Night Before the Trail Run

Nonalcoholic IPAs deliver punchy hop flavor with none of the hangover, and an explosion of new NA beer brands over the past five years means there鈥檚 more variety and quality than ever. Whether your preferred IPA tastes classic and bitter or hazy and tropical, store shelves are full of booze-free options that are ready to help you carb up and tackle the mountain feeling fresh.

• Athletic Brewing Company
• Best Day Brewing
• Brooklyn Brewery

Morning of a Big Hike

Even at breakfast, these beers won鈥檛 set you back. Reach for nonalcoholic golden ales when the day鈥檚 plans call for an easy-drinking crowd-pleaser with bright, refreshing carbonation. Hemp-derived THC and CBD have recently found their way into NA beers, offering a low-dose boost without the buzz. (Throw an extra in your pack for a midday, top-of-the-mountain treat.)

• Easy Man
• Sierra Nevada
• Patagonia Provisions x Deschutes Brewery

Midday on the Water

Stay even-keeled with a four to five percent ABV craft lager. For decades, American craft brewers largely shied away from so-called 鈥測ellow fizzy beer,鈥� preferring to leave pilsners to the world鈥檚 biggest brands. Thankfully, they鈥檝e finally seen the light and are now brewing ultra-crisp, characterful lagers with manageable alcohol contents that make them easy to reach for.

• pFriem Family Brewers
• Threes Brewing
• Firestone Walker Brewing Company

Afternoon Mountain Biking Break

A mix of beer and carbonated lemonade, radlers have long been associated with German cyclists. It鈥檚 easy to see why: They鈥檙e sweet-tangy enough to toe the line between beer and juice. Today, radlers鈥攁nd their British cousin, shandies鈥攃ome in a rainbow of citrusy flavors from grapefruit to orange. Their thirst-quenching power, however, remains steadfast.

• Stiegl
• Shiner
• Von Trapp

Back at Base Camp

Wind down with the new and improved world of West Coast IPAs. After years of hazy, fruity New England鈥搒tyle IPA dominance, the West Coast version has made a triumphant return. But today鈥檚 versions aren鈥檛 tongue-scrapingly bitter; they expertly blend classic hops鈥� pine, dank, and subtle citrus notes for a prismatic sip that eases you out of a hard day鈥檚 work at six to seven percent ABV.

• Breakside
• Upslope Brewing
• 罢谤枚别驳蝉

Campfire Nightcap

Once you鈥檝e debriefed the day鈥檚 challenges and successes, it鈥檚 time to drink dessert. Reach for a slightly sweet stout that incorporates chocolate, peanut butter, hazelnuts, or other other culinary ingredients. The best of these indulgent beers maintain a coffee-like roast that helps balance those confectionary additions. Feeling extra bold? Look for a version that鈥檚 been whiskey barrel鈥揳ged.

• Mother Earth
• Samuel Smith
• Left Hand

The post There鈥檚 a Beer for That appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

It鈥檚 easy to think Yellowstone National Park is all geysers and grizzlies. But for anglers, the park鈥檚 native cutthroat trout belong at the top of the to-do list. Just ask Austin Campbell. Fly-fishing transformed Campbell鈥檚 life, and now the angling guide and advocate loves to share his enthusiasm for visiting and protecting places like Yellowstone.

Campbell grew up fly-fishing with his family, but when he moved east to run track and attend college at Penn State, angling took on a whole new meaning. Whenever the stresses of track or classes began to build, Pennsylvania鈥檚 cold-water trout streams provided refuge.

鈥淭hat was huge for me,鈥� Campbell says. After he graduated, Campbell realized he wasn鈥檛 the only one who could benefit from such an escape, so he became a . And in 2020, he and his brother started running free community events to teach other folks how to fish. So far, he says that鈥檚 been the most rewarding aspect of his whole fishing journey. 鈥淚nstructing people and watching them succeed鈥攊t鈥檚 just as good as if I鈥檇 caught the fish myself,鈥� Campbell says. 鈥淔ishing allows you to really slow down and be present. That time is so important, and I think that鈥檚 something everyone should have access to.鈥滳ampbell found plenty of places to slow down in Yellowstone National Park. While catch-and-release fishing for the park鈥檚 cutthroat trout, he also learned about efforts to protect them. Learn more in the video above, and see below to start planning your own fly-fishing adventure.

Where to Drop a Line

Slough Creek

Cast a dry fly on the meandering bends of Slough Creek, one of Yellowstone鈥檚 most productive cutthroat fisheries. Target the upper meadows for better odds; the farther upstream you hike, the less pressured the fisheries tend to be.

‍Yellowstone River

The lifeblood of the park, the Yellowstone River offers more than 200 miles of high-quality trout fishing鈥攁nd some of the wildest water in Montana. For the easiest access, fish the stretch between Yellowstone Lake and Yellowstone Falls. Lake trout are abundant here, but patient anglers can still bag a decent-size cutthroat.

‍Lamar River

Welcome to one of the park鈥檚 most scenic fisheries. Along the Lamar River, the meadows teem with bison and the wide-open skies yield uninterrupted views of the surrounding peaks. Target the seven-mile reach between Soda Butte Creek and Lamar Canyon for the easiest access (and biggest fish).

‍Snake River

Accessible from Yellowstone鈥檚 South Entrance, the Snake River starts within the national park before flowing south toward the Tetons. Head to the upper zone for solitude and quiet waters and the lower reaches for bigger cutthroats (and even some browns). Do it right: Pack a small flask of to toast to the day鈥檚 catch.

Raise a Toast: Streamside Sipper

Celebrate a great day in the national park with this custom recipe and , which was founded in 1872 to honor America鈥檚 first national park, and which continues to the national park system today.

Glassware: Rocks glass

‍Ingredients

• 2 oz Yellowstone Bourbon Toasted
• 4 oz chilled black tea
• 1/2 oz maple syrup
• Cinnamon stick for garnish

‍Directions

• ‍Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
• Combine all ingredients and shake until chilled.
• Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with ice.

Established in 1872, was crafted to honor the sprawling wonder of America鈥檚 first national park. It鈥檚 what first inspired us to create approachably smooth whiskey for the benefit and enjoyment of the people, and why we still do it today.

The post Saving Yellowstone鈥檚 Native Trout appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Whether your hot beverage of choice is coffee, tea, or matcha, you鈥檝e likely adopted a favorite travel mug to carry your magical morning elixir to the office or the trailhead. But do you know how its performance stacks up against the competition? Instead of relying on haphazard observations and product claims, the 国产吃瓜黑料 Lab @ CU Denver set up an experiment to find out which travel mugs are the best at keeping beverages warm.

In the lab鈥攁 new test facility in the university鈥檚 engineering department鈥攚e used professional lab thermometers to determine which insulated travel mugs and bottles kept drinks hot at room temperature and in a cold setting the longest. We rounded up 38 of the most popular products available, divided them into three categories (tumblers, travel mugs, and thermoses), and got to work.

We tested the products in each category identically and compared only the results from our objective tests. Below are the products that performed best in each category.

Updated May 2025: We added six new tumblers, six new travel mugs, and three new thermoses to the 国产吃瓜黑料 Lab testing groups, and highlighted some new top performers based on results. We also updated info and pricing on previously included mugs/bottles.

At a Glance

• What the 国产吃瓜黑料 Lab Tested
• How We Tested Mugs at the 国产吃瓜黑料 Lab
• Spill-Proof Tumblers
  • Top Performer:
  • Runner Up:听
  • Honorable Mentions
  • Rest of the Test
• Leak-Proof Travel Mugs
  • Top Performer:
  • Runner Up:
  • Honorable Mentions
  • Rest of the Test
• Large Thermoses
  • Top Performer:
  • Runner Up:
  • Honorable Mentions
  • Rest of the Test
• Final Thoughts

What the 国产吃瓜黑料 Lab Tested

We selected popular models of the three most common types of insulated travel mugs and bottles specific to hot drinks.

1. Spill-Proof Tumblers: Mugs with lids that typically slide or flip open
2. Leak-Proof Travel Mugs: Bottles with a fully sealed 鈥渄rink through鈥� lid that can be thrown in a bag without leaking
3. Traditional Thermoses: Large bottles that keep drinks warm all day

Note: Several brands use lead soldering to seal their products in manufacturing, a process still approved by the FDA. Though the lead never touches the inside drink surface, and rigorous testing is done to ensure no lead exposure to customers, this is a potential health concern if the product is damaged. We focused our efforts on heat retention performance, and did not test for lead. Check with the brand for their current process.

