Backpacking Trail Reviews

“This is a great area for camping. The natural bridge and other arches are very cool. There's also some nice areas of water and waterfalls and deep forests on the trail. There's lots of other stuff to do in the greater park area and it's nice in all seasons.”

“Jarbidge is a tiny little spot in the middle of Nevada that is not widely known about but oh man is it beautiful. It's a big area for fisherman. This trail has a lot of elevation over the 20 miles but you can do as much as you like and turn back. Best times to go are in the summer. Visit the little town of Jarbidge too, there's a neat old fashioned jail.”

“I didn't do the entire loop, I did from the trailhead to the Death Canyon patrol cabin and then went up the Alaska basin trail a little ways. This is a very nice and beautiful trail that I very much enjoyed. It is however, very busy so get to the trailhead early to find a parking spot, by lunch time you will almost be unable to find a place to park and will have to walk a mile to the trail. The trail has some nice views of Phelps lake and runs next to the fast flowing creek that goes down the drainage. Lots of spectacular views. ”

“An epic, fantastic backcountry experience, and I would recommend a 4 or 5 day loop. The scenery is stunning and gorgeous and the giant Sequoia trees are amazing. We spent our first night at Paradise Valley. On the John Muir/Pacific Crest Trail portions of the trail there are many hikers this time of year, all with great suggestions and information. There are lots of bear boxes and plenty of water, so filtering good water is not a problem. There are some water crossings, mostly fairly easy, only a few made us nervous. In the Rae Lakes area the mosquitoes are monsters, so buy spray is super important. The water is chilly but exhilarating after a long strenuous day.”

“ This is a popular trail, which is totally understandable. It is beautiful, peaceful (despite the crowds), and Lower Lena Lake is just a wonderful destination whether you attempt it as a day hike or a backpacking excursion. The trail is slightly steep for a little more than the first half, followed by switchbacks. It all becomes easier as you near the lake. The old growth trees start big and then just get bigger the farther into the woods you go. They are so awesome and provide lots of shade.”

“In my experience this is a pretty tough hike. If you like slot canyons it's absolutely worth the effort but you should definitely be an experienced hiker. The various rock formations will thrill any amateur geologist and there's also petroglyphs on some of the canyon walls. I thought it was beautiful but also at times felt a bit claustrophic walking through the slots. We didn't experience the water issues I've read in other reviews but probably that's due to time of year. There's also a section you need to climb down with a rope that made me a bit nervous I admit! I will say one of the best parts was camping and seeing the incredible Utah night sky above us. I recommend this hike but do your research before going and prepare for a tough but rewarding journey.”

“This is a must-do hike for any trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, assuming you and your traveling companions are comfortable with a moderately difficult trail. It’s beautiful and relatively short (as trails go in the Great Smoky Mountains). The hike from the Cades Cove Loop Road to the Falls is 2.5 miles, so it’s a total of 5 miles round trip. The reward of seeing Abrams Falls for yourself makes the hike well worth the effort. The trail is well kept, but it is rocky. You won’t have to wade through water, but you will have to cross over some narrow primitive bridges. Dogs are not allowed. Bicycles are not allowed. ”

“Everything about the Grand Canyon is spectacular and this trail is no exception. This is a demanding trail to do the entire length but you can do smaller portions. Bring lots of water and sunscreen - there are water stations along the way but you should be well stocked with a camelback, etc. to be safe as it gets HOT. We started early in the morning to catch the sunrise and beat the heat and it was still tough. But the views are like nothing you can imagine - it's one thing to see a photo of the Grand Canyon and another to actually be there live and in person and experience it. I give this trail 5 stars but one negative is the trail has a lot of pack mules on it so that can slow you down, especially during crowded days.”

“These lakes are incredible and it is so fun to bring my family and dogs here. Hiking in is not too terribly hard if you plan well. You have various backcountry camping opportunities at the upper, middle, and lower Loch Leven lakes. There are also a few sweet spots at nearby, secluded Salmon Lake if you can nab one. Views are gorgeous everywhere of lakes and forests tucked away in granite. Gorgeous place.”

