Forest Service Road No. 345, better known as 鈥淪nake Road,鈥� winds for roughly two and a half miles through southern Illinois鈥� Shawnee National Forest, a region home to nearly 60 percent of the state’s reptile species.

And for over 50 years, it has intermittently closed to protect a massive snake crossing.

Each fall, between September 1 and October 30, and every spring, from March 15 to May 15, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) closes the road to vehicles and bicycles. During this time, around two dozen species of snakes slither from their winter dens in high limestone cliffs to their summer feeding grounds in LaRue Swamp.

And a road divides the two habitats.

Because the snakes aren鈥檛 traveling far, the phenomenon is more precisely called a 鈥渕ovement鈥� rather than a 鈥渕igration,鈥� local wildlife biologist Mark Vukovich told the . 鈥� To mitigate vehicle collisions with snakes, the road closure began in 1972 and has been an annual tradition every year since.

Today, however, the movement has become a major attraction for amateur wildlife enthusiasts and herpetologists alike.

鈥淭housands of people each season come here to see it, and just walk,鈥� Vukovich said. He adds the best time to see the snakes is October, as this is when the serpents are 鈥渕ost active in their movement when high temperatures are around 70 to 80 degrees and the low temperatures at night hover in the 50s.鈥�

If you鈥檙e planning a trip to Snake Road, be sure to watch where you step and manage your snake-viewing expectations.

鈥淚t鈥檚 possible you could see zero snakes on your hike, though that鈥檚 more likely if you鈥檙e moving too quickly. You can better your chances of spotting snakes by walking slowly and keeping a close eye on the grass in the center of the road, as well as both edges of the road,鈥� said Vuckovich.

On a very active day, however, Vukovich said he鈥檚 managed to spot up to 44 different snakes in just two hours.

It鈥檚 not just a snake hotspot, either. The USFS describes this area, LaRue-Pine Hills/Otter Pond Research Natural Area (RNA), as one of the 鈥渕ost unique areas in the world.鈥� It鈥檚 also home to over 1,350 species of plants and animals.

“LaRue-Pine Hills鈥� unique physical characteristics dictate and support a rich biodiversity not found anywhere else in the country. In all, the area covers about 4.5 square miles (3,547 acres) and contains 14 natural communities, including forests, wetland, prairie, glade, and barren ecosystems and geologic features,” the USFS.

In addition to snakes, the area is home to 66 percent of Illinois‘ amphibians and over 90 percent of the state鈥檚 mammals.

If you鈥檙e a snake-lover and want to visit LaRue-Pine Hills/Otter Pond RNA during the 鈥渕ovement,鈥� be sure to check out the 听group on Facebook, where over 6,000 serpent lovers offer insight on trail conditions and share snake sighting experiences. Visitor questions can be directed to 鈥淪nake Sentinels,鈥� special volunteers trained by the USFS to collect data and identify various species crossing the road each year.

Just don鈥檛 try to pick up the snakes yourself鈥攊t鈥檚 prohibited by federal law鈥攁nd be sure to watch your step. Many of the snakes that travel across the road are quite small.

By far the most common species, which accounts for over 90 percent of all sightings, is the venomous northern cottonmouth. Also known as a water moccasin, this darkly colored鈥攗sually near-black or olive brown鈥攕nake isn鈥檛 aggressive, but its bite is fatal without rapid administration of an antivenom.听础 cottonmouth is easily identifiable by its bright white inner mouth, which it flashes at potential predators. Cottonmouths are often patterned and born with bright yellow tail tips to attract prey, but as the snakes age, the tail tips and discernible patterns usually fade to a dull blackish color.

Other snakes seen during the biannual Snake Road movement include nonvenomous plain-bellied water snakes, rough green snakes, and Western ribbon snakes, as well as venomous species like the northern copperhead and timber rattlesnake.

The post Midwest Road Closes Annually for a Massive Snake Crossing. Here鈥檚 How to Spot It. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Catalan ultrarunner Kilian Jornet is just a little over halfway done with his audacious plan to hike the 67 peaks above 14,000 feet in the contiguous United States, while commuting to and from the mountains by bike and foot.

On September 15, Jornet, 37, reached Colorado鈥檚 San Juan mountains, crossing the 1,000-mile mark of his trip, which will encompass approximately 2,400 miles. By then he had climbed 39 of the 67 peaks on his list. Jornet reached the final stretch of Colorado peaks on after methodically ticking off the ten 14ers in the Sangre de Cristo Range.

鈥淚 was surprised at how beautiful and wild it was,鈥� Jornet told 国产吃瓜黑料. 鈥淚 loved the colors, the textures, the technical parts, the wildlife鈥攊t has been magic.鈥�

Called States of Elevation, the human-powered expedition will take Jornet to peaks in Colorado, California, and Washington State. The expedition has received a glut of mainstream media attention in the U.S., including a feature story in and stories in multiple regional publications.

鈥淯ltimately, I鈥檓 hoping to discover the American wilderness and its mountains,鈥� Jornet added.

An Amazing Pace in Punishing Terrain

As of the publishing of this story, Jornet had increased his peak count to 43. He started on September 3 at the Longs Peak Trailhead in northern Colorado. In the 13 days it took him to surpass 1,000 miles, he was in near-perpetual motion, amassing 200 hours of activity and a mind-boggling 200,000 feet of vertical gain, according to his . He said that traversing mountainous terrain by foot and bicycle鈥攁nd not by car or bus鈥攎ay hold special appeal for many Americans right now.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a different pace,鈥� he said. 鈥淕oing on foot and bike allows you to better see and understand these places and their surroundings, and I feel this matches those wider conversations happening in the U.S.鈥�

The San Juans, which encompass the final 14 of Colorado鈥檚 58 14ers, are his last range in the state before biking to California and starting on 14,505-foot Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the lower 48. California has 11 more 14ers after that, followed by two in Washington. Jornet is on track to complete States of Elevation in one month or less.

It鈥檚 the latest superhuman feat for Jornet, who has already completed a long list of mind-boggling adventures and feats in running, skiing, and mountaineering. In 2017, he ran to the summit of Mount Everest without using supplemental oxygen twice.

Jornet said the idea to link the American 14ers via human power came to him in 2023, when an early-season injury prevented him from competing in the ultramarathon circuit. That year, he missed many of the biggest races while healing, and instead focused on linking up high peaks in different ranges. 鈥淚 thought I might try to do something connecting ridges in a coherent and aesthetic way,鈥� Jornet said.

In 2023, he ran and hiked the length of the Pyrenees, his home mountain range, summiting 177 peaks above 3,000 meters (9,942 feet) over the course of eight days.

In 2024, Jornet tried the same human-powered approach in the Alps. He ascended 82 peaks higher than 4,000 meters (13,123 feet) in 19 days, covering 750 miles and 75,000 vertical feet.

鈥淚 was surprised I could do it on 4,000-meter peaks,鈥� he said.

He said that the American 14ers felt like the next step in the project. 鈥淭hey鈥檝e always been attractive to me,鈥� said Jornet. 鈥淚 thought it could be interesting to give it a try and discover them.鈥�

Staying Safe on U.S. Roadways

But Jornet faces dangers in the United States that are far greater than those in Europe鈥攕pecifically, the hazards that cyclists face on the road with cars and trucks. The Alps and Pyrenees are crisscrossed听by designated bikeways, and also by mountain roads where bicycle traffic is an everyday occurrence.

