celebrated on June 1, is a day to care for, and get out and explore, our nation鈥檚 trails. We鈥檙e celebrating by featuring some of the most stunning routes in the U.S. and the reasons that make them so special. Since we can鈥檛 feature every beautiful path in the country, we looked for diversity in region and terrain.

Whether you鈥檙e in the Midwest, itching for a canyon-centric adventure, or on the coast looking for a trail that leads to an isolated beach, here are 12 of the best hikes in the country.

In The West

Best Volcano Hike

Kilauea Iki Trail: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii

The U.S. has a shocking number of volcanoes scattered throughout the country, but Kilauea, in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, is the most active. In fact, it鈥檚 still erupting as I write this: a small eruption started in December 2024 and is still going strong, spewing lava up to 500 feet in the air from its main vent. Don鈥檛 worry, all of this action is happening in a closed section of the park you鈥檒l want to avoid. Instead, hike the , which travels through a rainforest before dropping into a crater and crossing a lava lake formed by an eruption in 1959. Some of the lava is still warm to touch and you can find vents emanating steam throughout the lake, which occurs when rain gathers in pools and boils.

Logistics: The entrance fee to Hawaii Volcanoes is $30 per vehicle. Expect traffic delays over the next two years as the park works to remove damaged buildings and enhance the road for better vehicle flow. Check the for updates. The USGS runs a webcam with a of the current eruption. If you鈥檙e in the park, you can see the activity from the Uekahuna overlook on Crater Rim Drive West and from the Kilauea Overlook.

Best Hike to a Beach

Shi Shi Beach and Point of Arches: Olympic National Park and Makah Tribal Land, Washington

Olympic National Park boasts some dramatic coastal landscapes, and Shi Shi Beach might be the most famous thanks to its bevy of sea stacks. This eight-mile starts in a sitka spruce forest on boardwalks before hitting switchbacks down to the beach itself. Look west and you鈥檒l see the Pacific Ocean spreading before you and the park鈥檚 iconic sea stacks rising from the tide. The beach itself ain鈥檛 bad either, with bone-white driftwood and tide pools full of sea creatures. You鈥檒l be tempted to stop here, but keep hiking south along the beach for 1.3 miles to hit Point of Arches, a mile-long cluster of sea stacks dotting the breaks just off the sand.

Logistics: If you鈥檙e knocking this hike in a day, you don鈥檛 need permits, but you do need the $20 Makah Recreation Pass, which you can purchase or in person at the New Bay Marina or Museum.

Best Hike to a Technical Summit听

Grand Teton: Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

Archeological evidence suggests that the 13,776-foot, craggy Grand Teton has been luring climbers to its summit inside what is now Grand Teton National Park long before Europeans showed up. The mountain鈥檚 striking, trapezoidal shape is still the focus of hundreds of summit bids every summer. The hike and technical climb is a 14-mile roundtrip effort, gaining 7,000 feet in total elevation. If you鈥檙e going to reach the tippy top of Grand Teton, you鈥檒l need technical climbing skills, the right gear, and preferably a guide. Some people do it in a day, but it鈥檚 better as a weekend adventure, which allows you to spend at least one night at the high elevation base camp for the final summit push. The 5.4 Owen Spalding Route is the classic, and easiest, ascent. But listen, even if you鈥檙e not interested in the technical climb, you should still do this hike, which rises from the Lupine Meadows Trailhead to the Lower Saddle for a 12-mile out and back. From the saddle, you鈥檒l have close-range views of glaciers and long-range views of Garnet Canyon and the Alaska Basin below.

Logistics: Entrance fee to the park is $35 per vehicle. If you鈥檙e doing the full summit and plan on spending the night at one of the saddles, you鈥檒l need a backcountry ($20). Book a four-day trip with (from $2,100 per person).

Best Slot Canyon Hike听

Zebra Slot Canyon: Grand-Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Choosing one slot canyon is a daunting task, but Zebra wins because of its gorgeous pink and tan striped walls and narrow passageways, which are as tight as 10-inches wide at some points. Also, it鈥檚 not a technical canyon to traverse, so you shouldn鈥檛 need climbing gear. You鈥檒l still need to scramble and squeeze your way through portions of this 5.2-mile , but make yourself skinny and you鈥檒l be standing in the heart of a narrow gorge with pink and white striped walls rising 100 feet on either side of you. The hike starts by traversing a sandy, scrubby wash before meandering through a broad canyon with pink walls. Once you reach Zebra Canyon proper, the going gets narrow and you鈥檒l likely find pools of water on the floor, so bring water-friendly shoes.

Logistics: There鈥檚 no entrance fee to Grand Staircase-Escalante, and you don鈥檛 need a permit to hike Zebra Canyon, but you should stop into the to ask about the water levels within the canyon.

In The East

Best Hike to see Fall Foliage

Burrows Trail to Camel鈥檚 Hump: Vermont

Vermont was essentially created for fall foliage, as the forest that blankets the 4,000-foot peaks throughout the state transitions into a kaleidoscope of colors starting in September. You can鈥檛 walk to get a pumpkin spice latte in the state without witnessing the show, but I say make the trek up Camel鈥檚 Hump, Vermont鈥檚 third highest peak, which offers dramatic 360-degree views that take in all of the lush canopy below as well as Lake Champlain to the west and the White Mountains of New Hampshire to the east. The 4.7-mile out and back on gets you to the summit the fastest with much of the time under the colorful canopy that you鈥檙e here to marvel.

Logistics: This hike sits inside , which was carved out of the Green Mountains National Forest, but there are no entrance fees or permits required. The trailhead parking area fills up fast on weekends, especially during peak foliage season, so show up early in the morning.

Best Ridgeline Hike听

Rocky Peak Ridge, High Peaks Wilderness: Adirondacks, New York

You want mountaintop views and rocky exposure? Head to the High Peaks Wilderness of Adirondack Park. This 13-mile out and back on the climbs a series of smaller summits on its way to 4,420-foot Rocky Peak, gaining more than 5,000 feet all together. You鈥檒l get long range views from the various rocky summits, making this feel like a true ridgeline jaunt, but you鈥檒l also descend to saddles giving you a chance to take a rest at Mary Louise Pond toward the end of the adventure. A lot of people make it an overnighter, but it鈥檚 a doable day hike for go-getters. The view from Rocky Peak Ridge is true alpine glory, with boulders strewn through a high-alpine meadow covering the treeless peak. Hit it during the summer, and you鈥檒l be able to forage your way through Blueberry Cobbles, a hillside that鈥檚 covered in wild fruit bushes near the trailhead.

Logistics: There are no permits or entry fees for day hikes in the High Peaks Wilderness, but you should definitely bring a hiking partner or, at the very least, tell someone where you鈥檙e going and when you鈥檒l be back.

Best Trail to See a Gigantic Waterfall

Rainbow Falls Trail: Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina听

I鈥檇 argue that Rainbow Falls is one of the most impressive waterfalls in the Southern Appalachians, period. The entire Horsepasture River plummets over the side of a sheer, granite cliff, dropping 150 feet straight into a deep pool. Time it right after heavy summer storms and the volume of the waterfall is thunderous. Follow the for two miles along the bustling Horsepasture River, a drop and pool creek with plenty of swimming hole potential, until you reach the base of Rainbow Falls. There鈥檚 good swimming at the base of the falls, just don鈥檛 try to climb the cliff or wade at the top of the waterfall, as visitors have died doing those very things.

