Hike of the Day: Trail of Ten Falls in Oregon
A classic waterfall hike in Silver Falls State Park, the Trail of Ten Falls visits 11 cascades and tours lush forests sprinkled with vibrant wildflowers.
All Content
Fact Or Fiction: Survival Hunter, New Zealand Bans #2, Montana Ends Wolf Hunt
This week's weird outdoor newsplus one faker.
2010 Photo Contest: the Outtakes
This year's Backpacker Photo Contest was a tight race. Here, see outstandings photos that just missed the cut. See the January 2010 issue for the winners.
National Parks Hall of Fame
The all-time best. That's what every hiker wants on a national park trek, and that's what you'll get if you tackle one of these 25 trips.
Mammut Slidestop Mat
Upgrade your zzzzz's with this luxe and versatile system.
Mammut Light Pump Mat
Upgrade your zzzzz's with this luxe and versatile system.
Mammut Zeon 25
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Mammut Neon Gear 45
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Mammut Creon Zip 28
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Mammut Creon Element 25
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Mammut Crea Contact 28
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Mammut Creon Contact 32
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Natural Wonders: Blowholes, Salmon Runs, & Wine Country
Hawaii's Nakalele blowhole rivals Old Faithful. Plus: Trek to Oregon's salmon run and California's wine country.
Mammut Crea Pro 32
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Mammut Creon Pro 38
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
National Parks Hall of Fame: Best Solitude
If less people, more elk has become your mountain mantra, check the Guadalupe Mountains backcountry camping sites and trails and get that so sought after alone time.
National Parks Hall of Fame: Best Loop
Don't go up, go around. Rainier's Wonderland Trail loop offers the marathon hiker two weeks of backpacking bliss.
National Parks Hall of Fame: Park Finder
Zero in on your perfect hike, from thrilling slots to soak-awhile hot springs.
National Parks Hall of Fame: Best Alpine Hike
Live longer, take the North Circle Route. Glacier's highcountry views and crisp alpine air are rumored to add years to a backpacker's being.
National Parks Hall of Fame: Best Dayhike
Beat the crowds by tackling this classic dayhike by moonlight.
National Parks Hall of Fame: Best Canyon
The Tanner Trail in the grandest of U.S. canyons is a camping classic.
National Parks Hall of Fame: Best Wildlife
Who ever said out of sight, out of mind was certainly not referring to the wealth of wildlife that are making some big noise in Thorofare Valley.
National Parks Hall of Fame: Best Cross-Country Adventure
Traverse alongside delicate ecosystem, open tundra and hit nine summits on this "grand slam" of cross-country treks.
Mammut Heron Pro 70
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
National Parks Hall of Fame: Best Wildflowers
Smelling the flowers doesn't require slowing down your trek (though you might want to) through the explosion of wildflowers that cover the Great Smoky Mountains each year.
National Parks Hall of Fame: Best Coastal Hike
Swap summits for sand scrambling along nearly 18 miles of quiet coastal terrain.
National Parks Hall of Fame: Best Peak
No crowds. No frills. No cakewalk. This hang-on-for-your-life climb is not for the meager-hearted.
Mammut Trea Guide 30
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
National Parks Hall of Fame: Ranger Rated
No one knows the national parks better than the rangers who patrol them. We polled a bunch of insiders on their favorite national park sights, sounds, and tastes.
Mammut Trea Guide 40
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Mammut Hera Light 55
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Mammut Heron Light 55
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Mammut Heron Light 65
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Mammut Trion Guide 45
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Mammut Trion Guide 35
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Natural Wonders: Sonoma Valley's Wine Country
Wine making and hiking come together perfectly in the Sonoma Valley, where California meets the Mediterranean.
Mammut Trion Light 28
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Mammut Trion Pro
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
2014 Be a Gear Tester Contest
Here's your chance to test gear for us in 2014!
Natural Wonders: The Pacific Northwest's Salmon Run
Every year the salmon of the Pacific Northwest return to their birth place to spawn. See this natural phenomenon and a river of fish on an easy hike through tall pines.