Linking peaks in the United States will require Jornet to bike on two-lane highways, backroads with truck traffic, and other byways that may not be safe for cyclists. Jornet told 国产吃瓜黑料 that he鈥檚 taking his safety on the roads 鈥渧ery seriously.鈥�

鈥淚 try to find alternatives by riding on gravel roads when there are roads with a lot of traffic,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 also ride in daylight as much as possible, and use a high-visibility kit and strong front/rear lights.鈥�

While Jornet has rough parameters on how quickly he鈥檇 like to complete certain sections of the journey, he said speed isn鈥檛 his main concern. He wants to run, hike, and bike routes that he deems to be 鈥渁esthetic,鈥� and those aren鈥檛 necessarily the fastest ones.

He鈥檚 also enjoying the company of other elite athletes and has invited experts to accompany him on certain segments. Simi Hamilton, who holds the male unsupported FKT on Colorado鈥檚 Elk Traverse鈥攖he linkup of seven 14ers of the Elk Range鈥攋oined Jornet for that segment. U.S. marathon great Ryan Hall also joined Jornet in the Elk Range.

鈥淚 hope to learn what they have to teach me, and also what challenges these mountain ecosystems are facing,鈥� Jornet said.

He’s also hoping to learn new things about himself as an athlete by testing some of his personal parameters over the course of a month-long endurance epic. 鈥淚鈥檓 interested in whether I can keep my decision-making clean when fatigue stacks up,鈥� Jornet said, 鈥渨hether I can continue to exercise good judgment day after day.鈥� He鈥檚 working with the hypothesis that maintaining small, consistent habits around fueling, foot care, and sleep will add up to something big that will effectively combat the long, hard effort.

Jornet told 国产吃瓜黑料 that he isn鈥檛 sure if connecting mountain tops by human-powered means will catch on with everyday endurance athletes. But for him, the challenge has given him a boost of motivation to push himself.

鈥淓xploring the mountains is something humans have always done,鈥� Jornet said. 鈥淭he good thing about doing it this way is that the barrier to entry is lower; go to the mountains that are closest to you and connect the dots with your own legs.鈥�

The post Kilian Jornet Is Speeding Through His Latest Crazy Mountain 国产吃瓜黑料 appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

A search and rescue team in Kentucky鈥檚 Red River Gorge responded to an SOS call on September 15, but when responders reached the coordinates from where the message was sent, they found no sign of anyone in trouble. Hours later, the rescue team discovered that the party had self-rescued, simply hiked out of the woods on their own.听It was a happy ending, but one that tied rescuers up for several hours.

The Emergency SOS feature,听introduced on the iPhone 14 in 2022, enables users to call for assistance in areas with no听cell service using their phone. In some instances, it eliminates the need for a dedicated satellite messenger device, like a Garmin inReach. This built-in SOS capability has proved invaluable for long-distance hikers and even for , and can be helpful in countries where dedicated satellite messengers are illegal.

Responding agency, Wolfe County Search and Rescue Team (WCSART), reported on Facebook that it had received an SOS Alert from an Apple Dispatch Center. According to WCSART, a team of hikers had used the 鈥淓mergency SOS鈥� feature on their iPhone to call for assistance via satellite. Dispatch communicated with the hikers, instructing them to remain at their location and wait for rescue teams. They then provided the hikers鈥� coordinates to WCSART, who promptly dispatched a team of rescuers on foot to reach the stranded party.

However, when the rescuers arrived, the hikers were no longer in the area.

鈥淎fter hiking in approximately four miles, the group was not located at the coordinates,鈥� wrote WCSART on Facebook. Despite instructions from the dispatch center, the hiking party decided to continue on their own. Unfortunately, they also hiked away from the direction that rescuers were approaching.

鈥淎lthough the group made it out on their own, team members spent many hours hiking over eight miles in very rugged terrain. Fortunately, we were able to make cellular contact with our team members to advise them that the hikers had self-rescued,鈥� wrote WCSART. The agency added that although it was happy with the outcome, it was ultimately a waste of time and resources鈥攁nd could have been prevented.

Vast and rugged, the wilderness around the Red River Gorge isn鈥檛 a place where rescue services go unused, either. Just two weeks ago, a young hiker died in the area after falling 40 feet from the top of a sandstone arch.

In its online post, WCSART reminded hikers to follow the directions given by rescue officials鈥攅specially after making an SOS call.

鈥淭he lesson here is that if you call for assistance, please follow the directions provided. The result of the group not following those directions tied up valuable resources for hours. If we were not able to contact our search party, they could have been searching for many [more] hours,鈥� wrote WCSART.

For more on Apple鈥檚 Emergency SOS feature, see this in-depth review from our columnist, Alex Hutchinson.

The post Rescuers Responded to a Backcountry SOS, But Found No One There appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

The 501 and Eckville shelters鈥� days could be numbered. Earlier this year, the National Park Service announced plans to demolish the two well-known Pennsylvanian Appalachian Trail shelters by the end of 2026 or early 2027 as part of a push to dispose of 鈥渘onconforming infrastructure.鈥� Now, the is establishing a special committee to save the iconic AT pit stops.

The Eckville shelter (mile 1235) in is known for its fully-enclosed design, which creates enhanced protection during inclement weather. Hikers often refer to the 501 shelter (mile 1196) as the 鈥減izza shelter,鈥� because its location allows users to order pizza directly to it. Both shelters feature unusual amenities like solar showers and even flush toilets at Eckville shelter.

While the NPS has owned the two properties since 1985, they鈥檙e both predominantly managed by local trail organizations. Many of the upgrades that the shelters have seen in recent years were made by BMECC. Each property also has a caretaker, who isn鈥檛 employed by the NPS.

Ann Simonelli, Director of Communications for the , explained that plans have been in place to demolish the shelters for several years for a few different reasons. The shelters are considered 鈥渘onconforming鈥� structures since they鈥檙e both located close to motorized access points. They also 鈥渄o not fall within modern NPS housing, volunteer, and visitor use policies,鈥� said Simonelli.

One of the difficulties that the owners of the shelters face is liability for injuries that could result from disrepair of the buildings, Jim Barnett, President Pro Tem of BMECC told Backpacker. But the organization still hopes to forestall the demolitions. A direct sale between the NPS and local land managers isn鈥檛 possible due to federal regulations, and a 鈥渓and swap鈥� (which would involve trading one piece of property for another) is possible but likely unrealistic due to time constraints.

Instead, BMECC is looking to 鈥漡arner a grassroots effort from those who value the shelters to pressure the NPS to change their decision to demolish them and continue the relationship where we partner in keeping them viable,鈥� said Barnett.

As of right now, both shelters are likely to be demolished sometime between the end of next year and the beginning of the following one. Nearby designated camping areas in the region are still slated to remain open.

Those who are in favor of saving the shelters not only point to the historical and cultural significance of the structures, but also the logistical challenges that would arise amidst the loss of the structures. Barnett explained that removing the 501 shelter from the Appalachian Trail would create a 19-mile gap between trail shelters, while the loss of Eckville shelter would create a 16.5-mile gap between shelters in rocky, aggressive terrain, leaving some hikers struggling to travel the extra distance.

