Welcome to American Backcountry’s Notes from the Trail. Here we share stories and thoughts from some of our favorite contributors. Each mountain is different and each trip has a different story – these are notes collected along the trail.
With 2019 just around the corner, you might already be working on your hiking bucket list. To give you a head start, we selected some of our favorite national hiking spots to pick from. A tour around some of these breathtaking National Parks will leave you itching to start planning your next getaway and ticking off your National Park Tee collection!
The Coconino National Forest is a 1.856-million-acre National Forest located in northern Arizona in the vicinity of Flagstaff. Devils Bridge is the largest natural sandstone arch located in the Sedona area of the Coconino National Forest and features a very popular hike that offers breathtaking views of Red Rock country. The hike is a moderate 4.2 miles out and back trail that features beautiful wild flowers in the spring. This trail can get very crowded so it’s best to arrive early and head out early.
PRO TIP: Hydration is always key on any hike, but especially important in hot, dry places like Arizona. Dry heat, plus little to no water during the hike, makes for important planning, especially if you are running or carrying littles ones. You want to aim for 1 liter of water, per person.
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is a state park on California’s Pacific coast. McWay Falls – one of the park’s main features – drop over a cliff of 80 feet into the Pacific Ocean (WOW). The Ewoldsen Trail in Big Sur offers much of California’s diverse topography all in one hike. Check out some of California’s beautiful redwood groves and grassy valleys, as well as coastal mountaintops that offer views of the Pacific. This loop trail is a little more than a 5-mile round-trip with camping options available.
Need a family-friendly hike? Fallen Leaf has you covered. Fallen Leaf is a beautiful spot to visit, get out on the water, or enjoy excellent trails. In fact there are routes perfect for an easy walk, strenuous hike or trail run, all with the reward of incredible views! Numerous gentle trails connect around the lake, Taylor Creek, and the nearby campground with views of Mt. Tallac and the Desolation Wilderness. It’s a great hike to find wildflowers in the spring, and the aspens along Taylor Creek are beautiful in the fall. Approximately 1-3 miles round trip.
Lake Tahoe is big (122,200 acres, to be exact) so we just couldn’t include only one hike in this list! With so many trails to pick from, lake views are on the top of our list with mountain views falling a close second. This is a moderate 4.9 mile trafficked out and back trail perfect for a sunny afternoon. With incredible views of the lake the entire way you will want to keep your eyes open and hike slow to catch all the beauty.
Visit up to 5 of the 6 major waterfalls in Dupont State Forest in North Carolina. It starts as an easy path to some of the most spectacular waterfalls in the area: Hooker, Triple, and High Falls. Covered picnic shelters with views of the falls make for excellent family outing possibilities. If you wish to continue to Grassy Creek and Bridal Veil Falls, this will become a moderate hike. You’ll cross the big covered bridge and pass a beautiful mountain lake on the way – well worth the extra effort!
So what are you waiting for? Grab your favorite hiking tee, your boots and a map or two and enjoy the freedom of the trail!
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