How We Tested Coffee Mugs at the 国产吃瓜黑料 Lab

To test the heat retention of each container, we filled them with hot water and used a lab grade digital thermometer with wire thermistor probes (thin temperature-sensitive wires) to take the temperature of each travel mug or bottle every hour and each large thermos every six hours. This lets us get a quick, accurate temperature reading without fully removing the lid, preserving an accurate representation of real-world use. At the beginning of each test, we used an infrared camera to look for any noticeable heat leaks, but failed to find any significant enough to point out.

We set the start and end points for what constitutes 鈥渉ot鈥� in our testing based on common brewing, serving, and drinking temperatures for coffee. Start temperatures were different depending on the category of travel mugs being tested. Tumbler and leak-proof mugs started the tests at 165 degrees Fahrenheit, considered the standard serving temperature for coffee which needs to cool slightly before drinking. Large thermos bottles were started at 180 degrees Fahrenheit, the low end of brewing temperature (found at the finish of brewing), but too hot to safely drink. A higher start temperature was used for this category since it鈥檚 typically filled with the intent to pour the beverage into a cup later and let cool before drinking. We stopped all tests once the water inside the bottle reached 125 degrees Fahrenheit, which, according to brewers, is on the low end of the accepted drinking temperature for coffee that is still considered warm/hot.

The lab setting lets us control key variables like environmental temperature, allowing us to create conditions for each category that simulated their typical use environment and remained stable for the full length of each test. During each test we used a second thermometer to track temperature and humidity over long periods of time, verifying the environment remained stable. All samples were first tested in a controlled room temperature environment (70 degrees Fahrenheit) with their lids fully sealed to set a performance baseline.

Since tumblers aren鈥檛 often exposed to cold temperatures for very long during commutes and at the office, we only tested them at room temperature. Samples were also tested with the drink mouth left open to add another data point to the performance and help sort those that had similar results when closed.

Travel and thermos bottles, however, are often exposed to cold environments for hours at a time, such as when thrown in a pack or set on the ground while we鈥檙e out exploring. These two groups were placed in a controlled refrigerator set to 39 degrees Fahrenheit to mimic the cold environment and stress their performance limit.

At the end of the temperature test we closed the lid on each sample and tested for leaks. Prepared to get wet, luckily no longer by hot water, we shook each sample and then turned them upside down for one minute. All of the leak-proof labeled bottles passed without a drop, making our lab tech happily dry.

Best Spill-Proof Tumblers

The term 鈥渢umbler鈥� is used to describe a lot of products, so we stuck to those that hold 16 to 20 ounces and are specifically marketed for use with hot drinks. These are the most common travel mugs, often with quick flip or slide lock lids over the drink opening to protect from basic spills and splash black.

This convenient drink lid is often left open between sips, letting heat escape. To simulate real-world use we evaluated heat retention both with the lid closed (results reflected in the performance graph) and with the drink mouth left open (results not displayed in the graph but used as a second test to investigate the full performance). The size and design of the drink mouth can allow more or less heat to escape and affect the overall insulation performance.

Best in Test

Zojirushi Stainless Tumbler SX-FSE45

Heat retention shined on this tumbler that kept drinks hot for five and half hours with the spill-proof lid closed. Performance did suffer when the lid was left open, but the beverage still stayed warm for more than three hours. The twist-close lid is easy to use, protects from spills, and comes with a removable stainless steel tea leaf strainer that attaches to the underside for those who want to brew their leaves on the go. The Zojirushi鈥檚 relatively small package and classic shape works well with cup holders.

Runner Up

Contigo Streeterville Stainless Steel Mug

Hot: 5.25 hours

This tumbler delivered good heat retention with its slide lid closed, and was equally impressive when the lid was left open in the drink position. Keeping drinks hot for at least five hours in both scenarios gives confidence when using this Contigo mug during long mornings. The slide lid doesn鈥檛 lock but is easy to use one handed, and the mug has a non-slip rubber base for added desk security.

Honorable Mentions

All of the mugs offered enough insulation to get you through normal commutes to the ski hill, trailhead, or office without letting your coffee go cold. A few tumblers surprised by performing just as well with the lid open as closed. We chalk this up to the size of the drink opening and thickness of the lid, but did not dig deeper to find out.

Thermos Alta Series Stainless Tumbler

Hot: 5 hours

Delivering consistent performance, the Thermos Alta Series impressively recorded the same failure time in both the closed- and open-lid tests. Based on our lab results you can rely on it to keep your drink hot for five hours even if you leave the lid open for constant sipping.

Ello Campy

Hot: 5 hours

Our testing showed that the Ello Campy can be trusted to keep your drink hot for up to five hours, matching other top performers in the category. It has the added benefit of a cork inlay handle that is comfortable to hold and is set higher on the mug to fit most cup holders, which gives it a classic look. The slide lock lid opens and snaps closed easily with one finger to keep spills at bay.

Yeti Rambler Travel Mug

Hot: 5 hours

The Yeti Rambler offered five hours of heat retention with the MagSlider magnetic lid closed. This above-average performance, however, was cut in half when the slider was left open, only staying hot for two and a half hours. The MagSlider lid locks in place and does not move unless intentionally pushed, which helps prevent spills and heat loss. Based on our testing, this well-built mug is a great option when used properly.

Rest of the Test

• 
  Hot: 4.5 hours
• 
  Hot: 4.5 hours
• 
  Hot: 4.5 hours
• 
  Hot: 4 hours
• 
  Hot: 4 hours
• 
  Hot: 3.75 hours
• 
  Hot: 3.5 hours
• 
  Hot: 3 hours

Leak-Proof Travel Mugs

When you鈥檙e headed further afield it鈥檚 key to ensure your coffee stays secure and hot under more extreme circumstances. These bottles/mugs are purpose-built with leak-proof, drink-through lids that offer access without the need to remove the top.

To replicate a cold morning spent outdoors exploring, we set the mugs in a refrigerator with a controlled temp of 39 degrees Fahrenheit. While not extreme, this is a good representation of the average exposure when considering residual insulation from being in a pack.

Best in Test

Zojirushi Stainless Mug SM-SF48

With category-leading heat retention performance, the Zojirushi Stainless Mug SM-SF48 proved that it can keep your drink hot during long adventures no matter the environment. You can trust your coffee or tea to still be hot after half a day when in pleasant temperatures, and up to nine hours when out in the winter cold. The flip-top lid is easy to open with the push of a button. A small slide lever next to the push-button allows you to lock the lid closed to prevent accidents when on the go. The size is surprisingly svelte for the 16-ounce capacity and this level of insulation performance. Combined with the locking lid, this bottle is perfect for throwing in a pack and hitting the trail (or skintrack).

Runner Up

Thermos Stainless Steel Direct Drink

The Thermos Stainless Steel Direct Drink bottle was a close second in the category. When indoors or out in milder temps you can expect your drink to stay hot for up to 11 hours. If venturing out in the cold, you can trust the Thermos to keep beverages warm for eight hours, matching the room temperature performance of the next best options. The bottle has a flip lid that locks in place with a small clip to keep it securely closed without fear of accidentally opening, making it a great option to throw in a pack and forget until you need a pick-me-up on those all-day outings.

Honorable Mentions

The remaining products provided good, if not quite as long, insulation performance and all passed the leak-proof test, letting you travel without worry.

Yeti Rambler Hot Shot

With heat-retention performance ranging from eight hours at room temperature to six and a half hours in the refrigerated cold environment, this bottle is a great choice for on-the-go needs. The unique twist-lock drink lid conveniently allows sipping from all sides (though it doesn鈥檛 offer any visual clues for when open or closed). The mug鈥檚 sturdy feel inspires confidence for outdoor adventures.

Miir 360 Traveler

Keeping drinks hot for eight hours when at room temperature, and six hours in the cold, the 360 Traveler from Miir earns an honorable mention. Adding to its appeal is a unique lid design that uses a top 鈥減ush-button鈥� to provide, as the name states, 360 degrees of drink access. We suggest carrying this bottle in its own pocket, like the side mesh on your pack, to keep the push top from being accidentally opened.

Simple Modern Kona w/ Locking Flip Lid

Budget-friendly Simple Modern鈥檚 Kona travel mug tested equally as well in both environments as the Miir mug, and nearly as well as the Yeti. The mug delivers this impressive performance鈥攄rinks stay hot for six to eight hours鈥攁t a cost $10 below the competition. An easy-to-use lockable flip lid ensures your drink stays secure no matter where the mug is stored or how much it gets tossed.