鈥淭he shelters provide good options for section and thru-hikers,鈥� Barnett said. 鈥淭hey offer protection from bad weather and amenities camping areas don鈥檛. Protection from severe storms鈥攚hich seem to be worsening because of climate change鈥攃annot be overstated.听听Additionally, caretakers give great advice and receive valuable information about trail conditions, safety issues and other hiker concerns.鈥�

Some local community members support the use of structures like the 501 and Eckville shelters because they help to concentrate human impact into a relatively small area to support Leave No Trace practices, in addition to creating a social hub and a safe haven for those facing foul weather.

Mick Charowsky, the Eckville shelter鈥檚 current caretaker, 鈥渉as been there for over 30 years and plans to stay as long as viable,鈥� said Barnett.

鈥淏ecause [the shelters] are close to the road, caretakers living at nearby caretaker residences are a necessity to assure that these are only for backpackers and not mistreated by other parties curious about the premises,鈥� he added. 鈥淲e were the only trail-maintaining club that opted to take this responsibility when the NPS wanted to remove properties. There is a cost for the club, caretakers, and NPS to maintain healthy shelters and caretaker residences.鈥� As long as the NPS keeps the shelters open, Barnett said, the BMECC plans to continue running them.

Even so, not everyone in the BMECC committee agrees that fighting to save the shelters is worth the organization鈥檚 effort.

鈥淪ome feel that our club resources could be used better elsewhere,鈥� Barnett said. 鈥淥thers feel that the benefit for section and thru-hikers is why we exist and are worth the cost.鈥�

For hikers who found a home for the night at one of the shelters, their imminent closure has struck a blow. On a Facebook post announcing the news earlier this year, past thru-hikers commented that the water at the 501 shelter was a 鈥�,鈥� and that demolishing the structures would be a 鈥渟hame for the hiking community.鈥�

The post The Appalachian Trail鈥檚 Legendary 鈥楶izza Shelter鈥� Is Facing Demolition. This Hiking Group Hopes to Save It. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

With fall and winter on the horizon, it鈥檚 easy to forget about our favorite sun-drenched backcountry trails and campgrounds. But spring will be here sooner than you think鈥攁nd by then, the spots for permit-only adventures may be snapped up.

Many of the country’s most popular hikes, trails, and recreation areas now require a reservation, or maintain a daily quota to reduce crowds and protect delicate ecosystems. Some book up just hours after their reservations open. That means if you daydream of summiting Half Dome in Yosemite National Park, or sleeping in the Grand Canyon, or checking the Teton Crest Trail off your bucket list, you will want to plan ahead.

So, open your calendars, grab a pen, and read on for how to reserve your bucket-list adventure in 2026.

Angels Landing, Zion National Park

What to Know: Angels Landing is a short 4.3-mile hike that ascends 1,800 vertical feet to the top of an ochre-and-rust sandstone pillar. Atop, you’ll see a panoramic view of Zion National Park, the Virgin River, and much of Southern Utah. The National Park Service instituted a permit requirement for this hike in 2022 to ease heavy traffic on the narrow trail, and a reservation is now required throughout the year to ascend past Scout Lookout. Be sure to wear light clothing and carry plenty water due to the desert heat.

Important Dates: A opens one to three months before your hiking date. A day-before lottery is also available. To get a spot in the summer lottery (June through August), you must submit your entry between 8 A.M. on April 1 and 11:59 P.M. MST on April 20. You鈥檒l be notified on April 25 whether or not you got a spot. A smaller lottery opens from 12:01 A.M. MST-3 P.M. MST the day before your hiking date. Expect a $6 application fee.

Reservation Details: Holidays and sought-after weekends are extra competitive, and we suggest applying for a spot on a weekday. The online system asks you to rank up to seven dates, choose a start time (before or after 9 A.M.), and identify group size (up to six) when you reserve. If you don’t get a permit, you can still hike the West Rim Trail to Scout Point鈥攏o reservation is needed and it鈥檚 nearly as spectacular.

Half Dome, Yosemite National Park

What to Know: Prepare to cover roughly 16 miles round-trip with 4,800 feet of elevation gain as you pass beloved landmarks such as Vernal and Nevada Falls and Liberty Cap. After a thigh-burning, gravity-defying cable climb up a steep granite slab, you鈥檒l gawk at the 360-degree view of Yosemite Valley听and the High Sierra from the summit. Competition is stiff for this one鈥� Yosemite instituted a quota in 2010, and only 225 day-use and 75 backpacker passes are issued daily. Sturdy boots and gloves are a must for safety on the cable section, and be sure to keep your photo ID and printed permit handy. You鈥檒l show both at the sub-dome.

Important Dates: The Half Dome cables are usually installed around Memorial Day and remain through mid-October. The opens March 1 and runs until March 31 on Recreation.gov. Hikers will be notified in mid-April. There鈥檚 also a last-minute lottery鈥攁pply for this one online two days before your hike-out date between midnight to 4 P.M. PST and expect to hear back the same day. The application fee is $10.

The runs Sunday-Saturday from mid-November to early May (24 weeks to seven days before your hike-out date). You can also grab a last-minute backcountry slot online from seven to three days before your start date right at 7 A.M. PST. This permit runs $10 per application.

Reservation Details: You get to apply for up to seven dates, so shake it up鈥�. Remember if you鈥檙e an alternate, you can鈥檛 also be the primary permit-holder on another application (or the park will revoke both). For backpackers, only a few wilderness treks can include Half Dome. Be sure to add the Half Dome spur when you pick up your in-person permit. You can also request to add Half Dome to a southbound John Muir Trail itinerary upon permit pickup.

John Muir Trail, California

What to Know: The 211-mile John Muir Trail (JMT)听is a crown jewel thru-hike that passes gems of the High Sierra such as Yosemite National Park, Ansel Adams Wilderness, King鈥檚 Canyon National Park, and Sequoia National Park鈥� and includes bagging 14,055-foot Mount Whitney. This hike usually takes two to three weeks to complete, and it takes in nearly 46,000 feet of elevation gain. Only a third of hopefuls nab a permit through the rolling lottery for peak summer season.

Most people begin the JMT from Yosemite in the north or Whitney Portal in the south, but you can also section-hike from Inyo National Forest. Yosemite is the most popular start and in 2015, the park instituted a 45-person daily JMT exit quota to reduce trail over-use. Have a reliable GPS and lock down your resupply strategy for this one鈥攊t can take a few weeks for the goods to land at . JMT permits aren鈥檛 transferable.

Important Dates:

Southbound (Yosemite to Mt. Whitney):

Check out the from Yosemite National Park on 24 weeks (5.5 months) before your hike-out date (for example, for a July start, apply in January). You鈥檒l be notified within two business days if successful and have three days to accept. Unclaimed passes become available at 9 A.M. PST on a first-come, first-served basis the fourth day. The rolling weekly lottery ends in early May and is $10 per application.

Northbound (Mt. Whitney to Yosemite):

The runs February 1 through March 1. Results are released March 15, and you鈥檒l have until April 21 to accept. Unclaimed slots become available at 7 A.M. PST on April 22 and go immediately, so log on early. Each reservation is $15.

Reservation Details: Smaller groups are more likely to snag a JMT permit. An early or late season start is also a boon鈥� 50 percent of people who apply for mid-September snag one. While the most requested JMT start is Happy Isles to Past LYV, you might be luckier from Lyell Canyon. Just be sure to select 鈥淒onahue Pass eligible鈥� for both.

