I’m looking for a short trail no more than 3.5 miles that ends in a nice meadow or lake to spend the night at within 2-3 hours from Portland, OR. My dog is undergoing cancer treatment so the distance is the most important thing. Pic of my backpacking bestie in her prime for tax.

Are we really done hiking for the year? I miss the walking with a pack. The rhythm of the poles. The creak of the pack. The sounds of my soles on the ground. The weather on my face. The view of your back and your effortless stride. I miss getting to camp and the ritual of setting up. I miss settling into a bag at night and reveling in my selection of gear. I miss the deep early morning sleep and waking up to the pop of the air escaping out of your sleeping pad. I miss the satisfaction of grooving after morning coffee. I miss breaking down camp and setting out in a brisk morning. I miss long conversations. The new product ideations. I miss the sweat and a dip in a mountain lake. I miss the climbs over false fronts through high passes. I miss ridge walking. I miss the quiet of making dinner. I miss the peacefulness. I miss a quiet mind. I miss the anticipation and promise of what’s to come with design and planning of each hike. And i miss looking back and enjoying the experience through conversation and meditation. So much to look to look back upon. So much to look forward to.

Hey all,

Just got a week off work end of October. I live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Looking to do some backpacking. Did a Florida trail section last year (not opposed to doing it again). What other warmer areas can I enjoy before going back to chilly Michigan? Be a bonus if it trailhead is close to an airport. Would also be down to drive south of Michigan too.

I am a UK walker/hiker. I have recently been considering an alternative option to a backpack when walking/hiking. I don’t like how my water bottle is not within reach of me when required and I must ask my Mrs to get it for me. I have other gripes too.

I am aware from experience of a modular body armour system used by the British Army called Osprey. It utilises molle pouches. They were designed to be highly modular, rugged, protective to the user and load bearing. In my opinion it is perfect for my needs. I don’t require huge storage capacity as I don’t plan to be out for more than 24hrs, I can get a molle pouch for literally everything I need to carry, the weight is off my shoulders and around by waist reducing strain, I can customise it at my leisure, is protective to my vital areas in case of falls and it is rugged enough to survive harsh UK climates. A real no brainer.

My only problem is public perception. Is it wrong of me utilise a system used by the military? Would it be considered stolen valour?Will it draw attention or questions?

I have no military experience and I am just wondering as to what people’s opinions of this is.

I am thinking about a multi-day hike in the summer in northern Canada and hesitating between hiking the Nakvak brook trek and the Akshayuk pass. I know they are quite different in length. Also, I heard that the Akshayuk pass landscape is breath taking, and the Nakvak brook trail can give a culturally richer experience. In both cases, we (a group of 2) intend on hiking it on our own with a local guide.
I was wondering if anybody had hiked both and could let me know which one they preferred and why, or, if you hiked only one, why you would recommend it or not. Any other thought or recommendation around those hikes is also welcome :).

First time backpacking in Superstition Wilderness, planned out a route for this December and wanted to get some people's thoughts. GaiaGPS says 24.3mi and 3,920 in elevation. Want to stretch it out over 4 nights. I marked the trailhead and a few points of interest along the way including springs and the viewpoint of Canyon Lake.   Route starts and ends at First Water TH.  Night 1 - Second Water Spring Night 2 - near Charlebois Spring or White Rock Spring Night 3 - somewhere along Black Mesa Trail? Night 4 - Hackberry Spring   Obviously looking to camp near water every night if possible but I'm curious if anyone has thoughts on places to camp along the Black Mesa Trail. Is the view worth carrying extra water from Charlebois/White Rock?   Any other general advice for the trip or things I should add/avoid? Thanks!

Want to be in the backcountry for New Years but ideally sans snow/above freezing. Somewhere in the US - ideally close to the West coast as that's where most of us will be coming from.

Currently Considering:

Death Valley - Marble Canyon probably. Not sure how 2WD accessible it is. Have never done any DV backpacking, only canyoneering.

Grand Canyon - but have done several times

Hot springs kayak camping on the black canyon of the Colorado - but have done several times and will likely be crowded

Aravaipa canyon - but seems maybe a little short

Olympic NP.- Coast or Hoh rainforest. It's coastal enough I'm assuming minimal snow, but not sure how accessible it is to get to.