Logistics: Rainbow Falls is located in Pisgah National Forest, but the trailhead is located inside . There are no fees for visiting the park or falls. Bring your swimsuit and water shoes or sandals because you鈥檙e going to want to swim.

Best Hike to See Natural Arches in the East听

Auxier Ridge Trail: Red River Gorge, Kentucky听

Kentucky鈥檚 Red River Gorge is a vast canyon system inside that鈥檚 best known for its sport climbing, but the gorge has more than 100 natural arches, the highest concentration of such rock outcroppings east of the Rockies. This isn鈥檛 the desert landscape you might expect though, as the forest is lush and green with sandstone arches stretching out from the canopy. Most of the arches are scattered throughout the area鈥檚 29,000 acres. Focus your attention on the 2.5-mile , and you鈥檒l see the towering Courthouse Rock, which rises from the forest like a courthouse looming over the town square. You can also take side hikes to half a dozen arches, including the aptly-named Double Arch, where a smaller arch is stacked inside a larger arch.

Logistics: Red River Gorge is relatively primitive. Some trails are marked, while un-signed social trails lead to hidden goodies like , a large natural bridge on the edge of a cliff. You don鈥檛 need permits and there are no entrance fees.

[[In The]] Midwest听

Best Cliff Hike in the Midwest听

Big Bluff: Buffalo National River, Arkansas

I like any trail that comes with the caveat 鈥渘ot recommended for children.鈥� Not because I don鈥檛 like hiking with kids, but because this usually means there will be cliff-top exposure, and that means beautiful views. Such is the case with the , a half-mile-long steep climb on a narrow ledge to the edge of Big Bluff, a sandstone cliff that dominates a dramatic bend in the Buffalo River. Big Bluff lives up to its name, rising 550 feet from the valley and delivering a long range view of the sinuous waterway below. In fact, it鈥檚 the tallest sheer cliff between the Rockies and the Appalachians. Big Bluff is also known for its scrappy juniper trees, which are estimated to be 800 years old. Most of the hike is actually on the Centerpoint Trail, which follows an old wagon road as it drops 1,300 feet to the river over 2.5 miles. All in, it鈥檚 a 6-mile out and back with roughly 2,000 feet of climbing.

Logistics: There鈥檚 no entrance fee to the . I鈥檓 not kidding about the exposure on this hike. It鈥檚 not for the faint of heart, so be prepared and be careful.

Best Canyon Hike

Starved Rock State Park, Illinois

At first glance, you鈥檇 think the Illinois River would be the central attraction to ; the large body of water seems to dominate the landscape after all. But it鈥檚 the small canyons that feed the large river that hikers seem to love. More than a dozen narrow and lush gorges have been carved on the southern side of the river, giving hikers an enticing labyrinth of rock to explore via 13 miles of established trail.

If you鈥檙e moving at a fast pace, you can explore every canyon in the park in a day, but focus on French Canyon, which has a narrows section reminiscent of Utah, but with more greenery, and Wildcat Canyon, which has vertical walls and an 80 foot waterfall that runs after a rain. Take a map and spend an afternoon creating your own loop through the maze of canyons.

Logistics: Most hikes begin at the Visitor鈥檚 Center. Grab a map. There are a lot of short trails throughout the park that you鈥檒l have to connect to create a larger hike. All state parks in Illinois are free to enter.

Best Prairie Hike听

Sheyenne National Grassland, North Dakota

Are prairies beautiful? Hell yes. Especially if all you鈥檝e ever known is mountains or coast. There鈥檚 something fascinating about being able to see for a hundred miles in any direction, and the Sheyenne National Grassland might be the best of our prairies, as it protects 135,000 acres of sand dunes and tall grass in southern North Dakota. The National Grassland also hosts a 30-mile section of the North Country National Scenic Trail, which runs for more than 4,000 miles from Vermont to North Dakota. The hiking is easy, but you鈥檙e not here for a challenge. You鈥檙e here for the expansive field of view that only the midwest can offer. Much of the hiking is flat with shimmering waves of grass all the way to the horizon in every direction. Head to the West Trailhead of the for a 6.5-mile section that runs between two highways, passing through tall grass, wildflowers in the summer, and the occasional grove of trees.

Logistics: Show up in the middle of summer for the best weather and best wildflowers. There鈥檚 no entrance fee to the National Grassland.

Best Backcountry Lake Hike听

Secret/Blackstone Loop, Boundary Waters Canoe Area听

I know, the Boundary Waters are for canoeing, and you鈥檙e not wrong, but there are also hiking trails that connect many of the backcountry lakes. Granted, most of those trails are multi-day endeavors for the hardy looking to navigate the wilderness. But there鈥檚 also the four-mile near Ely, which is a rarity in the Boundary Waters in that it is short, signed, and easy to follow. Bonus: It takes in four different lakes on its figure-eight journey through a pine forest. The hiking is mostly flat, and you鈥檒l walk right to the grassy edge of Blackstone Lake if you want to take a dip, as well as scamper to rocky overlooks of Ennis Lake. In addition to walking along the banks of Secret, Blackstone, and Ennis Lakes, you鈥檒l also find a small, unnamed pond along the way. Blackstone, the first lake you鈥檒l reach on the hike, is arguably the highlight of the trip as it鈥檚 water is clear and ideal for swimming, or paddling if you want to lug a craft of some sort with you.

Logistics: This is a straightforward day hike, but all visitors must get a ($16 per adult) when entering Boundary Waters Canoe Area. You can snag them in advance or at the self-serve kiosks at entry points. The forest maintains a quota system to limit the number of people inside the Boundary Waters, so it鈥檚 smart to make a reservation in advance ($6 reservation fee).

Graham Averill is 国产吃瓜黑料 magazine鈥檚 national-parks columnist. Based in Asheville, North Carolina, he is fortunate enough to live within a few hours of many world-class hikes. He recently wrote about the best hikes in Joshua Tree National Park, his favorite mountain town, and the the most adventurous national park.

The post These Are the 12 Most Stunning Trails in the U.S. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

An estimated 50 million people visit Chicago annually. Precious few of them see the rest of Illinois, however, and they鈥檙e missing out. While the, anyone who loves the outdoors will be amazed by what lies beyond the purview of the L. With 64 state parks, 289,000 acres of protected national forest, and seven unique scenic byways, Illinois is brimming with opportunities for outdoor recreation鈥攊f you know where to look. Ready to see for yourself? Here鈥檚 a rundown of must-visit places to play outside in every corner of Illinois.

Chicago and Beyond

Northern Illinois

You don鈥檛 have to venture far outside of the city to experience nature at its finest. Just a 90-minute听 drive southwest of Chicago, North Utica is the perfect launchpad for exploring parks along the Illinois River. Hike 鈥檚 13 miles of trails that wind along the river, past bluffs, and through 18 canyons. In spring and early summer, rainfall brings ephemeral waterfalls to life throughout the park. Downriver at , take the adrenaline up a notch on nine miles of . After a day of adventures, retire to a luxury tent at , a one-of-a-kind boutique campground with all the trappings. Access to outdoor equipment, seasonal chef-inspired meals for breakfast and dinner, plus gourmet s鈥檓ores every night are all included in your stay.

If water activities are high on your adventure list, head north to . As one of the larger state parks in northern Illinois, this recreation area is home to two lakes, with plenty of options for on-the-water fun. Rent kayaks, paddleboards, and boats on-site.