Mount Whitney releases 100 day-use and 60 overnight passes daily, and a permit is required 24/7 between May 1 and November 1. Select 鈥淢ount Whitney Overnight Zone鈥� on your application to apply for multiple starts.

For an Inyo National Forest permit, apply at 7 A.M. PST 24 weeks before your hike-out date. An additional 40 percent of slots open two weeks before at 7 A.M. PST sharp and run out in a flash. Select 鈥淥vernight Exiting Mount Whitney鈥� on your application to tack on a summit attempt.

Going-to-the-Sun Road, Glacier National Park

What to Know: This iconic 50-mile, two-lane highway meanders past vibrant peaks, frothy waterfalls, and lush, wildflower-dotted alpine meadows, and usually opens fully by early July. In 2026, a vehicle reservation will be required eastbound from Apgar between 7 A.M. and 3 P.M. MST, June 13 to September 28. Under this system, you can enter in two-hour time blocks and stay in the park for the rest of the day. A reservation is no longer required westbound from St. Mary鈥攁 great Plan B.

Important Dates: The becomes available 120 days prior to your visit date at 8 A.M. MST. This means for an August 10 visit, you should apply on April 10. For multi-day trips, plan to repeat this process for each day you plan to visit.

For those who don鈥檛 nab an advance spot, a limited number of passes free up at 7 P.M. MST the night before. A backcountry campground lottery for up to eight people runs on March 15 from midnight and 11:59 P.M. MST. Unreserved slots are available May 1 – September 30 online on a first-come, first-served basis. This one has a $2 processing fee.

Reservation Details: Log in to Recreation.gov ahead of time and have a flexible backup plan鈥攖his one goes in no time. Popular routes from Logan Pass like Hidden Lake Overlook, the Highline Trail, and Avalanche Lake melt out by mid-July, so summer permit competition is fierce. Grab a weekday in mid-September instead, when the road is still passable but quieter. Any reservation to camp or backpack within Going-to-the-Sun Road (i.e. west of Logan Pass, like Avalanche Creek and Sprague Creek) comes with a vehicle permit. You鈥檙e also allowed to enter from Apgar without a permit before 7 A.M.鈥攇orgeous morning light, fewer people, and open parking make the early wake-up worth it.

Teton Crest Trail, Grand Teton National Park

What to Know: The Teton Crest Trail (TCT) is a 40-mile point-to-point journey over 9,000 feet of elevation gain. Swaying lupine, paintbrush, and eastern coneflower fade into glacier-carved canyons and up jagged granite peaks where moose, elk, bighorn sheep, and grizzlies roam (bear spray is essential). This high-altitude trek peaks between mid-late July and Labor Day, when the high passes are snow-free. Micro-spikes are an ally during the shoulder season due to unpredictable snowfall.

Important Dates: You need the , and the reservation system opens at 8 A.M. MST on January 7 for starts between May 1 and October 31. Walk-ups are available on a first-come, first- served basis one day before your hike-out date in-person only between May 1 and October 31. There鈥檚 a $20 flat permit fee for this one.

Reservation Details: Grand Teton National Park releases one-third of all backcountry zones in advance online and holds the rest for walk-ups. Act fast to scoop up your ideal itinerary鈥� camp zones on the TCT are generally snapped up within the hour. One backcountry permit will allow you to camp for up to ten consecutive nights and is valid for up to six-person groups.

When you apply, select 鈥淢ountain Camping Zone鈥� to see available . The 11 zones on the TCT vanish fast, so map your route in advance and have a solid backup plan. Each camp zone is a few miles long and once in it, you can pitch camp anywhere used before.

The Enchantments Traverse, Washington

What to Know: To experience the otherworldly, tucked-away Core Enchantments Zone鈥� a glacier-carved necklace of placid, ice-blue lakes strung together by a winding creek鈥攅xpect to climb 4,845 feet over 18.5 miles. This includes the grueling Asgard Pass, which ascends 2,000 vertical feet in less than a mile (look out for mountain goats and have an offline map handy). A permit is required May 15th to October 31 and only 24 people are allowed to camp in the Core Zone each day. Beware early-season snow in May and June and pack a head net for mosquito-heavy July. September-early October is a popular time to hike, when the abundant larches turn yellow and set the mirrored lakes ablaze.

Important Dates: The opens February 15 and runs until March 1. Results land March 15 on Recreation.gov. Unclaimed slots become available on April 1 at 7 A.M. PST and go in a flash, so set your alarm. Unlike past years, there weren鈥檛 any walk-ups in 2025. There鈥檚 a $6 fee to apply for this permit.

Reservation Details: The Enchantments are divided into five zones (Core Enchantment Zone, Snow Lake Zone, Colchuck Lake Zone, Stuart Lake Zone, and Eightmile/Caroline Zone). During the lottery, you must choose an entry date, group size (up to eight), and permit zone. Snagging a Core Zone permit is a miracle鈥攑eople have better luck with Snow or Colchuck. Both allow you to hike through the Core Zone, though you must camp in your designated zone. The Core Zone has a per-person quota, while Colchuck and Snow are per-group. Smaller crews therefore have a better shot at the Core Zone, while larger groups should aim for Snow or Colchuck.

Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim, Grand Canyon National Park

What to Know: For many backpackers, the hike from the North Rim to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon is a bucket-list trip. Prepare to cover 20 to 24 miles and over 6,000 feet of elevation gain over two to three days among painted redwall limestone monoliths, desert scrub, and aquamarine waterfalls.

There are three places to camp along the Rim-to-Rim corridor (Cottonwood, Bright Angel, and Havasupai Gardens) with limited availability. You鈥檒l need to decide whether to begin at the North or South Rim and whether to follow the Bright Angel or South Kaibab trail when you apply. Hiking North to South has a shorter uphill push, but knee-busting 8,000-foot, 14.3-mile descent along the strenuous North Kaibab Trail. Temperatures can soar in June, July, and August, so consider a hike in mid- to late-May or September through mid-October.

Important Dates: Grand Canyon National Park once a month over a two-week period. The lottery awards you a time slot to apply for a permit four months before your intended hike-out date. Recreation.gov has a helpful chart of lottery dates based on when you aim to depart. The North Rim Entrance Station closes for winter, so Rim-to-Rim is only available mid-May to mid-October. This one has a $10 lottery application fee.

Reservation Details: Those with an earlier date and time slot have more luck with a Rim-to-Rim itinerary, so pump your whole group up to apply. You can find specific backcountry zone codes . The park has limited large-group backcountry availability, so try a smaller group to juice your chances. If you don鈥檛 receive a time slot, log in to Recreation.gov on the first day of the month four months before your hike-out date to try again. Walk-ins are available in-person the day before at the South or North Rim Backcountry Information Centers. You won鈥檛 likely secure the entire Rim-to-Rim corridor this way but can still build an unforgettable Grand Canyon adventure.

The Wave, Vermilion Cliffs National Monument

What to Know: The Wave sweeps like a golden, molten brushstroke across the desert and draws thousands of people each year. Only 64 people are allowed to visit this 6.4-mile out-and-back hike daily. If you nab a permit, know The Wave can be both hot and muddy. Carry plenty of water and sunscreen for no-joke spring and summer heat and come equipped with a four-wheel drive for the bumpy road to the trailhead.

