Skills & gear
from the trail.
Field-tested how-tos written between trips. Pole technique to packing diagrams to altitude prep, only what we've actually used.
banffBanff and Jasper National Parks: The Combined Trip Guide
How to combine Banff and Jasper in one trip, the Icefields Parkway between them, how many days for each, what's unique to each park, and Banff vs Jasper compared.
banffBanff to Glacier National Park: The Drive, the Route, the Stops
How to drive from Banff to Glacier National Park (Montana), 380 miles, 6 hours, two countries, three border options. The full route, best stops, and what most travelers get wrong.
banffBest Hikes in Banff National Park (Day Hikes Ranked)
Twelve of the best day hikes in Banff, Plain of Six Glaciers, Sentinel Pass, Cory Pass, Sulphur Mountain, Healy Pass. Distances, gain, what each one is actually like.
oregonCrater Lake Rim Trail: Hiking the Caldera in a Day
The 33-mile Rim Trail circles the deepest lake in the United States with non-stop views into the caldera. Here's how to do it as a day-hike, an overnight, or a scenic out-and-back.
californiaMount Whitney Trail: The Complete Day-Hike Guide
The Mount Whitney Trail climbs to 14,505 ft, the highest summit in the lower 48. Here's exactly how the permit works, how hard the day-hike really is, and how to train for it.
washingtonNorth Cascades Backpacking: The Alpine Lakes You Haven't Heard Of
Granite spires, glacier-blue lakes, almost no crowds. The North Cascades hold some of the wildest backpacking in the Lower 48, here's how to plan a trip.
washingtonOlympic Peninsula Backpacking: The Best Multi-Day Routes
Three river valleys, one alpine traverse, and one wild coast. Here's where to actually backpack on the Olympic Peninsula, permits, miles, and what each trip really looks like.
washingtonFly Fishing the Olympic Peninsula: Rivers, Seasons & What to Know
The Hoh, Sol Duc, Bogachiel, and Calawah hold some of the last truly wild steelhead and salmon runs in the lower 48. Here's where to fish them, when to go, and what regulations changed last year.
washingtonThe Olympic Peninsula Rain Shadow: Why Sequim Stays Dry
Sequim gets 16 inches of rain a year. Forks gets 120. They're 70 miles apart. Here's the rain shadow that makes one side of the Olympic Peninsula bone dry, and where to plan around it.
washingtonOlympic Peninsula in Winter: What to Do When the Crowds Leave
Hurricane Ridge in snow, empty rain forest trails, hot springs that finally feel right, and storm-watching on the wild coast. Here's how to actually do the Olympic Peninsula in winter.
beginnersHiking Terms Glossary: 60 Trail Words Every Hiker Should Know
From trailheads to talus, cairns to cat holes, 60 hiking and trail terms explained clearly so you understand trail descriptions, topo maps, and what other hikers are talking about.
solo hikingSolo Hiking Tips for Women: How to Hike Alone Safely and Confidently
Solo hiking as a woman is one of the most rewarding experiences on trail, these are the real preparations that make it safe.
mental healthHiking and Mental Health: The Science Behind Why Trails Make You Feel Better
Spending time on trails measurably reduces stress hormones, anxiety, and rumination, here's what the research says and how to make the most of it.
national parksBest Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park: Trails for Every Level
From the tundra-crossing Trail Ridge Road corridor to the alpine lakes above Bear Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park packs more world-class hiking per square mile than almost anywhere in the Rockies.
gearBest Hiking GPS Apps: AllTrails vs Gaia GPS vs OnX Backcountry
AllTrails is the most popular but not always the best, here's how the top hiking GPS apps actually compare for navigation, offline maps, and backcountry use.
WashingtonRattlesnake Ledge Trail Guide: Seattle's Most Popular Hike
Rattlesnake Ledge is Seattle's most-hiked trail, 4 miles round trip with sweeping views of the Cascades and Rattlesnake Lake, accessible year-round.
fitnessHiking for Weight Loss: How Many Calories You Burn and How to Maximize It
Hiking burns significantly more calories than walking, here's exactly how much, and how to structure your hikes to actually lose weight.