Mammut Altitude 3-Season
It packs down as small as a summer bag and weighs just two pounds
Mammut Kompact Summer
It packs down as small as a summer bag and weighs just two pounds
Mammut Shield 3-Season
It packs down as small as a summer bag and weighs just two pounds
Mammut Altitude Winter
It packs down as small as a summer bag and weighs just two pounds
Mammut Altitude Spring
It packs down as small as a summer bag and weighs just two pounds
Mammut Altina Winter
It packs down as small as a summer bag and weighs just two pounds
Mammut Altina Spring
It packs down as small as a summer bag and weighs just two pounds
Mammut Altina 3-Season
It packs down as small as a summer bag and weighs just two pounds
Mammut Kira Winter
It packs down as small as a summer bag and weighs just two pounds
Mammut Kompact Winter
It packs down as small as a summer bag and weighs just two pounds
Natural Wonders: Maui's Nakalele Blowhole
Get sprayed by an oceanic geyser. Erupting every few minutes under perfect conditions, this is a natural wonder you can't miss.
Mammut Lithium 32
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Mammut Lithium Z 20
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Top 3 Ansel Adams Hikes and Reader Photos
The legendary shooter once said that photographs were "usually looked at, seldom looked into." Take a look into three hikes that inspired some of Ansel Adams greatest photos, and take a few pictures yourself.
Who Do You Trust?
Is protecting the environment your top priority?
How To: Make a Gaiter
Need gaiters but left yours at home? Here's a simple trick for putting together a makeshift replacement in no time.
Backpacker Photo School: Light Direction
The way light illuminates a subject can make or break a photo. Learn to use the direction of light to your advantage.
Environmental Groups Ask For Stop To Yellowstone Bison Slaughter
A coalition of environmental and American Indian groups are suing two federal agencies to stop the killing of Yellowstone bison.
Trail Chef: Dinner & Dessert to Warm a Chilly Evening
What to scarf when the weather turns nasty
Gear Review: Tech40 TraiLeader Pro Watch
This compact piece packs all the technology and none of the size.
November 2009 Table of Contents
Check out BACKPACKER Editors and Contributors's author page.
Gear Review: Timex Expedition WS4 Watch
This one-glance watch was built with the input of renowned alpinist Conrad Anker.
Gear Review: Atrek Electronic Trekking Poles
If wrist gear isn't for you, check out these versatile trekking poles
Gear Review: Freestyle Nomad Watch
This durable and accurate timepiece is also a bargain.
Gear Review: Tissot T-Touch Expert Watch
This touch-screen timepiece combines durability, accuracy, and elegance.
Gear Review: Garmin Forerunner 310XT
This watch boasts all the bells and whistles of a great training watch and GPS device.
Gear Review: Suunto X10 Watch
Map your route and much more with this high-tech wrist watch.
Gear Review: Lafuma Futura Clipper Chair
Kick back, throw your feet up and enjoy this super comfy camp lounger.
Gear Review: Lodge Logic Deep Dutch Oven
Cook almost anything in this burly outdoor oven.
Gear Review: REI Weekend Cooler
Keep your weekend fixings cool with this soft, spacious cooler.
Gear Review: GSI Infinity 4 Person Deluxe Tableset
This sturdy four-person mess kit boasts more than pretty colors.
Gear Review: Kelty Kitchen Sink
On dish duty? This portable basin makes scrubbing easy.
Gear Review: Coleman Fold N Go Grill
Interchangeable cooking surfaces make this compact stove a cook's backcountry dream
Switzerland: Photo Preview of the 2010 Editors' Choice Trip
The editors are back from their annual Editors' Choice trip. Get a preview of the testing ground in this tour of Switzerland. All photos by Steve Howe.
Lunchbox's Disaster Round-Up, 11-13
The beloved star of our in-book feature "The Predicament," Lunchbox the Cadaver Sniffing Dog, brings you a round-up of this week's outdoor predicaments, disasters, and near-misses
Fall/Winter Gear Guide '09 Online!
Check out our enhanced and interactive Fall/Winter Gear Guide '09
The Leonids Return
Heads up night owls! Killer meteor shower on Monday night!
Will Vinegar Purify Water?
I've heard that bleach and iodine tablets are only good for water purification for six months. What about white vinegar? Will it purify water?
Towing Out Trash
What's your method for storing and hauling your trash on a multi-day trip? I usually just use plastic bags but there's got to be a more packable way.
Gear Test: Patagonia Boaris Limited Edition!
We assess the (fairly crazy) performance claims of this skate-inspired boar hunting shoe (Part 1 of a two-part gear testing smack-down)