skirt the eastern edge of the dunes across undulating terrain for 11 miles one-way. Camp near Sand Creek’s cottonwoods before backtracking the next day.

Best Hikes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

North Carolina and Tennessee

The Expert: Diane Petrilla, Smoky Mountains Hiking Club vice president
The Hike: Ramsey Cascades Trail

This was never logged, so it’s full of giant trees—some tulip poplars reach seven feet in diameter. Through a jungle of rhododendrons, you’ll ascend more than 2,000 feet over four miles to the tallest waterfall in the park, 100-foot Ramsey Cascades.

Best Hikes in Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Texas

The Expert: Cameron Hall, North Texas hiker
The Hike: McKittrick Canyon Trail

is often hailed as the most beautiful spot in Texas. It’s secluded, and in the fall, foliage bursts red and yellow. This 14.8-mile out-and-back takes you to Pratt CabinĚýand then to a small cave with stalagmites. You’ll ascend McKittrick Ridge on the steepest section of trail in the park, looking down on the canyon.

Best Hikes in HaleakalÄĺ National Park

Hawaii

The Expert: Joani Morris, Friends of HaleakalaĚýNational Park hike leader
The Hike: Sliding Sands Trail

Towering over Maui at 10,023 feet above sea level, the dormant resembles the surface of Mars. For a tour of the caldron, start at the Keoneheehee Trailhead, trekking across the crater’s floor. People flock to the summit to witness a spectacular sunrise (reservations are needed).

Best Hikes in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Hawaii

The Expert: Barnard Griggs, member of the Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Corp. board of directors
The Hike: Napau Trail

On this 14-mile round-trip, you’ll explore rainforests and recent lava flows to reach Napau Crater. In the distance, you’ll see the Puu OoĚývolcano, whichĚýhad been continuously erupting since 1983, quieting only last year.

Best Hikes in Hot Springs National Park

Arkansas

The Expert: Don Jackson, owner of Ouachita Outdoor Outfitters
The Hike: West Mountain–Mountain Top Trails

From Whittington Park, ascend more than 400 feet on the before connecting with the West Mountain Trail, whichĚýloops around a ridge—you’ll have great views of downtown Hot Springs. Afterward,Ěýsoak at the Buckstaff Bathhouse, in operation since 1912.

Best Hikes in Indiana Dunes National Park

Indiana

The Expert: Jean-Pierre Anderson, Indiana Dunes National Park ranger
The Hike: West Beach Three-Loop Trail

The best hike in Ěýcombines three loops totaling 3.4 miles. Start among the dunes on the Dune Succession Trail, also touring an oak savannah and wetlands. Connect with the West Beach Trail and then the Long Lake Loop Trail, where you’ll encounter more undulating dunes.

Best Hikes in Isle Royale National Park

Michigan

The Expert: Amy Eckert, Greenstone Ridge Trail thru-hiker
The Hike: Greenstone Ridge Trail

can only be reached by boat, guaranteeing solitude on this remote 42-mile trail that spans the island. You’ll be immersed in boreal forest home to moose and wolves, occasionally topping a bald ridge offering views of the island and Lake Superior.

Best Hikes in Joshua Tree National Park

California

The Expert: Tim Liddell, Hi-Desert Hiking Club trip leader
The Hike: Maze Loop

Combine the Maze, North View, and Window Trails for an eight-mile walk through mature desert vegetation like California juniper, yucca, and the park’s namesake Joshua trees. While trail signage has improved in recent years, navigation of this Joshua Tree National Park trail can still be difficult, so carry a map.

Best Hikes in Katmai National Park

Alaska

The Expert:ĚýDan Oberlatz, Alaska Alpine şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍřs owner and guide
The Hike: Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes

In 1912, the erupted and destroyed 40 square miles of Alaska’s backcountry. TodayĚýthe valley resembles the desert Southwest, with red mineral deposits covering sections of exposed rock. From the Three Forks Visitor Center, circumvent the valley floor, ascending nearby Broken, Baked, Cerberus, and Falling Mountains. You’ll trek more than 50 miles off-trail and spend over a week in the backcountry. Advanced navigation skills are a must.

Best Hikes in Kenai Fjords National Park

Alaska

The Expert: Kyle McDowell, Kenai Backcountry şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍřs guide
The Hike: Harding Icefield Trail

A tough but rewarding 8.2-mile round trip hike that gains about 1,000 feet per mile and starts on the valley floor through cottonwoods and alder trees, and offers views of the Exit Glacier even a short distance in. Continue to climb above treeline for views of the Harding Icefield.

Best Hikes in Kings Canyon National Park

California

The Expert:ĚýBenjamin Cumbie, Sequoia Parks Conservancy, philanthropy and membership manager
The Hike: Redwood Mountain Grove

Tour the largest intact grove of in the world on this 9.9-mile loop, which combinesĚýthe Hart Tree and Sugar Bowl Trails. The Sierra NevadaĚýis visible as you stroll past flower-filled meadows, and the lonely dirt road leading to the Redwood Canyon Trailhead deters throngs of visitors.

Best Hikes in Kobuk Valley National Park

Alaska

The Expert: Nick Allen, Alaska Alpine şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍřs guide
The Hike: Great Kobuk Sand Dunes

This remote part of the has no maintained trails, so you’ll be route-finding in the Alaskan bush. Boreal forest gives way to tundra along the Kobuk River, where you’ll find 25 square miles of sand dunes. Getting there requires a bush plane.

Best Hikes in Lake Clark National Park

Alaska

The Expert: Dan Oberlatz, Alaska Alpine şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍřs owner and guide
The Hike: Telaquana Route

This ten-day, roughly 40-mile trek from Telaquana Lake to Upper Twin Lake is only for those willing to bushwhack. is viaĚýfloatplane toĚýTelaquana Lake, and then you’ll be route-finding with a compass and topo map. Pass glaciers, ford rivers, and navigate seemingly endless miles of remote forest and tundra until you reach Proenneke’s Cabin, a log structure built largely by hand in the sixtiesĚýby Richard Proenneke.

Best Hikes in Lassen Volcanic National Park

California

The Expert: Sabrina Jurisich, Redding, California hiker
The Hike: Kings Creek Falls Trail

Walk along past California red firs that are permanently bowed from heavy snow in the winter (yearly snowpack can be as deep as 15 feet). The end of this 2.3-mile loop has an overlook of Kings Creek Falls, cascading 30 feet down.

Best Hikes in Mammoth Cave National Park

Kentucky

The Expert:ĚýMichael Bunch, manager ofĚýNat’s Outdoor Sports in Bowling Green, Kentucky

More than 400 miles of have been explored, and the labyrinth boasts the title of world’s longest cave system. The best way to see it is on the three-mile Violet City Lantern Tour (tickets are required to enter the cave), where you’ll re-create the experience of bygone explorers by walking with only the light from a lantern as a guide.

Best Hikes in Mesa Verde National Park

Colorado

The Expert: Betsy Fitzpatrick, Trails 2000 member
The Hike: Petroglyph Point Trail

From the , pass the Spruce Tree House cliff dwelling, constructed before 1278 A.D. with 130 rooms and eightĚýceremonial chambers. At 1.4 miles, you’ll see the petroglyph panel that researchers believe depicts two Native American clans returning to the place of their origin. Complete the 2.4-mile loop on the mesa top.