Rest of the Test

• 
  Room Temperature Test: 7 hours hot
  Cold Test: 6 hours hot
• 
  Room Temperature Test: 7 hours hot
  Cold Test: 6 hours hot
• 
  Room Temperature Test: 7.25 hours hot
  Cold Test: 5.5 hours hot
• 
  Room Temperature Test: 7 hours hot
  Cold Test: 5 hours hot
• 
  Room Temperature Test: 6 hours hot
  Cold Test: 4.5 hours hot
• 
  Room Temperature Test: 6 hours hot
  Cold Test: 4.5 hours hot
• 
  Room Temperature Test: 3.5 hours hot
  Cold Test: 4 hours hot
• 
  Room Temperature Test: 4.25 hours hot
  Cold Test: 3.25 hours hot
• 
  Room Temperature Test: 4 hours hot
  Cold Test: 3 hours hot
• 
  Room Temperature Test: 4 hours hot
  Cold Test: 3 hours hot

Large Thermoses

The classic thermos has a large capacity (25+ ounces) with an extended insulation time rating and typically comes with a cup lid, so the liquid inside is meant to be poured out before being consumed. These bottles are great for carrying drinks (or other hot liquids like soups) to base camp to share, on long hikes that end with a picnic, and during overnights where you want to reduce early morning tasks by brewing in advance.

Large thermoses during testing. All bottles were marked with their start time and had an individual alarm set for each temperature recording. Thermometer used to monitor the room temperature for the duration of the test can be seen at the top of the image. (Photo: Adam Trenkamp)

Since thermoses are used similarly to leak-proof travel mugs鈥攌eeping what鈥檚 inside hot while the surrounding environment is cold鈥攚e tested them in the same controlled refrigerator. The tests differed, however, in the starting temperature. We started the liquid in the thermoses at 180 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the low end of finished brewing temp, since these bottles are designed for transporting but not direct drinking.

Best in Test

Thermos Stainless King Beverage Bottle

The long-lasting performance of the Thermos Stainless King Beverage Bottle stood out as the most impressive result of all our testing. This bottle kept the beverage warm for 33 hours in the cold environment and for 40 hours when at room temperature.

We initially took temperature readings every six hours, and then checked it more frequently as the water cooled and approached the end of the test. When the Thermos brand bottle was still going strong at the end of day two, there came the harsh realization that a very early morning was in store for the lab techs. In the end, a 2:00 am wake-up call was required to record the final hours.

The Thermos Stainless King鈥檚 top-tier insulation is accompanied by classic thermos styling, with a side carry handle, twist and pour stopper, and cup lid to enjoy each serving without bringing a separate mug鈥攑ure camping nostalgia.

Runner Up

Zojirushi Stainless Bottle SJ-JS10

With a 35-ounce capacity and all-day performance, you can take the Zojirushi JS-10 vacuum insulated thermos on overnighters to help kickstart morning camp for two to four people鈥攐r keep it to yourself to pour fresh cups from it all day. Heat retention was recorded as over 24 hours, even in the cold. In warmer climes, you can expect liquids to stay hot for up to 31 and a half hours.

The bottle comes with a cup lid and a unique pour-through stopper that opens with a simple one-touch button that鈥檚 different from any design we鈥檝e seen previously. This setup reduces heat loss when open and helps to control the flow when pouring. Removing the screw-on stopper reveals a wide opening that makes cleaning and refilling easy.

Honorable Mentions

Our results showed that every large thermos on test provided enough heat retention to keep their contents hot until the end of a long day (or night) but not all are as capable of making it to day two. The remaining are great options if you鈥檙e more confident in the weather conditions and length of your adventure. Equally important, as soup spilled in your bag can quickly ruin a trip, every bottle was leak-proof no matter how hard we shook them.

Stanley Classic Legendary Bottle

Room Temperature Test: 30 hours hot
Cold Test: 24.5 hours hot

Test results are impressive considering how long Stanley has been making this product鈥攖hough it has had some modern updates through the years, the style has remained relatively the same since 1913. This classic bottle (as the name implies) comes with a twist and pour stopper, side carry handle, and cup lid to help you transport and enjoy any drink with ease.

Ello Therma Insulated Thermos

Room Temperature Test: 31.5 hours hot
Cold Test: 24 hours hot

This thermos provides top-notch performance in a simple, convenient design regardless of the weather on your outdoor excursion. Drinks will still be hot even after 24 hours of the bottle being exposed to the cold. The aesthetic is classic, but the pour-through stopper with magnetic slider is a nice upgrade to the user experience that makes pouring into a cup easier, reduces spills, and improves heat retention.

Klean Kanteen TK Pro Insulated Bottle

Room Temperature Test: 26 hours hot
Cold Test: 24 hours hot

With impressively consistent performance in all environments you can trust this bottle for a true full-day outing, sunrise to sunrise, no matter the season. A pour-through stopper and double-wall cup lid are included to make enjoying a drink easy whenever you鈥檙e ready.

Rest of the Test

• 
  Room Temperature Test: 26 hours hot
  Cold Test: 19 hours hot
• 
  Room Temperature Test: 22 hours hot
  Cold Test: 18 hours hot
• 
  Room Temperature Test: 21 hours hot
  Cold Test: 15 hours hot
• 
  Room Temperature Test: 18 hours hot
  Cold Test: 12 hours hot
• 
  Room Temperature Test: 13 hours hot
  Cold Test: 9.5 hours hot

Final Thoughts

Across all three categories, one of the longest-running names in the insulated mug space, Thermos, consistently performed at or near the top, despite the significant growth in competition over the last decade. It’s an impressive run for a brand that has been around since the beginning; they produced their first stainless steel vacuum insulated bottle in 1966. Another standout brand in every category was Zojirushi, a Japanese manufacturer with a history as deep as Thermos and Stanley. Over the last decade, their products have become more widely available and immediately emerged as fan favorites for performance, quality, and clever design features.

Klean Kanteen, a newer brand in the space, offers products with solid heat retention performance while also being environmentally responsible: they鈥檙e climate neutral, a Certified B Corporation, and a member of 1% for the Planet.

Budget-friendly options can be seen popping up at big box stores like Walmart and online retailers. Two of these brands, Simple Modern and Contigo, offered good insulation performance and unique designs to rival the big brands at more affordable prices. We found a noticeable decline anytime the products were introduced to a cold environment, but the overall performance, especially if you spend most of your time in milder climes, makes them worth considering.

More Gear Reviews

14 Camp Kitchen Essentials听
The Best Cameras for Travel and 国产吃瓜黑料 Junkies
The Best Backpacks, Duffels, and Roller Bags听

The post The Best Insulated Coffee Mugs and Thermoses: Lab Tested appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

None of Marcus Samuelsson鈥檚 childhood memories took place inside. Growing up in Gothenberg, Sweden, the acclaimed chef, who was born in Ethiopia, spent much of his time on the water fishing or in the forests foraging for mushrooms or lingonberries. His uncles, professional fishermen, would take him with them for their daily catch. Surrounded by a vibrant food culture, Samuelsson apprenticed in kitchens in Switzerland, Austria, and France before moving to New York City in the 1990s. He channeled his love of soccer into long runs through Central Park and beyond, exploring the culinary mecca mostly on foot. He ran and in-line skated his way through Manhattan, first as an apprentice at Aquavit, a Scandinavian restaurant in Midtown, and then as its executive chef. There, Samuelsson became the youngest chef to earn a three-star rating from The New York Times. Samuelsson, now 54, still runs through the city, often dreaming up dishes for his new restaurant, Marcus Addis, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

OUTSIDE: I hear you have a rule: no matter where you are in the world, you exercise four times a week. Often you run. How does a kid from Gothenburg become a lifelong runner?

I think it鈥檚 because I鈥檓 Ethiopian. I grew up watching sports, and . Like them, I found it easy to run. It was something in my veins that I enjoyed, and I鈥檓 light on my feet. I played a lot of soccer as a kid too, but as I grew up and started working in kitchens鈥攈aving less time for team sports鈥擨 started running just to run. Running gives you freedom. You start to think about your outside experience differently than when you鈥檙e playing on a team with a coach, refs, and so many moving parts. It was like skateboarding or biking as a kid鈥攁 sense of freedom and discovery that I really enjoyed.

How did running shape your relationship with New York City?

It became my way to explore. I like to , especially in the early morning, when there aren鈥檛 that many cars. There is a sense of discovery that you can鈥檛 get once a city is fully awake.

But one of my favorite ways to see the city was on Rollerblades. I鈥檇 skate from Midtown down to Chinatown to discover the best food stands, or find places where you can pick up international foods like galangal or different types of ginger that weren鈥檛 [available] in Midtown. The train or a cab was out of my budget, so Rollerblading or running became the ways I got down there.

What makes running in Central Park one of the best places in the world?

