William O. Douglas was the longest-serving justice on the US Supreme Court. He’s also the only Supreme Court justice to lead a 185-mile hike through a national park.
Whenever he needed to think deeply about a case before the Supreme Court, Associate Justice Douglas would take a long walk on the towpath of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.
For Douglas, the C&O was a haven from the trappings of life in Washington, D.C., and a place to uplift his spirit amid the forests and falls of the Potomac River. To maintain his health, which had been poor during his childhood, he was accustomed to walking 15 or 20 miles on the towpath on a Sunday afternoon. So he was incensed to read, in the Jan. 3, 1954, edition of The Washington Post, an editorial in support of a proposal to pave over the canal — “no longer a commercial or scenic asset,” the paper claimed — and turn it into a parkway.
Douglas, however, was of the opinion that zooming by those beauties at 60 miles per hour was pointless. The wonders of the canal’s landscape were to be enjoyed slowly and intimately, he believed, and he penned his own letter, which ran on Jan. 19, 1954, in response.
“It is a refuge, a place of retreat, a long stretch of quiet and peace at the Capitol’s back door — a wilderness where man can be alone with his thoughts, a sanctuary where he can commune with God and with nature, a place not yet marred by the roar of wheels and the sound of horns,” he wrote.
If you love your dog and love being active and outside, taking your pup hiking is about as good as it gets. As summer gets into full swing you may be just as likely to meet a four-legged fellow hiker on the trail as another person.
So what should you know first before hitting the trail? Know your dog, and know how prepared they are. The basic things to consider are their age, their level of fitness including weight, and their breed plays a role too, because some … like bulldogs, can be more sensitive to heat. That’s a concern not only for heat exhaustion and heat stroke, but breeds with “smushed-in faces,” like pugs and boxers, can have more trouble breathing in warmer temperatures.
Whatever the breed, if they’ve been lounging around in the AC all summer, they need time to acclimate to the heat (just like us), so your first jaunt shouldn’t be a full-day hard scramble. Work your way up to longer hikes over a period of time. Humans need seven to 14 days to get used to heat, so bring your pooch along as you’re working on your own heat tolerance.
A big decision is whether your dog’s going to be an on-leash hiker, or off. Depending on the terrain it can be cumbersome to have them on leash sometimes. But, and this is a huge but, your dog has to have a rock solid recall before you should dream of letting them go (and of course that’s even if dogs are allowed off leash where you’re hiking).
Hiking during the summer can feel like walking across a hot griddle with a blow torch aimed at your face. That’s why park rangers, who encounter lots of park visitors suffering from heat exhaustion and dehydration, want to share some tips to keep hikers safe during the hot summer months.
1. Drink plenty of water. Hydration makes it easier to tolerate heat. Carry extra water and drink periodically, even if you don’t feel thirsty. And if you’re bringing your dog, make sure it has water, too. A good rule of thumb is to turn around and head back once you’ve consumed half of your water supply.
2. Make sure you know how long the trail is before heading out. Hikers sometimes underestimate how long it will take them to hike a trail, especially when they’re tackling rugged terrain.
3. Plan hikes for early in the morning or in the evening, when it’s cooler and the sun isn’t as strong. Take frequent breaks and know your limit. Rest under shade when you can.
4. Wear appropriate clothing — light-colored, lightweight and loose-fitting clothing works best. A hat keeps your face shaded, and a bandana can be dipped in water and worn around the neck to keep you cool.
5. Check the weather before you start your hike so you’re prepared for conditions on the trail.
The dry and barren trail through Havasu Canyon refuses to give up the secret of what waits just eight miles away: an oasis of tumbling waterfalls and lush greenery, with turquoise pools that would seem more at home in Hawaii than in a remote corner of Arizona.
That’s precisely the draw of Havasupai Falls, a roughly four-mile gorge in the Grand Canyon carved over the eons by spring-fed Havasu Creek.
The Havasupai Tribe have for years opened their land to those wishing to explore what may well be the Southwest’s most beautiful tourist destination.