Important Dates: opens the first of the month four months in advance (i.e. to hike in June, apply in February) with results the first day of the next month. A daily lottery is available two days before your hike-out date from 6 A.M. to 6 P.M. MST. Expect same-day notification and accept by 8 A.M. the next day. You鈥檒l also need to pay a $6 application fee.

Reservation Details: You鈥檙e allowed to choose three dates in the advance lottery, which has the higher success rate. The daily lottery is only accessible from Using the Recreation.gov mobile application will make for a smoother experience. Group size is capped at six people, but only four groups (or 16 people鈥攚hichever comes first) receive the daily lottery, so consider a smaller crew. Dogs can join for The Wave鈥攁dd your furry pal to your permit after you鈥檙e selected. Daily lottery holders must also arrive with photo ID in-person by 8:30 A.M. on hike-out day to pick up the permit and hear the mandatory safety brief.

Kalalau Trail,听 Napali Coast Kauai

What to Know: After 19.8 miles and 6,512 feet of elevation gain, you鈥檒l be glad to relax at secluded Kalalau Beach. Tropical jungle gives way to never-ending views of the jagged, jaw-dropping Napali Coast听on this narrow, adrenaline-filled trail (don鈥檛 look down on Crawler鈥檚 Ledge, where sturdy poles are a lifesaver). Most people camp at Hanakoa (six miles in) one night then press on to wild Kalalau (11 miles in). In the Kalalau Valley, build in time to explore paths to secret swim spots (nestled among guava trees and farm ruins), and hidden sea caves accessible from May-September. Grippy waterproof shoes and a good rain jacket are essential on this one for mud, streams, and steep, slippery descents.

Important Dates: Grab a permit year-round on a rolling basis, 90 days in advance of your hike-out date right at midnight Hawaii Standard Time (HST). You can also snag a walk-up permit first-come, first served from 8 A.M. 鈥� 11 A.M. Tuesday-Thursday in summer. Camping fees are $35 nightly for non-Hawaii residents.

Reservation Details: There is a 60-person daily quota for non-Hawaii residents and that goes fast in summer. It鈥檚 helpful to create an account on ahead of time. You鈥檒l also need to snag parking for Ha鈥檈na State Park at with your permit number. While mild year-round, the dry season generally runs May-September. Storms and slip-outs on the narrow trail are common in the off-season.

The Lost Coast, California

What to Know: The dramatic 25-mile point-to-point Lost Coast Trail spans flat, sandy terrain along one of the few untouched Californian coastlines. You鈥檒l hike on the misty beach with sea otters and elephant seals for isolated miles, hiking in harmony with the tides (which can make some parts of the trail impassable).

Travel southbound from Mattole Beach to Black Sands Beach to keep the powerful coastal wind behind you and be sure to check the often-fickle Northern California weather, which can bring dense summer fog. Layers and spare footwear for wet sand and choppy surf come in clutch.

Important Dates: Reserve first-come, first-served 90 days ahead of your hike-out date at 7 A.M. PST. Walk-up passes are also available for three people per day at the King Range Visitor鈥檚 Center from Monday-Friday at 8 A.M. PST via lottery ($6 per application).

Reservation Details: Grab this one ASAP. The maximum group size for this trail is three people, and the hike generally takes two-four days. The Lost Coast is open year-round, but generally drier and warmer in spring and summer. Double the slots are available between May 15-September 15 as the off-season. Be sure to check a tide map and schedule before you apply to ensure the trail will be passable. NOAA maintains a .

Madison Chapman is a writer and humanitarian worker based in Washington, D.C. with work appearing in The Washington Post and Ms. Magazine. When she鈥檚 not traveling or working, you can find her throwing pottery, practicing yoga, biking, and backpacking with her husband.听

The post Planning the Perfect 2026 国产吃瓜黑料? Here鈥檚 How to Nab a Permit. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Taylor Jeffers and Johnny Miller call themselves magic miners. It鈥檚 hard to argue with them: The California couple make their living as full-time crystal hunters, traveling across the West, exploring otherworldly landscapes, and unearthing tiny gemlike fragments. It鈥檚 the kind of free-range life many of us dream about. But building it wasn鈥檛 easy. It took hard work鈥攁nd a few key pieces of gear.

When they met, Miller was a professional snowboarder who dabbled in silversmithing. Jeffers was a traveling artist. Both were eking out a living. Then, in 2013, they moved to Big Bear, California. The transition was a tough one, and neither had jobs lined up. To cope with the stress, they started hiking together, first around their new home, then farther afield. The first time the couple stumbled upon half-buried crystals on the trail, it was an accident. Then they started searching for the minerals. Before long, they got pretty good at it.

鈥淚t felt very natural to read the earth like we were doing,鈥� Miller says. 鈥淲e were tapping into some instinct we didn鈥檛 know we had. It was like we were kids again.鈥�

Rock hunting started as a hobby. But few artists can stare at a growing pile of crystals for long before they start tinkering. Earrings and necklaces soon spilled out of their home studio. Within the year, their boutique jewelry company, ., was born.

Following the Magic

鈥淚t鈥檚 exciting,鈥� Miller says of the work. 鈥淲e find things nature has grown that have been hiding unseen for millions of years.鈥� There鈥檚 something sacred about that鈥攕omething incontrovertibly magical. The couple knew they wanted to do this for the long haul, and they knew they were willing to do whatever it took to make that happen.

The first trick to making their lifestyle work is holding that passion in mind and letting it drive them forward even when things feel scary or uncertain. The other trick, Jeffers and Miller say, is having the right gear. Hiking off-trail is rough going. To stay out there for long hours, comfortable boots are a must.

In the past, Jeffers and Miller regularly shredded shoes, tearing them to ribbons on sharp crystals and in jagged boulder fields. Now they both wear Danner boots鈥攖he and , respectively.

鈥淲e got used to replacing boots all the time, but I haven鈥檛 even dented these yet,鈥� Miller says. The uppers are rugged and weatherproof. The protective toebox is invaluable in cactus country, and they love that Danner will if they do break down.

鈥淚t鈥檚 important to have confidence in your footwear,鈥� Miller says.

Photography on the Move

JaVaris Johnson, an based in the Pacific Northwest, has surprisingly similar advice. Johnson got his start in the skateboarding world. Initially, he just wanted a few snaps of his friends doing tricks.

鈥淚 went to a pawn shop and bought a camera, and after the first few clicks, I was addicted,鈥� he says. Before long, he鈥檇 moved into his vehicle, which allowed him to chase gigs (and good light) across the West. Like Jeffers and Miller, Johnson goes to where he鈥檚 drawn. He lets a sense of instinct and inspiration pull him from one destination to the next.

鈥淢y message is to get out there and enjoy life,鈥� Johnson says. 鈥淣ature is for everyone. Get out from behind the desk, surrounded by those four walls, and get out there. People look at photos on their computer screen and think, 鈥楢w, I wish I could .鈥� It doesn鈥檛 have to be a wish鈥攖he question is when are you going to do it?鈥�

That said, the day-to-day life of an adventure photographer isn鈥檛 always quite so glamorous. 鈥淚鈥檓 always stomping around in mossy areas, crossing rivers, and tinkering with my 4Runner,鈥� Johnson says. He鈥檚 constantly on the move, which makes his shoes just as much a staple piece of his kit as his camera and tripod.