If you go for a run in Central Park on a weekend, you meet people from all over the world doing something鈥攎aking music, praying, screaming. Whatever it is, they鈥檙e doing it well. You run past iconic places, like where John Lennon lived. If you run downtown, you see beautiful historic buildings鈥攊t鈥檚 urbanism at its fullest.

How did you decide to run your first marathon? What did your training plan look like?

It was a challenge from my mom. Growing up, she pushed me constantly. She challenged me to open a restaurant in Harlem [Red Rooster, in 2010], and we were arguing about whether I was still an athlete. I鈥檝e always been naturally athletic鈥擨 could roll out of bed and play sports pretty well. But she said, 鈥淵ou鈥檙e not an athlete anymore.鈥� To prove her wrong, I ran my first in 2001鈥攚ithout any proper marathon training. I was only running maybe six miles at a time, and I never built up to twelve or eighteen miles. I paid dearly for it. I don鈥檛 recommend that to anybody.

You鈥檝e gotten involved with run clubs recently. How does running with other people change the experience for you?

I love running with young people. You get into new music, learn new slang and trends鈥攖hat鈥檚 exciting to me. It鈥檚 fun to share space with people who aren鈥檛 part of the chef community. I love that. And people [I meet at run clubs] are always excited to learn I鈥檓 Ethiopian鈥攂ut I鈥檓 probably the slowest Ethiopian you鈥檒l ever meet. I blame it on being Swedish.

Has running altered your relationship with food?

You know, it鈥檚 not just running鈥攊t鈥檚 spending time outdoors with my kids. When fall comes around and it鈥檚 time to pick apples or pumpkins, that鈥檚 such a great way to be outside with the family. Not only does it take them away from their iPads, but it鈥檚 also the kind of food-driven freedom I grew up with. I realized that Swedish freedom is a luxury, and I鈥檓 trying to give my kids that same sense of luxury.

Running is also a good time to meditate on my work. I鈥檇 come to understand umami while running鈥攖hinking about how I can improve my processes and recipes. A lot of that happens during the cerebral thinking process when you鈥檙e running.

Has running ever inspired a dish? Can you share one you came up with while on a run?

At Hav & Mar [his seafood restaurant in Chelsea], we have a dish called Addis York, which really balances New York City life with Addis Ababa. That鈥檚 not a dish I would have come up with in a kitchen. It popped into my head on a run, where I get space from the kitchen and have time to think deeply. I was wondering how to connect these two places and came up with the idea of placing a piece of Ethiopian-spiced fried chicken on top of injera with doro wot stew.

Do you find that running helps you find some zen?

When I travel for work, running takes over my thoughts. Right now, I鈥檓 in Miami for an event, and all I can think about is . Running is decompression time. A lot of people focus on the distance when they run, like it鈥檚 work. For me, it鈥檚 more about the excitement of looking at the ocean or exploring the city.

Why was it important to you to open your restaurant in Addis Ababa?

I have a very strong heritage there: my half-siblings from my father鈥檚 side, my wife鈥檚 brother, and her mom all live there. We travel to Ethiopia often. I鈥檓 really excited about the restaurant because it鈥檚 connected to a school where Ethiopian students have a path to study hospitality, learn to problem-solve, and work together. It gives them a path to a job and a path to success. That makes me really happy.

Why is your work with World Central Kitchen so meaningful to you?

During the pandemic, Jos茅 Andr茅s and World Central Kitchen were among the first people to come to Harlem when we truly, truly needed help. With their support at Red Rooster, we served more than 1,000 people per day for several months.

We recently went to Altadena, California, to help after the fire, and the devastation was shocking. But it also brought out the best in people. In the worst of times, you see real people鈥擜mericans helping Americans. No one cares who鈥檚 a Republican or a Democrat. That makes me proud of the organization and proud to be an American, especially when that can feel challenging.

This piece first appeared in the summer 2025 print issue of 国产吃瓜黑料 Magazine. Subscribe now for early access to our most captivating storytelling, stunning photography, and deeply reported features on the biggest issues facing the outdoor world.

The post Running Helps This New York City Chef Create His Best Recipes appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

For Bryn Merrell, art began as a necessity. When she first started painting, she was working as a guide for a bike touring company. 鈥淎s guides, we didn鈥檛 have much time to ourselves because we were always making breakfast, fixing flat tires, figuring out logistics, and answering questions,鈥� she says. It was rare that she got a moment to breathe, let alone soak in the beauty of the vast western landscapes she was lucky enough to call her office. 鈥淚 started painting on those trips because it forced me to slow down and soak it all up a little bit while I could,鈥� Merrell says. 鈥淚t would help calm this feeling of burnout.鈥�

Painting also gave her a new perspective on outdoor recreation. This was a way of getting to know the natural world on a more intimate level鈥攊ts textures, colors, and intricacies鈥攁nd to enjoy it without having to worry about achieving or conquering. Art has since become a for Merrell, but it still feels meditative, even after all these years. And it鈥檚 still a way for her to reconnect with herself and what matters. Painting Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone, she said, left her with a feeling of overwhelming gratitude. 鈥淲e鈥檙e so lucky that we protected these places,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 want to bring my daughter back to enjoy them some day.鈥�

The Prismatic Spring Color Wheel

Every concentric ring of Yellowstone National Park鈥檚 Grand Prismatic geothermal pool correlates to a different temperature, and therefore a different pigment. Here鈥檚 where the colors come from.

Blue: Clean water at the spring鈥檚 heated center is too hot to host bacteria.
‍ Green: Chlorophyll forms in a blue-green algae (Synechococcus) that loves warm water.
Yellow: Carotenoids (the same things that make carrots orange) are found in a bacteria that likes lukewarm temperatures.
Orange: Green, yellow, and red colors blend in a bacteria (Chloroflexi) that has both carotenoids and chlorophyll.
‍ Red: A mix of different bacteria that thrive in cooler temperatures makes this striking color.

Raise a Toast: Prismatic Cooler

Celebrate a great day in the national park with this custom recipe and听, which was founded in 1872 to honor America鈥檚 first national park, and which continues to听听the national park system today.

Glassware: Collins

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz Yellowstone Bourbon Rum Cask
• 4 oz lemonade
• 3/4 oz butterfly pea simple syrup
• 1鈥�2 oz seltzer water
• Mint or lemon for garnish

Directions

• Fill Collins glass with ice.
• Combine all ingredients into the glass and top with seltzer water.
• Gently stir.

Established in 1872, was crafted to honor the sprawling wonder of America鈥檚 first national park. It鈥檚 what first inspired us to create approachably smooth whiskey for the benefit and enjoyment of the people, and why we still do it today.

The post How Yellowstone Inspires Art appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

When Malou Anderson-Ramirez left her family ranch in Wyoming for an East Coast boarding school at age 15, she felt like she鈥檇 landed on another planet. Suddenly, she was surrounded by kids who spent their nights and weekends practicing piano or playing team sports. Meanwhile, she was used to spending her spare time feeding animals or birthing lambs.

鈥淢y parents taught us that you can鈥檛 sit down to dinner or breakfast if there are hungry animals outside,鈥� Anderson-Ramirez says. 鈥淲e were raised with the notion that they鈥檙e kin, and kin take care of each other.鈥� That sense of connection drove her to pursue a career in animal-assisted therapy, then, eventually, back to her family鈥檚 ranch on the border of Yellowstone National Park.

In 2009, Anderson-Ramirez and her husband dedicated themselves to transforming the ranch into a center for education and regenerative agriculture. Her 鈥攁nd the animals that call it home鈥攈as never been stronger. 鈥淚 try to be a voice for the wildlife who need someone to speak for them,鈥� she says.

Boots on the Ground

Get to know the park inside and out on these top five hikes.听

Trout Lake Loop (1.2 miles)

For a short-but-sweet loop hike just off the main road, target Trout Lake, an alpine tarn north of Soda Butte Canyon. Go early in the morning, when the water鈥檚 glassy surface reflects the peaks of the Absaroka Range.

Avalanche Peak (4.6 miles)
This 10,568-foot summit offers sweeping vistas of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, including a bird鈥檚-eye view of Yellowstone Lake. Start at the peak鈥檚 eponymous trailhead and switchback straight up to the iconic summit.

Fairy Falls (5.6 miles)
Experience all the park鈥檚 greatest hits in a single afternoon on this half-day romp. A gently rolling trail will carry you past the neon marvel of Grand Prismatic Spring, 200-foot Fairy Falls, and two geysers, Spray and Imperial.

Mount Washburn (6.4 miles)
Tackle the climb to Mount Washburn鈥檚 10,243-foot summit, and you鈥檒l be rewarded with panoramic views of the craggy Washburn and Absaroka Ranges. Pro tip: Aim to summit at sunrise, and climb the historic fire lookout tower for an even better vantage point.

