What are the essential components of a fantastic backpacking trip? Undoubtedly, breathtaking scenery is a requirement. In my opinion, an element of daringness adds to the enjoyment of a hike. Although a lengthy journey through the wilderness can be profoundly inspiring, a number of the best trips in the country can be completed within a few days. Interestingly, almost half of the hikes on this list are less than 50 miles in distance.
Skyline Trail Loop
If you want to experience breathtaking views of Mount Rainier National Park, make sure to include the Skyline Trail Loop on your list of things to do.
Begin your journey from Paradise, passing by the beautiful Myrtle Falls and continuing through lush evergreen forests, until you reach the higher grounds of Mount Rainier. Reach Panorama Point to witness breathtaking scenery of the park, with the added bonus of being able to see Mt. Hood in Oregon on a clear day.
This hike is crucial in Mount Rainier National Park as it offers ever-changing views and gives you the opportunity to get a close look at Mount Rainier, which makes it an unforgettable experience.
Angels Landing
Angels Landing is not just a highly sought-after hiking trail in Zion, but also in the United States overall.
What makes Angels Landing so popular is not only the breathtaking view from the top, but also the challenging ascent along the narrow ridge. This hike is renowned for its vertigo-inducing heights, magnificent vistas, and chain-assisted rock scrambling portions, making it one of the top-rated hikes in the national parks.
To hike Angels Landing, a permit is required.
Grinnell Glacier
The hike to Grinnell Glacier, encompassing stunning alpine scenery, waterfalls, emerald green lakes, wildflowers, wildlife sightings, and, of course, a glacier, is renowned as one of Glacier National Park’s most beautiful hikes.
During this hike, we observed moose, mountain goats, and a bear. The combination of the wildlife sightings and the magnificent landscape contributed to making this one of our most cherished experiences in Glacier National Park.
If you prefer a shorter hike, you have the option to take the boat across Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine, which reduces the distance by 3.4 miles. This means you will only need to hike a total of 7.2 miles. This is an excellent choice for those traveling with children, seeking a picturesque boat ride, or simply not fond of hiking for more than 10 miles.
Devils Garden Trail
With all the necessary elements for an ideal hike in Arches National Park, the Devils Garden Trail allows you to witness eight arches if you complete the full 7.2-mile loop. While traversing, engage in rock scrambling, hike across sandstone rock fins, and appreciate some of the most spectacular park vistas.
The Devils Garden Trail has a great feature – you have the flexibility to choose your activities. You have the option to hike directly to Landscape Arch, which is only 1.6 miles round trip. Additionally, there are two additional trails branching off from the main trail that lead to more arches. Once you reach the end of the main trail, you can either hike back the way you came or challenge yourself by navigating the Primitive Trail.
If you are visiting Arches with your family or a group, some individuals might opt to explore the less challenging trails at the beginning of the hike. For those seeking a more daring experience, they can continue onwards. Once you reach Double O Arch, the trail becomes more challenging (but also more enjoyable) as there are now small parts where you have to scramble over rocks. The vistas from the sandstone fins are unparalleled. To inject some excitement into your day, you can hike back using the Primitive Trail.
A Grand Tour of Yosemite
John Muir witnessed numerous exceptional wilderness areas and dedicated a significant amount of his time and effort to investigate and safeguard Yosemite. Many individuals could convincingly contend that Yosemite is the ultimate national park for backpackers. Following multiple visits, I believed I had witnessed the most magnificent aspects of Yosemite, including various trails in its central region, the stretch of the John Muir Trail within the park, and the summits of Half Dome and Clouds Rest.
Teton Crest Trail
The Teton Crest Trail in Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park was one of my initial major Western backpacking journeys, and it left such an impression on me that I have gone back over 20 times to backpack, dayhike, rock climb, backcountry ski, and paddle a canoe in the Tetons. I cannot fathom a scenario where the rugged horizon fails to give me goosebumps.
The Teton Crest Trail runs through the middle of the national park and nearby national forest lands, going from north to south. It stays above treeline for a significant portion of its length, providing wide views of the peaks. Additionally, it descends into the scenic South Fork and North Fork of Cascade Canyon, as well as Paintbrush Canyon and the upper sections of Granite Canyon. The trail also crosses Paintbrush Divide at an elevation of 10,720 feet.
One of America’s premier multi-day hikes can be achieved through various trails providing multiple route options.
Zion’s Narrows
In Utah’s Zion National Park, a distinctly deep and narrow redrock canyon is formed by the North Fork of the Virgin River. The canyon features towering walls, reaching heights of up to 1,000 feet, which come as close as 20 feet together at certain points. The walls contain cracks that release springs, providing nourishment for vibrant hanging gardens. During clear nights, the space between the overhead rock walls offers a glimpse of a star-filled black sky.
During low-water levels, when backpackers usually descend The Narrows over a span of two days, a significant portion of the time is spent walking in water that is typically ankle-deep, but can occasionally reach waist-deep. This slow progress is due to the presence of a cobblestone riverbed.
The Wind River Range
Although the Winds cannot be considered “undiscovered” by any means, there are certain areas that are quite popular. However, a significant portion of this Wyoming range provides a unique experience of tranquility amidst breathtaking peaks and stunning mountain lakes, with an abundance of lakes to explore. If one were to rank U.S. mountain ranges based on scenery and lakes, I believe the top two contenders would be the Winds and the High Sierra. The debate on which of these is truly the best could potentially take years, considering the number of lakes one would have to visit in the Winds.
Over the past three decades, I have made multiple trips into the Winds, engaging in activities such as climbing, backpacking, and one very long dayhike. Although it is challenging to choose a favorite, certain areas remain memorable for their exceptional features.
