Fall at Finger Lake: Backpacking the Big Pine South Fork TrailA pristine emerald lake? The biggest glaciers in the Sierra? All of the crowds that you think would accompany such a magical spot? Finger Lake is the type of hidden gem that showcases the breadth of amazing locations that California has to offer for those willing to explore off the beaten path. Hiking the Baboon Lakes in Lake Sabrina Basin A little off-trail can go a long way, and the Baboon Lakes are a perfect example of that. Only a few hours drive from LA, this area remains an oasis for people looking to escape the beaten path while keeping their day job. Horseshoe Meadows to Shepherd Pass: Circling the Western Side of Mount Whitney Hiking on the west side of Mount Whitney gives an entirely different perspective on a popular region dominated by the lower 48’s highest mountain. Jagged 14,000 foot peaks, crystal clear lakes, sprawling alpine meadows, and beautiful mountain basins dot a vast landscape that is seldom visited by hikers outside of the narrow confines of the JMT.

Hiking the North Fork of Big Pine This trip was the two year anniversary of Callie’s first backpacking trip and the launch of CaliTrails. We celebrated the occasion by taking our first backpacking trip of the year on one of the Sierra’s best dog friendly trails. The Failed 2013 Sierra Expedition Our grand adventure for the year came to a sudden halt as July monsoons wreaked havoc in the Sierra. North Lake to Lower Lamarck and Wonder Lakes The Wonder Lakes near Bishop lie in a bucolic offtrail Sierra basin with easy weekend access. Big Pine South Fork to Brainard Lake This trip turned out to be a bit of a disaster. The entire point of the hike was to make it up to Finger Lake and check out Middle Palisade towering above the South Fork drainage, but we never made it that far. Onion Valley to Matlock Lake: The Great Escape Taking advantage of another dry winter, Callie and I went on an early season Sierra trip up to Matlock Lake. Quartz Mountain to Chain Lakes: Yosemite Weekender

The Chain Lakes in the southwestern area of Yosemite National Park is an easy place to achieve some solitude in one of America’s busiest parks. Lake Ediza and Thousand Island Lake: Like Old Times After a 20 year hiatus, my dad and I finally got back into the Sierra to rekindle an old father and son tradition.I took these pictures on a 6-day backpacking trip with , , and in the Ansel Adams Wilderness in August 2003. Here is a map with our route indicated. hot topic skunk backpack that the day hikes are cross-country (although there were use trails instm ranger 11 laptop backpack You can see where this area is on a larger map.backpack kununurra I also made a map with clickable arrows pointing in the direction of

The tip of the arrow indicates where I was standing when I took the photo. You may also want to check out the zoomable Topozone map of the same region.Braised Short Ribs Done Right Athleisure Alert: J.Crew and New Balance Collaborate on a New Clothing Line Did Budweiser Just Weigh in On Trump's Immigration Ban? The Green Berets' Secret War with the Taliban More Proof That Thor "The Mountain" Björnsson Is Just a Beast How Two Florida Gym Rats Conquered the Shadowy World of Dietary Supplements "Keep Public Lands in Public Hands!": Montanans Rally in the Capital How to Spot a Crappy Pair of Selvage Jeans With 75,000 miles of trails in the U.S., choosing the perfect multi-day (or week, or month) backpacking trip can be overwhelming. So, with the help of veteran backpacker Jennifer Pharr Davis, who once held the record for fastest hike of the 2,185-mile Appalachian Trail, and American Trails, a non-profit that maintains the largest online resource for footpaths in the U.S., we set out to put together a list of the 20 most spectacular trails.

RELATED: Everything You Need to Pack for a Backpacking TripSome of these, like the Continental Divide Scenic Trail which Meriwether Lewis first crossed in 1805, are rich in history; others follow ancient geographical boundaries that shaped their region. All are wild and remote. The shortest trip, the 30-mile Art Loeb Trail can be completed in a long weekend and follows a ridgeline over the dense Pisgah forest in western North Carolina; the longest, the 3,100 mile Continental Divide National Scenic Trail which will take you from Montana to Mexico, crosses five states. "I've hiked in six continents and consider the U.S. the most wild of any of the places I've been backpacking," says Davis. "It makes you realize there are parts of our country that are still completely untamed." The John Muir Trail stretches from Yosemite National Park through the Ansel Adams Wilderness, Sequoia National Park, and King's Canyon National Park, before ending at 14,496 feet atop Mount Whitney — the highest peak in the Lower 48.

The majority of this trail through the High Sierra backcountry lies above 8,000 feet, making for spectacular views throughout. "This is the crown jewel of them all," says LaRuffa. "It's one of the top trails to hike in the U.S. due to the resounding beauty of the Sierras and the sweeping granite. For people looking for the experience of a long distance hike, this is the one to start off with." Jennifer Pharr Davis agrees. "If you're only going to do one end-to-end trail ever, do this one." Permits for the JMT can take a few years, so apply early. Time to Complete: 2-3 weeks Terrain: Rugged, high-elevation trail that crosses six mountain passes for a total elevation loss and gain of 84,000 feet. Best Segment You Can Do In a Day: Agnew Meadows Trailhead to Ediza Lake (12 miles round-trip). This spectacular hike in Ansel Adams Wilderness hits two lakes, multiple river crossings, views of Shadow Creek Falls, and ample mountain vistas. HTTP Error 404.11 - Not Found