The Arizona Trail (AZT), one of only 11 official National Scenic Trails in the country, is an 800-plus-mile stretch, spanning north-south from the US-Mexico border to Utah. Along the way, a diverse population of hikers, backpackers, cyclists, trail runners, trail builders, nature enthusiasts, cross-country skiers,...
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The first 100 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail are often a heady mix of desert views, strong winds, rattlesnakes, long stretches without water, and free apple pie. As you start to plan your 2017 PCT hike, here are a few things to anticipate along Section...
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Last week, we shared how Wilderness Press will #OptOutside on Black Friday by shutting down our website for the day while we all spend time outdoors. We invited our authors to join us, REI, and other industry leaders and were met with a resounding "YES!" Here are...
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2017 sounds like a great year to cross "summiting Mount Whitney" off your bucket list. And since you probably want to maximize your chances of summiting, you have to time your trip just right. In the Sierra Nevada, the absolute best conditions generally exist during July and...
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Pacific Crest Trail hikers see plenty of stunning mountain and desert views from the trail. But every so often we come upon something so remarkable it cries out for pausing and tipping one's hat in admiration. I call it PCT Art, and here's my work-in-progress collection. ...
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I was ready for the long stretches without water sources, the midday heat, and trail closures due to wildfires and endangered frogs. I knew exactly where to find the big elevation gains, confusing trail splits, and major road crossings. But, as I section-hiked the PCT...
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The timing of my backpacking trip through the Sierras had more to do with permit availability than with peak fall colors or precipitation levels. But I lucked out in both areas: There was no rain and plenty of beautiful foliage during a four-day trip along...
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Back in June, I got to meet Mike White, author of Lassen Volcanic National Park, at two Sportsman's Warehouse events in Reno and Carson City, Nevada. He strongly encouraged the #YourLead van to pay a visit to Lassen Volcanic National Park, an often-overlooked park nestled in...
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September means that it's officially fall food season! Bring on the pumpkin, the maple, and the hearty, comforting meals. This baked bar from A Fork in the Trail can be eaten as breakfast or a snack, and contains just the right amount of nutmeg to taste like September, if...
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In August, America celebrated one of the greatest birthdays of all (in our opinion)—the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service. We are so fortunate to have protected places like these. [caption id="attachment_3963" align="alignnone" width="640"] Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited park in the...
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