Continental Divide Trail to Shoshone Geyser Basin (20 miles)
This one鈥檚 an all-day affair, but it鈥檚 well worth the sunrise starting gun. Head out from the Lone Star Trailhead and trace the Firehole River for 20 miles, winding past spouting geysers, boiling springs, and other thermal features.

Raise a Toast: Horsefeather

Celebrate a great day in the national park with this custom recipe and , which was founded in 1872 to honor America鈥檚 first national park, and which continues to the national park system today.

Glassware: Collins

Ingredients

• 2 oz Yellowstone Select Bourbon
• 4 oz ginger beer
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• Lime wheel or wedge for garnish

Instructions

• Fill Collins glass with ice.
• Combine all ingredients into the glass and top with ginger beer.
• Add two dashes of Angostura bitters and gently stir.

Established in 1872, was crafted to honor the sprawling wonder of America鈥檚 first national park. It鈥檚 what first inspired us to create approachably smooth whiskey for the benefit and enjoyment of the people, and why we still do it today.

The post A Real Yellowstone Rancher Shares Her Story appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

国产吃瓜黑料 photographer Nate Dodge stepped foot in Yellowstone for the first time last fall and was amazed by its sheer size. 鈥淚 had no concept of the scale of the national park,鈥� he says. 鈥淎s we were driving to a trailhead, going over these mountain passes and vast landscapes, I kept asking, 鈥楢re you sure we鈥檙e still in the national park?鈥� The answer was always yes.鈥�

But size is just the start. 鈥淭he whole thing is alive,鈥� he says, noting the game trails crisscrossing meadows and forests. It鈥檚 also ground zero for some of the country鈥檚 most successful efforts to protect endangered species.

That鈥檚 something that Dodge loves to discover鈥攁nd share. 鈥淭his career has given me the opportunity to visit a lot of places that have fragile ecosystems,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 can only hope that I capture encourages people to get out there for themselves.鈥�

The Wild Bunch

Meet a few of Yellowstone鈥檚 most charismatic regulars.

• Pronghorn: These American ungulates can sprint up to 60 mph, likely because they evolved to . The American cheetah is now extinct, but the pronghorn鈥檚 turbocharged genetics remain.
• Grizzlies: Grizzly bears can lift and run 40 mph, but one of their most unique talents is their aptitude for napping. Each winter, Yellowstone鈥檚 grizzlies sleep for five months straight, losing up to 30 percent of their body weight.
• Bison: Yellowstone’s prairies have evolved a symbiotic relationship with its bison, thanks to the way bison spread out their impact, giving native grasses time to regrow and .

Where to See Them

Spot Yellowstone鈥檚 five most iconic wildlife species on these hikes.

Grizzly Bears: Pebble Creek

Keep a sharp lookout for grizzlies on this ramble through wildflower-studded meadows. Shuttle a car to do the full 11.8-mile point-to-point from Pebble Creek Trailhead to Warm Creek Trailhead, or choose any length out-and-back.

Bison: Specimen Ridge

The Lamar Valley is one of the best places to glimpse the park鈥檚 massive bison herds. Start at the Specimen Ridge trailhead and take the namesake trail as far southwest as you like, scanning the grassy slopes below for the massive animals.

Wolves: Slough Creek

Stroll along Slough Creek for your best chance at spotting one of Yellowstone鈥檚 elusive wolf packs. Pro tip: Wolf viewing tends to be better in winter, when packs are more active and their dark coats are easy to spot against the snow.

Bighorn Sheep: Gardner Canyon

Drive along the North Entrance Road to spot bighorn sheep tiptoeing along Gardner Canyon鈥檚 rocky ledges. Prefer to stretch your legs? Hop out at the Lava Creek Trailhead and stroll 5.4 miles south to Undine Falls, glassing for sheep all the while.

Pronghorn Antelope: Lamar Valley

Head for the Soda Butte Creek Trailhead. Antelope favor lower elevations during fall and winter, but you can still spot them on higher slopes in summer. Follow the Lamar River Trail for an out-and-back customized to your time and ambition.

Raise a Toast: Spirit of the Plains

Celebrate a great day in the national park with this custom recipe and , which was founded in 1872 to honor America鈥檚 first national park, and which continues to the national park system today.

Glassware: Coupe

滨苍驳谤别诲颈别苍迟蝉听

• 2 oz Yellowstone Bourbon Toasted
• 3/4 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 3/4 oz cinnamon simple syrup (1 cup water, 1 cup sugar, 4 cinnamon sticks, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract)
• 1 egg white
• Sage leaf for garnish

顿颈谤别肠迟颈辞苍蝉听

• Add ingredients to a shaker and dry shake.
• Add ice and shake again until well chilled.
• Strain the mixture into a coupe glass.

Established in 1872, was crafted to honor the sprawling wonder of America鈥檚 first national park. It鈥檚 what first inspired us to create approachably smooth whiskey for the benefit and enjoyment of the people, and why we still do it today.

The post Yellowstone鈥檚 Best Wildlife Hikes appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

This is a vegan, gluten-free smoothie recipe that I do not believe will change your life. Or will it? Just make sure you follow the directions.

Ingredients

• 1.5-inch ginger root
• 录 cup raw pumpkin seeds
• 鈪� cup hemp hearts
• 1 apple
• 1 cucumber (sub 1 large carrot during winter)
• 2 cups frozen chopped spinach
• 2 cups flax milk
• 1.5 cups water

Directions

1. Get out your blender and assemble your ingredients.
2. Break or cut off a chunk of ginger root and put it in the blender. You can peel it if you鈥檇 like, but the whole thing is edible…and it鈥檚 going in a blender. (I just rinse it with some water.)
3. Measure the pumpkin seeds and hemp hearts and dump them into the blender.
4. Cut the cucumber into chunks, cut the apple into fourths, and remove the core and stem. Put them both in the blender.
5. Measure your frozen spinach, flax milk, and water, and pour them into the blender.
6. Turn on the blender on a low setting at first, then higher. As you watch the blender pre-digest all those healthy ingredients for you, think about what this smoothie represents: a commitment to clean eating and living, a promise to yourself to make better dietary choices, and unlocking the secrets to longevity and eternal youth. It could change your life. Or maybe you like your life? Or at least enough of it that you don鈥檛 need to change the whole thing and become a completely new person? Things are OK, for the most part, right? You鈥檙e good at some stuff, some people like you, maybe some things could be a little better, but that鈥檚 true with everyone, probably. You鈥檙e doing just fine in the grand scheme of things. (Some fruits and vegetables and fiber and micronutrients and vitamins can鈥檛 hurt, though.)
7. Split the contents of the blender between two 32-ounce jars, one for today and one for tomorrow. It makes a lot. But then you only have to wash the blender every other day.

Nutrition Info:

440 calories

25 grams fat

28 grams carbohydrates

11 grams fiber

11 grams sugar

25 grams protein

527 mg calcium

9.8 mg iron

527 mg calcium

824 mg potassium

Want more of听国产吃瓜黑料鈥檚 Health stories?听.

The post Try This Vegan, Protein-Powder Free, Whole-Food Smoothie Recipe appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Ever come across an incredible hotel that stops you mid-scroll and makes you think, Wow, wouldn鈥檛 it be something to stay there? We do, too鈥攁ll the time. Welcome to Friday Fantasy, where we highlight amazing hotels, lodges, cabins, tents, campsites, and other places perched in perfect outdoor settings. Read on for the intel you need to book an upcoming adventure here. Or at least dream about it.

Ten feet overhead in a desert canyon in Utah, a jammed log spanned the gully, left by a recent flash flood. In the next passage in Harris Wash in听Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, southern Utah, our group gazed up at a tangled brown stripe of debris from the same flood, adorning a green cottonwood tree like Spanish moss.

All our lives we marvel at nature鈥檚 power. Here we also appreciated the immovability of geology鈥攔ock walls鈥攁s our group of nine, all staying in the region at听the complex, at first walked and then arduously wormed through a narrowing slot canyon. When the sides pinched down to only a foot wide, my friend DeMarco Williams, athletic and deep-chested, said from two feet ahead, 鈥淚 don鈥檛 know if I can do this.鈥� He was pinned.

Ofland Escalante, two miles from the town of Escalante, is situated amid the landscape of the national monument and between two national parks. (Video: Eric Vega)

I had it easier, being smaller. As a climber, I鈥檝e been in squeeze chimneys before; they can be awful and claustrophobic, and you just want out, but have to make it happen.