Best Hikes in Mount Rainier National Park

Washington

The Expert: Diann Sheldon, Discover Nature guide
The Hike: High Lakes Loop

The will take you to Reflection Lake, Mount Rainier glimmering on its surface. Veer onto the Lower Lakes Trail through wildflower meadows before hopping on the High Lakes Trail and then the Mazama Ridge Trail. Reconnect with Wonderland to complete the 2.5-mile loop.

Best Hikes in National Park of American Samoa

American Samoa

The Expert: Sarah Barmeyer, National Parks Conservation Association,ĚýĚýsenior managing director for conservation programs
The Hike: Tuafanua Trail

From , climb up switchbacks to a ridgetop through tropical rainforest that’s home to fruit bats. You’ll descend via ladders and ropes to a rocky beach scattered with coconut crabs that climb trees and weigh up to nineĚýpounds. You’ll spot Pola Island offshore before returning 1.1 miles to the trailhead.

Best Hikes in North Cascades National Park

Washington

The Expert: Anna Roth, Washington Trails Association hiking-content manager
The Hike: Thunder Creek–Park Creek Pass

Start this 55.2-mile out-and-back at the Colonial Creek Campground, and tour old-growth forest over the five-day trek to Park Creek Pass and back. You’ll have fantastic views of the Cascade Mountains among meadows, with sporadic scrambling required in some sections.

Best Hikes in Olympic National Park

Washington

The Expert: Anna Roth, Washington Trails Association hiking-content manager
The Hike: Heather Peak

Begin on the Heather PeakĚýTrail in a second-growth forest of mountain hemlock adorned with bearded lichen. You’ll be climbing steadily via switchbacks over five milesĚýtoward 5,740-foot Heather Peak. Scramble along a rocky ridge to the peak, then trek another quarter mile to a saddle that affordsĚýstunning views to the south before returning.

Best Hikes in Petrified Forest National Park

Arizona

The Expert: Patrick Fuchs, Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club member
The Hike: Blue Mesa Trail

This one-mile loop will take you past the multicolored sedimentary rock layers of . Hike at sunrise to witness the serrated edges of the mesa glow. Along the way, you’ll pass numerous petrified trees with a geologic backdrop that resembles the moon.

Best Hikes in Pinnacles National Park

California

The Expert: Dave Wachtel, Monterey Bay Area Hiking Club organizer
The Hike: Chaparral Trailhead

On this nine-mile loop, start on the Juniper Canyon Trail from the ,Ěýthen detour to the Tunnel Trail, which brings you to the High Peaks Trail, where you’ll have a chance to spot California condors. You’ll connect with the Rim Trail, whichĚýmeanders to Bear Gulch Cave, a maze of building-sizeĚýboulders. From there, head west on the Bench Trail and connect with the Old Pinnacles Trail, which circles back to the trailhead.

Best Hikes in Redwood National Park

California

The Expert: David Baselt, Redwood Hikes creator
The Hike: Boy Scout Tree Trail

You’ll be immersed in a large tract of on this 5.6-mile out-and-back. In Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park (managed jointly with the National Park Service), start early in the morning from the Boy Scout Tree Trailhead. At mile 2.5, you’ll encounterĚýthe Boy Scout Tree, a massive double redwood discovered by a local troop leader. The hike ends at Fern Falls.

Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park

Colorado

The Expert: Steve Bonowski, Colorado Mountain Club trip leader
The Hike: Crystal Lakes

From the Lawn Lake Trailhead, ascend toward the Mummy Range through aspens and pines. You’ll be following the Roaring River for a stretch and will eventually break tree line, with views of 13,425-foot Mummy Mountain. Check out Lawn Lake at mile 6.2 before continuing another 1.2 miles to Little Crystal and Big Crystal Lakes.

Best Hikes in Saguaro National Park

Arizona

The Expert: Jocasta Houldsworth, Tucson, Arizona, hiker
The Hike: Garwood Dam Loop

Totaling 6.4 miles, this hike starts from the on the Garwood Trail. You’ll quickly enter a saguaro cactus forest. Keep an eye out for a rare crested saguaro and its fan-shaped tip—there are only 25 in the park. You’ll pass Garwood Dam, built in the 1950s, and swinging a left onto the Carrillo Trail will lead to views of the Santa Catalina Mountains.

Best Hikes in Sequoia National Park

California

The Expert: Benjamin Cumbie, Sequoia Parks Conservancy membership manager
The Hike: High Sierra Trail

A great alternative to the John Muir Trail, this snakes through high mountain passes in the Sierra Nevada. Highlights include swimming in Hamilton and Precipice Lakes and Kern Hot Springs. Tack an extra 13 miles on the JMT to hit the summit of Mount Whitney.

Best Hikes in Shenandoah National ParkĚý

Virginia

The Expert: David Bennick, Potomac Appalachian Trail Club’s Southern Shenandoah Valley Chapter president
The Hike: Jones Run and Doyles River Trails

From the Browns Gap parking area, take the as it traces a ridge for 1.4 miles. A left on the Jones Run Trail switchbacks downhill to cascading Jones Run Falls. Take the Doyles River Trail past two more waterfalls back to the parking lot, completing a 6.5-mile loop.

Best Hikes in Theodore Roosevelt National Park

North Dakota

The Expert: Nick Ybarra, Watford City, North Dakota, adventure guide
The Hike: Maah Daah Hey Trail

The 144-mileĚý, which cuts through the heart of the Badlands, is the longest singletrack mountain-biking route in the country. And it’s great for hiking, too. You’ll go through three units of the park, including the remote Elkhorn Ranch, where Theodore Roosevelt had a cabin, and the Little Missouri National Grasslands. Expect solitude among swaying prairie grass and forests of juniper trees.

Best Hikes in Virgin Islands National Park

U.S. Virgin Islands

The Expert: Kim Powell, Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park
The Hike: Reef Bay Trail

Tour some of the tallest and oldest trees on this roughly six-mile out-and-back. On the way to Reef Bay, you’ll see ruins of Danish sugar plantations, remnants of cattle ranches, and pre-Colombian Taino rock carvings.

Best Hikes in Voyageurs National Park

Minnesota

The Expert: Sam Brueggeman, staff member at Trailfitters in Duluth, Minnesota
The Hike: Cruiser Lake Trail

With more than 84,000 acres of water to explore, paddling is a great way to get around —but you can put your hiking boots to use on the Cruiser Lake Trail. Accessible via boat, the trail wends 9.5 miles one-way across wetlands and rocky cliffs.

Best Hikes in Wind Cave National Park

South Dakota

The Expert: Tom Farrell, Wind Cave National Park chief of interpretation
The Hike: Rankin Ridge Fire Tower

, nestled underneath the Black Hills of South Dakota, is one of the most complex cave systems in the world. But up above, miles of hiking trails zigzag across the prairie and hills. Trek to Rankin Ridge, the highest point in the park, where you’ll find the Rankin Ridge Fire Tower. At only one mile round-trip, this one is accessible for all skill levels.

Best Hikes in Wrangell–St. Elias National Park

Alaska

The Expert: Greg Fensterman, Trek Alaska guide
The Hike: Seven Pass Route

is the biggest national park in the United States—13.2 million acres—and one of the most remote. On this eight-day, 40-mile backpacking trip deep in the backcountry, you’ll start near Iceberg Lake, following a river to a glacier crossing. Expect to navigate more glaciers, along with high-ridge traverses, while you enjoy spectacular views of snowcapped mountains.