Why Good Boots Matter

Sure, other pieces of gear are keeping Johnson, Jeffers, and Miller out there, but there鈥檚 something special about a supportive pair of boots. They carry you across borders, through unexplored landscapes, and out of your comfort zone. With dependable traction and rock-solid stability, they help you move with confidence. Over time, they become a second skin. They mold themselves to your feet鈥攁nd to your life.

鈥淪hoes have a story to tell,鈥� Johnson says. 鈥淵ou can see the journey a person has been on just by looking at their shoes. And with Danner, you can and continue the story.鈥�

That鈥檚 exactly how Recrafting supervisor Mark Tingley feels about his job. He鈥檚 spent the past three years repairing, refurbishing, and breathing new life into customers鈥� shoes鈥攕ome of which are decades old.

鈥淲e get these old, cherished boots that have stories and meaning,鈥� Tingley says. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 the best stuff.鈥� There鈥檚 a sense of responsibility that comes with restoring such beloved shoes, he says. Often, a Recrafter will take three to four days to meticulously refurbish a single pair. But the Recrafting program isn鈥檛 just a matter of sentimentality.

鈥淎 pair of Danner boots is a wearable tool. Like a nice apron or a set of chef鈥檚 knives,鈥� Tingley says. Take good care of any of those things, and they鈥檒l last you a lifetime. That鈥檚 good for you鈥攁nd the environment.

鈥淚鈥檝e never thrown a pair of our boots away,鈥� Tingley says. 鈥淚鈥檒l wear mine until they fall apart鈥攁nd then I鈥檓 just going to restore them.鈥� Given Danner鈥檚 Recrafting services鈥攁nd timeless style鈥攖hat won鈥檛 be hard.

For nearly a century, has crafted boots with purpose and integrity, footwear to equip those who choose the unlikely path, those who cut fresh trails, those who pioneer. Whether you want to hike, work, or simply walk around town, Danner boots are meant to take you somewhere. Lace a pair up and Go There.

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Update September 19:听Legal representatives for Michelino Sunseri confirmed to听国产吃瓜黑料听that they had appealed federal magistrate judge Stephanie A. Hambrick’s earlier decision. The group declined further comment until after scheduling is complete in October.

Trail runner Michelino Sunseri, who skipped a switchback during his 2024 fastest known time attempt in Grand Teton National Park, was found guilty of leaving the designated trail, a federal judge ruled. Court documents obtained by 国产吃瓜黑料 note that while jail time will 鈥渘ot be imposed,鈥� the endurance athlete could face a potential ban from the park and a fine of up to $5,000.

鈥淭he Defendant is adjudged GUILTY,鈥� wrote federal magistrate judge Stephanie A. Hambrick of Wyoming in her September 2 verdict. Sunseri left 鈥渢he Garnet Canyon Trail to use the shortcut of the Old Climber鈥檚 Trail,” violating on designated trails and prohibiting shortcuts in certain areas,听according to the verdict.

In an email to 国产吃瓜黑料, Sunseri鈥檚 legal team at Pacific Legal Foundation said it will appeal the decision.

“We respectfully disagree with the magistrate judge鈥檚 ruling. It reifies the enormous claims of power by park superintendents to write federal criminal law. This is well beyond any power the Constitution contemplates for inferior officers鈥攖hose not confirmed by the Senate鈥攖o have. We will appeal,” Michael Poon, an attorney at Pacific Legal Foundation, told 国产吃瓜黑料.

Sunseri broke the speed record in 2024 for ascending and descending the 13,775-foot Grand Teton trail in 奥测辞尘颈苍驳鈥檚 Grand Teton National Park, completing the ascent and descent in two hours, 50 minutes, and 50 seconds. He edged out the previous time set by Andy Anderson in 2012 by just two minutes.

But official chronicler rejected Sunseri鈥檚 record after his GPS track showed he cut a switchback while descending.

The revelation didn鈥檛 just ignite an ethical debate over cutting switchbacks and setting speed records鈥攊t also put Sunseri in hot water legally. For cutting off-trail, Sunseri was subsequently charged by the National Park Service with a Class B misdemeanor.

Sunseri’s guilty verdict was issued exactly a year after his botched record.

Sunseri took Old Climber鈥檚 Trail, an informal shortcut on the Grand Teton that cuts the 13.1-mile out-and-back route by about a half-mile.

For decades, the informal cut-through was commonly used by climbers descending from the peak. Even so, signs have been placed at the bottom and the top of the shortcut as early as the 1980s, according to testimony from former record holder Bryce Thatcher. Galen Woelk also testified that the signs were there in the 1990s and 2000s

鈥淐losed for regrowth,鈥� reads the bottom sign, facing downhill. A sign at the top of the cut faces uphill, reading “shortcutting causes erosion.鈥�

After ultra-runner Kilian Jornet cut switchbacks in his own record attempts in 2012, lawmakers updated the legal code in 2022 to criminalize cutting switchbacks.

The code Sunseri violated, , states that a park superintendent 鈥渕ay restrict hiking or pedestrian use to a designated trail or walkway system鈥� and specifies that 鈥渓eaving a trail or walkway to shortcut between portions of the same trail or walkway, or to shortcut to an adjacent trail or walkway鈥� is illegal.

Sunseri鈥檚 legal team says it is appealing his guilty verdict, arguing that the case is an example of government overreach. They add that the trail hadn鈥檛 been properly marked closed in the downhill direction Sunseri was traveling.

鈥淭he U.S. Attorney and the National Park Service claim that Michelino broke the law because the Grand Teton superintendent had ordered that foot travel be restricted 鈥榳hen traveling through signed revegetation and restoration areas,鈥欌�� wrote Pacific Legal in a .

鈥淭he only indication in the direction he was traveling was a small sign off to the side of the trail that said 鈥榮hortcutting causes erosion鈥欌�攏o mention that the trail was closed.鈥�

Additionally, Sunseri鈥檚 lawyers argue that the trail closure is unlawful because it stems 鈥渇rom an unconstitutional delegation of legislative power.鈥�

鈥淥nly Congress can decide what behavior is and isn鈥檛 criminally prohibited, and it cannot delegate that authority away. If Congress wants to define behavior as criminal, it must do so itself, or at the very least, set clear limits that dictate how and why officials can do so,鈥� reads the case summary.

Sunseri’s defense said the athlete was offered several plea deals, all of which either banned him from the park or required him to admit guilt.

鈥淭hese mountains mean everything to Michelino,鈥� Pacific Legal wrote. 鈥淎greeing to give up such an integral part of his life because of a law he didn鈥檛 know he was breaking was unthinkable.鈥�

Correction note: A previous version of this article stated NPS staff formally closed and marked the shortcut. On September 8, 2025, this story was updated to specify that the legal code was changed in 2022 to criminalize cutting switchbacks.

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Early this spring, during a of the Appalachian Trail (AT), I had a comical epiphany about my backpacking life: Despite hiking 11,000 miles since 2019, or passing a solid quarter of the last six years of my life in a tent, I had only spent two nights ever without my wife, Tina, on trail. They were both disasters.

The first happened in Monson, Maine, the last town on our first northbound thru-hike of the AT. After a few beers at a hostel there, we鈥檇 gotten into some petty spat about whether or not I needed to buy new shoes for the remaining 120 miles. She reasonably worried it was too expensive for such a short haul, but I thought my battered trail runners would disintegrate amid the infamous Hundred-Mile Wilderness. I ceded the argument, stormed off solo, and spent a sleepless night in a shelter with a stranger I was convinced was a serial killer. Addled by my proximity to a murder on trail months earlier, I was wrong about him. I had been right, however, about the shoes; they soon split in half, leading to a broken toe.

