Favorite Dayhike all hikes

McCall, ID: Rapid River

This year-round route runs 6.9 miles along the astonishingly clear Rapid River through evergreen forests to campsites in the Hells Canyon region.

Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument: Loowit Trail Loop

This 3-day, 29-mile loop around Mount St. Helens links old-growth forests to alpine lakes and meadows and offers a front-row look at the leftovers of this volcano's famous eruption on May 18, 1980.

Portland, OR: Hamilton Mountain

Climb high above the Columbia Gorge on this 6.9-mile loop to a skyline of volcanoes, peaks, and endless green hills.

Portland, OR: Kings Mountain

The steep, 6-mile out-and-back hike to 3,226-foot Kings Mountain makes a good early-season tune-up or midsummer wildflower tour.

Portland, OR: Marys Peak

Bag the highest peak in the Coast Range on this 6.1-mile out-and-back where wind, sun, and altitude create several unique ecosystems.

Portland, OR: Tom Dick and Harry Mountain via Mirror Lake

Grab a first-class view of Mount Hood on this timeless 6-mile out-and-back to lakeside campsites and craggy mountain overlooks in Mount Hood Wilderness.

Rocky Mountain National Park: Sandbeach Lake Loop

Follow this 9.9-mile loop through vibrant wildflower displays and past snow-fed streams to a huge alpine lake with unbeatable campsite views of Mount Meeker.

San Antonio, TX: Lost Maples State Park

Hold onto your pennies! This 4.8-mile loop passes a wishing well en route to a set of refreshing swimming holes in Lost Maples State Park.

Scottsbluff, NE: Saddle Rock Trail

The crumbling caprock and sheer sandstone faces of Scotts Bluff frightened Oregon Trail-era emigrants, but they're the draw on this challenging, 3.8-mile out-and-back that climbs 500 feet up the towering massif.

Seattle, WA: Pratt Lake Saddle

Less than an hour's drive from Seattle, this 8.2-mile out-and-back visits a scenic overlook with five-star views of Mount Rainier and the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.

Silverthorne, CO: Ptarmigan Peak

This 11.8-mile dayhike links quiet forests and wildflower-filled meadows to a broad mountaintop overlooking Lake Dillon.

Yosemite National Park: Sentinel Dome Loop

Hike 5.5 miles into Ansel Adams country to the top of Sentinel Dome and around to Taft Point for fisheye panoramas of Yosemite Valley.

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Photos + Videos

Editors' Choice Gold 2010 Videos: Evernew Titanium Non-Stick Cookware These perfect pots have stood the test of time and earned our coveted Editors' Choice Gold Award.	Editors' Choice 2010: Climbing the Monch BACKPACKER editors cap their Swiss gear-testing trip with a climb of the 13,474-foot Monch.

Beginner's Guide to Winter Camping: A Seven Part Series

Rocky Mountain Editor and survival blogger Steve Howe gets you out of the house on your first winter camping trip with this seven-part how-to guide.

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.