Best Hikes in Yellowstone National Park

Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho

The Expert: Mike Rosekrans, Yellowstone Forever lead instructor
The Hike: Clear Lake Loop

From the Wapiti Lake Trailhead, you’ll walk 6.7 miles past thermal-activity sites, with views of Mount Washburn. You’ll skirt Clear and Ribbon Lakes—near the latter, there’s a nice spur trail that’ll bring you to Silver Cord Cascade, a waterfall that plunges more than 1,000 feet into the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

Best Hikes in Yosemite National ParkĚý

California

The Expert: Frank Dean, Yosemite Conservancy president
The Hike: Valley Loop Trail

trails are chocked withĚýcrowds, but you’ll have the Valley Loop Trail to yourself for 11.5 miles. From Lower Yosemite Fall, the trail traces old wagon roads through meadows, with views of El Capitan.

Best Hikes in Zion National Park

Utah

The Expert: Rachel Ross, Zion şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Company guide
The Hike: Observation Point

You’ll gain 3,000 feet in elevation in 3.4 miles, climbing through canyons toward . ThereĚýyou’ll have an excellent view of Zion Canyon, a few hundred feet higher than the busier Angel’s Landing viewpoint.

Editor’s Note: A previous version of this article recommended a trail in Kenai Fjords National Park that requires advanced navigation and trekking skills. The article has been updated with a hike on a more established and approachable route. Separately, trail conditions change often. Before you head out on your hike, visit for the latest information.

The post The Best Hike in Every National Park appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

Kris Newby’s new nonfiction bookĚý ($29,ĚýHarper Wave)Ěýreads like a thriller. There are hidden bank accounts, Russian agents, and government deception. Yes, it’s about ticks.

It all starts with Swiss scientist William Burgdorfer, a former researcher for the U.S. Public Health Service (now the National Institutes of Health) at Rocky Mountain Laboratories of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, in Montana’s Bitterroot Valley. First joining the lab in the 1950s, Burgdorfer worked to develop vaccines for spotted fever, yellow fever, and other diseases transmitted to humans by bugs. His work led to the discovery in 1982 of the bacterium that causes Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi, named in his honor.

In 2013, Newby saw a videotaped interview of Burgdorfer by indie filmmaker Tim Grey, in which Burgdorfer hinted that our current Lyme disease outbreak may be the result of a bioweapons experiment gone awry. Newby, who herself has had Lyme disease, is a Stanford University communications manager and science writer who was a senior producer of the 2009 documentaryĚý, which has been criticized for . In detailing Newby’s search for evidence of a bioweapon-Lyme link, Bitten also over dramatizes too often: she raises more questions than answers, some that resemble conspiracy. For instance, with little evidence she speculates that Russia could have been involved in a bioweapons release while also asserting that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is purposefully hiding the truth about Lyme disease’s spread.Ěý

What is missing from Bitten is an outright admission from Burgdorfer, who was suffering from late-stage Parkinson’s when Newby interviewed him. While Newby characterizes Burgdorfer’s comments to Grey as a confession, her written account of the video reveals less an admission and more an unclear exchange. He says, “Question: Has Borrelia burgdorferi have the potential for biological warfare. Looking at the data, it already has.”Ěý

Burgdorfer never spells things out directly to Newby either, nor does she offer irrefutable proof like government documents. While she paves the way perfectly for an explosive revelation, ultimatelyĚýBurgdorfer only offers vague clues that send her searching, armed with sometimes far-flung theories.Ěý

Newby lays out evidence for her theory with interviews, government documents, and Burgdorfer’s own letters and personal files. She begins with Burgdorfer who, by the early eighties, had three decades of experience working with ticks. At that time, , but instead was studying deer ticks from Long Island to uncover what was triggering spotted fever cases. One day under his microscope he found spirochetes, or corkscrew-shaped bacteria, in a tick, which were eventually tied to Lyme disease. Newby cites scientific journals and Burgdorfer’s letters to explain that before his discovery, he had spent the fifties and sixties injecting microbes like the rabies virus and epidemic typhus (Rickettsia prowazekii) inside lab-grown ticks, which was ultimately used for the .

Ěý“He was growing microbes inside ticks, having the ticks feed on animals, and then harvesting the microbes from the animals that exhibited the level of illness the military had requested,” Newby writes. Burgdorfer also mixed bacteria and viruses together inside ticks, she explains, which further accelerated the formation of stronger germs.

Over the years, Burgdorfer amassed an extensive collection of tick colonies, becoming “the go-to person for special tick requests for bioweapons,” Newby writes. Burgdorfer’s work was only one part of a larger bioweapons operation, which employed thousands of people and is evidenced in public records. At the end of World War II, the government had bioweapons facilities around the country, including a main research station at . The idea was to experiment with a cocktail of infectious diseases and stick them in bugs, which served as a vehicle for transmission to potential enemy forces. By the late fifties, labs at Fort Detrick were capable of , such as mosquitoes that were infected with yellow fever, designed to be released via missiles. In 1969, President Nixon ended all offensive biological weapons programs. Ěý

The theory is that, whether deliberately or accidentally, infected lab-grown ticks were released into the wild as a result of these experiments. Newby weaves in claims that the U.S. government actually . From an interview with an anonymous CIA covert operative, Newby learned of an alleged case involving the military dropping disease-infected ticks over Cuba in the sixties to infect sugarcane workers. The operative’s account appears to be corroborated by a Defense Department memo dubbed Cuba Project,Ěýwhich reveals a proposal to incapacitate sugarĚýcane workers with bioweapon agents in 1962. In another instance, she writes that more than 100,000 radioactive lone star ticks were set free inĚýVirginia as part of a study, citing research in the . The most well-documented example Newby presents is Operation Sea Spray, off the coast of San Francisco, when the military sprayed aerosolized simulant containing Serratia marcescens, a microbe that .Ěý

As Bitten progresses, Newby continues to highlight peculiar findings to build her case. She questions the rapid spread of Lyme disease seemingly out of nowhere in the seventies in Connecticut. She details thatĚýaround the same time Burgdorfer had discovered the Lyme spirochete, he had also found another microbe dubbed . When she read through Burgdorfer’s personal papers, Newby learned that he initially thought the Swiss Agent (Rickettsia helvetica) could have been the culprit of Lyme—it was found in blood samples of people diagnosed with the illness. Eventually, though, the Swiss Agent was missing from scientific journals and all but forgotten. Newby investigates whether this microbe is making people sick today. She guesses that the Swiss Agent could be a bioweapon, and Burgdorfer intentionally left the microbe out of his Lyme discovery papers to cover up the origins of a release.Ěý

Newby’s theory rests on the idea that there would be a complex web of cover ups involving several levels of government and scientists, likely scores of people, and it’s tough to believe. It’s unclear how Burgdorfer might have been involved in all of this—either directly with a release or told to cover one up—because it’s all speculation. Newby concedes in the epilogue: “After five years of research, I wasn’t able to find verifiable documents confirming” a release. “I’m not sure why Willy refused to fully disclose the details before his death. Yet, with his passing, the only way to know the truth is for a whistle-blower to step forward or for a classified report to be released.”

Despite Newby’s thorough research, her only connection to a bioweapons accident causing Lyme disease rests with one source: Burgdorfer. And that foundation rests on shaky ground.

