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Skirt the edges of a boggy cauldron in Kettle Moraine State Forest as you loop 4 miles into terrain tilled by supersize glaciers thousands of years ago.

This easy 3-mile loop in Willow River State Park is spiked with cool sights and sounds: rolling bluffs, loud waterfalls, and beautiful lakeshore views.

In 3.3 miles, hike two loops—one leads to campsites and a lovely waterfall, while the other sneaks along ridges and gullies perfect for nature photography.

Follow rolling hills and ridgelines into the forested hollows of the Ozarks on this 8.4-mile loop in Hobbs State Park–Conservation Area.

Find your inner hermit on this 26.3-mile loop in George Washington National Forest, complete with endless scenery, heaps of wildlife, and oh-so-quiet campsites.

Birds (240 species) far outnumber hikers on this 4.3-mile circuit in the rolling hills of Radnor Lake State Natural Area, a real paradise for ornithology enthusiasts.

Catch great views on your way up Virginia’s highest mountain on this 7.2-mile out-and-back through the open balds and ridges of the Appalachians.

This 5-mile circuit hike offers rugged cliffs, gentle creeks, and the chance to see dozens of the 900-plus species within Clear Creek Metro Park.

This 8.5-mile loop climbs to rugged bluffs and views of the Missouri River and its bluffs, then rolls through cool hollows in Weldon Spring Conservation Area.

Tag the highest peak in Minnesota on this 6.6-mile hike, which courses under a coniferous forest and past a glacial lake with nice backcountry campsites.

Nestled deep along Genesee Falls, this 6.5-mile reverse-lasso loop overlooks New York's "Grand Canyon" in Letchworth State Park.

Re-energize yourself on the White-Yellow Loop, a mellow 4.4-mile lasso to a serene picnic spot in this small park just 16 miles from center city.

Tackle a section of America's first National Scenic Trail on this 15.8-mile out-and-back overnight near Lake Tiorati in Harriman State Park.

Glaciers, high passes, and pristine tundra highlight this intermediate hike.

This hearty 9.4-miler in the Palouse Range is guaranteed to satisfy your lust for wildlife sightings and mountain valley views.

You'll need multisport skills to scramble, glacier-trek, and paddle through these rarely seen towers.

Thirteen days of tough travel takes you through the heart of the world's largest protected wilderness.

Ramble 7.8 miles through woodlands of black oak, Jeffrey pine, and incense cedar.

Witness the stunning transition of forest to desert on a 10.5-mile hike that traverses the Laguna Mountains.

This 6.6-mile technical out-and-back follows the steep runoff of Beehive Creek 2,000 feet to the rocky shores of two alpine lakes in the proposed Selkirk Mountains Wilderness.

This pleasant 7-mile round-trip hike into Norse Peak Wilderness offers sublime views of volcanic summits without the area's usual knee-breaking ascent.

This romantic 6.1-miler follows Lovers Lane Trail to four waterfalls and countless cool swimming holes set in the deep forests of Olympic National Park.

Beachcomb 11.6 miles up and back on this sandy fin for intimate oceanside views and sweet body-surfing spots.

Seek quick refuge from busy streets of Portland on this 5.3-mile loop across wooded slopes to a summit showcasing three snowy peaks.

This aggressive 6-mile climb leads to the highest point in the Coast Ranges. Shaded Alder groves, wildflower meadows, and views of volcanoes and the Pacific Ocean await.

This 11-mile out-and-back hike heads up Dungeness Spit, a sandy coastal bar decorated with giant driftwood and the occasional deer, to an old lighthouse.

From river valley to alpine meadows, this 10.8-mile hike features a brilliant flower display in midsummer and stunning Olympic Range views year-round.

This 4.2-mile hike tours the only state park in Portland, following Tryon Creek to forest floors teeming with beautiful trilliums during the springtime.

This 5.3-mile loop into old-growth forests and along whispering streams offers a true wilderness escape only a few miles from downtown Portland in Forest Park.

This out-and-back 4.4-miler gently wanders under the shade of giant cedars and firs, then circles a peaceful lake.

Climb up 2,200 feet to breathtaking views of Washington's most prominent mountain ranges--the Olympics and Cascades--on this 4.8-mile out-and-back.

This 6-mile out-and-back offers commanding views from bluffs overlooking the St. Francis River and passes remnants of an old mining operation.

This pleasant 4-mile loop runs through a peaceful hardwood forest, then roughly parallels the banks of the Chippewa River to a wooden covered bridge.

Believe us: Nothing stinks about this place. This 5-mile out-and-back along the greenbelt of the North Skunk River is teaming with wildlife and migrating waterfowl.

Escape the Windy City on this easy 5.9-mile hike through a beautiful hardwood forest into ravines carved by glaciers more than 10,000 years ago.

Escape the hot-air desert floor by bagging two breezy peaks with outstanding views on this 5.8-mile out-and-back hike.

Escape the city's bustle by leaving the mainland. This 10.4-mile loop explores the crowd-free hills and beautiful gardens of Santa Catalina Island.

Explore Austin's very own all-natural waterworld on this 4.4-mile out-and-back to refreshing swimming holes and three waterfalls. Located just minutes from downtown.

Earth, wind, and fire are all present on this 3.6-mile dayhike to a secluded waterfall and overlooks above the Columbia Gorge.

Rock-scrambling and long-range vistas highlight this hardy 11.2-mile out-and-back up a much photographed but rarely climbed East County peak.