New HampshirePresidential Traverse Hiking Guide: New Hampshire's Ultimate Ridge Walk
The Presidential Traverse covers 23 miles along the highest ridge in the northeastern United States, crosses eight named summits above 4,000 feet, and earns its reputation as one of the most demanding single-day hikes in North America.
trainingHiking Fitness Training Plan: 8 Weeks to Crush Your Next Big Hike
Most hiking injuries happen to people who skipped training, this 8-week plan builds the specific strength, cardio, and stability you need to handle steep terrain without wrecking your knees.
backpackingOvernight Backpacking Checklist: Everything You Need for Your First Trip
A complete overnight backpacking checklist with gear weights, budget alternatives, and what experienced backpackers actually leave behind.
first aidHiking First Aid Kit Essentials: What to Pack and How to Use It
A first aid kit you don't know how to use is just weight, here's exactly what to pack for day hikes vs. backpacking, and the critical skills that turn those supplies into working treatment.
night hikingNight Hiking Tips: Gear, Safety, and Why You Should Try It
Hiking at night transforms familiar trails into something completely different, fewer people, cooler temps, and a sky that most hikers never see.
etiquetteTrail Etiquette: The Unwritten Rules Every Hiker Should Know
Most trail conflicts and awkward moments come from the same handful of misunderstandings, here's what experienced hikers do, and why it matters for everyone on the trail.
WashingtonMount Si Hiking Guide: The Classic Puget Sound Workout Hike
Mount Si is the training ground for Cascade mountaineers, 8 miles round trip, 3,150 feet of gain, and a summit that feels genuinely earned.
trail guideHalf Dome Hiking Guide: Permits, Cables Route & What to Expect
Half Dome is Yosemite's most iconic summit,but reaching the top requires a lottery permit, serious fitness, and respect for the cables section. Here's everything you need to know.
national parksBest Day Hikes at Mount Rainier: Wildflower Meadows, Glaciers, and Summit Views
Mount Rainier rises 14,411 feet above sea level and is surrounded by more acres of wildflower meadow than anywhere else in the Pacific Northwest, and most of the best hiking stays well below the glaciers.
national parksHiking in Great Smoky Mountains: Best Trails, Waterfalls, and Ridge Hikes
The most-visited national park in America has 800 miles of trails, more tree species than northern Europe, and zero entry fees, here's where to hike past the crowds and into real Smokies wilderness.
WashingtonLake Serene Trail Guide: The Hike to Washington's Most Beautiful Alpine Lake
Lake Serene earns its name, a perfect alpine cirque below the north face of Mount Index, with a brutal 2,500-foot gain that pays off completely.
fallFall Hiking Tips: Gear, Trails, and What Makes Autumn the Best Season
Cooler temps, empty trails, and peak foliage make fall the best season to hike, if you know how to dress for the swings and pick the right windows.
gearHow to Waterproof Hiking Boots: Products, Methods, and How Often to Re-treat
Wet feet ruin hikes, here's exactly how to waterproof your boots, which products to use for leather vs. synthetic, and when to re-treat before the water stops beading.
trail guideThe Enchantments Hiking Guide: Permits, Routes & What to Expect
The Enchantments in Washington's Alpine Lakes Wilderness is one of the most stunning,and hardest to access,hikes in the US. Here's everything you need to know about the permit lottery, the full traverse, and what to realistically expect.
first aidHow to Treat Blisters on Trail: Drain, Cover, and Keep Hiking
A blister that blows up on mile 3 of a 10-mile day can end your trip, here's exactly how to treat it fast, whether it's intact, drained, or already torn.
desertDesert Hiking Tips: Heat, Water, and Surviving the Southwest Trails
The desert is the most unforgiving hiking environment in the US, the margins for error on water and heat are thin, and most rescues are preventable.
hikingHow to Stretch After Hiking: A Complete Post-Hike Recovery Routine
Skip the post-hike stretch and you'll pay for it the next morning. Here's a 15-minute routine targeting every muscle group hiking actually hammers.
gearDay Hike Packing Checklist: Everything You Actually Need
A complete, no-fluff day hike packing list, organized by category, with specific quantities, weight-saving alternatives, and the items most hikers forget until they need them.
cold weatherHow to Stay Warm on Cold Hikes: Layering, Heat Retention, and Gear
Cold kills energy and enjoyment fast, here's the complete system for staying warm on the trail from layering strategy to the gear choices that actually matter in freezing conditions.
OregonColumbia River Gorge Hiking Guide: Best Trails and Waterfalls Near Portland
The Columbia River Gorge is one of America's great hiking corridors, dozens of trails with waterfalls, basalt cliffs, and wildflower meadows within an hour of Portland.
gearHow to Sleep Comfortably Backpacking: Pads, Pillows, and Temperature Tips
Sleeping well in the backcountry is a skill, the right pad, the right bag temperature rating, and a few field techniques separate a good night from a cold, miserable one.