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Everything’s still wet with dew in late August when nearly 400 riders mount their bikes, preparing for another 70-mile day through central Michigan. They’ve gathered here for the (DALMAC), now in its 49th year. The marked route through undulating, rustic farmland seems like a perfect way to end the summer—on a bike, with a hint of fall in the air whooshing by.

I’m tagging along in a camper van with a friend who is riding, rubbing elbows with people from around the country—the participants total more than 1,000. At night, high schools are converted to campgrounds for us, complete with showers, green space for tentsĚýand a movie projected on a big screen, and calorie-dense meals, like tacos and hamburgers. All of this is courtesy of the ride’s organizers—made possible with a $300 entry fee—who also carry cyclists’ gear in moving trucks and have hired bike mechanics to help with any bike repairs.

Supported bike tours can now be found in almost every state and can draw anywhere from a couple hundred riders to more than 10,000. Cyclists typically have the essentials provided for them, but some tours offer luxuries like post-ride massages or yoga. Entry fees range from free to under $1,000. Most rides take place in spring and summer, with a few in fall or winter in the South.

Here’s a list of the best supported rides around.

Cycle Zydeco

Where: Louisiana
When: April 24 to 28, 2019

No one throws a party quite like the folks in southern Louisiana’s Acadiana region, whose local laissez les bons temps rouler attitude makes for one hell of a bike ride. What organizers call a festival on wheels, traverses bayou country for four days, typically 40 miles a day along flat blacktop, with local festivities peppered along the way. In 2019, the ride will share a weekend with —the largest international music festival in the country—with the New OrleansĚýJazz and Heritage Festival commencing the next week. Expect pleasant spring weather and a lesson in how to peel crawfish.

Ride the RockiesĚý

Where: Colorado
When: June 8 to 15, 2019

On this six-day , be prepared for tough climbs—last year’s riders experienced more than 25,000 feet of elevation change over the course of 418 miles. But you’ll be rewarded with some of the best views Colorado has to offer, traversing this year through scenic mountain towns like Crested Butte, Snowmass, and Gunnison. (Routes and towns vary by year.) “You really get to see quintessential Colorado,” says tour directorĚýDeirdre Moynihan. “You get it all—the mountain passes, and you get to stay overnight in these great mountain communities.”

Sierra to the SeaĚý

Where: California
When: June 15 to 22, 2019

Designed for experienced cyclists, this eight-day route before snaking down to the CaliforniaĚýcoast. The route wends 420 miles, with an average day topping out at 60 miles. Other mileage options are available for those who want an easier or more difficult ride. Along the way, riders travel through some of the state’s best-known locales, includingĚýLake Tahoe and Napa Valley, finishing with a jaunt across the Golden Gate Bridge. The tour is limited to 130 people, giving youĚýa more intimate experience with fellow riders.

RAGBRAI

Where: Iowa
When: July 21 to 27, 2019

In 1973, two Des Moines Register columnists—John Karras and Don Kaul—gathered some friends for a ride across Iowa, eventually drawing a few hundred people to bike across the state. Today, the is one of the biggest cycling events in the country. Last year, the 46th annual event drew 10,000 riders and thousands of other revelers from around the world, who rode nearly 500 miles over seven days. “When the ride started, people were stopping at farms for a slice of watermelon, and now it’s morphed into this street party in small-town America,” says director T.J. Juskiewicz. While the route changes every year, it normally begins near Iowa’s western border on the Missouri River and endsĚýat the Mississippi RiverĚýacross the state. Don’t expect too tough a ride or much elevation change, but what the ride lacks in vistas, it makes up for with its party atmosphere and welcoming locals.

Ultimate Cycling VacationĚý

Where: New York
When: August 17 to 23, 2019

Created by the Cycle Adirondacks organization, this provides cyclists with a taste of the region, from local craft brews and food to insights into the mountain communities around the wilderness. When you’re not riding, there are plenty of hiking trails and swimming holes to explore—there’s even a yoga class included in the ride package. Organizers hope that folks who participate will take away an appreciation for the 6.1 million–acre Adirondack Park and its mountains, wetlands, and old-growth forests, all unique in size and biodiversity for the Northeast. Through a partnership with the Adirondack Mountain Club, part of the ride’s proceeds go toward education and conservation efforts in the region.

West Yellowstone Old Faithful Cycle Tour

Where: Wyoming
When: FallĚý2019 (date not yet announced)

Fall is one of the best times to explore Yellowstone National Park, as the summer crowds die down. You’ll have the golden aspens, bugling elk, and Old Faithful almost to yourself on this 300-person, daylong tour, says Moira Dow, the ride’s cycle coordinator. TheĚý snakes around a loop, starting in West Yellowstone and heading south past some of the park’s most famous geysers. After the ride, check out other classic attractions, like the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone or Hayden Valley, where you might see elk, bison, grizzlies, and wolves. Then, trek down to nearby Snake River in Grand Teton National Park to catch a glimpse of the cottonwoods, willows, and other deciduous trees turning red and orange.

WACANID RideĚý

Where: Washington-Idaho-British Columbia
When: September 10 to 15, 2019

This tour , a range that sprawls across the Idaho Panhandle, eastern Washington, and parts of southern British Columbia. For 370 miles over six days, cyclists ride on secondary highways, off the beaten path through breathtaking scenery. There are some pretty tough climbs on certain stretches, but a rest day in the middle allows you a day off from the 70-mile rides. If you have the energy, there’s plenty of hiking around and small communities that offer local food and beer. In September, the nights and mornings are crisp, while the days are warm and sunny. Keep an eye out for mountainside aspens transitioning to gold.

Mountains to Coast RideĚý

Where: North Carolina
When: September 29 to October 6, 2019

Roughly 1,000 people gather each year to from the Blue Ridge Mountains to North Carolina’s coast through high-country forests, pine woods, and wetlands. This year’s route will start in Blowing Rock, a village named after a rock formation that overlooks the best of southern Appalachia’s mountainous topography. After more than 400 miles, the ride ends at Atlantic Beach, one of several communities along the Bogue Banks barrier island, whichĚýboasts 21 miles of beachfront. Expect some elevation changes in the first half of the ride until leveling out and then coasting downhill until you reach the sea.

Big BAM on the KatyĚý

Where: Missouri
When: October 7 to 12, 2019

This year marks the second installment of the Big BAM on the Katy, the fall version of the , or Bike Across Missouri. The is nearly 240 miles and the longest rails-to-trails project in the United States. It’s off-road riding within Katy Trail State Park, closely following the Missouri River. The route passes through the state’s wine country—near the town of Hermann, German settlers have been growing grapes since the 1830s. “You’ll find great bratwurst and beer, plus there are a dozen wineries in the region,” says Greg Wood, the ride’s executive director. Daily mileageĚýranges from 40 to 60 miles, but with easy grades and no cars to contend with, it’ll make for an easy ride that’sĚýperfect for beginners and younger cyclists.

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Last month, completed a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. As far as we can tell, they’re the biggest family group to walk the full 2,190 miles. Although it may seem intimidating to hike through mountains for five months with kids ranging in age from two to 17, Ben Crawford, the father, says they were all more than capable of the task.

Crawford, his wife, Kami, and their kids live in Bellevue, Kentucky. They’ve been backpacking as a family for years—although never for a stretch this long—so they mostly knew what to expect when they started their AT hike. Now that they’ve finished, Crawford says any family with the desire and right amount of experience can do the same.