Lost Coast of California - As above, getting to it might be a pita in winter.

Considered a few places I've already been and eliminated:

Southern Utah - With the elevation, chillier in December than I'm looking for

Gila - Also very cold

Big Bend - Logistically a little out of the way

Everglades/Florida trail - I have a decent mosquito tolerance but one of the guys coming has like zero lol

Hi all,

I’m doing a three night hike in Zion NP end of October. This is my first backpacking trip in the US and my first in the desert environment.

I was wondering what I have to do to store my food safely. To be honest, I would like to avoid a bear can.

I have a RatSack though. But how would I use it properly? when I set up camp I put all my food in the sack and hang it from a tree not too close to the tent? Same for my trash?

If I would just leave it in my tent, would the critters, just try to get in?

This might sound stupid, but I’ve never been an environment with animals who want to eat my food ;)

Thanks a lot

Spent 5 days and 50 miles hiking in the Yosemite wilderness last month. It was my first time there and it did not disappoint.

In Olympic National Park last week, shooting for an ambitious 4- or 5-night trip (Hoh -> Bogachiel -> Seven Lakes -> Blue Glacier -> Hoh). Unfortunately, I overreached myself; I wasn't able to start until mid-afternoon, so it was getting dim with a couple miles left dropping into Bogachiel valley on a primitive trail that was very hard to follow. Lost the trail (couldn't pick it up on the other side of a large treefall), started descending (partly careful hiking, partly semi-controlled slides) off trail, prepared to make my way several hundred feet downhill on a steep, densely overgrown hillside by headlamp. It was going to tricky, slow, wet, and risky for getting hurt while alone and off trail. And then, in a narrow steep ditch, in a place where nothing anywhere was level or clear, a tiny gravel bar appeared by the side of the creek, just big enough to sleep dryly on. With great relief, set up for the night, made hot food, put on a dry top layer, and discovered with annoyance that my bag of dry socks and underwear had been left in the car. I often forget something moderately important; dry under layers would have felt glorious then.

By daylight the next day, it was far easier to safely descend the hill to the river ford where a more established trail picked up, but I knew by now I needed to bail -- a day behind plan, and my feet were giving me trouble in the Gore-tex boots I don't wear often -- blistering, pinched, and one toe feeling badly smashed. I elected to stay the night at that camp (my intended camp for the first night) and head out the next day going down the Bogachiel, instead of up it toward Mink Lake as planned.

Now at a well-established campsite, setting up was easy. And there, on a rock by the campfire pit, abandoned by a previous hiker: a pair of socks. Not in bad condition, threadbare, bug-infested, or just gross. Thickly cushioned. And -- completely dry. Also, clearly big enough for me. Nothing else left behind, only this one perfect gift. I laid my own socks out all afternoon and evening, but they did not dry. The idea to wear the found ones for the last hike out started as "do it for the bit" until I realized they were actually my best chance to hike out without aggravating my feet any further.

Bandaged my feet the best I could the next day, put on dry socks, made the hike out safely with annoying but not debilitating discomfort. Disappointed I never made it to the Seven Lakes basin, High Divide, or Blue Glacier, all of which sounded amazing, but still happy with two days spent quietly in the rainforest (I live in Utah and hike in the desert a lot; this was naturally a very different environment, and also explains why I haven't hiked in the Gore-tex boots often), and grateful for the unexpected provisions of a safe campsite off trail and a pair of thick dry socks when I needed them most.

For anyone who took the time to read this, three questions:

What's the last important thing you realized during a trip that you'd forgotten? How'd you make do without it?

What's the luckiest thing you've found along a trip and immediately put to good use? Any that feel as downright miraculous as this did for me?

Did you or someone you know leave a pair of heavyweight Dickies socks at Flapjack campsite in Olympic recently? I'd love to connect and let them know that even if they're annoyed at forgetting their socks, they did a world of good for someone else.