“This trail is super packed on weekends because it's so popular, with good reason. It is beautiful. If you are bugged by crowds go during the week. I love cooling off in the water next to the waterfall on a summer day. The hike is not too demanding but it still makes you work from time to time.”

“An epic hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. It is tough and definitely not for the faint of heart! We hiked to Boulder Field on the first day and camped, then went to the summit. I loved this as a backpacking/overnight trip, but anyone who hikes this in one day is my hero. It is SO amazing.”

“A great hike, short and sweet! The beautiful lake view at the end is worth it. It is truly a great trail for kids and dogs, too, who really appreciate the cool clear waters of Eagle Lake. Lots of trees along the trail provide shade for most of the hike. ”

“A really cool hike! The wildflowers are beautiful this time of year and Lake Margaret is lovely. Bring water -- it is hot.”

“I took my two Labs on this overnight. It starts out on an old road for the first couple of miles. It meanders through some tall cedars and hemlock trees at the start. Then you reach Rock creek meadows which is a nice wet basin. There is ample water on this trail. plentiful springs and other sources of water. It was a hot two days in the upper 80's. When you reach the upper end of the meadows the road ends and a trail starts of to the right. First check out the old mine at the end of the road. There is a beautiful waterfall there it's a nice place to take a break before heading up the switchbacks to the lake. The lake is just inside the wilderness boundary. Very picturesque. It's a long lake. The campground at the foot of the lake is the only one but there is room for four to five tents. The next morning we went to the head of the lake on a social trail. This trail goes through St. Paul pass at the head of the lake and down to St. Paul lake. Being that it was going to be a hot day I did not want to spend to much time exploring. There is a lot you can explore there. There are some peaks to climb and a very nice lake to swim in. ”

“So breathtaking! We began the trail around noon and got back to the car at 9pm. Mellow incline until the very end, but nothing very difficult - the length is what might be challenging. Wildflowers are still blooming and we spotted some sweet goats along the way. Awesome!”

“This is a really nice, well maintained trail that is pretty doable for all skill levels. My dog and I did this hike-- the lake is cold, beautiful and refreshing. If you have time hike a bit further to Ollalie Lake.”

“This isn't a very difficult trail at all but it is pretty and has a waterfall. You can see the Potomac river and there's some rock scrambling for a more interesting hike. The big downside is it can crowded in the summer but if you like hiking with people around than it's a definitely one you should try out.”

“GPS coordinates were incorrect”

“Beautiful in and out hike. Starts as a gradual uphill walk on soft ground, carpeted with fir needles along a lovely creek. Several burned out logs that you can step inside of and imagine the fire that swept the area in the early 1900’s. Take the short side trail down to Lost Creek Falls to experience a small but lovely water falls, flowing over large moss covered rocks. The hike then goes up another mile of switchbacks till you reach the pristine lake. The half mile walk around the lake is worth it and a nice repose from the uphill hike in. Beautiful views of Mt. Hood from the lake. The trail continues up switchbacks till you reach an intersection with Zig Zag trail. Take a right at the junction and hike up to the top of Zig Zag Mountain, where you find a pile of larger rocks to sit on and enjoy views of Mt. Hood, Mt. Adams, Mt. St. Helens, and Mt. Rainer. Look south and Mt. Jefferson peeks through the trees. Amazing hike and probably one of the best in the Mt. Hood Wilderness. Downside: lots of people on the weekends so best to get on the trail early.”

“Stunning views of Barclay Lake and Baring Mountain! My sister and I hike this trail every year. It's pretty easy, the trail is in great shape, and dogs are allowed. We love to camp here, as well. Super chill backpacking excursion.”

“Beautiful high mountain lake hike which is totally worth it whether you attempt a day hike (pretty long and intense) or take a few days and enjoy this gorgeous place. Hike up to the saddle below Baldy, go over the saddle and down several switchbacks to Lake Katherine. Spirit Lake is a great place to camp, and then Lake Katherine is perfect for the second night. The lake is amazing and in a gorgeous setting.”

“This is an awesome weekend backpacking destination. It is a beautiful trail with so much amazing diverse scenery. It is also an extremely popular trail so be prepared for (potentially) a lot of company. The wildlife is so cool--look out for moose, mountain goats, and deer.”

