The Top 10 Hiking Trails in the United States

Monday, December 19th, 2011

Americans have always been fond of hiking and it is one activity that never loses its beauty and merit in the USA. Whether you are a tourist or a resident, you should be excited to explore the different hiking areas here. Residents might know of the best hiking areas but tourists are often confused about where to start the adventure from. You might find a lot of travel and hiking related books but they will never tell you about the top hiking places you should visit.

1. Glacier National Park:

   Not only a must visit in the United States, but the Glacier National Park is one of the best hiking areas of the world. Forests, lakes, alpine meadows, etc. are all a part of this beautiful park. You can find many different species of animals and birds in the park. It is quite astonishing to see that more than 250 species of birds make their home in Glacier National Park. There is a 700 mile hiking amazing hiking trail in the midst of all this giving it some awe inspiring scenes. It sure is an unforgettable experience at the Glacier National Park.

2. The Appalachian Trail:

   With a hiking trail of 2175 miles, the Appalachian Trail is recognized as one of the longest hiking trails of the world. The trail will take you through Maryland, Tennessee, New York, Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Georgia, and New Jersey. Enjoy the beauty of the States in a way you never have before!

3. Zion National Park:

   It might not be a very long hiking trail but to be sure it is a beautiful and adventure filled one! The Zion National Park covers an area of around 230 square miles. A fun fact for this park is that the Mojave Desert, Colorado Plateau and the Great Basin meet here. There are canyons and tall cliffs here as well so you can do some good photography.

4. Grand Canyon National Park:

   This is a name you will find nearly everywhere when they talk about the hiking trails in the USA. It is situated in the Colorado Plateau Park and is considered as one of the most beautiful trails of the world.

5. Yosemite National Park:

   Again a very stunning trail! The trails of the Yosemite National Park are known for the magnificent views they offer. It is situated in Sierra Nevada consisting of a lot of waterfalls, forests, meadows, etc.

6. North Country National Scenic Trail:

   The perfect spot for hikers is the North Country National Scenic Trail. It embraces all the factors that will make your journey memorable. It also has a place amongst the longest trails in the world and sprawls more than 4000 miles.

7. Pacific Crest Trail:

   The Pacific Crest Trail is a treat for hikers as it covers over 2650 miles and takes you through the three major states: Oregon, Washington and California. It is amongst the most popular trails of the world.

8. Continental Divide Trail:

   This hiking trail goes from Mexico to Canada, and is a very unique one that can offer you some much diversified sceneries and cultures. The length of this trail is around 3000 miles and it also touches Colorado, Montana, Idaho, New Mexico and Wyoming.

9. Denali National Park:

   Located in Alaska, the Denali National Park is a treat for summer hiking lovers. In summer, the park gets nearly 12 hours of sunlight.

10. Kalalau Trail:

    Last but not the least; the Kalalau Trail is located in Kauai Hawaii. It is a hiking trail for people looking for some true adventure. The best part is that the trail ends on a Kalalau Beach so bring your bathing suit!

How to Stay Safe During Your Camping Trip

Tuesday, September 13th, 2011

Camping can be a dangerous undertaking because it requires you to spend an extended time in the great outdoors. If you’re planning to take your children camping with you, then you need to spend extra time examining certain precautions that you need to take. What should you worry about when you’re about ready to go, though? This article will give you a few common concerns and what you should do to prepare for them.

Watch the Weather

Being outdoors, it’s very important that you pay very close attention to the forecast when you’re going camping. If you’re going in the winter months it can be extremely dangerous if you camp in the midst of a snowstorm because you could easily run out of food and have no way of getting back to civilization. Be sure to watch the weather reports and if you’re already at your campsite you can always ask any rangers or other campers you see what the forecast looks like.

Bring the Right Supplies

Brining supplies with you can help you feel much safer during your trip as it offers you a backup and can be used anytime an unexpected problem occurs. Common supplies include: bug spray, extra food, and medications. It’s extremely important that you bring any medication that a family or friend needs in case they have any issue during the trip. You should also bring a first aid kit as it’s very easy to be injured by falling or possibly by an animal in an extended visit.

Plan Ahead

Perhaps the best thing you can do before going on your camping trip is planning ahead. Plan things like where you’re going to camp and for how long you’re going to stay. This planning should include both of the previous items, watching the weather and considering the essential supplies. It’s important that you think of any possible problem that can occur while you’re camping and be ready to address it accordingly.

Use Common Sense

Not using common sense is probably the cause of most problems that occur in the woods. Don’t attempt to do anything that could be potentially fatal, and make sure you follow basic camping guidelines such as leaving food out near or inside of the tents. With a little common sense it should be easy for you to avoid any problems that you could experience.

If you follow the above advice it should be easy for you to plan a fun and safe camping trip for you and your family.

Photo Credits: Omer Simkha