Land of Lincoln

Central Illinois

Want to get a taste of Illinois culture? Set out on a classic Route 66 trip but with an adventurous twist. Ditch the car to travel by road bike on the Illinois Route 66 Trail. Made up of mostly rural roads, with some city paths and gravel trails, the 301-mile journey follows the historic Route 66 (now Highway 55) from Chicago to St. Louis鈥攃onnecting cyclists to quaint towns, historic points of interest, and quirky roadside attractions along America鈥檚 most famous roadway.

Visit the Presidential Museum and other historic sites related to Abraham Lincoln. Eat at and enjoy. Then, stop off at a (yes, you can bike in) for a relaxing evening before continuing your journey.

Great Rivers Country

Western Illinois

Head west to explore . Located near the convergence of the Illinois and Mississippi rivers, this 8,000-acre park is the largest in the state, which means there鈥檚 plenty of room for adventure. The park鈥檚 limestone rock formations offer something for all types of climbers, with a mix of sport and trad routes, plus bouldering problems.

For a more low-key adventure, try the . This 20-mile paved path runs along the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway from the state park to the nearby town of Alton. Along the route, you鈥檒l pedal past limestone cliffs with unparalleled views of the mighty Mississippi River.

Trails to 国产吃瓜黑料

Southern Illinois

At the southern end of the state, the provides seemingly endless access to nature. Here, six distinct ecological regions converge, fostering astounding diversity in plant and wildlife. From wetlands and lush canyons to dense oak and hickory forests and rocky ridges, the varied terrain is the ultimate playground. Fish for nearly 150 native species found in the forest鈥檚 rivers and lakes. At nearby, the second-largest lake in the state, 19,000 freshwater acres provide ample space for speedboats and jet skis.

Hikers can enjoy a variety of trails that traverse the forest. Take in views of Garden of the Gods鈥攐ne of the most famous geological formations in southern Illinois鈥攐n the quarter-mile Observation Trail. For even more rock action, check out nearby and state parks, both named for the unique rock formations found there. Looking for more of a challenge? Plan a multiday trip to hike the 157-mile River to River Trail, which travels from the Mississippi River to the Ohio River through some of the most remote parts of the Shawnee National Forest.

The Illinois Office of Tourism leads tourism industry efforts to inspire visitation to and within Illinois, resulting in significant economic impact and quality-of-life benefits for all Illinois residents. We are committed to making Illinois a model of inclusivity and celebration of diversity. To learn more, visit .

The post The Best Outdoor 国产吃瓜黑料s in Illinois appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Monday, April 8, 2024, will be an epic day, when a total eclipse passes over North America. The moon will completely block out the sun, turning day to night across a wide swath of the United States from Texas to Maine. All of us in the nation, wherever we鈥檙e located, will experience at least a partial eclipse. If you鈥檙e in Southern California, the moon will blot out about half of the sun; in Washington State, about 30 percent; and in the mountains of North Carolina, roughly 80 percent.

Total Solar Eclipse 2024: The Path of Totality

If you鈥檙e situated directly beneath the celestial event, in the path of totality鈥攚hich diagonals from Northern Mexico into Texas, up through to Maine, and out over Canada鈥攜ou鈥檒l get the full experience. See the here (use link to download NASA鈥檚 interactive map).

鈥淎 total eclipse is other-worldly,鈥� says Tyler Nordgren, an astronomer and Dark Sky Ambassador for the National Park Service. 鈥淭he sky will get dark, colors in the landscape will change. During totality, you鈥檒l go from daytime to night, the brightest stars turn out, and the sun turns into a black hole in space. The heavens literally align above you.鈥�

An annular eclipse passed over the western United States last October, and in 2017 some of us got to experience a total eclipse (my kids and I watched from a beach in South Carolina), but this impending eclipse will be even more dramatic, promising twice as large an area of totality as in 2017, because the moon is closer to earth and will cast a larger shadow.

Nordgren鈥檚 advice for choosing a spot to watch? 鈥淕o some place you actually want to visit, because if you get clouded out, you鈥檙e somewhere cool.

鈥淓ven with socked-in skies,鈥� he adds, 鈥測ou鈥檒l notice things getting darker, and then it will be dark as night. You鈥檒l experience a truly bizarre day.鈥�

We鈥檝e picked seven badass places with fun things to do to make the most of your viewing opportunity. Just don’t forget your protective eyewear.

How to See the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse in 国产吃瓜黑料-Worthy Ways

1. From a Ski Resort: Jay Peak, Vermont

For a party, look no further than Jay Peak and their , which will feature live music from Pink Talking Fish as they perform the Pink Floyd album Dark Side of the Moon in its entirety. You can expect about four minutes of total darkness during the peak of the event. The lifts will be running before the eclipse starts at 2 P.M., but will stop for the duration of the event. Scenic tram rides to the top of the mountain are booked solid, but to avoid crowds anyways, catch one of the last chairs and ski to a quiet spot on the mountain.

Jay isn鈥檛 the only resort stoked on the eclipse. Saddleback Mountain, in Maine, will roll its end-of-the-season festivities straight into a that day. Whiteface in upstate New York, also Stowe, Sugarbush, and Mad River in Vermont, and Loon and Cannon Mountains in New Hampshire are all planning watch parties, too.

2.听听 From a Canoe: Buffalo National River, Arkansas

The Buffalo National River鈥攖he first ever designated in America鈥攆lows freely across the state of Arkansas for 135 miles, and the majority will be within the path of totality. You can expect roughly 3:30 minutes of total darkness within the park. The Buffalo National River is also a designated International Dark Sky Park, where in the days leading up to the eclipse rangers and astronomy experts will lead various interpretive night-sky programs with the chance to view constellations through telescopes.

For the event, we suggest you ditch the crowds by heading into the backcountry via canoe. The Upper Buffalo is the most scenic area of the river, with 200-500-foot bluffs rising directly from the water. The paddle is generally mellow, but some class I rapids keep things interesting. You can choose from a 10-mile day trip from the Ponca put-in to Kyles Landing, or do an overnight or multi-day, pulling off at gravel sandbars to set up . Or go crazy and try to knock out the entire 135 miles in a 10-day trip. Backcountry camping permits are free, and the has rentals (from $75 a day).

3. From Among Ancient Earthworks: Mounds State Park, Indiana

isn鈥檛 the most adventurous state park鈥攊t鈥檚 only 290 acres and most of the trails are crushed gravel and boardwalks鈥攂ut it鈥檚 a cultural hotspot protecting 10 awe-inspiring earthworks along the White River built by the pre-Columbian Adena and Hopewell cultures. Historians believe that the largest of the mounds, the Great Mound, dates back to around 160 B.C. and that the mounds were used for community gatherings, religious ceremonies, and, yes, viewing astronomical alignments.

Savor that history by showing up to witness 3:42 seconds of total darkness as the eclipse passes over the park in the afternoon. You can watch from beside the Great Mound or by one of the other earthworks, or hike trail #5, a 2.5-mile loop that weaves around the park, past various mounds and along the banks of the White River. Bring your fishing gear, or grab what you need from nearby , and be prepared to cast, as the trail accesses the river in several points; the White is known for its smallmouth bass fishing.

4. From a National Forest: Garden of the Gods, Illinois

The whole 289,000-acre Shawnee National Forest sits within the path of totality, but the most dramatic spot for viewing has to be , a swath of sandstone outcroppings and cliffs that may be 320 million years old, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The .25-mile Observation Trail wanders through the heart of the Garden of the Gods outcroppings and to the top of tall bluffs with long-range views of the Shawnee Hills. These bluffs make a perfect perch for viewing the eclipse, which will hover over the area for 3:27 minutes of total darkness.