DeMarco pressed on, and something gave, and he scraped through the constriction. I followed, ducking, and emerged into the light, where he waited smiling. At each obstacle, following canyoneering practices shown us by Rick Green, owner of the guiding outfit , one of us waited to help the next person.

This trip last August was to the treasure that is Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, where friends and I all stayed two nights at Ofland Escalante, an ideal, central base located within the national monument and two miles west of the pioneer town of the same name. (Harris Wash was some 25 miles from town, with much of the drive on a washboard road.)

Not everyone in our group loved our several-hour canyoneering experience. Some cried, and some half-laughed, half-cried. But no one will forget it.

Toward the end, having split into two groups (one with Amie Fortin of the same outfit), we all convened for lunch in a bowl among blunt buttresses that were once ancient sand dunes, the slickrock around us inscribed with fine criss-cross lines. Sage and grasses waved in the wind, with hardy pi帽on-juniper trees in clumps nearby. Paiute, Ute, and Navajo tribes once dwelled in this region. So did dinosaurs. We saw no one else all day.

As we all looped back out of the canyon, we scrambled a little, but much of the return was just a quiet, reverent walk through washes and passages. Tracing the undulating wind- and water-sculpted walls, I peered into natural niches like little altars, holding swirls of sediment.

The Lodge

Closed each winter but slated to reopen March 12, Ofland Escalante is located just off Highway 12. Opened in 2021 on the site of an old RV park and drive-in movie theater, the place was in recent years, per the website, a 鈥渓uxury RV park鈥� known as Yonder Escalante. In May 2023 the new owners added 鈥渄eluxe鈥� cabins, and last year renamed the place (鈥淥fland鈥� is for 鈥渙f the land鈥�). Ofland has varying services and prices, and brings people together in communal spaces.听

The place offers four types of accommodations. I bunked in a Deluxe Cabin, simple and boxy with floor-to-ceiling windows, able to sleep up to four people. Also available are vintage Airstreams, tiny cabins, and campsites.

The central common area draws visitors with a fire pit, picnic tables, complimentary hot drinks, and shelves of books, board games, and cards. Our crew brought over s鈥檓ores supplies from our rooms and gathered at the tables for spirited rounds of Uno.

On Ofland Escalante鈥檚 22-acre grounds, you can still enjoy the vintage outdoor 鈥渄rive-in鈥� theater, where you watch from inside one of nine in-situ classic cars. Other property diversions include a hot tub and swimming pool.

But the big deal is the place鈥檚 location amid the wonders of the Utah desert. The nearby town of Escalante is on the northern border of the 1.87-million-acre Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and just off the 123-mile-long U of scenic highway 12, which runs between Panguich, 67 miles west of the town, and Torrey, 65 miles north of it. Escalante sits between two national parks, about 50 miles east of Bryce Canyon and 67 southwest of Capitol Reef. Highway 12 links them all.

国产吃瓜黑料 Intel

Escalante (and Ofland Escalante) are in road-trip reach of five national parks, four state parks, another national monument, and the vast Dixie National Forest, all boasting a myriad of .

You鈥檙e also in the high-elevation desert here. The town of Escalante is set at 5,800 feet, and the surrounding area rises to about 8,600 feet, while reaches 9,000 feet. So ascend gradually and, while you are outside and exerting, pay attention to your water intake.

Escalante is famous for its slot canyons, and Excursions of Escalante can take you out, set up rappels, and use their guides鈥� situational experience to avoid dangerous floods. The outfitters gave us packs, helmets, and water bottles, but you should arrive wearing good trail shoes and clothes that take being abraded.

A little on-site commentary from a canyon in Harris Wash, the Utah desert (Video: Neil Tandy)

A Utah friend tells me that , a 6.7-mile out-and-back starting 19 miles northeast of Escalante, is her favorite hike ever. It has birdwatching鈥攆or hawks and ravens, and she once saw a condor鈥攁nd 鈥渁 little of everything鈥� else, from steep sections to sandy patches and a 125-foot waterfall.

For me, a dark-horse favorite was also . We hiked the Rainbow section (and added a few other loops), where we saw petrified wood in scattered chunks, from wastebasket- to coffee-table size, with hues of sulphur yellow and iron red but also deep blues and violet. The starts on an uphill past a tram-size balanced rock overlooking Wide Hollow Reservoir, where you can camp, swim, or .

Please do not pocket any pieces of petrified wood. Things in the desert are supposed to stay there. Besides, I’ve , and taking one only brings you ill luck.

Choice Rooms

My Deluxe Cabin鈥檚 outside shower was heaven. The water was plenty hot, and I could gaze out at the sky and the surrounding scrub-covered dun bluffs.

The Deluxe Cabins (from $259 per night) are the most cushy places, the only ones with private bathrooms and their own driveways. Each has a kitchenette and Wi-Fi, a deck with picnic table, and a queen bed and pull-out sofa such that it can sleep up to four. From the cabins it鈥檚 a five-minute walk to the main lodge. ADA cabins are available as well, and the lodge has golf carts for transport around the property.

Other options include vintage Airstreams ($175 per night), which sleep up to three people, and tiny cabins ($169), located just paces from the common area. The cabins have front decks and the Airstreams step out to picnic tables and fire pits. Both use shared bathrooms with amenities and open-air showers.

Ofland also has five campsites (from $99, per night). Each comes with a picnic table, grill, fire pit, filtered-water hookup, power, and bathroom access.

Eat and Drink

Pop over to the on-site food truck, prepare your own meals in your kitchenette, or go out for dinner at in the delightfully small and funky town of Escalante. 4th West offers 30 types of beers; burgers, paninis, and nice spicy tacos; a pool table, where my friends played half the night; and a nice local vibe. The evening was cool, so we skipped the outdoor seating, but in warm temps it would be wonderful to enjoy the view from there over dinner.

, 14 miles east of town and located within the national monument, is a magical-looking complex overlooking the startlingly green forest lining the Escalante River. It offers vegetarian-friendly Southwest fare, indoor and outdoor seating, and lodging.

Thirteen miles farther north is in the town of Boulder. The place, which has a devoted following, features ethically sourced ingredients and its own organic garden. The owners practice Buddhist principles and are committed to social responsibility.

At the end of Highway 12, in the town of Torrey, is the family-owned Wild Rabbit Cafe, with an on-site coffee roaster, and vegan and vegetarian options.

When to Go

Ofland Escalante is open mid-March through October. Spring and fall will have you cozying up around the fire pits, and maybe hitting the hot tub. Summer is bound to put you in the swimming pool. All indoor accommodations have heat and A/C.

How to Get There

The small Bryce Canyon Airport is just four miles north of Bryce Canyon National Park, 48 miles from Escalante. Most visitors and rent a car for the amazing 294-mile drive south and back with its section on Highway 12.

Don鈥檛 Miss

Hike to the 100 Hands Pictograph Panel, actually site of three major rock-art panels, via a family-friendly 1.2-mile round-trip off Highway 12, starting from the Escalante River Trailhead 14 miles east of Escalante. Ancient petroglyphs鈥攕heep, deer, a snake鈥攁re visible just five minutes along the trail. The trail contours up to an alcove where you see the 100 Hands (more like 160 Hands) panel, and beyond that is the Shaman and Hunter panel, with a bowhunting scene and collection of shaman figures wearing headpieces.

Forty miles beyond Escalante, stop and get out at the Homestead Overlook, at 9,600 feet elevation, to see the tableau of the Grand Staircase鈥揈scalante National Monument, the Kaiparowits Plateau, and the Waterpocket Fold of Capitol Reef National Park, with their oceanic deposits and sedimentary layers, red and gold desert against the bumpy skyline of the Henry Mountains. Descending, you pass the Fishaven Reservoir and may see some sandhill cranes, before winding through the treed hamlet of Boulder, volcanic rocks and basalt scattered along the roadway.

Details

Price: From $99

Address: 2020 UT-12
Escalante, UT 84726

Alison Osius is a senior editor in travel at 国产吃瓜黑料 magazine and 国产吃瓜黑料 Online. She is a longtime climber and a former editor at Climbing and Rock and Ice magazines. She’s recently written about seeing the Utah desert from a lodge made of glass sky domes; hiking the memorial Storm King Trail, scene of one of our country’s greatest firefighting tragedies; and how to approach traveling to altitude (which starts with: paying attention). Oh, and if you were wondering, here are 8 simple rules for visiting your friends in mountain and waterfront towns.

The post Want to Wake Up in Utah Canyon Country? We Do, Too. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

I鈥檝e tackled sections of the Pacific Crest Trail鈥攂ackpacking, day hiking, and trail running鈥攂ut to think of taking months off to complete all 2,650 miles of this trail, which climbs mountain passes and traverses remote California, Oregon, and Washington, feels overwhelming. A long-distance walk, on the other hand, feels more manageable, like something any of us could pull off, given some time. They mostly involve days and weeks rather than many months, and are at more consistent elevations.

