Boston, MA: Wompatuck State Park
Explore Wompatuck State Park on a labyrinthine trail system that showcases classic New England-style singletrack right outside Boston.
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Long Trail (Section 05): VT 140 to US 4Nearly 7,000-feet of climbing are spread over this 22-mile point-to-point on Vermont's Long Trail; the highlight is a 2,400-foot ascent to 360-degree views atop Killington Peak. 
San Francisco, CA: Ring MountainEscape city crowds on this 2.9-mile hike in Ring Mountain Open Space Preserve that features massive boulders, giant oaks, and sweeping views of San Francisco. 
Adirondack Park: Mount MarcyTag New York's high point on this 14.2-miler into a mix of forest and broken rock, with jaw-dropping vantages of the High Peaks and Green Mountains. |
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Stage 8: Le Grand-Bornan to TignesSubmitted by:Could you endure three massive climbs over 95 miles on a key stage in the Alps? Our correspondent gives it his best. 
Caprock Canyon TrailwaySubmitted by:Caprock Canyons State Park, 100 miles southeast of Amarillo in Briscoe County, was opened in 1982. It consists of 15,313.6 acres (including the Trailway, a 64.25 mile Rail-to-Trail conversion, acquired by donation in 1992 from a Railroad entrepreneur). Rainbow Trail--Bear Creek/Methodist Mountain LoopSubmitted by:A popular and convenient 2-4 hour loop, this ride starts and finishes in downtown Salida, and features a fine stretch of twisty Rainbow Trail singletrack. It includes a stout and increasingly rough climb up Bear Creek road to the Rainbow trailhead, offers stunning views of the upper Arkansas River valley, and finishes with a ripping fireroad descent on county road 108. Total distance is 20 miles, total elevation gain is about 2,300 feet. Trip By Absolute Bikes |
From the Field — East — March 2013Our trail scouts' top local hikes, including fire tower views in New Jersey, a New York waterfall, and more. 
Trail Mix — Central — March 2013Your region's go-now guide: Explore ice caves on Wisconsin's Apostle Islands, overnight in peace in northern Missouri, and more. 
Rip & Go: Florida Trail, Big Cypress National Preserve, FLTraverse a primeval landscape of cypress swamp, hardwood hammocks, and pinelands. |
From the Field — East — March 2013Our trail scouts' top local hikes, including fire tower views in New Jersey, a New York waterfall, and more. 
Rip & Go: Jordan Hot Springs, Gila Wilderness, NMExplore a slot canyon and soak in a warm backcountry pool in the country's first designated wilderness. 
Trail Mix - West - March 2013Your region's go-now spring guide: Scramble to Salado Indian cliff dwellings in Arizona, spot bighorn sheep in Wyoming, and more. |
Glacier National Park by Chuck HaneyDramatic skies, blue lakes, mountain goats and more: Chuck Haney shares some of his most exciting photos from Glacier National Park. 
Grand Teton NP: Death Canyon Shelf and Alaska BasinSee the highlights of a classic, six-day trek in Grand Teton National Park. |
Grand Canyon Challenge: Rim-to-Rim-to-RimDon't try this at home: See BACKPACKER's editor-in-chief's gonzo 21-hour hike with a friend into the Grand Canyon, rim-to-rim-to-rim. 
Lost: A Survival Video Diary, Pt. 3On his third day lost in Idaho's Frank Church--River of No Return Wilderness, BACKPACKER contributor Jim Thornton finally finds a potential way home. But fear, exhaustion, and an incoming winter snowstorm threaten to derail his progress. |
Lost: A Survival Video Diary, Pt. 2On his second day lost in Idaho's Frank Church--River of No Return Wilderness, BACKPACKER contributor Jim Thornton battles cold temperatures, conflicting routes, and the onset of genuine fear. 
Lost: A Survival Video Diary, Pt. 1On his first day lost in Idaho's Frank Church--River of No Return Wilderness, BACKPACKER contributor Jim Thornton confronts dwindling water supplies and the daunting task of getting un-lost. 
Editors' Choice 2010: Climbing the MonchBACKPACKER editors cap their Swiss gear-testing trip with a climb of the 13,474-foot Monch. |
Grand Canyon Adventure Guide (2012 National Parks Series: Part 6 of 6)
Find world-class scenery and challenges (no passport required) with our scouts' top day, weekend, and weeklong routes in the Big Ditch. Whether you're a canyon-country pro or a first-timer, we guarantee you'll find terrain that tests your boundaries.
Life's Short, Hike More!
What makes a backpacker a backpacker? It's not the garage full of gear or piles of guidebooks--it's the experiences, from thru-hiking a long trail to pushing your personal envelope to inspiring a child's love of wilderness. Here we present BACKPACKER's new Life List: 10 experiences to add to your tick-listnow--and the key skills you need to nail them.
Secret Hikes: Appalachian Trail
The last lonely stretch of the AT beckons from the mountains of western Maine.
Secret Hikes: Glacier National Park
Score wildlife sightings daily, choice views hourly--and at least one juicy burger--on this weeklong circuit.
Secret Hikes: Hiking Grand Canyon National Park
Surprise: This park's busy corridor trails offer a fast track to a private slice of heaven.
MASTER YOUR OUTDOOR EXPERTISE WITH OUR TIPS
Make an Alcohol Stove
Learn how to create a lightweight, functional backcountry stove for less than a few dollars.
Ghost Bears
Tracking Grizzies in the North Cascades
Foraging 101
How to Find Food in the Wild
Fall/Winter Gear Guide
261 reviews and camping tips
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With BACKPACKER PRO Maps, get life-list destinations and local trips on adventure-ready waterproof myTopo paper.
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