The second was during the final month of the Continental Divide Trail, when we accidentally took alternate routes around a line of mountains walloped by an early snow. I had half the tent, and so did Tina; we shivered our way through a miserable night separately, until a satellite message reunited us for pizza 36 hours later. I wondered if I might die; I was, at points, convinced she already had. Hiking the country鈥檚 longest trails with the person I love has been a privilege and a pleasure. The exceptions have only reinforced that rule.

But the time had come, I reckoned, to test my own mettle, to go backpacking alone and see how few mistakes I might make. For a year, I鈥檇 wanted to leave the Nevada capitol in Carson City, , circumnavigate Lake Tahoe on the famous 170-mile , and return to Carson City, for 210 miles total. I wanted to do it in less than a week. I knew the task would require diligent daily pushes, since I鈥檇 need to average 30 miles in rather high country every day, and a week of decent summer weather, before the first snow started to fall. Since Tina鈥檚 job as a park ranger didn鈥檛 end until November began, I knew I needed to walk 12 hours each day with no company other than my own.

Friends often ask me about the tents I love, the virtues of sleeping bags versus quilts, and the best kind of pad for their body. I almost always demur, though, admitting that camping and camping gear are only side effects of the reason I hike: an addiction to physical exhaustion. Pitching a tent, rehydrating dry food, and climbing inside a tube of down are simply the things I must do to do the thing I want to do. Tina is the opposite, though, a total gearhead who will cut a jacket鈥檚 tag to save a sliver of a gram and a camping enthusiast who thinks a lot about how and where we pitch our two-person tent. After 11,000 miles of mostly wanting to throw my foam pad onto a patch of dirt and go to sleep, would I even know enough about camping to do it well?

Forgive the pride I felt on that first night, then, when I stood a few feet away from my tiny 鈥攁n ingenious poncho that doubles as a tarp with room for one鈥攁nd smiled. The pitch atop a cliff was perfect. The sun was sinking low over Tahoe鈥檚 California. And after a 28-mile start that was mostly uphill, I knew the breeze cutting through the trees would be like a shot of pure melatonin. Maybe I knew more than I thought I did?

Variations on that feeling came daily. On that second day, I pushed 34 miles, making one last summit with weary legs and driving my stakes into the sand just as the sky smeared to cotton candy. A pair of liminal introverts, Tina and I can often be so invested in our own dynamic on trail that we talk less to other people than maybe we should. I sometimes marvel that we鈥檝e made some of our very best friends in the world on thru-hikes, but I sometimes think that we act as if we鈥檝e reached capacity. That very hot second afternoon, though, I鈥檇 started a conversation with a stranger sitting alongside a stream. We swapped numbers before I pressed on. When was the last time I had done that?

On the third day, though, I felt a pang of homesickness, not for my actual house or my cats but for Tina and for the rest of the beloved weirdos that became our 鈥渢rail family鈥� long ago. The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and the Tahoe Rim overlap for 50 miles, meaning that I鈥檇 spend 48 hours on a section I鈥檇 already hiked while doing the PCT in 2021. Memories of those happy moments, like teaching a friend named Ezra the basic rules of football, twisted my stomach, reminding me that they weren鈥檛 here, that it was just me.

And when I hitched into South Lake Tahoe that afternoon for groceries, I left a pair of sunglasses鈥攁fter 42 years, the only pair of shades I鈥檝e ever actually liked鈥攊n a trail angel鈥檚 cupholder. I could imagine Tina spotting them and handing them to me with a smile. An idiot check, where you look behind yourself to make sure you鈥檙e not leaving anything, works best if there are two of you. It also helps if one of you is not an idiot.

Aside from losing a second pair of drug-store sunglasses, though, that was the worst thing that happened in 210 miles. Each day as I walked, I鈥檇 prepare a mental checklist for camping that night. Look for deadfall before pitching the Gatewood Cape, so as best to avoid being impaled by the top half of a tree. Pull out all of the food I鈥檇 tucked into assorted pockets during the day and put it into the bear can, locked and stowed far away from the tent. Set an alarm and stuff the phone in your backpack, so you wake up when it鈥檚 time to hike.

I did all of this, and I made it back to Carson City and my hotel room inside a smoky casino in a little more than six days, 16 hours faster than I expected. I had pushed toward the 40-mile mark that final night, sneaking into a reserved but empty National Forest Service campsite long after dark and splitting an hour before dawn, images of the food that awaited me in Carson City dancing in my head. Hiking in the dark, I鈥檇 laughed when I thought about Tina, who certainly would have told me that a few tacos in town, or maybe even Domino鈥檚 delivery, wasn鈥檛 worth this late-night, early-morning effort. After having the tacos, I can say she would have been right. (If you鈥檙e in Carson City, though, , an actually incredible Indonesian diner in yet another casino.)

Before I left for Nevada, I wondered if a solo thru-hike might change my perception of thru-hikes in general. Long-distance hiking is, to some extent, enduring misery; having some company with whom to share that misery is a clich茅 for a reason. Would I get overwhelmed by the drudgery of it all, by walking from before sunrise until after sundown without saying a word to another human? Or would I be so into the freedom of it all, the absolute sense that I could do whatever I wanted, that I鈥檇 only want to go it alone in the future?

Neither happened. They are two very different activities, depending on different forms of self-reliance and perseverance. I was glad to know I made the right decisions alone, that I pushed my pace enough to make the loop that I have since dubbed the 鈥淐arson City Lasso.鈥� Sure, I could do it again. But I also look forward to November, when Tina鈥檚 job is over and the American South begins to cool. We鈥檒l head to a new trail and maybe revert to our old ways鈥攎e losing things in a stranger鈥檚 car and her saying, 鈥淗ey, don鈥檛 forget that.鈥�

5 Lessons for Backpacking Solo

1. Know Your Kit

When you鈥檙e hiking long distances, there is little room for redundancy in your backpack鈥攖he lower your kit鈥檚 weight, the less strain on your body, the more miles you can comfortably make. But being on trail with someone offers some version of backup, a safety net of supplies should you lose a spoon or tent stake. That resource is obviously gone when you鈥檙e alone. The night before I left Carson City, I unpacked my entire bag, methodically considered everything I鈥檇 need each day, and went to bed satisfied that it would be on my back come morning.

2. Have a Project

One of the absolute joys of long-distance backpacking is silence, or an escape from the onslaught of incessant inputs that constitute modern life. If you don鈥檛 have cell-phone service for four days, you don鈥檛 have access to the world鈥檚 chatter for four days. You鈥檒l learn something about yourself, about the way you think, about what you might want to change in your life. But, to be honest, you鈥檒l also get bored, especially if there鈥檚 no pal for occasional banter to break up that space. Plan accordingly. Download a band鈥檚 entire catalogue. Buy the audiobook version of some tome so long you would never read it. Learn the names of the plants where you鈥檒l be hiking, and become an autodidact expert at spotting them. Just give yourself anything else to do as you walk.