But getting to Havasupai Falls isn’t easy. There are numerous considerations: permits, reservations, weather, hike difficulty and trip planning.
Hiking/campground permits are released for the coming season (March through February) at 8 a.m. Arizona time on Feb. 1 each year. Permits go fast. Within four to five hours, only the least desirable dates are available, typically November and February of the following year.
Starting with switchbacks down canyon walls, the trail quickly levels out as it threads through an ever-narrowing gorge. Plan on a minimum of four hours going in and six hours coming out, depending on your fitness level and backpack weight. And remember: No water is available along the trail.
According to research, wandering off trail is the number one reason, ahead of injury and bad weather, that adult hikers require search and rescue. A study analyzed 100+ news reports over the past 25 years to identify the most common ways adults in North America got lost while hiking in national parks and wilderness, what they did to survive, and how they made it out alive. Forty-one percent of the survivors began their odysseys, which ranged from a half-day missing to 90 days, by accidentally straying from the trail.
Losing the trail can happen to anyone. It’s not about veering off to get a closer look at the wildflowers or to capture a better landscape photo. According to Andrew Herrington, a survival instructor, search and rescue team leader, and wildlife ranger in the Smokies, it happens to alert, experienced hikers too, most often at what he calls a decision point on the trail.
In the study, survivors’ most frequently mentioned source of warmth was clothes (12 percent). Their prevailing form of shelter was camping gear (11 percent). Most survivors had a water source—either their own (13 percent), or one they found (42 percent), be it a lake, creek, or puddle, or derived by licking leaves or sucking moist moss. None of the survivors except one were missing long enough to make starvation an issue, but 35 percent had food they could ration to keep their energy levels up. All these data points suggest that the best way to survive getting lost in a national park is to already have the clothing and gear needed for warmth and shelter during the night, as well as some food and water.
This is not the case with most day hikers, who are more likely to bring a camera than extra clothes in a backpack. Herrington concurs. “If you go backpacking and you get lost, or you get caught out in bad weather, it’s like oh well I’m going to be out here another night and maybe go to bed hungry. No big deal. But when you’re out there and you don’t have a sleeping bag and tent, or extra clothing for the overnight experience, you’re much more vulnerable, and that tends to be where most people get in trouble.”
Consider brushing up on your Norse mythology before venturing to northern Norway for one of Europe’s most surprising hikes. “It’s like God himself took his ax and made a mark in the Earth.” That’s how adventurer Trygve Nygård prepares his guests for the views during walks to the rim of Northern Europe’s largest canyon, which stretches more than 7 miles in length.
If you’re wondering why you should head to roughly 70 degrees north on the globe (that’s above Alaska) to hike, it all has to do with the stunning scenery that awaits at Alta Canyon. After a nearly treeless trek over a section of the Finnmarksvidda plateau, where you’re lucky to run into another hiker, you are met with a shockingly verdant view into a canyon below — one cut through by one of the world’s most famous salmon fishing rivers.
“This is the Arctic. We are far north of Hudson Bay when it comes to latitude, so you need to know what you’re doing here,” says Nygård. “People have died [on the same mountain where the canyon is] during a blizzard in July.”
The trail itself is a natural one of rocks and marshy, muddy patches. It begins on a mountain plateau, with relatively flat and undulating terrain and almost no trees at all. Keep an eye out for stout and sturdy reindeer owned by an indigenous Sami herder. Relatively easy, the path winds for about 1 1/2 miles to the canyon’s rim, along which you’ll walk for another 2 miles or so to reach the grand finale viewpoint.
Ah, the great outdoors. The flora, the fauna, the welcome mystery of the open trail stretched before you. You’ve left it all behind (no cell service, no problems!) until … Wait. Where’s the map? Did you mean to turn left back there? What direction is the campsite anyway? Is it starting to get dark? Don’t lose yourself out there.