I鈥檓 not talking about a mountainous thru-hike where you plan out food caches and sleep on the ground. I鈥檓 talking about a meandering or purposeful walk that goes on for days, weeks, or maybe months. A big commitment, yes. A physical feat for sure. A mental and emotional pilgrimage of sorts. But not so strenuous that most people couldn鈥檛 do it, building up their mileage.

These long walks, on byways and moderate terrain, are more like scenic tours of spectacular landscapes, or adventurous journeys through cities and forests. They are not so much to be completed as experienced.

And I think they’re the most beautiful in the world.

1. Best Urban Trail

Empire State Trail, New York

It took four years to link up and complete the entire , one of the longest multi-sport pathways in the United States, officially finished in late 2020. The route runs 750 miles across the state of New York, from New York City north to the Canadian border and from Albany west to Buffalo. Three quarters of the trail is on off-road pathways. You can walk on converted rail trails through the Hudson River Valley, stroll beside the historic Erie Canal, or move through wetlands and fields along Adirondack Park and Lake Champlain. Eventually the trail will include a 200-mile greenway across Long Island; construction of the first 25 miles of that section begins this year.

Pick a section of this largely urban route, which is also popular with bicyclists, and walk it one direction, then hop on a train back to where you started鈥擜mtrak stations are located in 20 towns and cities along the way. Find community with others traveling the trail or seek tips on good trailside lodging or camping from .

Don鈥檛 Miss:听 听More than 200 craft breweries dot the Empire State Trail, in an aggregate known as the . Get a brewery passport and pick up stamps at the places along the way to earn rewards like a T-shirt or cooler bag. In the Hudson Valley, spend a night at (from $195), which has cabins, canvas tents, and a cedar sauna just a short walk from the trail.

听听

2. Best Pilgrimage

El Camino de Santiago, Spain

Each year, over 300,000 people embark upon sections of this legendary pilgrimage, on a network of trails dating back to pre-medieval times and roadways that vary from cobbled to paved. The most popular route is the Camino Frances, a 500-mile pathway that starts in St. Jean Pied de Port, France, and takes travelers about four to five weeks to walk, passing through the Pyrenees mountains and La Rioja wine region, La Meseta arid range, and through eucalyptus forests into Galicia and Santiago itself. The Camino Portugues, heading up the northern coast of Portugal is another top choice, stretching between 140 and 380 miles depending on your starting point, and crossing through fishing villages such as the UNESCO Heritage Listed cities of Lisbon and Porto. No matter which route you choose, all roads听on the Camino lead to the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain, where the remains of the Apostle Saint James the Great are allegedly buried.

You can walk the Camino year-round鈥攖he most popular season is mid-summer鈥攂ut aim for spring or fall for mild temperatures and fewer crowds, and be aware that many lodges and albergues close in winter ). offers guided walks on the Camino through Portugal and Spain lasting from a week up to 22 days (from $1,436), or, if you鈥檇 rather go on your own, has self-guided options (from $718).

Don鈥檛 Miss: Once you reach Santiago de Compostela, head to the Pilgrim鈥檚 Office for your official stamp of completion, having received a pilgrim鈥檚 passport from your entry point to be stamped along the way. Bagpipes will be playing nearby as you enter the gates of the holy Santiago de Compostela.听The cathedral has a Pilgrim鈥檚 Mass at noon and 7:30 p.m. daily; go early if you want a seat. On , await the ancient ritual of the swinging brass Botafumeiro, or cauldron, which is filled with incense and coal and so heavy eight men are required to move it.

3. Best Waterfront Route

Stockholm Archipelago Trail, Sweden

Opening in October 2023, the 167-mile connects new and existing pathways across 20 islands in the Stockholm Archipelago, the largest archipelago in Sweden and home to over 30,000 islands. To walk the whole thing, you鈥檒l need to use a series of public ferries and private boat taxis. You can also pick a section and just walk a few islands at a time; each has an average of about nine miles of trails. You鈥檒l travel along gravel roads, forest paths, and beaches, and through remote fishing and farming communities.

Along the way, camp or stay in hotels or B&Bs. offers a seven-day, self-guided journey on the trail (from $1,095) in spring, summer, or fall that includes lodging in locally owned hotels, luggage transfer, and daily routes that max out at about nine miles.

Don鈥檛 Miss: On the island of Tranholmen, a celebrated chef named David Enmark opens up his home to diners every Friday night鈥�. Or visit the island of Furusund, which contains about five miles of trail and is site of a famed 19^th-century summer resort, now a 16-room boutique hotel: the (rooms from $121), which welcomes guests who arrive by boat or on foot.

4. Best for History Buffs

Lycian Way, Turkey

Traversing the rocky Mediterranean coast of southwestern Turkey, the 472-mile Lycian Way winds through the ancient maritime republic known as Lycia. Mountains rise from the turquoise sea as the route follows old roads, footpaths, and mule trails through long-gone civilizations. You鈥檒l pass by lighthouses, beaches, historic sites like Roman amphitheaters and rock tombs, and lagoons over underwater ruins of sunken cities that can be toured by boat.

Most people take on just a section of the Lycian Way. has five- to 14-day guided tours (from $1,187) that include lodging and luggage transfer, or leads seven-day treks (from $995) with an English-speaking guide. Best to do this historical walk in spring or fall, from February to May or from September to November to avoid the high heat of summer.

Don鈥檛 Miss: 罢耻谤办别测鈥檚 illuminates Lycia鈥檚 ancient capital city of Patara after dusk, making it a magical place to explore by night. Best lodging on the trail: the (from $240), built in 2005 on a hillside, has glass windows, viewing hammocks, and saunas overlooking the Aegean Sea.

5. Best for Conservationists

John Muir Way, Scotland

Not to be confused with California鈥檚 more demanding John Muir Trail, the is a relatively new route (established around 10 years ago) that stretches coast to coast across Muir鈥檚 home country of Scotland. This 134-mile walk begins in the western waterfront town of Helensburgh, where quotes from the famed Scottish-American environmentalist mark a commemorative stone bench. The trek ends around 10 days later in the eastern seaside town of Dunbar, where Muir was born in 1838.

On the way, you鈥檒l walk through the cobbled streets of the capital city of Edinburgh, along the shores of , and by the Falkirk Wheel, a rotating boat lift in central Scotland. has self-guided itineraries (from $1,827) for the entire route, including accommodations.

Don鈥檛 Miss: Stay in (from $417), a restored 16th-century castle听just off the trail 20 miles east of Edinburgh. The trail鈥檚 eastern terminus is at Muir鈥檚 birthplace, a humble three-story home in Dunbar that鈥檚 now a historic and free to visit.

6. Best for Self-Reflection

Shikoku Pilgrimage, Japan

This circular walk across the Japanese island of Shikoku visits 88 temples and sacred sites where the Buddhist saint known as K奴kai is thought to have trained in the 9^th century. The entire route is about 745 miles鈥攎ostly using roads, but also on select mountain trails鈥攁nd takes around six weeks to walk. Or you can choose just a section.

The traditional approach starts at the first temple, Ry艒zenji, in Tokushima prefecture and proceeds clockwise until you reach the last temple, 艑kuboji, in Kagawa prefecture. Many pilgrims dress in traditional attire, including a white cotton robe, scarf, and straw hat, and carrying a walking stick; they also carry pilgrims鈥� books, to be stamped after worshipping at each temple. leads an eight-day tour of the pilgrimage (from $2,303), where you鈥檒l walk up to eight miles daily with an English-speaking guide, staying at guesthouses and temple lodging.

Don鈥檛 Miss: One of the hardest temples to reach is number 21, Tairyuji, or Temple of the Great Dragon. You can ride the tram to reach this mountaintop temple or hike to the site on a steep three-mile trail through limestone rocks and an ancient cedar forest. There you鈥檒l climb a marble staircase leading into the temple gates and visit a bronze statue of K奴kai meditating.

7. Best for Wildlife Spotting

Yuraygir Coastal Walk, Australia

The 42-mile point-to-point leads through the beaches and bluffs of Yuraygir National Park in New South Wales. You鈥檒l start in the village of Angourie and follow the sign-posted track, as trails are called in Australia and New Zealand, south to the red-tinted cliffs of Red Rock. Most people take four to five days to do the whole route. Along the way, you鈥檒l spot turtles and whales, swim in the Pacific Ocean, and walk through coastal headlands and the biodiverse Solitary Islands Marine Park.