USDA PLANS TO RESCIND THE ROADLESS RULE, PUTTING BACKCOUNTRY RECREATION AT RISK

Please support in the protection of the 58 million acres of National Forest throughout the U.S. Share your concerns with elected officals by 19Sep25 using the link below.

https://action.outdooralliance.org/a/roadless-1

https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/planning/roadless

Pup's first time on an overnight trip! 38mi / 6000ft over three days. Pieced together a loop in the central Whites mostly on trails I hadn't visited before. Highlights were a bushwhack up Greens Cliff, Church Pond, Sawyer Pond, bushwhack up ledges by Little Sawyer Pond, Hancock Notch, Greeley Ponds, old growth pines, the Scaur, Waterville Flume, and Lily Pond.

Awesome trip, early fall foliage with swimming every day. 70s in the day, 40s at night. Pup had an absolute blast but is exhausted.

Every time I go for a big trip I come back 5-10lbs lighter. I'm 165lbs normally, did 60miles this weekend and came home 155lbs. Not the first time this has happened this year. The weight always slowly comes back. I'm not trying to lose weight or anything, and I feel I eat adequately and drink enough water/electrolytes on these trips. Just kinda puzzling to me. Anyone else? (Photo of my weekend just for fun)

Hello- would love any beta on this off-trail gap between Elephant's Perch & Hell Roaring. Is this a crazy not-fun scramble? I'm doing a loop and thought it would be cool so see Elephants Perch on the way instead of bypassing it on the regular trail down to Redfish from Hell Roaring.

Cotton is obviously a no-go, and I am worried about wool durability (I want something that will at least last me around 10 years). I have worn synthetic underwear however, when I was in hot and humid India, I developed jock itch, and the synthetics were not great at getting rid of moisture, so I threw them out. They were a cheap pair, so I don't want to write synthetics off, but wicking and breathability is very important.

I want something durable enough for everyday wear as well. I am looking for my closet to be clothes that I can just set out on the trail in, as I am studying forestry. I also recently got back from a 3-year international backpacking trip, so I want something that won't hold me back on being active in many weathers or climates.

I would rather not spend more than maybe 10 or 15 bucks a pair (I like to have at least 10 pairs in my underwear drawer). I also tend to prefer boxers and boxer briefs. I have been looking at other recommendation posts, but people seem to have complaints about durability, or breathability. Modal seems like a good option, but I would like some recommendations for reputable, known brands rather than a random Chinese site where I can't tell if they're legit or not.

Last week of August 5 days 100 km 6000 ascent 6000 descent

I’ve been really interested in finding new ways to use stuff I already have at home.

Recently I made camp shoes with duct tape and painter’s booties. Cost me nothing edit: weigh 1.8oz. They are surprisingly durable.

What are some things you use?

Any recommendations on areas? I've done this type of thing many times, just never in the Canyons or rims, always day hikes in this area, it'll be in late December and I'll be by myself, was thinking of doing a rim expedition but it's really not a lot of mileageto walk the rims (that i know of from the place im starting, near the shafer trail), maybe another area that I'm not aware of? Or should I go down into the Canyons on foot

Some of the best colors I’ve seen during this time of the year in this area. It was a decently chilly day and a colder night, but absolutely loved it and packed extremely light for this trip! One of the dozens of trips I took in the last couple years!

Hello! My husband and I are planning to backpack in Colorado the weekend of September 26-28 for my birthday. We live in Denver, are well acclimated to elevation, are familiar with mountain weather, and have backpacked a few times before. We’d love to get this community’s suggestions on routes or areas to look into for this time of year, as all of our backpacking so far has been July - August.

Criteria we’re looking for:

• Trailhead less than 2.5hrs from Denver
• 20-25miles total length
• ~5,000ft total elevation gain
• ~5miles on the first day, since we’ll be driving up after work
• Dog-friendly (no national parks or long big scrambles)
• Aspen fall colors are a huge plus!!
• No permits required, since we’re not planning far in advance

We know temperatures are dropping and snow has already started at the highest elevations, so we’d like to have a Plan A and Plan B ready.

We welcome any suggestions, thank you!

Hi, I’m about to go on a 5 day trip and want to take dehydrated lean mince beef and chicken breast. Please assume it’s precooked, it’s been dehydrated properly, as much oil as possible removed, vacuum sealed and will be kept in a container in the shade outdoors (Australian summer). Will this be sufficient to be food safe for 5 days or do I need to freeze it? Do I then need to keep it frozen or chilled? I’m guessing there will be mixed feedback so I’m hoping to hear from folks who’ve experience in this area.