Editors' Picks with Map Editor Andrew Matranga
Gadgets and gear from our resident map editor.
Displaying 1 - 49 of approximately 49 results
John Muir Trail Section 5: Onion Valley to Whitney Portal
Tag Mount Whitney, the Lower 48's highest peak, during this 42-mile trek into Sequoia National Park where there's more acreage of wilderness than you'll know what to do with.
John Muir Trail Section 4: Edison Lake to Onion Valley
In this 86-mile section, hike through Kings Canyon National Park into a series of JMT favorites.
John Muir Trail Section 3: Devil's Postpile to Edison Lake
Climb through a rejuvenating burn zone and a cinder cone-strewn hillside at the front end of this 32-mile stretch on the JMT
Great Sand Dunes National Park: Star Dune Loop
Ascend North America's tallest dunes for a day surrounded by alpine peaks, a desert valley, and shifting mountains of sand on this 6.6-mile loop in America's newest national park.
Denver, CO: Bison Peak Trail
Hike lonely trails filled with Yosemite-like granite formations in Lost Creek Wilderness on this 15.4-mile out-and-back up the Retirement Range's highest peak.
Gary, IN: Shoreline to Ridge Hollow Loop
Loop 5.7 miles into shaded hollows and up the highest dunes on Lake Michigan's southern shore in Indiana Dunes State Park.
Denver: Devils Thumb Loop
Bag two peaks on this 9-mile, fido-friendly loop around Boulder's signature Flatirons.
Denver, CO: Apex Loop
Downtown and need a post-meeting fix? This heart-pounding 4.3-mile scramble in Apex Park gives new meaning to that old runner's high.
Colorado 14ers: Quandary Peak
Follow this popular route up a long, gentle ridge to gain intimate views of the Tenmile Range and the Continental Divide.
Rocky Mountain National Park: Mills Lake
The must-see list for this 5.7-mile dayhike to Glacier Gorge is long: raging waterfalls, alpine lakes, and a skyline of humbling mountain views.
Denver: Apex Park Loop
Just a short bus ride from downtown, this 5.1-mile dayhike climbs loops around the panoramic ridgelines of Indian Mountain.
Boulder, CO: Devils Thumb Lake
Leave your car at home: To explore Continental Divide country, you only need a bus ticket and your bike.
New York City, NY: Central Park (South Loop)
Deep within Manhattan's famed 843-acre greenspace, this 4.1-mile escape offers a quick break from the daily grind.
Yosemite National Park: Half Dome
Climb 4,800 feet on this classic 15.7-mile route to the top of the park’s most-iconic peak towering above the Valley floor.
Asheville, NC: Nantahala Headwaters Loop
Hike 24.8 miles around the source of the Nantahala River on the Appalachian Trail and camp atop Albert Mountain for night-sky views. On night two, pitch your tent on 5,498-foot Standing Indian, a treeless bald with front-row sunset vistas.
John Muir Trail: Tuolumne Meadows to Devils Postpile
Score some of the John Muir Trail's most classic views on this 31-mile section hike in Yosemite National Park that starts less than two hours from Bishop.
Instant Upgrades
Snag a last-minute permit for a popular national park trail, ease the itch from a poison ivy/oak encounter, navigate successfully in a canoe, and pack the right amount of food for your big groups backcountry trip.
Instant Upgrades
Improve your balance on uneven terrain, figure out if your water filter is still working, and determine the crossability of a questionable river or stream during spring and early-summer.
Mountain Map: White Mountains, NH
The Granite State's crown jewel is an epicenter for alpine adventure, from peakbagging to ridgewalking to hut camping. Where to start? In the heart of the Whites, with beta from our map team. Trek across windswept plateaus, tag a handful of the range's 48 peaks above 4,000 feet, and get a taste of high-altitude tundra.
Instant Upgrades
Revive waterproof jackets, salvage a wet map, get better backcountry sleep, and organize your gear. By Sarah Maurer
January 2013 Table of Contents
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Maps and GPS Webinar
Map Editor Andrew Matranga gives a sneak peak into our popular navigation course.
Winter Survival Guide: Navigate
Especially in winter, getting there is half the battle. Find your way through the white with these tips.
November 2012 Table of Contents
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Mountain Map: New Mexico – Sandia Mountains
Explore Albuquerque's backyard mountain range.
Gear Guide 2012: Food
Fuel more trail miles with our favorite new packable meals.
January 2013 Table of Contents
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Fall/Winter Gear Guide 2011: Editors' Picks
The editors of Backpacker and Climbing weigh in on their favorite pieces of gear and gadgets.
Iceland: Tested
After a season of backcountry skiing, hiking, and climbing everywhere from the Rockies to the Andes, we took the year's best winter gear for a final shakedown in Iceland's remote Glacier Fjords. What we found: awesome ice-carved terrain and the sweetest boat-in camping and skiing on earth.
Record-Setting Backpacker Knowledge: Take Our Trivia Quiz
Do you know the fastest animals, longest trails, and biggest patches of wilderness? Take our quiz to find out!
Father's Day Gift Guide
What do dads really want? Hint: not more ties or car wash gift certificates. We polled our male staffers to find out what they hope to get (or give) this June 19th.
Real GPS Unit vs. Smartphone GPS Apps
How do the GPS apps for smartphones compare to a regular GPS?
Midwest Winter Report: Thundersnow!
Live from the snowed-in Midwest, Map Editor Andrew Matranga reports on a bizarre winter-weather phenomenon: thundersnow.
Lofty Design
Our map of the day charts the nations's highest points.
Everest Gets 3G Cell Phone Service
Private company installs eight cell towers on Nepal side of Everest.
Homemade Map Masterpiece
British student uses GPS to meticulously map his campus, and the result is awesome
New Life List: Thru-Hike the JMT
A lifetime of weekend trips is like trying to live on appetizers. Get real sustenance with a two-week trek through the best of the Sierras on California's John Muir Trail.
Local Hikes: Southeast
Climb to two killer views, see the South's best flowers, and hike to secluded falls. (Click linked trips for GPS waypoints, photos, and more.)
Local Hikes: Northeast
Hike across a state, gain the country's best foliage view, and top alpine balds. (Click linked trips for GPS waypoints, photos, and more.)
Local Hikes: Mountain West
Spot a grizzly, basecamp amid Fourteeners, and relax in secluded hot springs. (Click linked trips for GPS waypoints, photos, and more.)
Local Hikes: Midwest
See moose, bag a high-desert peak, and sample a quiet long trail. (Click linked trips for GPS waypoints, photos, and more.)
Local Hikes: California/Nevada/Hawaii
Hike to the world's best tropical campsite, see elephant seals, and trek through poppies. (Click linked trips for GPS waypoints, photos, and more.)
Local Hikes: Northwest
See five volcanoes, camp at secluded lakes, and hike through a swarm of butterflies. (Click linked trips for GPS waypoints, photos, and more.)
Colorado Trail: Top Peaks
The top peaks for every type of hiker.
Bad Camp Hair
Everyone gets it. But the BACKPACKER editors aren't afraid to take their hats off and flaunt it. Check out this slideshow complete with details on how to submit your own (or an unsuspecting friend's) horrible camp hair pics.
The CDT Project
We sent 209 readers out to GPS the Continental Divide Trail, the biggest, baddest long-distance path of them all. They brought back the makings of the first authoritative map of this American classic. These are their stories–and their favorite sections.
Expert Panel: Instant Upgrades
We asked a few of our favorite pros how to fix some common backcountry annoyances
Expert Panel: Instant Upgrades
Check out Kristy Holland's author page.