Trips

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 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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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 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.

A massive oak, a sprawling wetland, an atomic lake-this classic weekend trip packs it all into a 19.2-mile out-and-back on the Appalachian Trail. Bonus: Save the Earth by taking the train to the trailhead.

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

Hike one of SoCal's highest peaks on this 10.4-miler that serves up magnificent views and plenty of high-country beauty in Mt. San Jacinto State Park.

This 6.4-mile loop circles the best scenery in Texas Hill Country: amazing pink rock formations, picturesque ponds, and a giant granite dome.

Hike or run in an undeveloped pocket of restored prairie and wooded glades on this 4.1-miler through Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve.

This moderate 13.7-mile one-way hike hugs America's first designated National River as it winds past limestone bluffs and grassy Ozark hollows.

Go 4.8 miles past the scuff marks and rocky scraps of an ancient glacier that left its long-lasting signature in western Wisconsin.

Get far away from it all on this 4-mile loop through wooded ravines and giant rock outcroppings abutting the Great Miami River.

Explore a wild kingdom of birds, elk, and black bears on this 5.4-mile, moderately challenging dayhike in the William O. Douglas Wilderness.

Hike a lonely ridge to a lovely meadow campsite on this fairly modest 9.2-mile hike with postcard panoramas of Mount Adams.

This 4.2-mile out-and-back leads to a beautiful cascade that, despite its misleading name, tumbles 50 feet from mossy cliffs.

Hike along gorgeous ridges and rumbling creeks to an old cabin on this 8.5-mile loop in the Pioneer Mountains.

This 7.4-miler boasts unmatched views of Mount Rainier, not to mention wildflower meadows and campsites by a mountain lake.

This 7.7-mile lollipop loop through the Mountain Bridge Wilderness leads to Raven Cliff Falls, arguably South Carolina's most famous waterfall.

Play tag with the pounding surf by day and camp in misty coves by night on this 26-miler along the wildflower-swathed hillsides of the Lost Coast.

Hike a chaparral-covered slope in Cleveland National Forest to a view of Mexico. Then cool off at the falls, a series of cascades and swimming holes alongside smooth granite boulders.

Bag three peaks and bird's-eye views of Boulder on this tour of the Flatirons. Bring a few extra energy bars: This out-and-back gains 5,000 feet in 11 miles.

The standard approach for GT climbers, this 6-mile, 5,000-foot trek to the Lower Saddle yields divine views.

This 14.2-mile hike shows off LA's flipside: rugged mountains, oak-filled valleys, and miles of quiet trail.

Hike 4.5 miles along Griffith Park's ridge for commanding views of the Hollywood sign and downtown.

This 5.2-mile trail kicks off with a short albeit aggressive climb, then rambles through meadows that explode with wildflowers in the summer. Craggy mountain vistas abound.

Look for bears, wild turkeys, Native American artifacts, and herbs on this shady loop off the tourist trail.

Hike over contoured hills into the quite wilderness filled with deer, wild turkey, and roughed grouse on this 9.4-mile loop. In spring, scavenge for morel mushrooms.

Walk among beech and pine on this easy 3.6-mile hike to views of the 2,350-acre reservoir. Bring your swimsuit.

Hike over three mountain passes into glacier-carved basins with crystalline lakes and bird's-eye views on this 17.6-mile loop. Don't forget your camera.

Swing off the Beltway for a 9.2-mile loop through the boggy lowlands, grassy meadows, and open ridges of this once-bustling historic valley.

On this 13.2-mile out-and-back, you'll get a StairMaster-type workout as you explore the ridges, ravines and overlooks of Fahnestock State Park.

This 5.4-mile paddle runs two rivers past stretches of undeveloped land, ending just short of a steep rapid. Bonus: Explore side trails from the riverbank.

This gentle 4.8-mile climb strings through the thick woods of Pawtuckaway State Park to a fire tower lookout with four-star mountaintop views.

HIKERTOWN to TEHACHAPI/WILLOW SPRINGS ROAD: This one isn't for tender-footed hikers. Best saved for springtime, it's a hot run for 37 miles across the Mojave Desert peppered with iconic Joshua trees.

LAGUNA MEADOW to CA 78: Starting on the Laguna Rim, this 25.7-mile leg passes over granite knobs with long views into the undulating desert.

WALKER PASS to KENNEDY MEADOWS: Go 48.5 miles on the Kern Plateau, a slanted wilderness that connects foxtail pine country to the crumbling granite obelisks of the Sierra foothills.

TUOLUMNE MEADOWS to SONORA PASS: This 65.8-mile section travels the remote regions of Yosemite. Our advice: Pack a good camera (the scenery is five stars), extra sunscreen (it's the High Sierra), and water shoes (swift rivers).

KENNEDY MEADOWS to TUOLUMNE MEADOWS: The highlight reel of this 209-mile section includes three national parks, several high passes with heavenly views, two stunning wilderness areas, and not a single road. Option: Detour up Mt. Whitney, the tallest peak in the Lower 48.

This 8.9-mile section hike gets top billing for its 100-mile Sierra views of shimmering alpine lakes, towering peaks, and hillsides bursting with wildflowers.

Hundreds of lakes and numerous campsites dot a 6,000-foot plateau on this 28.7-mile leg.

This 22.5-mile trip sticks to high ridges that serve up outstanding views of the Cascade's infamous volcanoes.

A good pick for new backpackers and fit families, the 25.6-mile leg from White Pass north to Chinook Pass is spectacular without too much challenge.

Want mountain views? Gaze at horizon-hoggers like Rainier and Glacier Peak. Flora and fauna? Spot mountain goats amid the plentiful columbines. Lakeside camping? With 700 lakes, there's no end to superb tent sites on this 58.7-mile trek.

This 49.8-mile traverse passes through all six California life zones, from scrubby deserts of chaparral and shaggy Mojave yucca to the frosty spine of the San Jacinto Range.

Which is good, because you'll need to hike it twice.