3. Talk to Strangers

Whether you鈥檙e walking with your partner or the friends that may form your trail family, you tend to create a little bubble around yourself on long hikes, existing inside a pocket of inside jokes and you-had-to-be-there stories. New folks you encounter can struggle to enter your scene, especially as mileage gets bigger and your focus intensifies. Late in thru-hikes, I鈥檝e totally passed people with little more than a nod. On the first day of this adventure, I noticed my learned propensity and decided to address it, to talk to most everyone I saw. On the second day, I met someone who lives just a few miles away from me in Colorado and loves to climb our backyard mountains, too. We made tentative plans to hang out, and I relearned a simple lesson鈥攕low down enough to say hey.

4. Have a Plan, but Enjoy the Flexibility

If you鈥檙e going into the woods by yourself, give someone who is not only responsible but also cares about your well-being a general schedule鈥攚hen and where you鈥檙e going in, when and where you鈥檙e coming out, a few important milestones where you might be able to check in. Accidents happen outside, and someone else realizing you鈥檙e overdue can . But you鈥檙e on your own, so you can split the miles up however you鈥檇 like. That was my favorite part of this individual outing, knowing that, if I found a campsite I loved 26 miles into the day, I could wake up an hour earlier the next day and make up the difference with 34. It was truly a chance to live that old backpacking adage: hike your own hike.

5. Hike Somewhere New

I love revisiting places, to aim for a deeper understanding than the 鈥淚 visited, I saw, I moved on鈥� ethic of checklist travel. But I felt the most dreadfully lonely during the 50 miles I鈥檇 already hiked with my wife and friends, less able to enjoy the newness of this experience than the nostalgia for the jokes we鈥檇 shared years earlier. I longed for their company in a way that pulled me out of the present. The moment I stepped back onto trail I鈥檇 never trod, that feeling vanished. So go somewhere without existing emotional attachments, and make new ones.

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Anyone who鈥檚 ever had to mouth the word 鈥渨alk鈥� while reaching for a leash knows how much our dogs love to get out. And no doubt you love it too鈥攆or the fun and companionship, and because you know there鈥檚 more to our pets鈥� health than just giving them food and water. Tail-wagging adventures and purr-inducing pastimes are essential pieces of the puzzle when it comes to your pets鈥� mental and physical well-being. That鈥檚 why , makers of nourishing WholePrey pet foods, is proud to support experiences in nature through its partnership with the National Park Foundation and by making it easier for people to find pet-friendly adventures with the launch of its new .

Finding pet-friendly hikes can be a time-consuming task. With the Orijen Trails web app, users will be able to quickly find pet-friendly trails in parks across the United States, complete with route details and maps, scenic stop suggestions, trail ratings, information about water availability, calorie estimates for you and your pet, and more. No more frustrated scrolling, no more resorting to the same well-trodden trails, and definitely no more leaving your favorite adventure buddy at home.

The Trails app currently logs details from more than 100 national and state parks (and counting) across all 50 states. Orijen plans to include as many hikes, parks, and paths as possible, growing the app with crowdsourced info from local hikers, trail runners, and, most importantly, pet lovers.

Finding the trails is just part of what the app can do. It also keeps a log of your and your pets鈥� adventures. The My Pack feature lets you store a roster of up to three pets and track the activities you鈥檝e done with each one. So, take note, dog walkers: You never have to wonder if you鈥檝e brought this particular pooch down this particular path before. It鈥檚 all there in the app.

And while 鈥減et-friendly鈥� is often code for 鈥渄og-friendly鈥� when it comes to the outdoors, most pet-friendly trails are also happy to host adventure cats. Just be sure to reach out to the park or trail organization to confirm, know your cat鈥檚 limits, and make proper accommodations, including catpacks, leashes, etc.

Pets are at their best when they鈥檙e living as naturally as possible, whether that鈥檚 eating inspired by the prey their ancestors ate or working up an appetite exploring new trails and smells. With this new app, Orijen takes its commitment toward creating healthy and happy pets one step further, helping to ensure that you鈥檒l be hitting the trails with them for years to come.

Orijen pet food is packed with quality animal ingredients to help dogs and cats thrive. It鈥檚 rich with the same nourishment their ancestors consumed in the wild. As the fullest expression of biologically appropriate nutrition, Orijen diets feature unmatched amounts of quality animal ingredients. All of the pet food is made from only the finest ingredients, and every diet is formulated so you can help your pet reach their full potential and then set off for adventure together. Orijen pet food products include premium kibble, freeze-dried food and treats, and wet food, and the brand is always adding new, innovative products. To learn more, visit .

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Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks grab the headlines, but when it comes to raw nature, the jewel of Montana is the . 鈥淭he Bob,鈥� as it鈥檚 affectionately called, was named for legendary conservationist Bob Marshall, who cofounded the Wilderness Society. No paved roads bisect The Bob, an area larger than Rhode Island, making it a vast wilderness where only horse and foot travel are allowed.

We sent adventurer to explore The Bob and its famous geologic feature, the Chinese Wall. Turn up the volume and and then read on for trip-planning advice so you can experience The Bob yourself.

Wildlife Galore

One of the great benefits of protecting a refuge the size of The Bob? It鈥檚 a haven for wildlife of all kinds. Elk, moose, deer, mountain lions, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, wolves, lynx, bald eagles, and black and grizzly bears roam freely here. For the visitor, the reward is a wilderness soundtrack with plenty of birdsong (鈥渙mnipresent,鈥� according to Max)听 and always the tantalizing possibility of hearing something bigger rustle through the forest.

Wandering Waterways

From the trickle of alpine streams to the roar of whitewater, there鈥檚 a symphony of sounds here as snowmelt turns to rivers. And since the Continental Divide runs through the heart of the Bob, that symphony also divides watersheds: The waters cascading down east-facing peaks will reach the Missouri River and end up in the Atlantic Ocean, while on the west side, runoff collects in the Flathead River鈥檚 South Fork and eventually reaches the Pacific.

Fly-Fishing

The splashing of fish joins the Bob鈥檚 soundtrack, particularly on the South Fork of the Flathead River. It鈥檚 home to the largest population of genetically pure West Slope cutthroat trout in the country and one of the only legal in the lower 48 (July 1-31, permits required). The cutthroats aren鈥檛 huge but are known to rise quickly for dry flies. 鈥淚f I didn鈥檛 need to keep hiking, I would have stayed there all day,鈥� Max says.

The Chinese Wall

The Bob鈥檚 standout geologic feature, the Chinese Wall, consists of rock layers that were once part of an ancient sea. The 22-mile escarpment rises to 1,300 feet and can be seen towering over wildflower-dotted meadows and tall larch trees for miles. But the view from atop the Wall is unrivaled: You鈥檒l see miles of pristine forest and alpine peaks unfolding before you, hearing only the sound of the wind and your own footsteps.

The Hiking Route

To trace Max鈥檚 route, begin at South Fork Sun Trailhead. Continue north on the Continental Divide Trail for 12.5 miles to the White River North Trail, and follow it 22 miles to Larch Pass. Rejoin the CDT at the north end of the Chinese Wall and hike four miles along its base. (Camping is prohibited on this stretch; camp with a view of the Chinese Wall at White River Pass.) After Cliff Mountain, hike the CDT for 20 miles back to the South Fork Sun Trailhead.

You don’t find . Montana finds you. It’s not about checking off stops or taking the scenic route. It’s knowing the distant mountain you saw yesterday can look different tomorrow and stay unchanged for years to come. It’s silences that buzz, rivers that rise, and stories that stick with you. For more Montana trip planning information go to听.

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