“Great hike with fantastic panoramic views. We began at Castle Pass. As the trees start to disappear the views get increasingly more awesome. It gets pretty steep and there is a fun scramble to the summit but it isn't a really difficult hike. I will do this one again when I am in the Tahoe area. Trekking poles are helpful for the descent.”

“I love this trail most in the fall when the leaves change color. The views of the mountains are amazing and are worth the pain your legs will be feeling later! This is definitely a tough hike as it seems to go up and up forever. It's so worth it though! There's also a cool fire tower at the top that sometimes is open for public use.”

“A lot of this trail was damaged in a fire back in 2011 but some amazing volunteers have been working to clear it. Despite the fact some sections are still inaccessible, the sections you can hike that have been cleared are peaceful with few crowds. It's a great place to enjoy nature and get away from the world for a while.”

“Depending on where you start and end on the trail, which is 111 miles long, you can see a lot of diverse landscapes and lots of wildlife. There's also a lot of creeks and streams along the way. If you're looking for an extended hike and camping trip, doing the whole trail takes about 2 weeks.”

“Although the sections of the trail are currently closed past Sycamore Falls (to Raven's Point), the trail to Sycamore Falls is lush and beautiful. The Lower Fiery Gizzard Trail and Dog Head Loop are also closed but the Grundy Day Loop provides a genuinely lovely hike to the falls. This is an epic hike in gorgeous country. If you are hoping to go to Ravens Point, I would check the trail conditions with the park before you head out. ”

“PLEASE NOTE: TRAIL TEMPORARILY CLOSED - Sadly, this beautiful trail was devastated in the late summer and fall of 2017 by a terrible fire. According to officials this trail will remain closed for at least a year or more as the dangerous conditions are assessed and remediated by hard-working trail crews.”

“PLEASE NOTE: TRAIL TEMPORARILY CLOSED - Sadly, this beautiful trail was devastated in the late summer and fall of 2017 by a terrible fire. According to officials this trail will remain closed for at least a year or more as the dangerous conditions are assessed and remediated by hard-working trail crews.”

“As far as challenging hikes go, this one is among the most grueling and the most breathtakingly spectacular! I like to camp overnight on this trail. The Barr Camp is an excellent place to stay the night and relax before continuing the ascent. The last 3 miles to Pike's Peak is absolutely the hardest. This is such an incredible hike. Beauty, wildlife, elevation gain make it all such an intense, rewarding experience.”

“A steep, pretty trail, especially the second half, but such beautiful views at the lake. We decided to camp there and we were lucky enough to get a site! Wildflowers are starting to pop out.”

“Both Emerald and Sapphire Lakes are awesome. It is a fantastic backpacking trail. In general, the hike is pretty moderate with gradual inclines. There is a little scrambling necessary below the lakes. This wilderness is so special - meadows, forests, lakes and mountains - take your time here and commune with nature.”

“This is an extremely intense hike and I cannot stress enough how important it is to prepare for it practically, physically and mentally. The vistas are absolutely epic and even though your butt will be kicked this is an amazing experience. Check the weather and make sure you have all the essential gear for this huge trek. "Old Grayback" is not messing around!”

“This is a gorgeous trail in the Trinity Alps. We backpacked for three days and, while it was seriously cold at night, the hike was amazingly beautiful. Water is plentiful here (the waterfalls are awesome) and so are the wildflowers. We saw some lizards, gopher snakes, lots of birds (osprey!), and butterflies. A wonderful backpacking trip to bring dogs and kids.”

“This is such a wonderful loop hike with really amazing views. There are a lot of people on the trail but If you don't mind camping near others it is very enjoyable. There is still quite a bit of snow in June but having a GPS or good maps are helpful. So many beautiful lakes to camp around!”

“All I can say is AMAZING. This was an incredible, beautiful, challenging hike. The grade wasn't terribly difficult but it was long and very hot. I would definitely recommend using a guide service and hiking down to the canyon is so rewarding. The hike in and out are about 10 miles each way and super strenuous but well worth it. The first view of Havasu Falls is spectacular!”