Every outdoor explorer needs AllTrails on their phone. The app catalogs over 75,000 trails across the United States and Canada, with handy filters to search trails by skill level, accessibility, or dog-friendliness.
Designed for backpackers, Gaia offers topographical and satellite maps for any kind of outdoor adventure. Whether you’re on a day hike, a mountain biking trip, a hunting excursion, or deep in the backcountry, the app is built to get you where you’re going safely and with as much information as possible.
The topographic maps made by the United States Geological Survey are the gold standard for finding your way through rugged terrain. Topo Maps+ digitizes those maps for over 500,000 trails.
The offline mapping data on Google Maps won’t work for the serious backpacker, but a cheapskate on a leisurely hike, there are worse options. Enable the topographic map layer to see more detail in the areas between landmarks, then download the map of your hiking area for offline viewing.
Summer means sandal time, even on the trails. Swap out your hiking boots for a pair of sturdy hiking sandals to allow for significantly more breathability than closed shoes and faster drying times when you’re fording a stream or getting splashed by rapids. Look for a pair that not only matches your aesthetic but also offers sufficient sole traction and arch support — and keeps your foot comfortably inside.
“A main question that women often have about hiking sandals is whether or not they should get a hiking sandal that has a toe strap,” notes Cassandra Brooklyn, who prepares women for hiking trips around the world.
“Personally, I like the toe ring strap on my Chacos, though my favorite hiking sandals (Tevas) don’t have a strap. I’ve found that women with more narrow feet often find the toe strap helpful to give them grip, particularly if they’re doing any hiking through water or using them for water sports. Women with wider feet (and especially those with wide toes) may find the toe strap uncomfortable.”
Check out this handy guide for a more in-depth explanation of hiking sandal considerations. As with any shoe, you should be sure to try it on in person and walk around in it before taking it out on the trails.
In a lot of other states, warm sunny days mean lazy afternoons spent lounging on the beach. Leave it to Oregonians to pack hiking shoes with their bathing suits.
From towering Neahkahnie Mountain to the chasms of Cape Perpetua, there are hiking trails that run up and down the gorgeous coastline, exploring the forests, dunes, tide pools and beaches that make it up.
The most iconic hikes include easy strolls, solid day hikes and one seriously big adventure to see it all. One of the best things about hiking the Oregon coast is how easily you can access such incredible views, experiencing natural beauty not just from concrete and sand but from relatively isolated dirt trails.
Whether you decide to climb a mountain or take a quick walk down to the beach, there’s nothing quite like a pretty day on the Oregon coast.
Here are 15 incredible hikes to discover it…
The Cliffs of Moher is Ireland’s top tourist attraction, drawing nearly 1.5 million per year. But while the majority of visitors take in these stunning bluffs overlooking the wild waters of the North Atlantic in one of two common ways, there is a third, less traveled route you can take. This hike is the highlight of the Wild Atlantic Way and among the most stunningly beautiful natural excursions in all of Europe.
The Cliffs of Moher are a section of the Irish coastline that, at their highest point near the visitor’s center, rise 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. The cliffs themselves run for about nine miles, though the full hike from one side to the other runs just over 11 miles from Doolin to Liscannor.
The vast majority of visitors arrive by car at the visitor’s center. Most park there, explore the coast and take pictures, maybe wandering up the trail for a quarter mile or so in either direction, before hopping in the car and moving on. Of those who do opt to hike the Cliffs of Moher trail, most of them park at Doolin and hike south, reaching the visitor’s center and hopping the bus back to Doolin.
Your hack to avoid sharing the trail with them, and spend as little time as possible with the tour bus crowd, is to start from Liscannor and hike north. Whether you opt to turn back at the visitor’s center or proceed all the way to Doolin, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views and fewer people.
With warmer weather and melting snowpack, outdoor enthusiasts are enjoying camping and hiking trips in Colorado’s many scenic locations. Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff are frequently asked what someone should do if they encounter a bear while out camping or hiking. Whether you are visiting Colorado for a vacation or are a long-time resident, it’s important to be aware of how to discourage human-bear encounters and how to avoid potential issues before heading out to live life outside.