Pharaoh Campground has 12 first-come, first-served sites ($10 a night), but you better show up a few days early to snag a site before everyone else does. If you want more solitude, wander into Garden of the Gods Wilderness via the , which forms a 1.6-mile lollipop loop through a pine forest with bluff-top overlooks, caves, and rock formations.

5. From a Tube: Garner State Park, Texas

Not only did a chunk of Texas experience the path of totality during the annular eclipse in October but the state will score it again. Moreover, among all the U.S. states in April鈥檚 eclipse path, this one has the for prime viewing. Weather data from the last 28 years predicts just a 30 percent chance of cloud cover.

, in Texas Hill Country, sits in the path of totality and will experience 4:30 minutes of complete darkness. The park itself protects 1,774 acres of hills, forest, and bluffs as well as 2.9 miles of the aptly named Frio River. (Yes, that means 鈥渃old鈥�.) You鈥檒l find plenty of trails to hike, but the real gem of this park is tubing the Frio as it winds around the campgrounds and below the tan sandstone cliffs (the rents tubes for $10 each, per day). Tubing the stretch through the park takes a few hours, with a number of small rapids and the occasional swimming hole. Put in by noon (totality will start at 1:30 P.M.) and take your time.

6. From an Olympic Site: Adirondack Park, New York

At six million acres, upstate New York鈥檚 Adirondack Park is the largest publicly protected landscape in the lower 48. And most of that park will be within the path of totality. While the region is typically cloudy in April, on Nordgren鈥檚 advice, we鈥檙e sending you here as a beautiful, adventurous place, whatever the weather. You can see the eclipse from a variety of vantage points inside the park, and Lake Placid is hosting a watch party at the Olympic Center. They鈥檙e opening the speed-skating oval with views of the famous Olympic ski jumps and the Adirondacks鈥� High Peaks Wilderness Area. (An earlier version of this article suggested a mountain hike, but area groups are asking visitors to avoid the backcountry out of caution over potential winter conditions in April and given that mud season can lead to ecological damage from hiking. See other options

7. From a Surfboard:听Mazatlan, Mexico

The moon will cast a shadow over Mexico and the eastern edge of Canada as well as the U.S. While the chances of clear skies lessen as the eclipse moves north and into Canada, Mexico in early April presents the best chance for clear skies along the entire path of totality, with an 80 percent chance of sun during the day of the eclipse. But keep in mind the U.S. government has issued a for Mazatlan because of the presence of drug cartels in the area. It鈥檚 the same level of advisory (more information here) that the government has issued for Mexico City, Puerto Vallarta, and Baja.

Check out Mazatlan, a colonial-era beach town north of the popular Puerto Vallarta that is actually the first location in North America where you can view the total eclipse. It鈥檚 a legitimate surf destination with beaches facing multiple directions, picking up solid swells year round. Rucos, north of town, offers reliable surf spread across four miles of beach, though you鈥檒l need a 4×4 vehicle to reach it. Or, to keep things simple, walk from Mazatlan鈥檚 Centro Historico, a revamped historic district in the heart of town, to Playa Olas Altas to surf a beginner-friendly beach break. has lessons (from $50 a person) and rentals ($25 per day).

Now that we’ve given you the best places to see the solar eclipse in 2024, plot out your adventure and make the most of this celestial event. The next total eclipse won鈥檛 cross the lower 48 for 20 years.

Graham Averill is 国产吃瓜黑料 magazine鈥檚 national parks columnist. He can never remember the names of the constellations in the sky, but loves a good eclipse and has fond memories of the 2017 event, which he watched with his family during a beach vacation.听

For more by Graham Averill:

The 6 Most Adventurous Train Trips in North America

The 10 Best Backpacking Trails in Our National Parks

The Worst National Park Reviews of the Year

The post 7 Most Adventurous Ways to See the Total Eclipse听of 2024 appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

If you haven鈥檛 discovered at least a dozen hidden gems in your backyard and hometown since the start of the pandemic, you鈥檝e been doing it all wrong. But don鈥檛 worry, there鈥檚 still time to build that list. For those of us living in cities, there are plenty of weekend-long detours that will make you feel as if you鈥檝e escaped the grind, without having to had to travel very far at all.

If You鈥檙e in Seattle or Portland听

Go to Sisters, Oregon. The听听(from $125), three hours from Portland or five from Seattle, has everything you want in a quick summer getaway: a lake with kayaks, canoes, and SUPs on loan, a bar serving up lakefront cocktails, mountain bike trails nearby in听, and musicians playing music around the campfire most nights. Stay in one of 11 newly restored lodge rooms or 16 rustic cabins on Suttle Lake.

If You鈥檙e in San Francisco or Los Angeles听

Go to Mammoth Lakes, California.听It鈥檚 a six-hour drive from San Francisco, or听five hours from Los Angeles. 听is staying open for skiing through Memorial Day; then the resort offers lift-accessed mountain biking, hiking trails, and scenic gondola rides. Need a camping rig?听听has rental campervans you can pick up in L.A. or San Francisco. Or check in to the听听(from $169), which has independent chalets.

If You鈥檙e in Boston or New York听

Go to North Adams, Massachusetts. A听three-hour drive west of Boston and a 3.5-hour haul from New York City,听the northern Berkshires in the spring is a good place to be: the summer crowds haven鈥檛 arrived yet and hiking on a stretch of the Appalachian Trail is good to go. For birdwatchers, you鈥檒l find plenty of action at the Audubon Society鈥檚 in Lenox, which has seven miles of hiking trails. Stay at , 1.5 miles from downtown North Adams, which has 100 lakeside and wooded sites for RVs, campers, and tents (from $25). Pick up barbecue and a growler of craft beer at in town.

If You鈥檙e in 础迟濒补苍迟补听

Go to Ellijay, Georgia. Less than two hours from Atlanta, this is a mountain biker鈥檚 dream spot, but there鈥檚听plenty to do here鈥攆rom hiking to fly-fishing through听鈥攊f you don鈥檛 ride听bikes. Stay in a cabin or park your van or RV at听听(from $70 per person) and you鈥檒l have miles of singletrack and gravel riding from your door.

If You鈥檙e in Chicago

Go to , Illinois.听Its waterfalls and wildflowers come alive in the springtime, and the park鈥檚 campground and lodge see relatively fewer crowds. Hike into the sandstone canyons or scenic bluffs via 13 miles of marked trails or fish for white bass and walleye in the Illinois River. Less than two hours by car from Chicago, the park has a sprawling (from $25) and a (from $120), built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

The post The Best Weekend Detours from Cities appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

鈥橳is the season for tangerine-tinted maples and oaks. Here鈥檚 where to get your leaf peeping on across the U.S.

Aspen, Colorado

The town of Aspen, Colorado, got its听name听for a reason. Endless stands of the namesake trees听line the mountains that surround town. And they all turn yellow in the fall. Take in the foliage on foot on the Hunter Creek trail, easily accessible from downtown. You鈥檒l wind along the Hunter Creek Valley with eventual views of the Maroon Bells. Or mountain bike the Tom Blake trail from Snowmass Ski Area for a flowy, mellow ride through a sea of trees.听

Northeast Kingdom, Vermont

Vermont is leaf peeper central this time of year, so escape the camera-toting crowds by heading far north to the Northeast Kingdom, where leaves explode in full fall colors听between late September and late October (check the 听to time your visit with the peak of the colors). Score a secluded cabin at 听in Westmore, then scope the changing leaves 听on the nearby Clyde River.

