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The 10 once-in-a-lifetime adventures any backwoods fanatic should have under his hipbelt before hanging up the ol' pack.

Plus 24 other round-the-campfire brain stumpers every nature buff should know.

The 25 often-overlooked ways to stay healthy and injury-free.

Stock these 25 essentials for grab-it-and-go meals.

Washington's rocky, log-strewn shore is no place for beach bums.

The best wildlife stronghold in California.

All the park is a stage for nature's steamy performance in Lassen Volcanic National Park.

Wondrous lava formations in the Sierra's granite kingdom.

The trails are lonely and the trout are always biting in this Inyo National Forest hideaway.

Tundra hiking in the shadow of Washington's ice-cloaked behemoth.

Waterfalls and old growth in this gorge-ous Oregon hideaway.

A roadless wonder in California's Los Padres Wilderness.

Head south to find the quiet side of the King.

There's elbow room to spare in this lofty hiker's haven.

If the beauty of the Colorado Sangres doesn't leave you breathless, the altitude will.

A high country stunner that defines Colorado wilderness.

Great lake views in Minnesota's land of moose and wolves.

Hiking Wisconsin's glacier-carved trail will set you back 12,000 years.

Nine hikes as big as the hearts of their namesake wilderness visionaries.

Look on the south sides of mountains to catch animals coming out in spring.

A 42-mile loop through America's version of the Black Forest.

The East Cactus Plain Wilderness brims with life and solitude. Just don't forget the water.

Athletic tape can still do wonders for an injured ankle.

The 50-mile-long Massanutten range in Virginia may be D.C.'s top-secret hiking getaway.

Spice is the variety of life, so add ground pepper, ginger, and other taste bud tinglers to your camp meals.

Here's how to make your morning cup of joe the best in camp.

These spices add zest to bland camp meals.

It's hard to give up your tried and true gear after so many miles together. So don't! These repair shops can keep your favorites in tip-top shape.

On its way from the Ohio to the Mississippi, Illinois' new River to River Trail takes you through a surprisingly wild side of the Corn Belt.

Grab your passport and follow these 25 hikes where wild winds Blow, strange animals roam, and even the alpenglow adds to the adventure.

Smooth and easy hiking deep in the heart of Texas.

The ancient Uwharries have baffled geologists, but hikers know a good thing when they see it.

If the redwoods don't wow you, there's always the world-class California coastline.

If you think ringworms crawl or chewing poison ivy prevents the itch, you're obviously a fan of medical fiction.

He rocked the world of climbing, challenged the accepted wisdom in sea kayaking, and now Ray Jardine turned his renegade way of thinking to backpacking.

Putting the Ray Jardine ultralight way to the test.

Just because you're in the woods doesn't mean you have to sacrifice dessert. Here are a few recipes for tasty end-of-the-meal treats that'll satisfy anyone's sweet tooth.

Harriman/Bear Mountain State Park is only an hour from Manhattan, but you'll feel like you're worlds away.

As the temperature dips, hypothermia can threaten survival for backwoods adventurers unaware of its warning signs.

Thirteen miles in the spectacular Sangre De Cristos.

Wilderness doesn't get much better, or higher, than Holy Cross.

Thrills and views by the minute on the Kinsman Ridge Trail.

Your odds of surviving, much less enjoying, a -30°F night in the woods rate right up there with a snowball's chance in you-know-where. That is, unless you make friends with a guy they call The Iceman.

A homemade bear bag will make sure your provisions stay safe from hungry critters.

Utah's Grand Staircase-Escalante is huge, remote, controversial, and one of the finest destinations for backpackers in the Lower 48.

South Carolina: A wealth of waterfalls and world-class swimming.

Here's how to stay sanitary in the backcountry.

If you take a hit to the head in the wild, think twice before deciding to hike on.

Some say Goat Rocks Wilderness has the best scenery along the 2,600-mile Pacific Crest Trail. Decide for yourself.

When diarrhea strikes in the backcountry and there's no porcelain for 20 miles, the proper response can save your trip.

The bison are relics from the past, and the wolves know no fear. Welcome to Wood Buffalo National Park, where time stands still and the land shrugs off man's attempts to alter its primitive spirit.

At the edge of the world, Canada's Algonquin Provincial Park offers a window to the past.

A well-intentioned handout today could mean disaster for panhandling wildlife tomorrow.

Quirky geology leads to even quirkier residents at Missouri's Hercules Glades.

In a land with few trails, Alaska's Resurrection Pass stands above them all.

If the thought of a spider bite or bee sting makes your skin crawl, then preventing a painful encounter is the key.

While the desert sizzles, Arizona's Kachina Peaks are cool and comfortable.

Exploring the wilder, uncrowded reaches of our highest national park.

A mysterious ravine, old-growth forest, and big climbs -- only at Mt. Greylock Reservation.

Explore Washington's storied old-growth forests plus an authentic ghost town.

How to deal with common backpacking substances that are more toxic than three-day-old socks.

The host of BACKPACKER's television show gives us a peek inside.

Sierra scenery at L.A.'s backdoor.

Tackling the High Uintas Wilderness from the east offers big paybacks.

Challenge and a hint of risk are part and parcel in Ramseys Draft Wilderness.

Your partner just disappeared under an icy torrent. Quick, do you know what to do next?

Get lost on Georgia's Duncan Ridge Trail.

A trek through the blast zone of a restless volcano raises questions about a father's legacy and a child's future.

Fifteen trails that'll take you from flaming maples to towering redwoods, with plenty of shimmering aspen in between.

What makes those golf-ball-size lumps on trees? A tiny wasp with a lot of nerve.

Follow four-legged trail blazers down paths you'll never find on a map.