Yosemite has over 800 miles (1,300 km) of hiking trails. There are a variety of trails, and they range from easy to challenging. There are different ways to go about hiking. To prepare, make sure to bring water, snacks, a hat, and sunglasses. Here are the opti

The Puzzle Mountain Trail is ideal for hikers looking for a half-day trip that won't leave them completely drained. The sun shines in little slices through the forested canopies, giving way to viewpoints from rocky ledges. Peaceful streams dot the trail and add another layer of nature to enjoy. There are a couple of technical switchbacks and some scrambling to tackle, but the views of Grafton Notch scattered along the path will be motivation enough to make it to the

Anyone who Googles images of "Grand Canyon traffic" will find photos should long lines of vehicles waiting to enter the national park and parking lots filled to brimming. These images are enough to discourage many a traveler from setting out for the Grand Canyon. Fortunately, these tedious scenes most often play out in the summer. So, anyone visiting in winter shouldn't have to worry about waiting in line, fighting with crowds, or finding a parking spot. This improves the quality of the experience by leaps and bou

Another famous tree was the Wawona Tree. It had a tunnel cut through it that was large enough for horse-drawn carriages and early cars to drive through. However, the tunnel weakened it and it fell in a storm in 1

The majority of the Sierra High Route takes place over 9,000 feet above sea level, which is perfect for conditioning the body to handle high elevations. Altitude sickness can take an AT thru-hiker out of their element, the only relief from the often debilitating flu-like symptoms to descend to lower ground. There is a cumulative elevation gain of 44,000 feet on the Sierra High Route, passing over 30 mounta

The majority of the thru-hike will be spent in a tent out in the wild but there will be towns to stop off in, and these are perfect for resupplying and grabbing a good night's rest. And there's no shame in doing

Other costs, like rental cars, food, and park admission remain the same throughout the year. Winter visitors may even find that they have fewer options since some restaurants and shops open only seasona

The hiking trails in Yosemite are very popular, which means they can get extremely crowded throughout the year. It is best to make reservations and advanced arrangements, especially for those who wish to seek the assistance of gui

The hike is not an easy one but it is worthy of the effort and time one would put in as a thru-hiker. The range of terrains can vary anywhere from desert settings to snow-capped mountains, meaning hikers must be well-prepared to encounter a number of conditions. In total, the trail spans roughly 2,650 miles through the most scenic and beautiful of western U.S. sta

The weekends bring tons of people (and dogs) out for a jaunt on the Ledges Trail. Go during the week to avoid crowds or on the weekend for the opportunity to pat the happy heads of nature Hiking game strategy|https://naturetrailinsight.com/-loving canines. The trail takes hikers through a magical forest that's richly saturated in green during the summertime and glowing with the colors of autumn in the fall. As if the leaf-peeping wasn't enough, guests will enjoy picturesque views from the summit of Pleasant Mountain. With views like these, it's quite pleasant, ind

The answer to that lies in the magic of resupply stops which are towns (or any form of civilization) to which hikers can make an easy detour in order to stock up. Additionally, packages can be sent to these resupply stops so that nothing needs to be purchased; it's worth it to mark these on a map prior to hik

The Giant Sequoia trees of Yosemite National Park are one of the most famous attractions of the park and a must-see. The famous Mariposa Grove is located just out of the Yosemite Valley right by the entrance to the p

Mount Rainier is a mammoth of a mountain , its highest peak clocking in at 14,411 feet. Although the Wonderland Trail loop does not ascend Mount Rainier, there is an impressive elevation gain of 25,436 feet, with several stretches demanding 3,500 feet gain and loss back to back. This is a test to the knees that will prepare hikers for the roughest parts of the Appalachian Tr

Some of the other noteworthy trees in the grove are the Fallen Monarch (which fell over 300 years ago). The Bachelor and Three Graces (they grow so close to each other that if one was to fall, they would all likely fall). The Columbia tree (the tallest tree in the grove at 286 feet or 87 meters). The Faithful Couple (an unusual example where the trees have grown so close that their trunks have fused together at the ba

As at the time of writing the Mariposa Grove is open to the public. Normally there is a free shuttle bus running from the parking lot to the entrance to the grove. But as of the time of writing that service has been suspended. Updates are on the National Park Service's websi