Whitefish, Montana

You鈥檒l catch the golden hues of maple, aspen, elm, and western larch trees around the mountain town of Whitefish, Montana, from mid September to late October. For the best viewing, hit up the 26-mile-long Whitefish Trail, which has multiple trailheads around the valley and is open to hiking, running, and mountain biking.听

North Conway, New Hampshire

Take a scenic drive through the White Mountains of northern New Hampshire on the 34-mile Kancamagus Highway from Lincoln to Conway, a designated National Scenic Byway and a spectacular (albeit popular) spot for admiring the foliage. The road has a handful of national forest campgrounds if you feel like staying the night, but not much else,听so fill up on gas and snacks beforehand.听

Park City, Utah

Miles of trails wind through groves of tinted maple and aspen trees in Park City, Utah, at this time of year. For the best leaf peeping while mountain biking, try Jenni鈥檚 Trail, which begins at the base of Park City and zigzags up the mountain through sherbert-colored听clusters. You鈥檒l hit the Mountain Trail, which covers over 20 miles through aspen and conifer groves. Or check out the downhill mountain biking in the Canyons Village Bike Park for more sights of splendor.听

Asheville, North Carolina

Head to the Pisgah Forest, a half hour outside of Asheville, North Carolina, for endless mountain bike trails and radiant autumn hues. Mid-October is primetime. Hike around Graveyard Fields for bright red and yellow leaves and tumbling waterfalls. Or ride your bike up the Cedar Rock trail and down Big Rock Trail in DuPont State Forest just after sunrise or at sunset for a hazy glow. From the top of the granite dome, you鈥檒l be rewarded with 360-degree views. Afterward, stop for a bike tune-up and a pint of local ale at the Hub and Pisgah Tavern, a bike shop with a built-in bar.

Bar Harbor, Maine

Maine鈥檚 Acadia National Park comes alive each autumn, once the summer crowds bail and the trees turn a dark crimson. Make your base at the coastal town of Bar Harbor and take in the leaves via the 120 miles of hiking trails within the park (we like the Great Head Trail, which is short but has stellar views). Or take a whole new perspective with a scenic aerial tour in an open cockpit biplane (听offers flights starting at $75 per person).

Galena, Illinois

Head to Galena, Illinois, three hours from Chicago, in mid to late October to catch this charming Midwestern town鈥檚 fall foliage at its finest. You can watch the sunset over the Mississippi River, take a stroll up Horseshoe Mound for a view across the state lines into neighboring Iowa and Wisconsin, or visit President Ulysses S. Grant鈥檚 home, with panoramic views of cornfields and canopies of golden trees.听

The Catskills, New York

The best way to see the fall colors in New York鈥檚 Catskills region is to drive the meandering along the Delaware River. You鈥檒l drive 61 miles from Hancock to Grand Gorge through covered bridges, historical sites, and quaint villages filled with country stores, diners, and antique shops. Along the way, stretch your legs and soak in the colors in Catskill Forest Preserve.听

Yosemite, California

Mid-summer, you鈥檒l have to battle throngs of tourists in California鈥檚 Yosemite National Park. But by October, you鈥檒l have campsites and trails all to yourself. Plus, that鈥檚 when the fall colors are at their prime. , a 16-mile round-trip excursion with 4,800 feet of elevation gain and steep, metal cables on the final ascent to the dome. You鈥檒l catch glimpses of fall colors at Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls en route and panoramic views of the entire Yosemite Valley.听

The post The 10 Best Spots to Catch Fall Colors appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

No matter which metropolis you’re fleeing, we’ve got you covered. These 16 driving-distance excursions range from little-known east coast beaches to endless west coast singletrack鈥攁nd all points in between.

Escape from: New York City

Hit an Uncrowded Beach
Skip the four-hour traffic jams in the Hamptons in favor of听鈥檚 vineyards, farmers鈥� markets, and peaceful villages, like Orient.听听is the perfect jumping-off spot to swim, fish, or SUP.听听rents kayaks and offers sunset and full-moon tours (rentals from $35). Stop by Orient Country Store to pick up egg and cheese sandwiches for breakfast and a slice of brown-butter spice cake for later. Base out of the five-bedroom听, where the owner can set up bike rentals and suggest routes that pass the region鈥檚 best wineries (from $245).

Climb On
Some of the East Coast鈥檚 greatest rock climbing is less than two hours north of Manhattan, in the Shawangunk Mountains鈥攂etter known as the Gunks. There are hundreds of routes up here, ranging from cruisey to experts-only multipitch 5.12鈥檚. The classic climb in the area, High Exposure, is rated an easy 5.6 but is two pitches and sheer enough to earn its name. You鈥檒l need trad gear in the Gunks; hire a guide at the听听in New Paltz if you鈥檝e got any doubts about your rack (from $200 for a half-day). All climbers need a pass from the听, the nonprofit that administers the area ($10). After a day on the rocks, refuel with a sausage plate down the road at听. Then crash in New Paltz, a hippie-ish town with a strong climbing and culinary scene. Swing by Mudd Puddle in the morning for bagels and coffee, then come back in the evening to score a table at the Huguenot, which sources nearly all its ingredients from nearby . Stay at the historic听, a castle-like 19th-century retreat with disc golf, paddleboarding on Lake Mohonk, and an award-winning spa to pamper your pumped-out muscles (from $350).

Escape from: Atlanta

Ditch the Mainland
骋别辞谤驳颈补鈥檚 is the wildest beach on the East Coast. The only way to get there is a 45-minute ferry, and most of the island is protected wilderness. Put another way: there are more gators and feral horses than people. Campsites can听and should听be up to six months in advance. Once you鈥檝e established your base, explore the island鈥檚 endless beaches and the miles of hiking trails winding through maritime forests, marshlands, and massive dunes. The Carnegie family summered on Cumberland, and听on the island鈥檚 southern end, the ruins of one of their massive mansions, Dungeness, is a great spot to take in the sunset over the surrounding marsh. The closest you鈥檒l come to living like a Carnegie today is a night at the . It occupies a mansion built by the family in 1900 and is the only lodging available on the island (from $425). Dinner is a formal affair (jackets required) and always features fresh-caught seafood.

Explore Small-Town Appalachia
Everyone has heard of Asheville, but there are plenty of other towns, like , that are closer to both Atlanta and some of the South鈥檚 most rugged and worthwhile destinations. Base yourself at the 听(from $96), an Alpine-style B&B just minutes from the entrance of . The inn鈥檚 on-site store, the Chalet Stube, is a must-stop for picnic supplies like German beers, artisanal cheeses, and landjaeger, a Swiss hunter鈥檚 jerky. Loads of adventure options can be booked through the nearby . Plan a weekend when the Cheoah River is running, so you can get your fill of Class IV and V water. Then grab your mountain bike and hit the Tsali recreation area: a 35-minute drive west of Sylva, just outside Bryson City, this four-loop trail system includes some of the best terrain in the Southeast.