First and foremost, when recreating in bear country you should remember that bears are not naturally aggressive toward humans; in fact, most bears are inherently wary of people. Physical encounters between humans and bears remain exceptionally rare.
“Bears are incredibly smart animals, and are more likely than not to just leave the area when they hear humans nearby,” says J Wenum, Area Wildlife Manager for CPW in Gunnison. “However, if a bear is accidentally cornered or surprised, or has lost their normal fear of humans, it may react differently.”
Interactions generally occur when bears become too comfortable around humans, often because of an easy or reliable food source, such as improperly stored camping supplies. When bears lose their fear of people, it may lead to them causing damage to property such as cars or RVs, or creating conflict with people at campsites or on the trails.
It’s undeniable that New Zealand has some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world, much of which is found in its 13 national parks that span over 11,000 square miles. Any of these parks will have you recharging your camera battery at the end of a full day.
If you’re a fan of the landscapes featured in any of the Lord of the Rings films, Fiordland National Park will be a highlight. The country’s biggest park sees scores of visitors each year, who embark on scenic boat trips throughout the area’s two main sounds: Milford and Doubtful. The endless mountain ranges in the park also offer great hikes, including the most famous of New Zealand’s Great Walks, the Milford Track.
Located on the west side of the North Island, Egmont National Park is named after the volcano that looms at its core, Mt. Taranaki. The volcano has two names: “Taranaki” being its original Māori name, while Mt. Egmont was what Captain Cook called it when he first came to the region. It is more than 120,000 years old and is New Zealand’s most hiked volcano.
Another Lord of the Rings filming location and New Zealand’s third largest national park, Mount Aspiring is a hiker’s paradise, with some of the most breathtaking landscapes around. There are options to explore river valleys, deep wilderness, or hike on the mountain itself. The area is filled with pounamu (jade).
Don’t worry about finding a dog sitter when you head out for an outdoor adventure. You can bring your furry companion along for all kinds of fun on America’s public lands.
Service dogs are permitted on all public lands, while most national parks allow pets in developed areas. Other locations – such as national wildlife refuges, national forests, and wild and scenic rivers – also welcome pets on designated trails and parts of the backcountry at various times throughout the year.
Don’t forget to check out rules and regulations for each location to know exactly where your dog is allowed.
If you take your dogs on a trip into the great outdoors, make sure to always bag their waste and have a leash handy if required. This ensures you will Leave No Trace and protects your pup, wildlife, and other park goers.
Check out these dog-friendly lands across America where all puppies are welcome…
If you’re thinking about hiking the Appalachian Trail, you probably have a lot of questions. Who better to answer them than the people who have already been there and done that? Experienced thru-hikers were surveyed to get their best advice about hiking the Appalachian Trail.
It can be difficult to get friends and family on board, but reassure them the best you can. For example, demonstrate you have the capability by completing a long shake-down hike. Express how this is something you’ve been dreaming about for a while and that you’ve done your research.
Finances and budgeting on a thru-hike are critical. Save, save, save. If you can’t afford it, don’t go. Save up more than you think you will need. It is likely to cost at least $5,000. Be careful spending at first if starting in the South because the New England states can get expensive.
Physical training for the trail is important. If you can hike 15 miles with a 40 lb. pack then you should be fine for the start. Don’t plan on the AT as your weight loss plan though. If you need to lose weight do so before your trip. Your joints will thank you. You can only train so much though. Eventually the trail itself will train you.
Read on to discover 99 pieces of sterling thru-hiker wisdom from the experts themselves…
Many of us hike all the time, and so going out for an afternoon jaunt is not cause for long, detailed preparation. We take a water bottle and hit the trails. However, for beginners and those planning hiking trips in new locations, it’s important to put safety first.
