| NATIONAL PARKS QUICKLINKS |
Top 3 Glow-in-the-Dark Trips
See glowing plankton, mushrooms, and bugs on these brilliant adventures.
Three Trips to Natural Wonders
Discover the world's oldest tree, America's biggest cavern, and Florida's largest herd of wild horses on these three treks.
Wilderness Wonders: Strangest Rock Formation
Millions of years ago, these crazy rock formations were formed in Turkey due to volcanic activity.
Dogs of War Part 1: Hunting Denali Wolves
Coke Wallace lives to hunt wolves. Follow him into the Alaskan backcountry to learn how wolf hunters find, catch, and kill their prey.
Dogs of War Part 2: Tracking the Toklat Wolf Pack
Join wildlife scientist Gordon Haber on a trip into Denali to track down the threatened Toklat pack's den, where he hopes to see wolves thriving in their natural environment.
Boulder's Gregory Canyon Trail
Take an abandoned wagon road near Boulder's Flatirons with Backpacker editors Jon Dorn and Anthony Cerretani in this trail profile.
FEATURES, ADVICE, AND PROFILES
Environment
Three Trips to Natural Wonders
Discover the world's oldest tree, America's biggest cavern, and Florida's largest herd of wild horses on these three treks.
Wilderness Wonders: Strangest Rock Formation
Millions of years ago, these crazy rock formations were formed in Turkey due to volcanic activity.Plants
Top 3 Glow-in-the-Dark Trips
See glowing plankton, mushrooms, and bugs on these brilliant adventures.
Wilderness Wonders: Tallest Tree
Head to Northern California's Redwood National Park for a glimpse at these giants.Threats
Danger Signs: Trail Confusion
Don't want to get lost? Heed this advice on four trail situations that routinely cause problems.
Danger Signs: Burn Zones
Here are the top three wildfire dangers and how to avoid them.Weather
Wind Power: Turbulence Ahead
Wind power offers clean energy–but how much will hikers compromise to get it?
Cascades Meltdown
The Lower 48's most glaciated region is losing its ice at an astonishing rate.Wildlife
Danger Signs: Bear Country
Hiking where bears are present (that's more than 40 states) always requires precautions, like hanging food. But these three signals demand extra vigilance.
Natural Wilderness Wonders
Fiery volcanoes, 40-ton mammals, otherworldly caves–in this explorer's guide, we'll show you where to find the most mind-blowing backcountry features on the planet. By Marcus Woolf
Three Trips to Natural Wonders
Discover the world's oldest tree, America's biggest cavern, and Florida's largest herd of wild horses on these three treks.
Wilderness Wonders: Strangest Rock Formation
Millions of years ago, these crazy rock formations were formed in Turkey due to volcanic activity.
Danger Signs: Burn Zones
Here are the top three wildfire dangers and how to avoid them.
Wilderness Wonders: Tallest Tree
Head to Northern California's Redwood National Park for a glimpse at these giants.
Wilderness Wonders: Largest Glacier
Trekker-friendly glacier is largest in the Alps.
Wilderness Wonders: Hottest Geysers
Superheated water sprays from Yellowstone ground.
Wilderness Wonders: Biggest Cave
The Sarawak Chamber at Gunung Mulu National Park in Malaysia has over 186 miles of caves.
Wilderness Wonders: Largest Crater
Zebras, wildebeest and rhinos all call this Tanzanian volcanic caldera just another place to eat.
Wilderness Wonders: Highest Biodiversity
From jaguars to river dolphins, Amazonian animals are diverse.
Mount Rainier: Thunder on the Mountain
Two years after hurricane-force winds and rain ravaged hundreds of miles of trail in Mt. Rainier National Park, the true damage is finally becoming clear. And what it's telling scientists is alarming: Bigger, more frequent–and more destructive–storms may be coming.
Top 3 Glow-in-the-Dark Trips
See glowing plankton, mushrooms, and bugs on these brilliant adventures.
Wilderness Wonders: Tallest Tree
Head to Northern California's Redwood National Park for a glimpse at these giants.
3 Poached Treasures
Backcountry crooks ransack public lands, stealing the natural prizes most coveted by collectors–and vulnerable species and hikers alike suffer when these icons vanish from the trails to resurface on the black market.
Danger Signs: Painful Plants
Sure, you know the mantra "leaves of three, let it be." But that warning alone doesn't help you detect those irritating plants that change colors, grow as vines, or mimic harmless species. Heed these tips to keep your summer itch-free.
Super Poison Ivy is Coming
More potent poison ivy is on the way, plus fast-growing weeds that will change the face of Eastern forests.
How to Treat Poison Ivy
Beat the itchy stuff with creams or homeopathic measures.
Powerful Plants and Animals In Your Backyard
The wooly bear caterpillar, wild leek, and yew have "magical" qualities, but live in your backyard.Trip Doctor: Best Western Foliage
Where's the best western foliage?Backpacker Interview: The Trail Bandit
Rangers despise him. The law is after him. Yet in chopping down trees in an overgrown national park, Bob Garrison has become a hero to some hikers.Blueberry Magic
Berries Prove Balance Can Be Sweet
Danger Signs: Trail Confusion
Don't want to get lost? Heed this advice on four trail situations that routinely cause problems.
Danger Signs: Burn Zones
Here are the top three wildfire dangers and how to avoid them.