Escape from: Chicago

Lounge Lakeside
A bit more than three hours from Chicago, Montague, Michigan, sits between Lake Michigan and nearly a million acres of public land filled with lakes and streams. Get out there by booking a trip with and fly-fish for trout in the White River just upstream from town (from $250). On the Lake Michigan side, camp at one of 鈥檚 67 sites, which are surrounded by swimming beaches. Climb to the top of a dune for the best sunset views of the lake and Little Flower Creek. For plusher lakefront digs, stay at the 23-room (from $160). The 22-mile paved begins right near the inn鈥檚 doorstep. You鈥檒l pass cherry and apple orchards鈥攁nd the world鈥檚 largest weather vane, which stands 48 feet tall and weighs 4,300 pounds. The village of New Era marks the halfway point, the perfect spot to break for homemade ice cream at 鈥檚 trailside shop.

Embrace Summer Break
You鈥檒l get a whole new impression of Madison, Wisconsin, in the summer, when the hoardes of University of Wisconsin kids are away. (from $189) sits across the street from the Badgers鈥� , and each of its 48 rooms has a kitchenette stocked with local spirits like gin from . Downtown is loaded with excellent restaurants. Be sure to book ahead for a seat at , a James Beard Award nominee offering creative fare like cold-smoked bluefish with grapefruit, popped amaranth, and chia. For less refined must-try specialties, head to the for beer-battered cheese curds. Madison, down the road from Trek鈥檚 headquarters, is a deservedly famous cycling destination. For an easy cruise, rent a set of wheels at (from $30) and pedal the 17-mile . For something a little rowdier, drive east of town to 鈥檚 miles of singletrack.

Escape from: Boston

Eat, Paddle, Sail
A two-hour drive north of Boston, Portland, Maine, sits on the shores of windy, lighthouse-studded Casco Bay. It鈥檚 the perfect place for a sail, so rent a 21-foot racing boat from and zip around the bay鈥檚 rocky islands ($75 for a half-day). Back on shore, find something good to eat. This won鈥檛 be hard, since Portland is becoming a first-class dining destination at light speed. serves super-fresh shellfish, plus craft cocktails and local brews like Maine Beer Co.鈥檚 Peeper ale. has become one of the buzziest restaurants in America, thanks to dishes like sea urchin crudo and crab and waffles. When you can鈥檛 finish another bite, hop on the ferry for the 17-minute journey to Peaks Island ($8). Then take a three-hour trip with and paddle up another appetite while exploring the cliffs of the bay鈥檚 outer islands (from $65).

Hike the Whites
The aren鈥檛 the highest in the East, but they鈥檙e doubtless the most rugged. So take them on, and make , New Hampshire, the staging ground for your expedition. Just 2.5 hours from Boston, it鈥檚 the quintessential tiny New England town, dotted with antique shops and B&Bs like the five-room , formerly a sea captain鈥檚 home (from $125). Miles of hiking trails are accessible from the inn鈥檚 front door, and the trail to local high point Mount Chocorua is just down the road. Pinkham Notch, the start of many routes up Mount Washington, is less than an hour away. Back in town, swing by the . The multi-use space houses a print shop, a coffee shop, and a mercantile that sells artisanal cheese, penny candy, craft beer, and random Americana.

Escape from: San Francisco

Drink and Spin
About as low-key as it gets in wine country, Guerneville is down the road from world-class wineries, plus kayaking, hiking, and cycling. Pitch a tent at the family-run , just two miles from Westside Road, which is lined with some of the Russian River Valley鈥檚 best vineyards (from $35). Many pro cyclists train on Sonoma County鈥檚 empty, winding roads in winter. rents everything from tandems to Specialized Tarmacs and can suggest the best routes for your ability (rentals from $38 per day). The 42-mile Geysers Road Loop is a local favorite, marked by steep climbs and remote thermal springs.

Mountain-Bike NorCal
The center of the mountain-biking universe used to be right outside the city, in Marin County, but restrictive land management put an end to all that. Now Santa Cruz heads up the Northern California mountain-bike scene. You鈥檒l find everything from easy beachside doubletrack to gnarly trails winding through redwoods just a 75-minute drive south along scenic Highway 1. has a fleet of Specialized mountain bikes to demo for a day (from $75). For an intermediate ride, hit the 11-mile out-and-back Skyline to Sea Trail in Big Basin Redwoods State Park鈥擟alifornia鈥檚 oldest. For a bit more gnar, head to the in Aptos Village. The Braille and Ridge Trails offer gobs of elevation change and big man-made drops. Recover at the (from $200). This retro-chic hotel boasts a killer location overlooking the Pacific. In the evening, head to the Westside neighborhood for tastings from tiny wineries at , a pint of seasonal ale at the organic , or duck meatballs and flatbread at the .

Escape from: Los Angeles

Seek the Heat
Joshua Tree National Park in winter is a fine trip. But in summer, when temps soar and crowds vanish? That鈥檚 an adventurous choice. Go for a climb with in the evening, when the heat quickly dissipates, and take in the sunset from the top of the crag (from $75). The coolest stay is at 鈥� ten-acre compound, which offers knotty pine cabins, a lodge, and an Airstream trailer (from $62). At 4,600 feet, it鈥檚 usually 15 degrees less sweltering than the surrounding area, and there鈥檚 a pool for a cooling dip. The ranch once attracted Hollywood celebs like Roy Rogers; today the stars are still the draw, and they鈥檙e best viewed from the giant observation deck.

Chill Out
There are endless options for yoga and meditation in . But it鈥檚 not all om and downward dog: the town鈥檚 location at the southern end of Los Padres National Forest means nearly two million acres of trails and climbs, so take a hike or book a rock-climbing excursion with . The town鈥檚 hippie feel got a recent jolt of cool, courtesy of newcomers like the (from $89). This stylishly renovated motel has become the coolest hangout in town, with requisite touches like poolside shuffleboard. Head to for vegetarian Mexican food. Then go five miles up to , a nonprofit spiritual center set amid 32 acres of gardens. Time your visit to catch sunset, what locals refer to as Ojai鈥檚 pink moment, when the valley takes on a warm glow.

Escape from: Seattle听

Go Remote
Just two hours from the city, North Cascades National Park is pure wilderness at its best: massive glaciers, rugged mountains, and a classic stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail. There are dozens of backcountry campsites accessible by boat and foot; permits are available at the park鈥檚 ranger stations. For a bit more comfort, book a stay at 听(from $175), where the 15 cabins are built on log floats. There鈥檚 no road access, so guests can either hike in via the Ross Dam trail or take the Diablo Lake ferry ($10). Be sure to stock up on food to cook with the resort鈥檚 propane grills, as the lodge doesn鈥檛 serve meals. Some of the North Cascades鈥� most dramatic hikes are in the Ross Lake area, including six-mile Big Beaver, accessible from the resort. It鈥檚 hard to find a more peaceful place to fish for cutthroat, and the resort can provide gear and guidance.

Whale Watch
Puget Sound is full of spots where you can sea kayak and spot orcas. But a little farther north, the 172 islands that make up the San Juan Islands have the Goldilocks just-right distance from the city. Without a road link, the crowds are more manageable, and go figure, it鈥檚 sunnier and warmer than Vancouver. You can get there by the Washington State ferry system, but a seaplane from downtown is faster and much more Instagram-ready. Both 听and have regularly scheduled flights, which average $315 round-trip. A at on Orcas Island will only cost you $25 per night and gets you a lake view. Home to 2,410-foot Mount Constitution, the islands鈥� highest point, the park offers more than 38 miles of hiking trails and a panoramic perspective of Washington鈥檚 peaks. Don鈥檛 miss the pizza at in Eastsound.

