Hiking Trip Reports

Tomorrow I’m posting the basics of GPS.  This video on geocaching is posted to hold you over until then and to peak your interest.

This video runs for over seven minutes and contains great pictures of one thru-hikers hike on the AT.

Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out going to the mountains is going home; that wilderness is a necessity…
- John Muir

You can support the Appalachian Trail Conservancy by purchasing an Appalachian Trail license plate for your state (if it’s participating). Virginia, Tennessee, and North Carolina currently are offering AT license plates and the ATC has received approval for Georgia plates and is taking orders. I’m submitting my application for a plate first thing Monday morning.

I created a new group of Facebook where like minded hikers and outdoors types can meet up and discuss hiking gear, trails, etc. as well as get updates from this site.  Click to Follow me on Facebook.

Nothing could be better than working up a sweat in the great outdoors. With wind blowing the hair, images of natural landscapes, mountains or the ocean, it really doesn’t get any better. One of the versatile workouts would have to be hiking. Whether a professional backpacker that has traveled the world for the best hiking trails, or purely a beginner hiker who is just looking for some exercise or to clear their head, most hiking trails have numerous options to take for every skill level. From miles of flat land to uphill treks, here are the best hiking trails in the U.S.

1. Beach Trail at the Torrey Pines State Reserve, CA – The state park is a favorite among locals for its beach trails that overlook the cliffs of Torrey Pines and the extensive wildlife that can be found around the reserve. Hikers can take in the ocean views, along with sights of paragliders flying in the near distance.
2. Ewoldsen Trail in Big Sur, CA – For the best hiking with many scenic samplings, the Ewoldsen Trail offers canyon and ocean views, redwood forests, elevation gain and lush greenery throughout the year. The famous McWay Falls is nearly across the street from the start point of the trail and makes for a beautiful complement to the hike. Visitors can look forward to crossing bridges, steep switchback climbs, redwood groves and maybe even a sighting of a California Condor.
3. Breakneck Ridge Trail in the Hudson Highlands State Park, NY – This trail makes a rugged ascent from the river up to a knobby ridge where hikers have a constant view of beautiful vistas. Special attractions include views of the Hudson River, Catskill Mountains, Spring and Summer wildflowers and rocky ridges. The trail is 9.6 total miles and is a strenuous climb.
4. Glacier Gorge in the Rocky Mountain National Park, CO - Locals know the area as one of the most beautiful spots in the park with spectacular scenery, wildflowers, cascading waterfalls and natural lakes.
5. Appalachian Trail: The Pinnacle in Hamburg, PA – Hikers will get spectacular views of the Blue Rocks, Lehigh Valley, Hawk Mountain and some of the best views of Pennsylvania. Be prepared for rocky paths and forested mountain trails.

This guest post is from Ryan Frank.

Mist Trail - Yosemite

Even though the Mist Trail was dry I was not.

This video has been going around all the outdoor adventure sites lately and if it was just a picture I might not believe it was real. This video of El Camino Del Rey in El Chorro, Spain is a real rush. If you want to hike it you better hurry because I can’t imagine that it’ll be open for long.

In 2007 I listed my favorite hiking blogs and outdoor websites.  It’s still one of my most visited posts so I decided to list my top outdoor and hiking blogs for 2010.  There’s no real science behind this list.  It’s just my opinion, but I do hope it helps you find a few great sites that will teach you new things and help you find a new adventure or two to pursue.

Two-Heel Drive is not only a great name for a blog, but also a great hiking site.  This was one of my favorites from 2007 that made the list again.  Blogger Tom Mangan was in California, but now resides in North Carolina where he writes about hiking the Southeast as well as DVD and gear reviews.

CampNPost is a great looking blog about “Southeastern backpacking, camping, climbing, hiking and snowboarding.”  If you are planning a hiking trip to North Georgia this is a good place to consult for trip reports.

I rated the Yosemite Blog as the best blog for Yosemite in 2007 and it’s still the best in 2010.  If you are planning a vacation or hiking trip to Yosemite check out this blog to get the latest news about Yosemite and the surrounding area.

Camping & Hiking Blog from Tripleblaze - This blog is a good place for hiking gear reviews and holds frequent contests.

Modern Hiker is a great blog for hiking news for the Los Angeles and Southern California area, but I’ve also seen post for Northern California.  Even if you never plan on hiking in California this blog is a great bookmark for all the links and resources alone.

For a good read check out Sierra Club’s hiking, biking, and paddling site and blog aptly named Trails.  Check out the segment from a family living in Yosemite for a year.

The Backcountry Blog is the blog for Backcountry.com.  Even though they sell gear they don’t overload their blog with pitches.  I love this blog and this company.  I’m such a big fan of Backcountry.com that if I ever move to Utah I’m going to pester them for a job.  Even if it means sitting on their front porch every day until they start to feel sorry for me and bring me inside like a sad puppy.

The two blogs below are not solely hiking blogs but I love them so I’m including them here because I know you’ll love them too.

Dan Grec is driving his jeep from the top of Alaska to the tip of South America.  Along the way he’s posting some amazing pictures and highly interesting posts about the places he sees and the people he’s meeting.  I reviewed Dan’s blog a few months ago, but wanted to mention it again because this blog is a true gem.  I’m sure we’ll see a book from his adventure in a few years, but for those of us on the inside we can read about it in almost real time.

The Adventure Blog is a well run by the very accessible Kraig Becker.  He covers everything outdoor adventure related including destinations, expeditions, gear reviews, and outdoor electronics.  This blog will keep you updated on what’s happening in the expedition world and keep you motivated to find your own adventure.

If I left out your blog please send it to me and I might review it, or you can write a guest post to tell others about your favorite hike and your website.

A vigorous five-mile walk will do more good for an unhappy but otherwise healthy adult than all the medicine and psychology in the world.
 ~Paul Dudley White