Colorado 14ers: Kit Carson Peak
Knock off two thrilling 14ers on this strenuous 11.2-mile, out-and-back adventure in Colorado's rugged Sangre de Cristo Wilderness. Also makes a great overnight.
| NATIONAL PARKS QUICKLINKS |
Colorado featured hikes / reader trips
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Denver: Meyers Homestead TrailCruise 5.2 miles along gentle foothills, Ireland-esque pastures, and past an old sawmill to a vista overlooking Boulder Canyon and the Front Range. Durango, CO: Engineer MountainGaining 2,300 feet in just 2.6-miles, this out-and-back climbs the slopes of Engineer Mountain and rewards with high-altitude wildflowers and views of a rare rock glacier. Grand Junction, CO: The RibbonA favorite of hikers and mountain bikers alike, this 7.2-mile out-and-back rolls through a creek wash and climbs an expansive slickrock ribbon overlooking the Grand Valley.
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Mounts Democrat, Cameron, and LincolnNamed as Colorado's best dayhike in the May 2009 issue of BACKPACKER, this spectacular loop in the Mosquito Range hits three Fourteeners (two official, one unofficial) that were only recently opened for hiking. Vail, CO: Battle Mountain and Tennessee PassThese two climbs along U.S. Highway 24 are tough but doable, and most definitely enjoyable. Stop along the way and gawk at the mind-blowing views. Boulder, CO: 70 Percent DirtDitch your beloved road bike for a dirty affair with 'cross wheels on this pavement-averse tour of Front Range gravel.
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Top Cities to Raise A...Does your kid want to be an ice climber? How about a thru-hiker, or paddler? These cities have just what you need. 
The Best Cities to Raise an Outdoor KidWhich trails offer the ideal mix of accessible trails, inspiring teachers, and great recreational resources? We worked with The Outdoor Foundation to identify America's top 25 places to beat nature deficit disorder. 
The Best Cities to Raise an Outdoor Kid: The Winning 25From Boulder to Juneau to Bozeman, see which cities made the cut for the best place to raise an outdoor kid, and why. |
America's Best DayhikesFrom dawn-to-dusk epics in Utah canyons to lazy-picnic blueberry strolls in Maine–plus hikes to peaks, redwoods, hot springs, beaches, and more–here are 100 ways to spend a perfect day on the trail. Rocky Mountain National Park's Grand Loop: 3D Flyover and TracklogFly the Rockies with our 3D video, then download the GPS track to do the route yourself. 
Rip & Go: Bowen-Baker Loop - Never Summer Wilderness, COGet national park scenery without the crowds on an alpine overnight with lakeside camping. |
3D Flyover: Rocky Mountain National Park's Grand LoopExplore the quieter side of Rocky Mountain National Park with writer Dougald MacDonald on this historically inspired route up Longs Peak. 
Boulder's Gregory Canyon TrailTake an abandoned wagon road near Boulder's Flatirons with Backpacker editors Jon Dorn and Anthony Cerretani in this trail profile. 
The CDT Project: WildlifeBig and small, the Backpacker teams spotted a variety of wildlife along the CDT |
Editors' Choice: Hiking the Sand DunesJoin the Backpacker editors on their gear testing trip to Great Sand Dunes National Park. |
Share your tales of travel & adventure with our step-by-step guide. Upload trail descriptions, photos, video, and more.
Photos + Videos
2009 Editors' Choice Award Winner: Garmin Oregon 400t GPSMeet the ultimate GPS: simple enough for beginners, powerful enough for experts. Rocky Mountain Editor Steve Howe gives you the tour. |
Editors' Choice Awards: Sierra Designs Lightning XT4 TentFour is not a crowd in this family-size featherweight. |
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Adventure Weekends: Luxury Hiking and Camping
We've got a selection of cozy shelters and trail-side restaurants from Washington to Maine. Check out these hikes in the Rockies, the Northeast, and the Northwest.
Hiking The Annapurna Circuit: Q&A With Shannon Davis
Associate editor Shannon Davis tells us more about the highs and lows of his honeymoon trek (featured in March 2009's "The Perfect Circle") on the sky-scraping Annapurna Circuit in Nepal.
American Classic: Hiking the Appalachian Trail
In this ultimate guide to the country's favorite footpath, you'll find our picks for the best hiking and camping, and a complete plan for thru-hikers. Plus, meet a man who has made it his job to help AT hikers.
Top 3 Winter Hut Treks
Trek into the wilderness but sleep in comfort with these hut treks
Mt. Adams: Solitude On Ice
Test your self-arrest skills on Mt. Adams's 12,276-foot fractured glacier.
GearFinder
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Fix-It Center
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Backpacker's Gadget Guide 2009
The latest gadgets for technophobes, technogeeks,
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