ColoradoColorado 14ers Guide: How to Plan, Train For, and Summit Your First 14er
Colorado has 58 peaks above 14,000 feet, and most of them are hikeable by fit non-climbers, if you understand the altitude, the weather, and the route before you go.
campingHow to Set Up a Tent: A Step-by-Step Guide for Every Tent Type
Setting up a tent wrong means a collapsed shelter at midnight, here's exactly how to pitch any tent fast, stake it right, and stay dry no matter the weather.
PhotographyHow to Carry a Camera While Hiking: Systems That Actually Work
The best camera carry system depends on your camera, your hiking pace, and whether you'll be scrambling. Here's how to choose between chest harnesses, hip belts, peak clips, and backpack solutions.
gearBest Trekking Poles: Carbon, Aluminum, and Folding Options Compared
The right trekking poles reduce knee stress by 25% on descents, here's exactly which pair to buy based on your hiking style and budget.
navigationHow to Read a Topographic Map for Hiking
Contour lines, elevation, and scale, understanding a topo map turns the wilderness from a mystery into a readable landscape.
safetyHow to Use Bear Spray: Carrying, Deploying, and Common Mistakes
Bear spray stops charging bears more reliably than a firearm, but only if you carry it right and deploy it correctly. Here's exactly how.
safetyHow to Prevent Altitude Sickness: A Hiker's Guide to Acclimatizing Safely
Altitude sickness can derail any high-elevation hike, and in its severe forms it kills. Here's exactly how to ascend so it never happens to you.
safetyHiking Emergency Essentials: What to Carry and What to Do
The ten essentials plus emergency protocols every hiker should know before hitting the trail.
planningBest Time to Hike: Seasons, Time of Day, and What Actually Matters
The best time to hike depends on where you're going, what you want to experience, and what you're trying to avoid, here's how to think through timing for any trail.
safetyHow to Purify Water While Hiking: Filters, Tablets, and UV Compared
Every backcountry water source can make you sick, here's exactly how each purification method works, what it kills, and which one to choose.
gearBest Ultralight Backpacking Gear
Going ultralight transforms long-distance hiking. These are the best sub-1-lb shelters, sleeping systems, and packs in 2025.
Injury PreventionHiking Knee Pain Prevention: Complete Guide for Hikers
Knee pain is the most common reason hikers cut trips short. Here's how to prevent it: the right technique for descents, strengthening exercises, poles, and when knee pain is serious.
gearBest Sleeping Bags for Backpacking
The right sleeping bag is the difference between a cold, miserable night and waking up fully rested for the day ahead.
clothingBest Layering System for Hiking: Base, Mid, and Shell Picks for
Building a great layering system is about picking pieces that work together, here are the specific base, mid, and shell combinations that work best for hiking for hikers.
backpackingHow to Pack Food for Backpacking: Calories, Weight, and Bear Safety
Packing backpacking food is part math, part strategy, here's how to hit your calorie targets, keep weight manageable, and keep your food safe from bears.
gearBest Hiking Watches (GPS, Maps & Durability)
A great hiking watch tracks your route, monitors your heart rate, and withstands any conditions the trail throws at it.
gearBest Hiking Pants for Men
Durable, comfortable men's hiking pants that move with you from trailhead to summit and back.
gearBest Hiking Pants for Women
Women's hiking pants that actually fit, move well, and handle any trail condition -- from desert heat to mountain cold.
gearBest Hiking Water Filters: Filters, Purifiers, and UV Pens Compared
Drinking untreated backcountry water will eventually make you very sick, here's exactly which filter to carry based on where you hike.
navigationHow to Navigate Without GPS: Map, Compass, and Terrain Reading
Your phone will die eventually, here's how to find your way using a paper map, a compass, and the landscape itself.
gearBest Hiking Rain Jackets
The best rain jacket keeps you dry without turning you into a sauna. Here are the top waterproof-breathable picks for hikers.
gearBest Headlamps for Hiking
A reliable headlamp is one of the 10 Essentials. These top picks cover every hiking need from camp chores to technical climbing.
foodBest Hiking Snacks: High-Energy Trail Food That Actually Tastes Good
The right trail snacks keep your energy steady and your mood high, here's what experienced hikers actually carry and eat on the trail.
clothingHow to Layer for Hiking: The 3-Layer System Explained
The three-layer system isn't complicated, but most hikers get at least one layer wrong, and that mistake shows up on the trail as discomfort, sweat, or cold.
gearBest Hiking Socks to Prevent Blisters
The right hiking socks are as important as your boots. These top picks keep feet dry, cushioned, and blister-free.
gearBest Lightweight Backpacking Tents
The lightest tents that don't sacrifice weather protection or livability -- for ultralight hikers and weekend warriors alike.