“This is a fairly challenging hike depending on what kind of shape you are in--but wow, the views are so fantastic at the top! It is well worth the climb. It took my friend and I about four hours, even though we took a few breaks for snack and shooting pictures of the beautiful views and wildlife. It was exciting to see mountain goats. I would recommend getting an early start and bring plenty of water and sunscreen. The hot sun can be a killer in the Black Hills during the summer months.”

“An incredible hike, especially the JMT portion. The Rae Lakes were quite crowded, however, and campsites were hard to find.”

“Great trail until the very end! We hiked it all the way up and got to the meadow where the trail ended. We didn’t find where the trail picked up. So we didn’t see the lake! We were almost there!!”

“This is a really easy hike along Cane Creek past lush valleys and forested ridges to the Buchanan Cemetery and park boundary. We really enjoyed this hike. It was peaceful and beautiful, very secluded, which was a welcome alternative to the more crowded trails and areas of the park. The trailhead is at Abrams Creek Ranger Station - the Cooper Road Trail starts at the rear of Abrams Creek Campground. The trail is wide; it looks like it was made for horses so you don’t have to walk single file you. You can actually walk next to your hiking partners and talk comfortably. The view was all a beautiful Smoky Mountain panoramic gift. The trails are pretty clearly marked and there are plenty of signs that direct you which way to go. This was a very peaceful, quiet, serene walk and if you have the chance to do some back country camping there are opportunities to do so.”

“I simply love hiking up Camel's Hump. The trails are in terrific shape (not too many roots eroded out), well marked, dog-friendly and on a clear day you can see into New York's Adirondacks and New Hampshire's White Mountains. It is also a great workout. I believe the best approach is from the east on the Monroe Trail. It goes up 2700 vertical feet up to the summit mostly along a gentle grade over 3.4 miles. It usually takes me about two hours at a moderate pace to make the ascent. At the top the views are divine - the summit along the rocky west climb offers beautiful views of the Lake Champlain valley. The alpine flora there is pretty, too. After a rest or a snack or whatever, you can then descend via the Long Trail to the south before hooking up with the Dean Trail back to the Monroe Trail. That takes about 2.5 hours and be aware that there are some very, very steep bits on the Long Trail, making it a little tough on weak ankles and/or knees. Totally worth all the effort. ”

“I did Cottonwood Basin back in 1992 or 1993, so don't expect any details! But I had to respond to the other review. It sounds like they were expecting a trail, and yes, that's right, you come here expecting *not* to be on a trail. And that's its beauty. It's a gentle terrain that's easy to just sort of wander wherever you want, with lots of meadows, granite outcrops to scramble around on, reliable water, no neighbors.”

“Beautiful hike. Remote and peaceful. Stayed at Silver Bowl campground and did 12 miles up and around. Had the campground completely to ourselves.”

“The scenery here is epic and the trail is very challenging. We backpacked up to Flower Lake after spending the night at Onion Valley campground. We took a break at the lovely Gilbert Lake and then it was just a short trek to the even more beautiful Flower Lake. Take a left when you reach the lake and you will find more secluded campsites on the hill. The lake is pristine, clear, and green, and packed with trout. From there, the trail to Heart Lake is where the scenery starts to change to alpine tundra. You can then hike up to Kearsarge Pass, which offers some of the most spectacular views of the peaks and lakes in the Sierras I have ever seen. The elevation gain is certainly to be respected and some may be more winded or uncomfortable at a 10,000 ft elevation than others. Make sure you have plenty of water before you go because it is not as plentiful as you climb up the steep trail. It is a very exposed, challenging, but all in all a doable climb. From the top you can dip into the valley below and camp at the Kearsarge Lakes or push on to Charlotte Lake or to Rae Lakes. Both lakes are gorgeous. ”

“This hike is packed with unbelievable views, heart-pumping climbs, a doable distance for a day hike, a pristine lake and lots of wildflowers. The hike took us about 6 hours from the trail head to Jennie Lake. The hike was pretty strenuous at certain points so I wouldn't necessarily recommend it for beginners or the faint of heart. If you are seeking a challenge, the Stony Creek to Jennie Lake trail is the one for you. We started from Stony Creek and it is about 2.5 miles of steady up hill hiking. It then mellows out for a little less than a mile of flat even trail. Then it's another 2 miles of rocky uphill terrain. The last mile is all downhill with amazing granite rock all around. The lake is so beautiful and sparking clean. Absolutely gorgeous with breath-taking views. Totally worth the blisters on my feet.”