“Depending on where you hike, if you’re not digging the trip because of weather or you feel tired, sometimes bailing isn’t as easy as calling an Uber,” says Liz Thomas, a record-holding professional hiker, speaker and author. “Learning some safety tips before you head out will give you tools in your back pocket to make smart decisions should things not go 100% as planned. It’ll also teach you to read the signs and avoid problems before they become issues.”
Hiking can be extremely exhilarating, but it can be dangerous for those who are not prepared. Elements, creatures, poison and health are common causes for severe injury or death while hiking. Be prepared, be safety-conscious and be smart. Don’t let pride cloud your judgment. Above all else, have fun.
Here are a few common hiking tips to keep in mind before you slide on your pack and pose for a photo in front of the trailhead.
For most South Koreans, a chance to enter the demilitarized zone, the heavily fortified buffer that has divided the peninsula since the end of the Korean War in 1953, has been rare.
However, a series of newly opened DMZ Peace Trails is allowing curious civilians to get a closer glimpse of North Korea.
On a recent guided tour at the first Peace Trail to open, in Goseong, located on the East Coast of South Korea, a group of around 20 tourists trekked along a trail with rugged coastline on one side and dense forest on the other. Shrubs of sweetbrier, whose fragrant pink flowers are a symbol of the area, stood alongside barbed wire-topped fences and signs warning of landmines.
“This is a very important venue,” said tourist Lee Hyun-mi. “We can feel the scar of the war here.”
Lee said she had seen this trail before from an observation deck nearby and wished that she could trek the 2-kilometer path one day.
“Now that the government has opened this area, I’m so happy,” she said. “Walking along the trail, with every step I’m hoping peace will get closer for the two Koreas.”
With the official start of summer right around the corner many people are excited about hiking in the mountains.
“Well it starts with a good plan and research at home, first and foremost,” DEC forest ranger Howard Kreft said. He says the outdoors are full of surprises and you can never be too prepared.
“You want to make sure you have good sturdy footwear, hiking boots with ankle support. You want to have a map, a compass, extra clothing, layers. You want to have a GPS, your cell phone,” Kreft said.
He says filling out the hiking registry before you start the hike is crucial in case something goes wrong. It’s usually a metal box, with a clipboard inside where you put your name, address and most importantly your phone number.
“The phone number is crucial because it will help us potentially ping their location using a county dispatch center which will help us locate their GPS coordinates” Kreft said.
If something does go wrong out on a hike, Kreft says the more people there the better. “Generally speaking you want to hike with at least one other person if not more. So that if something were to happen you have some people that can help get help” Kreft added.
Kreft says if you get lost or injured on a hike, stay together and try to find a spot with cell service. Getting a signal out in the woods can sometimes be tricky, but letting notifying a family member ahead of a time when you should be back from the hike is key. That way if you don’t come back, they know to alert the authorities.
On Friday, June 21, 2019, a hike along part of the Bartram Trail will impart stories of the man who inspired it, with N.C. Bartram Trail Society member Brent Martin leading the adventure. The hike is one of HCLT’s series of EcoTours available to its members. Anyone can become a member on the hike. Reserve a spot by contacting [email protected] or 828.526.1111, or reserve online at www.hicashlt.org.
At 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 25, 2019, Martin will present a program at The Village Green in Cashiers titled “Blazing Trails: looking into the natural and cultural history of the Bartram Trail.” The program is offered as part of the Green’s Village Nature Series, which brings in experts on various topic related to Cashiers’ natural and cultural heritage. Free.
Bartram traveled the southern colonies between 1773 and 1777, writing a series of books called Bartram’s Travels, published in 1791. They would become one of the first of a modern genre of books that portrayed nature through personal experience as well as scientific observation.
In 1977 the N.C. Bartram Trail Society was established and laid out about 78 miles of hiking trail to roughly parallel Bartram’s original travels.
I am Jeff Clark, founder of Internet Brothers, producer of this blog, and passionate about hiking. I live in Western NC near the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains. Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests are just out my door, so the content will focus on these areas, but let me know what you would like to see on the site. 
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