Escape from: Washington, D.C.听听

Bring Your Paddle
Skip the Jersey Shore鈥搒tyle development to the north for the peninsula鈥檚 wilder section. Set up camp in Chesapeake-facing , for sailing, paddling, and all the blue crab you can eat. Just two blocks from the public beach, the 22-room (from $150) includes six loft-style rooms with eat-in kitchens. Anglers should book a trip with 鈥� captain Neil Lessard, who knows Virginia鈥檚 inshore waters and where the red drum hide ($650). Day-trip over to Assateague Island National Seashore, home to more than 37 miles of beaches鈥攁nd the island鈥檚 famed wild ponies. Rent a sea kayak from in Chincoteague and get up close as they wade through the marshes on the bay side of the island (from $39). Back on shore, sample some of the region鈥檚 best barbecue at . The ribs, slow-smoked with three different types of wood, are a must.

Climb and Ride
Skip the summer crowds at Shenandoah National Park and head just a little farther to West Virginia鈥檚 , where mountain biking is legal and you鈥檒l find some of the best rock climbing east of the Mississippi. Stay at 听(from $159), where digs on the banks of a private trout stream are definitely not rustic. , the oldest climbing school in the Mid-Atlantic, developed a beginner course at Seneca Rocks to hone your skills ($325 for two days). Those with more experience can test themselves on the area鈥檚 huge variety of trad pitches. Serious mountain bikers should hit the trails around Spruce Knob. At 4,863 feet, the Knob is West Virginia鈥檚 tallest peak, as well as the terminus of the highly technical, 15.2-mile Huckleberry Trail.

The post 16 Quick (and Easy) Ways to Escape the Concrete Jungle appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Early in January, a team of researchers from University College London . It took the most important fact about global warming鈥攖hat the world鈥檚 fossil fuel companies have already located five times more carbon than scientists say we can burn without overheating the planet鈥攁nd added a new layer of detail, exploring precisely which deposits should be left untouched. High on the list is Canada鈥檚 vast tar sands, which the authors said should be tapped for only a 鈥渘egligible鈥� amount of oil going forward if we are serious about dealing with climate change.

The paper came as vindication, as the long fight over the Keystone pipeline finally seems to be drawing to a close. The fight started with brave resistance from First Nations people in Alberta and ranchers in Nebraska, but it went global in 2011 when former NOAA climatologist James Hansen, the planet鈥檚 premier climate scientist, published a paper showing for the first time that a vast pool of carbon lay beneath the tar sands. Pump it all, he said, and it would be . Despite that warning, everyone thought Keystone was a done deal. In fact, a poll of 鈥渆nergy and environment insiders鈥澨齣n October 2011 found that 91 percent expected that TransCanada would receive its presidential permit in short order.

That the company hasn鈥檛 been awarded a permit is a triumph of organizing: Keystone has drawn more Americans into the streets than any environmental issue in a generation, produced more comments to the government than any infrastructure project in history, and spawned more arrests than just about any cause for many years.

If President Obama does the right thing, it will be the first time in history that a world leader has said, 鈥淗ere's a big project I'm not going to approve because of the climate.鈥� As the Nature article makes clear, this carbon deposit must remain substantially untapped if we鈥檙e to have a prayer of holding temperature increases to two degrees Celsius鈥攖he internationally recognized red line for climate. It鈥檚 not the only carbon pool we must leave alone. There are also the coalfields of Wyoming and Australia, the fracking zones of California and Poland, and the deep-sea deposits off Brazil and the Arctic. But Canada鈥檚 tar sands are a good place to start.

Author Bill McKibben () teaches at Middlebury College in Vermont and founded . In 2014 he was awarded the , sometimes called the “alternative Nobel,” in the Swedish Parliament.

The post This Decision Will Unlock Emissions Endgame appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Global warming is one of the world鈥檚 most important policy challenges, but blocking the Keystone pipeline is not an effective way to address it. Government interference in what should be a purely commercial decision about building the pipeline is likely to harm the environment over the long haul, and it won鈥檛 make a meaningful dent in the market for oil.

Regardless of whether Keystone is built, market forces can鈥檛 be ignored: If it makes economic sense to produce oil from a particular shale-oil resource, that oil will inevitably make its way to the pump. The main effect of blocking Keystone wouldn鈥檛 be to keep this carbon in the ground or to reduce emissions. Instead, blocking it would mean that oil will be transported on rail cars, which are much riskier than a pipeline. In recent years, several oil-train derailments and spills have harmed local communities around North America.

Sure, rail cars are more expensive, and that extra cost could theoretically hinder the production of shale oil, but it鈥檚 more likely that the extra costs will cause only a hiccup. Regardless of transport method, the economics of shale will likely set the price at whatever level is needed to pump new supplies while rendering only minimal effects on the actual volumes pumped.

Whether a slightly higher oil price will lead to lower emissions is hard to pin down. On the one hand, more expensive oil encourages efficiency. But on the other, slightly higher oil prices will have little direct impact on the fuels that matter most for warming emissions鈥攃oal, gas, nuclear and renewables used for electricity.

Outright refusal to approve Keystone would also give away some leverage the United States might have on Canada, a country that, today, . Canadian officials have signaled that they would do more to form a cohesive climate strategy in exchange for U.S. approval of the cherished pipeline. Getting serious about climate change requires getting serious about strategy and about using leverage where it exists.

The use of simple slogans is good for rallying people to the streets and donors for election campaigns. But on Keystone the simple slogans lead to exactly the wrong environmental policy.

is a professor at UC San Diego's School of International Relations and Pacific Studies, and the director of the . He is also the author of .

The post Blocking the Pipeline Won鈥檛 Slow Global Warming appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

President Obama on February 24 vetoed the Keystone pipeline proposal, a move which doesn鈥檛 close the book on the pipeline but concludes a six-year chapter of political posturing.

Debate over the $7 billion, 1,700-mile proposed project, which stretches from the tar sands mines of northern Alberta south through the Great Plains to refineries on the Gulf Coast, has raged for six years now. Along the way, it has become a line in the sand for environmentalists who staunchly oppose the pipeline and a nonnegotiable demand for supporters who claim it will finally end our dependence on Middle Eastern oil. As the proposal has crept through multiple State Department review processes, Native American land and treaty rights鈥� disputes, and major court battles in Texas and Nebraska, the petroleum industry has complained that Keystone is now the most debated pipeline in history. They say it鈥檚 time to build.

Republicans in Congress听argue that Keystone XL is a much-needed infrastructure project that will provide tens of thousands of jobs and keep gas prices low. Obama that he disagrees and has ridiculed Republicans for citing the State Department鈥檚 assessment that Keystone XL would create roughly 42,000 jobs, pointing out that TransCanada, the company that would oversee the project, projected those jobs would last less than a year. After that, just 35 permanent jobs would remain. As for claims about gas prices or the larger economy, the president has been blunt. 鈥淚t鈥檚 good for the Canadian oil industry,鈥� he , 鈥渂ut it鈥檚 not even going to be a nominal benefit to U.S. consumers.鈥�

Despite Obama鈥檚 veto threat, the House of Representatives on January 9, with 29 Democrats voting in favor. On听January 29, the legislation passed the Senate on a 62-36 vote鈥攕till five shy of the 67 needed to override a presidential veto.