Cash in on big-money views above Lake Mead and the Vegas Valley on this rugged 4.6-mile loop in the River Mountains.

This shady trail in the Columbia River Gorge links four waterfalls in a moss-shrouded gorge with a handful of campsites.

This 6.2-mile dayhike leads to the site of the original Kentucky Derby, a centuries-old racetrack tucked into the mountains of Indian Heaven Wilderness.

This 3.5-mile dayhike loops a remarkable butte for scenic panoramas above the endless green hills of southeastern Washington.

Grab shotgun views of four volcanoes on this lonely 6.2-mile out-and-back in Gifford Pinchot National Forest.

Welcome to the map portion of Steve Howe's solo thru-hike of the Sierra High Route. Steve is BACKPACKER's Rocky Mountain editor, and he started this 37-day, 280-mile route on Saturday, August 26, 2006. He's podcasting once a day from his evening camp, and we'll be updating this map daily with a new waypoint showing where he's pitching his tent.

This 6.2-mile loop leads into a land of rainbows and big waterfalls among the granite faces of Yosemite Valley.

On this 6.6-mile hike, you'll climb the highest peak on the Great Salt Lake's Antelope Island, which is home to more than 600 bison.

Discover the remote cliff dwellings of a long-lost Native American tribe on this 8-mile out-and back in Tonto National Forest.

Hike rolling grassland punctuated by towering redrock formations to a ridge overlooking the Front Range on this 6-mile loop just 20 minutes from Denver.

Climb the rocky guardian of the northern Gallatin Range on this 10-mile out-and-back to a skyline full of lofty pinnacles.

Lush river canyons meet high desert mesas on this 23.7-mile, 3-day loop in the Gila Wilderness.

Cascading brooks, seasonal wildflowers, and picturesque ponds highlight this 5.1-mile loop through the thick forests of Maine to two summits.

This 5.8-mile loop takes you through a 400-year-old forest to summit the highest Bay State peak east of the Berkshires.

Hike or bike around the quiet shores of Watonga Lake, then into the brushy hills on this moderate 4.9-mile loop in Roman Nose State Park.

Escape the land of skyscrapers on this 3.6-mile, fi gure-8 circuit where wildlife-rich wetlands mix with undulating meadows and forested tracts.

Cross rolling hills and recovering woodlands on this 13.4-mile, one-way backpacking trip through a sweet slice of East Texas wilderness.

Paddle past wooded islands while perfecting your loon call on this 13.6-mile weekend trip across four lakes to an isolated campsite.

Roam wild hollows and hills to cozy campsites strewn with pine needles on this little-known 15.2-mile loop in Wayne National Forest.

Sea cliffs, wildflower meadows, secret waterfalls, and little elevation gain make this coastal old-growth 4-miler a sweet dayhike at any time of year.

Navigate rocky canyon bottoms amid colorful cactus-studded hills on a 6.8-mile off-trail excursion in the Superstition Wilderness.

This 8.5-mile out-and-back with an off-trail bonus traverses grassy ridgelines to a rocky summit overlooking the Wasatch Front.

Take advantage of the park's quieter winter season on this 9.4-mile snowshoe trek through wooded hills to an expansive plateau with endless snowy views.

This 11.2-mile, high-country dayhike crisscrosses rolling mountain meadows with stellar views of the tallest peaks in the Pecos Wilderness.

Wander through lush forests and high-alpine meadows to a pair of secluded mountain lakes nestled at the foot of the Mummy Range.

Climb nearly 4,000 vertical feet, scramble up rock ledges, explore a gorge, and summit two mountains on this 8.3-mile White Mountain adventure.

Look for deer, bobcat, and soaring turkey vultures on this 8.8-mile ridgeline hike in Crystal Cove State Park.

This double loop takes you 5.4 miles past old homesites to the abundant native vegetation on the undeveloped shores of Lake Overstreet.

Sample two long paths on a 5.8-mile figure-8 loop through hemlock groves and along churning creeks to an AT shelter in Chattahoochee National Forest.

This 13.2-mile loop is classic Smokies: free-flowing creeks, wide valley views, and hardwood forests peppered with long-abandoned homesites.

This 8.3-mile loop wins big for its endless slots, splashy waterfalls, huge buttes, incredible stars--even lions, and yeah, a few unmentionables, too.

Bag two peaks while enjoying stunning views of Mt. Washington and Vermont's Green Mountains on this 10.3-mile horseshoe hike.

Unspoiled black-sand beaches, rogue breakers, and craggy mountains form a remote backdrop to this 13.4-mile weekend adventure along the Lost Coast.

Soak up views from open balds on this moderate 10.4-mile hike through a born-again wilderness once dotted with grazing sheep and WWII soldiers.

On this 5.6-miler, see the rare granite domes and lively waterfalls that earned this Nantahala National Forest valley the nickname "Yosemite of the East."

Go ahead, kids: Skip over creeks. Play in the mud. Catch bugs. This easy hike crams lots of wild fun into 3.4 miles.

Immerse yourself in history as you explore long-abandoned Civil War batteries on this 6.1-mile hike to a commanding view of Harpers Ferry.

Traverse boulder fields and skirt eroded hollows on this 10.5-mile loop across the roof of the longest mapped cave system in the world.

Stuck in the city? Bag two peaks on this 7.9-miler in the rugged hills and valleys of Mission Trails Regional Park, just a few miles from downtown.

Go for two ragged 4,000-foot peaks in the pristine Pemigewasset Wilderness on this 14.2-mile backpacking loop.