“One of the things we believe in,” Crawford says, “is seeing how far kids can go and supporting them to take another step.”

If you’re looking to take a big family backpacking trip—even if it’s on a much smaller scale—here’s what you need to know from the Crawfords and other families who’ve done it.

Start Slow

“It’s really important that my kids want to be out there—otherwise, we just wouldn’t go,” says Patricia Ellis Herr, author of , the story of how her family tackled all of New Hampshire’s 48 tallest mountains. Ellis Herr and her daughters, Alexandra, 15, and Sage, 13, live in Plymouth, with the White Mountains practically in their backyard. “We started out going a half-mile to a waterfall, something small,” she says. “I never tried to make them do something they weren’t comfortable with.”

From those half-mile trips to the waterfall, Ellis Herr’s family has come a long way. Over the past few years, they’ve thru-hiked the 211-mile John Muir Trail, Spain’s Camino de Santiago, and last month they completed England’s 191-mile Coast to Coast Trail. She recommends starting out with a day hike of no more than a couple of miles. Then, you can slowly ramp up to include overnights and short backpacking trips. Ellis Herr says that by starting slow, you can figure out if hiking is something your kids are into. “It needs to be their thing,” she says.

Share Gear and Tasks

When it comes to carrying gear, Ellis Herr always leans on the conservative side. She says to never let kids lug more than 10 percent of their body weight—though once they’re teens, they can haul a bit more. For young kids, anything heavier than that could cause lower-back pain. “I carried almost all of it” when they were really young, she says, so be prepared for some extra weight in your own pack.

The Crawfords similarly devised a system to ensure everyone carried enough gear on their AT hike—but not too much—and assigned tasks based on what they had in their backpacks. Dove, 17, carried food and handled dinner each night, while Seven, 13, hauled the camera equipment they used to document their trip and helped with video editing. Eden, 15, carried lunch supplies and helped prepare it when the time came. Memory, 11, did the same for breakfast. Seven-year-old Filia packed out the trash. And two-year-old Rainier sat in a child carrier.

Make It Fun and Educational

Damien Tougas, his wife, Renee, and their three kids came south in 2014 from their home in Montreal, Canada, to thru-hike the AT. What he soon learned about hiking with kids is that you can’t expect them to walk for miles on end without getting bored. His family found that audiobooks broke the monotony of hiking for days. “At some points, we had other hikers join in a row to listen,” Damien says.

While shorter thru-hikes can be done on summer vacation, longer trips mean homeschooling or taking some time off. The Tougas family was already homeschooling and found that the AT provided all sorts of education their kids couldn’t get in a classroom. “My son has always loved animals,” Damien says. “On the trail, he discovered new wildlife, like salamanders, newts, and things. We even met a group of biologists studying salamanders and stopped to talk with them. It wasn’t premeditated, but just another opportunity along the way to learn.”

Talk About What You Didn’t Like

Clear communication is vital to keeping kids happy. For Crawford and his family, that meant daily family talks. “We would discuss our highs and lows at night,” he says. “In the mornings, we would discuss our goals for the day and week.”

Tougas realized his three children all adjusted to the trail in different ways. For example, his oldest daughter, Celine, wanted more privacy, so she got her own tent.

“It was very rare when everyone was firing on all cylinders,” he says. “So there were times we would take a day off and go stay in a hotel, try to find someplace with a pool. I always wanted to hear what they had to say and encourage them and talk things through.”

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In my younger years, I frequented the Sherburne Wildlife Management Area (WMA), deep within Louisiana’s 1 million–acre Atchafalaya River Basin, to hunt migrating waterfowl or whitetail deer in fall and winter. In summer, I always returned to hike and camp and was usually the only soul on the maze of trails or in the bayous, making the region a far cry from the crowded state parks nearby. The property became a place of solace, where I knew I could trek for miles in the backcountry, sharing it only with bears and alligators.

These WMAs exist in most states and are maintained for wildlife habitat. They make for fantastic hiking trails and pristine forests after hunters pack up for the season. With our national parks growing ever more crowded, we rounded up seven of the best WMAs around the country for those who want to avoid the masses.

Catoosa WMA, Tennessee

Perched on the Cumberland Plateau, just west of the Smoky Mountains, is known for its rugged mountains and wild rivers. The area is home to a section of the Cumberland Trail, and while the young footpath is still under construction, when completed it will stretch more than 300 miles northeast through Tennessee. Then there’s the , a 14.1-mile trail ending near a horizontal rock formation, the path’s namesake. For backpackers, there are designated camping spots scattered throughout the forest. Several free-flowing creeks with Class III and IV rapids run through the management area, including the Obed Wild and Scenic River, which boasts 500-foot-deep gorges and some of the best rafting in the region.

Snow Peak WMA, Idaho

There’s a short window to enjoy the steep canyons and mountains at between July, when snowpack melts, and when winter returns in September, says Laura Wolf, a wildlife biologist with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. There are about 50 miles of trails, but nearly half are overgrown—although Wolf says staff is chipping away at that. The Snow Peak Trail is an easy nine-mile round-trip hike to an old fire tower with panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains and the occasional mountain goat. “Most higher-elevation ridgelines have ripening huckleberries in summer,” Wolf says. An easier trek is the Scribner Falls Creek Trail, which is just eight miles over mostly flat ground.

Connecticut Hill WMA, New York

is only a short drive from Ithaca and is New York’s largest management area. As a part of the Appalachian Highlands, this area features 2,000-foot bluffs that offer views among mature maple, hemlock, and American beech forests. In warmer months, hikers can trek along a section of the Finger Lakes Trail, a 580-mile footpath that stretches across the state. In winter, the area is perfect for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. No motorized vehicles are allowed on the property, so hikers can expect a feeling of seclusion even on a day hike. While state officials don’t allow camping on the WMA, there are a handful of nearby state forests that do.

Everglades and Francis S. Taylor WMA, Florida

Everglades National Park gets all the attention in southern Florida, but the adjacent has enough gators and swampland to go around. The interior of the property can be accessed only by boat. If you can reach it, you’ll have access to the —numerous canals and waterways that crisscross the swamp to offer glimpses of migrating birds. Hiking is restricted to levees, the only dry ground available, which snake around the exterior of the management area. The most popular paths are L-67 and L-35, including a 12-mile bike ride on a path through through sawgrass fields. Camping is allowed along the L-5 and , which offer spectacular bayou views. Both are currently closed due to hunting seasons and will reopen on November 16 (Friday through Sunday only).

Edward Sargent Wildlife Area, New Mexico

is tucked along New Mexico’s border with Colorado, consisting of high aspen meadows and ponderosa pine that provide habitat for elk and cougars. “Trails are currently not named or specifically marked,” says Ryan Darr, a land manager with the state’s Department of Game and Fish, but you can follow creeks to access the interior of the management area—like a 14-mile out-and-back on Chamita Creek. You can also explore old logging roads or horse paths to features like Nabor Lake, home to a healthy population of Rio Grande cutthroat trout. There are established primitive camping areas near the property’s entrance. As for the crowds, elk easily outnumber humans in this part of the Rockies.