Now we can expect intense horse-trading in the effort to muster the remaining votes. But New York Senator Chuck Schumer that the Democratic caucus can sustain Obama's veto.听If they do, it will be up to Obama alone to decide whether to reject Keystone XL outright or to approve it as part of a larger energy package. For those hoping for a definitive statement about which way he鈥檚 leaning, Obama was frustratingly vague during his January 20 . He touted the fact that the United States is now the top producer of wind energy, but he also praised our place as the leading producer of oil and gas. Economic growth in the new century will require wholesale rebuilding of our infrastructure, he said. 鈥淪o let鈥檚 set our sights higher than a single oil pipeline. Let鈥檚 pass a bipartisan infrastructure plan that could create more than 30 times as many jobs per year and make this country stronger for decades to come.鈥�

What shape such a plan might take鈥攁nd what part Keystone XL will play鈥攚ill be the subject of furious debate in the coming months.

Ted Genoways () is the author of The Chain: Farm, Factory, and the Fate of Our Food, as well as a contributing writer for Mother Jones and editor-at-large of onEarth Magazine. He wrote about Alberta's tar sands in the December 2014 issue of 国产吃瓜黑料.

The post What to Expect From the Debate in 2015 appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

On the spectrometer of thrills, winter driving lies somewhere between utilitarian necessity and white-knuckle extreme sport. But now that gas is affordable and holiday lights are twinkling from the East Coast to L.A., it鈥檚 time to hit the open road and give the ultimate test to your car鈥檚 pimped-out winter extras鈥攈eated steering wheel and front seats, windshield wiper de-icers, snow tires and all-wheel drive to name some. Once you鈥檝e got your car dressed for the season, drive on with confidence through these eight winter wonderlands.

Alaska: Northern Exposure

Anchorage to Talkeetna
Distance: 226 miles, round trip
Time: 3-5 days

This 226-mile, out and back will make you feel like an Ice Road Trucker. An hour north of Anchorage on the Glenn Highway, stop off in the Mat-Su Valley to Nordic ski on the 10K trail system , in the middle of 8,060-acre Government Peak Recreation Area. At mile 98.7 on the George Parks Highway, turn right on the Talkeetna Spur Road. Talkeetna is a town of 1,329 tough souls sitting in the shadow of Denali and is the real-life model for . There, ditch the aslphalt for some air with a fixed wing flight around the snowy peaks. Go at sunset and catch the alpenglow on Denali. Bed down at . The owner, Trish Costello, bakes famously large and gooey cinnamon rolls.

Oregon: Christmas Tree Capital of the World

Portland to Mount Hood to Oregon City to Portland
Distance:137 miles, round trip
Time: 3-4 days

Let it roll through the 鈥淐hristmas Tree Capital of the World.鈥� From Portland, take the听听1.5 hours on I-84 and U.S. 26 to听. Explore Mount Hood鈥檚 3,690 vertical feet of terrain on top of an 11,245-foot volcano and warm up with hot cocoa around one of three massive fireplaces in the lodge. Top off the day with a sleigh ride through the snowy, historic streets of听听before holing up in a king-size fireplace suite back at the lodge. On the way back to Portland, loop through Oregon City on Oregon 99E to get your holiday fill along the 鈥溾�� where you鈥檒l find thousands of sparkling lights, music, and bonfires.

New York City & Pennsylvania: Norman Rockwell Countryside

Manhattan to Bradford
Distance: 348 miles, one way
Time: 7 days

Shop your way through Williamsburg, SoHo, and Fifth Avenue, , then exit onto I-80 to drive 348 miles northwest through Norman Rockwell countryside before stopping in Ellicottville, for a few runs at , the largest private ski resort in North America. Warm up with hot chocolate under the town鈥檚 three-story Christmas tree, then turn south on U.S. 219 bordering the evergreen forests of Allegany State Park to the , which has its own ice-skating pond, sledding hill, cross-country ski trail network, and secret ice fishing spots stocked with walleye. No need to worry about catching a chill. The lodge has 43 fireplaces.

New Mexico & Colorado: Soak and Ski

Santa Fe to Wolf Creek Ski Area听
Distance: 152 miles, one way
Time: 3-4 days

It will be hard to extract yourself from the silver coin margaritas, green chile stew, festive farolitos, and wafts of burning pi帽on pine drifting through Santa Fe, but the early-season skiing at , which gets an average dump of 430 inches of snow per year, is worth it. Book a room down the mountain in Pagosa Springs at the 29-room LEED-certified , which allows 24-hour access to 23 , one of which spews out of the earth at 114-degrees. The winter wonderland you鈥檒l find along U.S. 84 on this 152-mile drive is classic Southwest, varying from the flat-topped peak of 9,862-foot , in Georgia O鈥橩eefe鈥檚 old stomping grounds near Abiquiu, to the jagged white San Juans.

Vermont & New Hampshire: White Mountain National Forest

Burlington to Jackson
Distance: 142 miles, one way
Time: 3-5 days

If Santa Claus lived in the Lower 48, he鈥檇 probably set up shop up in , an idyllic winter burg in the midst of the White Mountains with red covered bridges and 154k of cross-country ski trails. To fuel the journey, start in Burlington, Vermont, with a cup of La Golondrina Colombia at , then drive 142 miles due east on I-89 to Montpelier and U.S. 2 and 302 through White Mountain National Forest. Stop off at to bomb a few downhill runs before heading to the to balance your chakras at the spa, fuel up with pan-seared salmon in Champagne sauce, and bed down in a barn room before hitting the xc trails.

Nevada & Utah: New Year鈥檚 Eve in Zion

Las Vegas to Zion National Park
Distance: 244 miles, one way
Time: 7-10 days

Watch the Bellagio fountains and catch La Reve at the in Las Vegas before bombing 244 miles northeast on I-15 through the dry desert to the high cliffs of and spooky hoodoos of . Time it with the New Year and join REI on a that includes trekking across a forested plateau and taking a New Year鈥檚 Eve hike up Walter鈥檚 Wiggles, a series of 21 steep switchbacks to Scout Lookout in Zion. Stay at a private ranch and ring in the New Year right鈥攖hat is, if you still have any energy left.

Texas: The Stars at Night, Are Big and Bright

Texas Hill Country
Distance: 345 miles, spoked
Time: 4 days

This is a 345-mile, spoked wagon-wheel of a road trip that follows the 鈥溾�� through some quaint 'burbs in Texas Hill Country. The hub, Johnson City, is President Lyndon B. Johnson鈥檚 birthplace strung up with one million lights over the holidays. There likely won鈥檛 be white fluff here, but 58 miles northwest of Johnson City is听, a garden of granite domes and boulders with more than three dozen crack, roof, chimney, and other climbs ranging in difficulty from 5.0 to 5.11. Almost 12 miles east of Johnson City is听, with the seven-mile Wolf Mountain hiking trail that wraps around Tobacco and Wolf Mountains. Stay at the听that sits on 1,000 acres and has 50-mile views.

Minnesota & Wisconsin: Ice Caves

Duluth to Hayward
Distance: 240 miles, round trip
Time: 3-5 days

Get an early start for this roughly a 240-mile loop that starts in Duluth and immediately crosses into Wisconsin on state route 13 for a visit to the otherworldly ice caves of the lining the Bayfield Peninsula on Lake Superior. If the ice is solid, hike into a surreal world of icicles and whorled frozen drama. Stay at the in Bayfield before heading south on U.S. 63 to Hayward and the best Nordic skiing in the country along the 107k . Return to Duluth for the dazzle of , a massive and free million-light Christmas extravaganza on the shore of Lake Superior.

The post The Best American Winter Road Trips appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.