Backpacker Magazine – November 2008

Trip Finder: Indian Summer Hikes

Fall camping season seems to go on forever with these fair-weather weekend trips.

by: Steve Johnson

Tags:
• Indiana
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• Wisconsin
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• Maine
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• Oregon
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• New York
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• Pennsylvania
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• California
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• South Dakota
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Northeast | West | Midwest

WEST
2 Days
Rogue-Umpqua Divide Wilderness, OR
Fall's diffused light and dry conditions show off the best of the Cascades on this 13-mile loop. Launch from the Hershberger Mountain trailhead and stroll through the tall grasses of Highrock Meadow before descending through deciduous forest, where vibrant yellows surround stands of spruce, fir, and incense cedar. Pass Fish Lake and buttonhook east to the Rocky Rim Trail, camping near the Palisades. A saddle-crossing with stellar mountain views leads back to the trailhead. fs.fed.us/r6/umpqua

3 Days
Lassen Volcanic National Park, CA
Summer here can scorch, but it's cool and crowd-free after the first frost. This 18-miler starts at Summit Lake Ranger Station and climbs to views of Chaos Crags (five lava domes) before dropping to a campsite between Upper and Lower Twin Lakes. Pass an ancient lava flow on day two and camp by Snag Lake. Then climb to scenes of Rainbow Lake on the return. nps.gov/lavo

4 Days
Yosemite National Park, CA
Go Ansel Adams on this 35-miler through the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne. White Wolf Trail dips into a flower-filled meadow to an incense cedar campsite in Pate Valley. Day two, track riverside cliffs to Muir Gorge, camping at Waterwheel Falls. Day three, wander recently-burnt woods to a tent site at McGee Lake. Hike out three miles on the Murphy Creek Trail. nps.gov/yose

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