G. Richard Thompson WMA, Virginia

Situated on the eastern slope of the Blue Ridge Mountains, has all the beauty of Shenandoah National Park but without the crowds. At its highest point of 2,200 feet, hikers can trek along seven miles of the Appalachian Trail. You’ll get vistas of the pastoral Shenandoah Valley, along the way spotting wildflowers like trillium in summer. In October, you’ll be surrounded by the brilliant colors of fall foliage. In any season, the 9.2-mile is a great way to take in the sights. Remember a map—there are no blazes marking the path.

Thief Lake WMA, Minnesota

, in Minnesota’s wild north country, has plenty of solitude. Wildlife manager Kyle Arola says the property is managed as a wildlife sanctuary, providing habitat for gray wolves, moose, elk, and thousands of waterfowl. “şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř of hunting season, it feels like I have the place to myself,” he says. Walking trails for hunters aren’t maintained during summer, but for intrepid hikers, the paths offer access to the interior of the property and outer banks of the lake. In early summer, the forest is overrun with chokecherries, juneberries and raspberries; in fall, stands of aspen glow bright yellow. Designated campgrounds south of Thief Lake offer primitive camping with boat ramp access. Whenever you go, be sure to pack a GPS.

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“I’m not giving up,” ultrarunner Harvey Lewis told şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř last Friday while he was near the New York–Connecticut border. “The truth is I’m going to finish, and that’s my number one goal. I believe anything is possible.”

Lewis, a 42-year-old high school teacher from Cincinnati, is attempting an FKT on the Appalachian Trail. He set off from the trail’s southern terminus at Springer Mountain on May 30 and for 34 days has been averaging roughly 47 miles a day. He now has fewer than 600 miles left. His attempt is considered supported, meaning he has outside help as he makes his way to Mount Katahdin. This includes a support vehicle, manned by his 78-year-old father, that’s full of food, medical supplies, and a team of folks offering moral support.

Although Lewis boasts some impressive running chops—he won the 2014 Badwater Ultramarathon and has represented Team USA at the 24-Hour World Championships four times—this is by far the toughest run of his life. Upwards of 50 falls have led to a hurt quad, tendinitis, and swollen ankles, forcing him on a few occasions to catch up on lost time by trekking nearly 60 miles in a day with only a few hours’ rest at night. During one especially rough stretch early on near the Virginia border, Lewis says, “Every stride hurt. At that point, it took everything I had to keep going.”

FKTs on the AT can get a little confusing because of all the qualifiers. Right now, there are three main times to beat. Scott Jurek has the supported title for a northbound hike, which he completed in 46 days, 8 hours, and 7 minutes. Karl Meltzer is the overall supported record holder, having run southbound in 45 days, 22 hours, and 38 minutes. But the most impressive was set last year by Joe “Stringbean” McConaughey, when he completed an unsupported FKT in 45 days, 12 hours, and 15 minutes. Not only does he hold the fastest time, but he also did it unsupported, meaning McConaughey carried all his own supplies in a 25-pound pack, set up and broke down his own camp, and slept on the ground each night.

Lewis is vying for the overall FKT, which means he’d need to beat McConaughey’s time. If he falls short, Lewis could still claim either Jurek’s or Meltzer’s record for the fastest supported time.

Before attempting an FKT, runners must follow a set of unofficial guidelines. These have been developed by the small FKT community to prevent dubious claims, and they’ve developed three simple rules to do this:

1. Announce your intention.
2. Invite previous record holders to observe your attempt.
3. Record your attempt in detail.

Lewis has followed those protocols, and his crew is updating his every move via . His team is also posting detailed and daily social media posts to serve as a record of where Lewis has been, which will make it easier to verify his claim if he does clutch one of the records. “We’re doing the best we can,” Lewis said. “If we get the record, that would be extraordinary.”

You can follow Lewis on his FKT attempt in real time via , one of his sponsors, or on social media with #WheresHarvey.

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On Labor Day weekend last year, Oregon’s backcountry ignited, the night sky glowing red from flames. Peter Ames Carlin, his wife, and their three children were among 176 hikers who were surrounded by a wildfire on the Eagle Creek Trail, a short jaunt from Portland in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area (NSA). As the blaze blocked a safe exit to the north, to the south, the Indian Creek Fire—which had been smoldering for months—reawakened and threatened to trap the hikers amid steep canyons.

“I was mostly in a stage of intense denial. We were on an easy day hike on a familiar trail we had hiked probably a dozen times over the years,” says Carlin, who lives in Portland. “But it was also a moment of you either walk or die. So you just go.” Smoke choked the air while embers showered down hell upon them, starting spot fires all over the forest. Most people were prepared only for a short day outside, wearing swimsuits or flip-flops and carrying nothing more than a bottle of water.

The ordeal had started just a few hours earlier, when a 15-year-old boy threw a firecracker into a nearby ravine. The dry conditions were ripe for a blaze—the National Weather Service (NWS) had issued a red flag warning for dry, unstable conditions that day. By late afternoon, roughly 200 acres had burned while Carlin and 147 other hikers were stranded near a popular swimming hole at Punch Bowl Falls. The massive group spent the night walking, hoping to make it out alive before flames consumed the footpath.

“That night, my family crashed in the dirt, all huddled together in a big pile, cuddling for warmth,” Carlin says. “It was cold and miserable—it was really bad. But it could’ve ended a lot worse.”

No deaths were reported that night or throughout the duration of the Eagle Creek Fire. It was, by all measures, a miraculous outcome. The blaze ended up destroying close to 50,000 acres before it was contained on November 30, costing nearly $40 million.

The warnings from the NWS that day prompted the Forest Service to station a ranger near the Eagle Creek Trailhead to educate hikers on the risks. Despite this, people still set out on the trail completely unprepared, says Rachel Pawlitz, a spokesperson for the Columbia River Gorge NSA. “People hike with nothing but flip-flops, a towel, and no water and no food. We see it time and time again that people aren’t prepared.” While no one could’ve anticipated the outbreak of the Eagle Creek Fire, Pawlitz says a lot can be taken away from how everything unfolded, especially since over the next 20 years, scientists predict that up to 11 states will see the average annual area burned increase by 500 percent due to environmental factors like drought. The reality is that the West’s future includes fires as part of daily life, and those who recreate outdoors will have to know how to deal with them.

“We’re expecting over 700 wildland fires [in California] this year, and that’s well more than last year,” says Deputy Chief Scott McLean with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, who has spent 18 years as a wildland firefighter in remote sections of Butte County. “The public needs to be aware of fire safety—that’s part of backpacking and hiking and nature nowadays. People need to pay attention to their surroundings and provide for their own safety while being responsible in a forest.”

Before your next hike in the woods, here are a few helpful strategies if you find yourself staring at flames and rising smoke.

Before You Leave

Before hitting the trail, check online for current conditions. McLean recommends , a map displaying where fires are burning on forests in the United States. “Check in at the ranger station, too,” he says. “Look to see if there is a fire nearby or any trail closures that are in effect. Check the weather conditions, and find out the wind direction.”

Be sure to pack to aid in navigation. Instead of synthetic clothes, McLean advises wearing wool. When exposed to the high heat of fires, synthetics “have a tendency to melt to your body,” he says.

If You Spot a Fire…

McLean says to decipher the wind direction by analyzing the smoke. If the smoke is going straight up, that means there’s little to no wind—a good sign. But if you see it scattered about the horizon in one direction, that means the blaze will spread rapidly. It also tells you where the fire is heading.