Danger Signs: Bear Country
Hiking where bears are present (that's more than 40 states) always requires precautions, like hanging food. But these three signals demand extra vigilance.
Phenomenon: Crevasses
These gaping glacier cracks are dramatic–and deadly. Here's how they form, plus three safe places to see a crevasse up close.
Natural Born Killers: Top Backcountry Dangers
Which is the bigger backcountry threat, grizzlies or flash floods? Find out what should scare you–and how to survive it–with BACKPACKER's Terror Index.
Danger Signs: Flash Flood
July to mid-September is prime time for heavy rains in the Southwest, where fast-rising water in narrow canyons can turn trickling streams into deadly torrents. Don't get swept away.
Nuclear-Free Hiking
How Cold War weapons sites are becoming America's most unusual new preserves.
What Will Alaska's Future Look Like?
Alaska is the last frontier, but energy development and climate change promise to change the face of our wildest state in your lifetime. Here's how.
How to Hang a Bear Bag
Learn the easiest way to hang a bear bag and keep your camping snacks safe from rummaging paws.Wilderness Wonders: Most Active Volcano
You better stand back if this Sicilian island volcano starts to spurt.
Wind Power: Turbulence Ahead
Wind power offers clean energy–but how much will hikers compromise to get it?
Cascades Meltdown
The Lower 48's most glaciated region is losing its ice at an astonishing rate.
How to Survive Winter Storms
New Hampshire's Mt. Washington is know for its evil weather. Learn how to survive a winter storm from one of the peak's experts.
Phenomenon: What are Sky Islands?
To see how animals stay cool in a hot climate, just look up.Danger Signs - Winter Sun
UV rays are still harmful even when the temperature drops. We'll show you how to protect yourself against the sun, even when it's cold.How to Avoid Avalanches
Hike safely in avalanche terrainPhenomenon: Snowmelt
Rising alpine temperatures and polluted snow are threatening snowpack–and the water it generates.Danger Signs: How to Detect a Winter Storm
Learning to determine winter weather signs depends on where you are.How to Avoid Sudden Thaws
Warming temps can wreak havoc on snow-packed adventures. Learn the conditions and warning signs that can cause a dangerous, sudden thaw.Happy Go Wet: Backpacker's Rain Quiz
Can you handle a rainy outing? Take our fun quiz to see how you'd fare under a sky of liquid sunshine.
Danger Signs: Bear Country
Hiking where bears are present (that's more than 40 states) always requires precautions, like hanging food. But these three signals demand extra vigilance.
Natural Wilderness Wonders
Fiery volcanoes, 40-ton mammals, otherworldly caves–in this explorer's guide, we'll show you where to find the most mind-blowing backcountry features on the planet. By Marcus Woolf
Dogs of War
Another dead Denali wolf. A battle for the soul of wild Alaska. Our reporter visits America's most iconic wilderness for the inside story of a park under siege.
Wilderness Wonders: Largest Crater
Zebras, wildebeest and rhinos all call this Tanzanian volcanic caldera just another place to eat.
Wilderness Wonders: Highest Biodiversity
From jaguars to river dolphins, Amazonian animals are diverse.
The Missing Lynx
In Colorado, wilderness hut managers recruit hikers to track an elusive wildcat.
See More: Winter Birds
Forget flying south. Learn the secrets of cold-weather survival from three well-adapted birds.
Special Video and Photo Report: Alaska's Toklat Wolf Pack in Crisis
When senior editor Tracy Ross investigated Denali's wolf controversy, she expected to see a dead wolf--but not a skinned one. Go behind the scenes with video filmed in the field.
The Alaska Wolf Debate: Q&A with Tracy Ross
Author Tracy Ross discusses her feature story "Dogs of War" devoted to the debate raging in Alaska over the famed Toklat wolf pack.
Predator-Prey Relationships
Learn how carnivores and their quarry interact—and what happens when humans upset the natural balance.
Tools & Experts
Medicine Man
Our wilderness medicine guru talks first-aid, health, and emergency management.
Get Schooled
Survival Blog
Go deep into the backcountry with Rocky Mountain Editor Steve Howe and get an unfiltered dose dose of all things survival.
Are you tough enough?
Menu Maker
Get ready to head into the wild with our complete menus and shopping lists for your perfect outing.
Find Your Perfect Meal
Backpacking 101
Trip-planning tips, gear lists, safety advice, and other essential wisdom every hiker ought to know.
Get Started
MASTER YOUR OUTDOOR EXPERTISE WITH OUR TIPS
Dogs of War Part 1: Hunting Denali Wolves
Coke Wallace lives to hunt wolves. Follow him into the Alaskan backcountry to learn how wolf hunters find, catch, and kill their prey.
Dogs of War Part 2: Tracking the Toklat Wolf Pack
Join wildlife scientist Gordon Haber on a trip into Denali to track down the threatened Toklat pack's den, where he hopes to see wolves thriving in their natural environment.
Boulder's Gregory Canyon Trail
Take an abandoned wagon road near Boulder's Flatirons with Backpacker editors Jon Dorn and Anthony Cerretani in this trail profile.
Find the Outdoor Equipment You Need
TIP 8: Prep Your GPS
Turn on your GPS 15 minutes before hiking to give it time to locate satellites.
GearFinder
equipment you need.
Fix-It Center
Make your gear last forever
with this ultimate DIY guide.
Backpacker's Gadget Guide 2009
The latest gadgets for technophobes, technogeeks,
and everyone in between.
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