Shannon Davis

After finding her love for the trail, Welcome used hiking to process some of the most challenging moments of her life.

If you had to choose only a bottle or reservoir, which would it be?

Authorities theorize that toxic algae might be behind incident.

Taking your first unguided step onto a big mountain is a leap of faith. Backpacker editor (and retired guide) Shannon Davis tells you how to do it right.

Erika Jostad will take up the post immediately.

This descent into this Wind River Range highlight is one no hiker will ever forget.

The Roofnest Falcon XL is simple to set up and offers plenty of livable space.

From indestructible socks to mood-boosting snacks, these are what made the cut.

Thomas has thru-hiked more than 20 long trails, including the Pacific Crest, Continental Divide and Appalachian Trails (the Triple Crown). On top of that, she set a fastest known time on the AT for an unsupported woman and has completed dozens of urban thru-hikes as well. Now, she's joining Backpacker as a contributing editor. Here’s some of Thomas’s best advice and insight fed by more than 20,000 trail miles.

This region's top mapper has notched 20 bag nights and 200 trail miles in 9 states this year alone. Here are three of his favorite routes.

Circumnavigate a 425-foot-tall pink granite monolith on this 4.9-miler, which crosses a sandy creek and cruises classic Texas Hill Country west of Austin. Spur trails to Moss Lake (backcountry campsites available) and the summit are short and worthwhile.

Pack a camera for this lollipop loop to one of the best mountain views in the park: a sit-awhile panorama, atop a 5,565-foot knob with thousand foot drop-offs on three sides, that stretches from Mt. LeConte to the jagged peaks of the Sawteeth Range.

Free Print & Go PDFs give you turn-by-turn trail instructions and photos embedded on a usable topo map. Also: Gear checklists, driving directions, and geo-references for finding the nearest campground, restaurant, gas station, and grocery store.

This challenging climb on Mt. Rainier gains almost 2,000 feet per mile.

After nearly two centuries of ecological havoc wreaked by invasive species, the gem of Channel Islands National Park is becoming a paradise again. ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: Watch a video and see two photo galleries from the island.

Don't forget your sound judgment when summitting this high point.

Your car does all the climbing here.

Come enjoy this high peak's playground