“Fires burn uphill,” McLean says. “It’s preheating the vegetation in front of it, so your best bet is down low.” Travel upwind and downhill on dirt roads or streambeds with little vegetation. Stay away from canyons and draws, which can work to amplify a fire. Keep your distance, and maneuver around the flames as fast as possible.

If You Get Caught in a Fire…

If you find yourself in an active fire zone, McLean says the safest place is “in the black,” meaning an area that has already burned. If you can find that, hold tight until the danger has passed. “It’s going to be uncomfortable, dry, and hot, but it’s one of the safest areas to be,” he says.

With no other escape options, outrunning the impending inferno is futile—you have to prepare to wait it out. McLean says to find a depression in the topography with no vegetation, such as a roadway with a ditch or a streambed. “Lay down on your stomach with your feet pointed toward the fire,” he says. “Dig a hole and stick your face in it to avoid breathing in smoke. If you have a handkerchief, put that over your face as well.”

As the fire begins to consume the forest around you, McLean says it’s important to stay there. “Hunker down, and the fire might change directions,” he says. “It also might burn around you. But stay there for a good amount of time so there’s no chance of it coming back at you.” If the fire passes around you, find a way out behind the path of the blaze, sticking to the black whenever possible.

Take Care When Hiking in Charred Forests

The acreage of charred forest in America grows each year, and if a fire is intense enough, it can take years before the environment is stable again. Perhaps the biggest hazards in these areas are damaged trees. “Trees or limbs could drop at any time,” McLean says, “so give distance between you and those trees.” Even burned-out root systems can be precarious, trapping hikers in nearly invisible holes beneath them. When the vegetation is burned from the environment, mud- and rockslides are more common, especially when it’s raining. Even water sources can be less reliable after a fire has ravaged a forest.

The post How to Escape a Wildfire When You’re Hiking appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

The ultralight mentality stems from keeping what you carry in your pack as light as possible—which means you can log more miles with less stress on your body. It has gotten a lot easier for ounce counters these days, as more companies have begun to specialize in ultralight gear.

Still, keeping weight down can get complicated (and expensive), especially if you’re spending weeks or months on the trail and need to carry enough to be comfortable on long hikes. But a few hacks and tricks to help cut weight from your pack offer plenty of ways you can rack up the miles this summer without breaking your back or the bank.

Leave the Stove at Home

Even the most lightweight stoves add extra pounds when combined with fuel, utensils, and a pot. Instead, leave it all at home. As most hikers figure out, hot meals in town are usually only a few days apart, especially on the Appalachian Trail. Don’t be afraid to eat a few cold meals in between.

While on the trail, choose foods that don’t require cooking or those you can soak in cold water using a small container with a screw-on top (Ziplocs work, too). Good options include oatmeal, Zatarain’s many instant rice mixes, ramen, and dehydrated meals like those from . Soak them in cold water when you get to camp; roughly an hour later, you’ll have dinner. If you can’t live without an early morning cup of joe, instant coffee works well in cold water.

…And the Tent

Tarp camping isn’t for everyone. But for those willing to forgo a few creature comforts, it provides protection from the sun, rain, and wind without adding much weight. (Granted, it’s light on the bug protection.) While any old tarp will do the trick, the from Mountain Laurel Designs is a classic A-frame made from Cuben Fiber, which is super lightweight (seven ounces), strong, and waterproof. To rig it up just right, trekking poles and guylines are a necessity.

…And Maybe Your Sleeping Bag, Too

A quilt will save both weight and money compared to a mummy sleeping bag. The —rated to 20 degrees Fahrenheit and filled with water-resistant 850 down—weighs just over a pound. One reason quilts are so lightweight is that they lack material on the underside, so it’s up to your sleeping pad to do the insulating. For a pad, look for one with a solid R-value, such as the —the women’s version has a higher R-value but still weighs just 12 ounces.

Go 2-in-1 for H2O

A filter/bladder combo cuts down on weight and saves time. The obvious benefit is that the two-in-one feature eliminates the need to carry a separate filtration system and even those larger bottles you might lug around so you have enough water at camp.

I like the Katadyn filter, which attaches to a hydration bladder and is available in .6-liter, one-liter, and three-liter sizes. The flow rate is lightning fast (up to two liters per minute), and the whole package is lightweight and packable (the one-liter option weighs just two ounces).

Put Your Rain Gear on a Diet

You’d be surprised how heavy rain gear can get. It can become a big burden, especially if you’re hiking in a place you know won’t see too much precip. Neither fancy nor expensive, the is feather light (10.4 ounces) and packs down to pocket-size. The suit and jacket are made from thin, breathable polypropylene that’s surprisingly durable. When not in use, the set stuffs well in a pack and, as a bonus, doubles as town clothes when you’re resupplying and doing laundry. If you want to go even lighter, there’s a nine-ounce .

Free Yourself from the Frame

Ultralighters often opt for frameless packs to cut down on weight, but those bags offer little in the way of structural support. A quick fix is to position a sleeping pad, such as the 14-ounce , near your spine as cushioning. The pack is a favorite among weight-conscious hikers. At just over one pound, its roomy main pocket holds plenty of gear, while the minimalist shoulder straps and hipbelts offer ample cushioning—provided you don’t exceed the recommended 25-pound load. To keep the contents dry, line the pack’s interior with a , which is cheaper and lighter than a pack cover.

Grab Lots of Ziplocs

From storing spare food to stuffing with clothes for a makeshift pillow, these baggies have plenty of uses, are cheap, and can often be reused through your entire trek. Every thru-hiker should keep Ziplocs in their pack. Be sure to look for the , which are thicker than most and have a sturdy seal. They’re perfect for stashing electronics and toilet paper.

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The Appalachian and Pacific Crest trails get all the attention—and the foot traffic—but there are plenty of long walks that aren’t crowded. These five offer the best glimpses into unspoiled wilderness, spanning each region of the country. From hot springs and vistas in the Rockies to less-frequented trails in southern Appalachia, there’s something for every thru-hiker’s skill level.

Ouachita National Recreation Trail

Length: 223 miles
Completion Time: 10 to 14 days
Season: Fall and spring

The through Oklahoma and central Arkansas in the Ouachita National Forest, the South’s largest and oldest forest. Peaks rise to roughly 2,600 feet (the highest between the Rockies and Appalachians) and lead to a labyrinth of stony hollows, waterfalls, and sweeping vistas. At 1.8 million acres, the forest is better known for its abundant plants and wildlife than its crowds.

It doesn’t cross any towns. “This is still the kind of trail where you can hike for days and not see another soul,” says Tim Ernst, who wrote the route’s only available guidebook, the . Ernst advises hanging food caches (Arkansas is black bear country) near road crossings, as resupply options are slim. Trail shelters are available at certain segments, but be prepared to pitch a tent most nights. Daily stream crossings also provide plenty of places to fill up on water, although some sources have been known to dry up in summer.

Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail

Length: 1,200 miles
Completion Time: 2 to 3 months
Season: Summer

This trail begins on Glacier National Park’s jagged peaks and meanders west to Washington’s Olympic coast, passing through pristine wilderness in three national parks and seven national forests. As a relatively young trail, it’s “mostly unmarked, receives light use, and may not have been recently maintained in some remote areas,” according to the . Be prepared for bushwhacking, road walking, scrambling, and various networks of unsigned forest roads through grizzly country—this makes navigation tools, bear spray, and mountaineering skills necessities. Resupply points can be hundreds of miles apart, but you’ll be rewarded with solitude: Only some 100 people attempted a thru-hike last year.