gearBest Hiking Shoes for Wide Feet
Wide feet don't have to mean blisters and bruised toenails. These hiking shoes offer roomy toe boxes and solid trail performance without sacrificing stability.
family hikingHow to Hike With Kids: Gear, Trails, and Keeping Everyone Happy
Hiking with kids goes wrong for predictable reasons, here's how to pick the right trail, pack smart, and actually enjoy it.
photographyHow to Photograph Nature While Hiking
Capture stunning trail photos without slowing down your hiking partners or killing your phone battery.
gearHow to Hike with a Heavy Backpack Comfortably
A heavy pack does not have to mean misery. Proper fit, load distribution, and technique make all the difference.
techniqueHow to Hike Steep Terrain: Uphill and Downhill Techniques
Master steep trail technique to hike harder terrain with less effort, less pain, and more confidence.
rainHow to Hike in the Rain: Gear, Mindset, and Staying Comfortable
Rain doesn't have to cancel your hike, with the right shell, layering strategy, and a few attitude adjustments, wet-weather hiking is some of the best you'll do.
gearHow to Break In Hiking Boots Fast
New hiking boots do not need weeks of suffering. Break them in smartly and hit the trail blister-free.
trainingHow to Hike Downhill Without Knee Pain
Stop dreading the descent. These technique and gear tips eliminate knee pain on long downhills.
planningHow to Plan a Backpacking Trip: Step-by-Step Guide
From choosing a route to packing your bag, this step-by-step guide covers everything you need for your first or best backpacking trip.
gearBest Hiking Daypacks: Top Picks for Every Budget
A good daypack is the piece of gear you'll use on every single hike, here's what's worth buying at every price point for hikers.
winterHow to Hike in Snow and Ice: Traction, Technique, and Safety
Snow and ice turn familiar trails into technical terrain, this guide covers the traction devices, movement techniques, and hazard awareness you need.
safetyHow to Hike Alone Safely: Essential Solo Hiking Tips
Solo hiking is incredibly rewarding -- and completely safe when you follow these essential preparation steps.
gearBest Hiking Boots: Reviews and Recommendations for Every Trail
After testing dozens of boots on everything from muddy forest trails to exposed alpine ridges, these are the hiking boots actually worth your money for hikers.
desert hikingHow to Hike in Extreme Heat: Desert Safety and Staying Cool
Heat kills more hikers than any other environmental condition, here's the complete system for hiking safely in the desert and staying functional when temperatures push past 100°F.
gearBest Hiking Backpacks: Day Packs to Overnight Bags Compared
The right hiking backpack depends on how long you're out and how much you're carrying, here's what's actually worth buying for hikers across every category.
beginnersHow to Get Into Hiking: A Beginner's Complete Guide
Everything a first-time hiker needs: how to pick your first trail, what gear to buy, how to build fitness, and what actually matters on day one.
navigationHow to Use a Compass for Hiking
Master compass navigation so you can find your way on any trail without relying on your phone.
appsBest Hiking Apps: Navigation, Weather, and Trail Finding
The right combination of hiking apps turns your phone into a complete trail toolkit, here's what to install before your next hike.
permitsHow to Get a Backcountry Permit: Lotteries, Walk-ups, and What Actually Works
Backcountry permits are harder to get than concert tickets, here's the full playbook for lotteries, advance reservations, walk-up windows, and the backup plans that actually work.
planningHow to Find Good Hiking Trails Near You (and Anywhere You Travel)
Finding trails that match your fitness level, scenery preferences, and time constraints is a skill, here are the tools, databases, and local knowledge sources that actually work.
gearBest Backpacking Stoves: Canister, Alcohol, and Wood Options
The wrong stove means cold dinners at altitude or carrying a fuel canister for a week-long trip, here's how to pick the right one for how you actually hike.
clothingHow to Dress for Hiking: The Complete Guide for Every Season
Dressing wrong for a hike ranges from uncomfortable to dangerous, here's exactly what to wear in every season, with specific fabric and product recommendations.
ZionZion Narrows Hiking Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before You Wade In
The Narrows is Zion's crown jewel, a slot canyon hike through the Virgin River that requires no technical skill but demands real preparation.
foodBest Backpacking Meals: Freeze-Dried, DIY, and What Hikers Actually Eat
Freeze-dried meals have gotten dramatically better, but so have the DIY strategies that cost half as much and taste twice as good.
gearHiking Boots vs Trail Runners: Which Should You Actually Buy?
The ankle support argument for hiking boots is mostly a myth, trail runners outperform boots on most terrain for most hikers. Here's how to decide what actually belongs on your feet.