Spend your first night on the trail camping at the , which is only accessible on foot. Or if you鈥檇 prefer sleeping in a bed, book a guided walk that includes shuttles to trailside properties like (from $234) or (from $125). leads a guided five-day walk of the trail (prices vary according to group size and season) for private groups from November to April that includes luggage delivery, boat and bus transfers, national-park fees, and accommodations. If you鈥檇 rather go it on your own, you can base out of the family-owned in Wooli, and the owners will arrange for lifts to the trail each day (from $499, including lodging and hiker shuttles).

Don鈥檛 Miss: Stop into the beachfront , about halfway through your route, for a sausage roll or pizza. Spend some time at the and estuary, a breeding site for endangered shorebirds including the pied oystercatcher and beach stone-curlew. The trail along the Station Creek estuary is lined with scribbly gum and corkwood trees, and if you鈥檙e lucky, you鈥檒l spot an Australian crane or coastal emu.

8. Most Adventurous

Te Araroa, New Zealand

New Zealand is known for its stellar tracks, and , also called the Long Pathway, is the country鈥檚 most ambitious trail project yet. It鈥檚 a 1,900-mile journey crossing the length of New Zealand鈥檚 North and South Islands, from Cape Reinga at the north end to Bluff at the southern tip. The trail itself climbs mountain passes, crosses verdant plains, and travels through small cities and remote villages. Roughly 2,000 people walk the whole trail each year, taking between three and six months. Most hikers go north to south, starting around October, which is springtime in New Zealand. If you don鈥檛 have that kind of time, pick a section or a single island; the South Island is considered the more challenging of the two due to its more mountainous terrain.

While this video shows a Te Araroa thru-hike, some choose a section or decide to hike either the North Island or South Island. The South Island is more remote and considered more difficult, the North Island route longer but with more road walking. (Video: 国产吃瓜黑料 TV) 听

Before you go, ($34) to receive the latest maps and a Te Araroa walker-information packet. Buy a (from $110) for access to over 70 Department of Conservation-managed backcountry huts and campsites along Te Araroa. The trail also has 听to help you plan and navigate, and the trail notes for each section give details on the route and where to stay and resupply. Or you can book a guided 12-day trip with (from $8,595) and let the outfit take care of the logistics, including hotel bookings.

Don鈥檛 Miss: On the North Island, you鈥檒l climb the extinct volcano of Mount Pirongia and descend to the valley below, where you鈥檒l walk by the glowworm-studded , which are worth a stop; you can see the illuminating glowworms in their grottos by boat. On the South Island, spend a night at the 12-bunk, first-come, first-served near Wanaka, which has stunning views from the porch overlooking the Motatapu Valley and a nice swimming hole in the adjacent creek.

9. Best Way to Explore Indigenous Cultures

Vancouver Island Trail, Canada

Vancouver Island, British Columbia, is a rugged and densely forested place, and the 500-mile is among the most challenging routes on this list. The trail goes from the capital city of Victoria on the southern end of the island to Cape Scott on the northern tip, crossing rocky beaches and through lush rainforests and territories sacred to First Nations tribes, including the Songhees in the south and the Tlatlasikwala to the north. The trail is broken up into seven distinct sections, from paved pathways through urban areas to logging roads, hiking trails, and rail trails. Each section takes around five to 10 days to walk鈥攐r you can spend two months doing a complete thru-hike. Some sections of the trail are still being completed and not well marked, so plan on some skilled route finding or that鈥檚 better delineated. If you鈥檙e walking the trail northbound, you鈥檒l end in , where the Cape Scott Lighthouse has been shining light for mariners since 1960.听听

Don鈥檛 Miss: Book a cabin or pitch a tent at the First Nations-owned , between the northern towns of Port McNeill and Port Hardy. At the center of Vancouver Island, you鈥檒l walk through Strathcona Provincial Park, British Columbia鈥檚 oldest park, dotted with high-alpine lakes and jagged snow-capped peaks. The , on the outskirts of the park, has eight seasonal campsites and a sauna.

10. Best New Trail

Camino de Costa Rica, Costa Rica

You鈥檒l walk from the shores of the Atlantic Ocean to the beaches of the Pacific Ocean on the 174-mile-long , or the Costa Rican Way, which was inspired by Spain鈥檚 El Camino de Santiago. This relatively new trail鈥攅stablished in 2018 by the nonprofit Asociaci贸n Mar a Mar鈥攖ravels through coffee plantations and rainforests, over the Continental Divide, and among tiny villages that rarely see tourists. Plan on around 16 days to hike the whole thing.

The trip starts on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, in the town of Barra de Parismina, at the base of Tortuguero National Park, known as a nesting ground for leatherback turtles. It ends in Quepos near Manuel Antonio National Park, filled with coral reefs and white-sand beaches. Stay in guesthouses, campsites, and hotels along the way. You will want to hire a guide, as much of the trail is sparsely marked. leads guided hikes ranging from eight to 16 days (from $1,675) that include meals and stays at local homes and guesthouses.

Don鈥檛 Miss: In the Orosi Valley, stay at the (from $59), which has private casitas and rooms close to the trail. In the town of Orosi, you can visit Iglesia de San Jos茅 Orosi, the oldest church in Costa Rica, dating back to 1743, and its Religious Art Museum, and the .

11. Best Paved Trail

Paul Bunyan State Trail, Minnesota

Most popular with cyclists, the Paul Bunyan State Trail is still a great long walk for those who want a paved, accessible pathway. The route begins at in Brainerd and ends 115 miles later at in Bemidji, home to a famous giant statue of Paul Bunyan and his Blue Ox, Babe. This is the longest continuously paved rail-trail in the country, moderate in grade throughout as it follows the former Burlington Northern Railroad, abandoned in 1983. You can camp at and Lake , or stay in hotels in the various trail towns along the way.

Don鈥檛 Miss: You鈥檒l walk through the town of Hackensack, where every September chainsaw carvers turn hunks of wood into art in the annual Chainsaw Event. The (from $89) in the town of Nisswa has rooms and lakefront cottages steps from the trail on Lower Cullen Lake. In Pequot Lakes, stop into the trailside for a scoop of ice cream.

12. Best for Foodies

Cinque Terra, Italy

Cinque Terre or 鈥淔ive Lands鈥� refers to five coastal towns鈥擬onterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore鈥攐ver the the Ligurian Sea, all linked by about 75 miles of hiking trails. The most popular route is the Sentiero Azzurro, known as the Blue Trail, which is less than 10 miles and can be done in a day. You can start in Monterosso or Riomaggiore and work your way in either direction, passing through lemon groves and walking staircases directly down to the sea.

For a more expanded tour, consider five- or eight-day self-guided hiking trips in Cinque Terre, where you鈥檒l stay in curated hotels, dine on pizza and gelato from locals鈥� favorite spots, and ride trains to reach new trails each day. If you鈥檙e hiking on your own, be sure to check the for updates on closures (landslides have closed sections of the trail), and grab a (from $7 a day) for access to the two paid hiking trails鈥攆rom Monterosso to Vernazza and from Vernazza to Corniglia鈥攁nd for use of the bus lines within Cinque Terre National Park.

Don鈥檛 Miss: Climb the stairs to Doria Castle, a medieval fortress near the village of Vernazza, to see the remains of one of the oldest surviving towers on the Liguria coast. The five-room guesthouse (from $208) in the Unesco World Heritage Site of Vernazza makes for a good midway stop on your hike.

13. Most Accessible

Cotswold Way, England

The is a quintessentially English experience, where you鈥檒l walk from the historic market town of Chipping Campden, once a busy center for traders, to the steps of the Late Medieval church of Bath Abbey, crossing through farmlands, country parks, and beech woodlands. Stop and admire fields full of sculptures or study English Civil War sites. This well-marked 102-mile trail can be traveled in either direction, taking between seven and 10 days. has both guided and self-guided walks (from $1,154) ranging from between seven and 12 nights, where you鈥檒l sleep in limestone cottages and guesthouses.

Don鈥檛 Miss: Climb the hill to the Broadway Tower, an 18th century tower within a 200-acre estate of parkland offering expansive views across the valley; enjoy afternoon tea at the Tower Barn Caf茅 afterward. The trail also passes by , home to some 30 species of endangered butterflies, and , a historic garden filled with seasonal flowers and a lavish mix of Classical, Gothic, and other architecture.

Megan Michelson is an 国产吃瓜黑料 contributing editor and avid traveler who once lived in England for a year and went on a lot of long rambles through the countryside. She recently wrote about trips that may help you live longer and her favorite new backcountry hut in Colorado.

The post The 13 Most Magical Long Walks In the World appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.