Pinhoti National Recreation Trail

Length: 337 miles
Completion Time: 22 to 30 days
Season: Fall to late spring

The Pinhoti is better known as a connector to the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, but it’s in its own right. From the 1,152-foot Flagg Mountain the trail tracks through national forests and private land easements to the Benton MacKaye Trail in Georgia’s Chattahoochee National Forest. Expect rugged, pine-covered ridges in Alabama; in Georgia, you can count on 4,000-foot peaks encompassing the finest of southern Appalachia’s beauty. Due to ongoing trail construction, some portions of the hike will be on roads, but highlights include abundant year-round springs, trail shelters, ample resupply points, and no crowds.

Finger Lakes Trail

Length: 580 miles
Completion Time: 1 to 2 months
Season: Spring through early fall

Explore the best of rural New York, traversing through wine country and the Catskills. By combining spur and branch trails, there are 1,000 miles of hiking available. The trail passes through rolling hills, where it’s easy to find a little serenity—this route is big on pastoral landscape and little on crowds. In fact, the Finger Lakes Trail Conference estimates fewer than 25 people thru-hike the trail each year. Jacqui Wensich, trail’s thru-hiker coordinator, oversees a list of volunteers called “car spotters” to assist hikers along the way, providing rides to town, food, or a place to sleep. For the intrepid hiker, there’s always the option to continue west on the , an ambitious footpath that totals 4,600 miles, stretching across seven states from New York to central North Dakota.

Idaho Centennial Trail

Length: 900 miles
Completion Time: 2 to 3 months
Season: Summer

Hike among , ranging from sagebrush desert to alpine forests, through wilderness areas in the Sawtooth and Bitterroot Mountains, where “you may not see anyone for two to three weeks,” says Leo Hennessy, the trail’s coordinator for the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation. Due to the Idaho Centennial Trail’s remoteness, Hennessey says most thru-hikers (he estimates around ten have ever finished, with roughly 50 attempting each year) have friends or family resupply them along the way. There are ample angling opportunities in the famed Salmon River, alpine lakes along the backbone of the Bitterroots, and a handful of undammed national scenic rivers. You’ll find hot springs and caves along the trail and primitive forest roads in some sections. Most thru-hikers begin in early June at the Idaho-Nevada line to beat the desert heat and to reach the Canadian border before early fall snow blankets the high country.

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Carl Goodman has patrolled a section of the Appalachian Trail whereĚýit passes throughĚýthe Great Smoky MountainsĚýfor 15 seasons. Five days a week, he chats with hikers about how to lessen their impact,Ěýand each day he cleans up the messes they leaveĚýbehind.

Goodman, 76,Ěýhails from Louisville, Kentucky, and his white beard is practically the only sign of his age; thousands of miles logged in the backcountry have helped keep him fit. This yearĚýhe’s one of more than 50 trail stewards and ridgerunners,Ěýhired to help maintain the 2,190-mile trail as hordes of hikers make their way north or south.

Throughout the 1970s, about 800 people walked the length of the AT—a huge jumpĚýfrom just 37 the decade before. Last year, a record 3,839 hikers set out from Georgia alone,Ěýa 14 percent increase over 2016, and about 40 percent more than 2015. So far this year, roughly 2,800 people have registered their hikes with the (ATC), and thatĚýfigure is sure to rise once peak season arrives. As the number of hikers has exploded, so has trailside litter, overcrowding at shelter sites, noise, and the general sense that what is supposed to be an epic journey through the solitude of this great American trail is increasinglyĚýbeing ruined byĚýpeople—lots and lots of people.

“I’ve seen a major change in the usage of the trail in recent years,” says Goodman, who first thru-hiked the ATĚýin 1999. “The more crowded it gets, the more it needs to be managed and taken care of.”

The ridgerunnerĚýprogram started in the 1980s. It’sĚýa seasonal job that usually begins in early spring, depending on the location, and isĚýfunded mainly by government agencies, the ATC, and local clubs. Goodman patrols approximately 16 miles of trail. He’s skilled in wilderness first-aid and the tenets of , and he can offer information on everything from weather conditions to how to hang a bear bag. More than knowledgeable docents,Ěýthe ridgerunners consider every hiker they meetĚýa chance to preserve the AT and reduce human impact. Last year,ĚýridgerunnersĚýin GeorgiaĚýinteracted with more than 10,000 people. They also dismantled 245 fire rings and packed out 486 pounds of trash.

In the past few years, there’s been a big pushĚýby the ATC to educateĚýnew hikers before they ever set foot on the trail. The reason: inexperienced hikers have the worst environmental impact, says Chloe de Camara, a former ridgerunner who thru-hiked the trailĚýin 2015Ěýand is now the ATC’s trail-education specialist. Trail managers often find that human waste hasn’t been buried the recommended six to eight inches, and some people even defecate near water sources. There are more messes left behind at shelters these days, and when those spots are overcrowded, hikers sometimes camp in the wilderness and trample vegetation. “We’re trying to reach people well in advance, and we’re trying to engage with them and ensure they know the right steps to take before they go out hiking.”

AndĚýthe hikers the ATC isn’t able toĚýteach beforehand? The ridgerunners mustĚýeducate them on the trail.ĚýThe hope is that hikers encounter at least one ridgerunner along the way. Indeed, the program has been so effectiveĚýthat, three years ago, the (GATC) created a trail-ambassadorĚýprogram to patrol aĚý76-mile section of the AT. The 38 ambassadors are likeĚýridgerunners in every way except they’re volunteers. Other groups have adoptedĚýtheĚýsystem,Ěýincluding the in North Carolina, the in Virginia, the near Washington, D.C., andĚýthe in New Hampshire’s White Mountains.

The ridgerunners are just one small component ofĚýa much larger plan to manageĚýand train the surge of new hikers. Last year, the AT rolled out an online program calledĚý,Ěýhoping that hikers would sign up for periods when campsites are available in greater numbers. It’s too soon to tell if the initiative will work; if it doesn’t, the ATC may need to take more drastic measures, likeĚýpermitting, something the Pacific Crest Trail instituted in 2015. The ATC wants to avoid that, so for now it’s up to the ridgerunners to control the crowds.“We’re encouraging year-round patrols, because there are so many people on the trail who are unprepared,” says Jay Dement, president of the GATC.

Overcrowding has already prompted a big push fromĚýthe ATC to get hikers to plan alternatives to the usual northbound routeĚýwith either the southbound option, or a flip-flop route in which hikers start in the middle.ĚýThe ATC is alsoĚýcollecting more data, using infrared counters along the path for instant traffic numbers.

There are a few spots where the AT hikers needĚýpermits, including alongĚýMount Katahdin in Maine, and to campĚýinĚýGreat Smoky Mountains National Park. But the goal is to avoid aĚýpermitting system like the one in use on the PCT, whichĚýallows only 50 registrants per day.Ěý“We would love the Appalachian Trail to be as pristine and unmarked by humans as possible,” says Morgan Sommerville, the ATC’s southern regional director. “It’s supposed to provide a primitive, natural experience.”

Some believe the bump in hikers on the Appalachian Trail will wane, as it has in the past. The ATC is doing everything in its power to ensure it’s experienced exactly as intended—as a wilderness retreat. For now, theĚýridgerunnersĚýmay beĚýthe best hope.

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