YosemiteYosemite Valley Hiking Guide: Best Trails, Permits, and What to Skip
Yosemite Valley packs more iconic hikes into 7 square miles than anywhere in North America, here's how to navigate the permits, crowds, and trails.
healthThe Real Benefits of Hiking: What Happens to Your Body and Mind on the Trail
Hiking does more than burn calories, it rewires how your brain handles stress, rebuilds joints that sitting destroys, and produces mental clarity that no gym session replicates.
gearHow to Choose a Hiking Backpack: Fit, Volume, and What Actually Matters
Choosing the wrong backpack is the most expensive hiking mistake you can make, here's how to get the fit, volume, and features right the first time.
winterWinter Hiking for Beginners: Gear, Safety, and What to Expect
Winter transforms every trail into something entirely different, here's how to go out safely when temperatures drop and snow covers the ground.
beginners12 Beginner Hiking Mistakes (and How to Avoid Every One)
Most beginner hikes go wrong in the same dozen ways, and every one of them is completely avoidable if you know what to look for before you leave the trailhead.
trainingHow to Build Hiking Endurance: A 6-Week Training Plan
If you're gassing out on climbs or arriving at camp with nothing left in your legs, this six-week plan will fix that.
gearWhat to Wear Hiking: A Beginner's Complete Clothing Guide
What you wear on a hike affects your comfort, safety, and how well your body regulates temperature, here's exactly what to put on from base layer to outer shell for any season.
WyomingBackpacking the Wind River Range: Wyoming's Best-Kept Secret
The Wind River Range in Wyoming contains more wilderness than most national parks, no entrance fee, and backcountry access so good that serious backpackers return year after year, here's how to plan a trip into the Winds.
hydrationHow Much Water to Drink Hiking: The Real Numbers by Distance and Heat
Drink too little and you bonk; drink too much and you risk hyponatremia, here's exactly how much water to carry and drink for any hike.
foodWhat to Eat Before a Long Hike: Fueling for Distance and Elevation
What you eat the night before and morning of a long hike matters as much as what you pack, here's exactly how to fuel for distance and big elevation.
ZionAngels Landing Hike Guide: Permits, Chains, and What to Expect at the Top
Angels Landing is Zion's most dramatic hike, a 1,488-foot climb to a narrow fin of rock with chain assists and 1,000-foot drop-offs on both sides.
hiking basicsHow Long Does It Take to Hike a Mile? (With Elevation and Terrain)
Distance alone tells you almost nothing about how long a hike will take, here's how to calculate accurate time estimates using terrain and elevation.
safetyWhat to Do If You Get Lost Hiking: A Step-by-Step Survival Guide
Getting lost happens to experienced hikers, what you do in the first 30 minutes determines whether it's an inconvenience or an emergency.
national parksHiking in Acadia National Park: Best Trails, Ridge Lines, and Ocean Views
Acadia compresses granite ridges, ocean cliffs, carriage roads, and summit views into a park small enough to hike across in a day, and that concentration makes it one of the most rewarding trail systems on the East Coast.
safetySun Protection for Hikers: SPF, UPF Clothing, and What Dermatologists Recommend
UV exposure while hiking is two to three times higher than at sea level, and most hikers are dramatically underprotected, here's what actually works.
safetyHow to Hang a Bear Bag: The PCT Method and Other Techniques
A proper bear hang requires the right tree, the right technique, and enough rope, here's how to do it correctly so your food actually stays safe.
backpackingHow to Plan a Multi-Day Hike: Permits, Resupply, and Logistics
Multi-day hiking is a different game from day hiking, the logistics of permits, food, water, and gear selection require planning that starts weeks or months out.
leave no traceLeave No Trace: The 7 Principles Every Hiker Must Know
Leave No Trace isn't a slogan, it's a framework for making decisions on trail that keeps wild places wild for the next person and the next generation.
hydrationHow to Prevent Dehydration While Hiking
Mild dehydration impairs judgment before you feel thirsty, here's how to drink right on the trail so your body actually performs.
safetyHypothermia Prevention for Hikers: Signs, Treatment, and Staying Warm
Hypothermia can kill you at 50°F, and the first symptom is that you stop noticing how cold you are.
safetyLightning Safety for Hikers: What to Do When a Storm Rolls In
Lightning kills more Americans than tornadoes, and hikers are disproportionately at risk above treeline and on exposed ridges.
safetyHow to Identify Poisonous Plants on the Trail
Poison ivy, poison oak, and stinging nettles are on almost every trail in America, learn to spot them before they find you.
navigationHow to Read Trail Markers: Blazes, Signs, and Cairns Explained
Trail markers are the language of the backcountry, learn to read blazes, cairns, and signs before you get turned around.