“Only walked the 1.6 mile out-and-back to the lake through a sweet coniferous forest. Lake clear and beautiful. Black bear scat in trail about halfway to lake.”

“Amazing!”

“Did this hike over the weekend in Three days... first day clocked some miles. Beautiful views most of the way!! The trail was relatively easy just long. There are several opportunities for one who would like to spend more time out there. You could hike up to Michaëlle lakes through waterfalls creek or hike in through cataract creek, many different options! I did however notice a fair amount of garbage on the trails though 😖 take your garbage HOME !!!!!!!!!!!”

“One of my favorites from the past. Went middle of the week and couldn’t have picked a more perfect time. Perfect weather. Spent the night here with not a soul around. Then next night was back at Baboon lake. Hope to get back there but still so much more. Highly recommend this hike.”

“My first backpacking trip and it was amazing. Even if you don’t camp there, make sure to at least hike up to the top to Pear Lake. Use caution around the Watchman’s Tower area, the drop is a big one.”

“Some recent updates... The trail starts on red trail markers not yellow, stay on the main access road & don't wander right until you cross the bridge. The bridge over the Opalescent River has been rebuilt, no need to ford the river (unfortunately if you were looking forward to that challenge!), but you still get to ford the river at the broken dam further upstream. The Calamity Brook trail is heavily trafficked, keep going to the Hanging Spear trail before making camp if you like solitude. The Hanging Spear trail is flooded by what looks like a new beaver dam. Scramble through the thick undergrowth to the right to go around. Some High Peaks rules according to the ranger we met: Bear canisters are required; they prevent bears from being euthanized. No fires allowed to save the trees from all the hikers. Lean-tos must be shared, they sleep 8. You can camp anywhere 200 feet from the trail & water. Enjoy!”

“The Farley lake trail is mostly just long and a few kilometres of tough walking up a wash out. Then at the top there are lottsssss of willows to go through! At the other end of the lake where hummingbird bird pass trail is there’s a bear attractant trap type thing that the province has set out. It’s clearly marked so keep away from that!”

“Last trip up there was 10-14-17. Been going for the last 33 yrs. first trip was on the old trial. Great trail starting at the Deep Creek Campground. The old growth is gorgeous!! Huckleberries grow the size of blueberries. Encountered snow on the last trip.”

“This is an amazing trek with some of the most beautiful views you can find in the Sierra. The hike up to and past Hamilton Lakes is spectacular. Passing the high country over Kaweah Gap provided many amazing views of peaks along the Great Western Divide. The hike through the Kern River Canyon was highlight. Actually, every time you came to a corner, you are met with another "highlight". Speaking of the Kern Canyon, you can't come this way without enjoying a dip in the Kern Hot Spring. After several days on the trail, this was a very welcome respite. From there, as you begin to climb up to Junction Meadow then to Crabtree Meadow you begin to gain views of the final destination, Mount Whitney. Oh, when you pass through Crabtree Meadow, look for the outdoor toilet. It has one of the best views you'll ever get while... well, you get the idea. This is a trail that I would happily try again. I'd highly recommend you check it out as well.”

“Great hike and wonderful scenery!!!”

“This is an amazing trail I plan to do again this summer”

“Not sure what trail the other folks took but the Chimney Pond Trail is an exceptionally beautiful trail. If I could give this trip a '6' I definitely would and probably deserves more. While it's only 3.3 miles in from Roaring Brook Campground the elevation gain can be demoralizing on a hot day, with black flies & tourists all around you. HAHA! The hike is beautiful with several streams crossing the trail, wooden bridges, ponds with glimpses of the majestic mountain you are about to view. Chimney Pond is located at the heart of Ktaadn (Katahdin, The Teddon, Mounument Peak etc) - my most favorite mountain, feared by the natives & protected by Pamola - the winged creature with the head of a moose, upper body of a man and legs and talons of an Eagle. The trail is heavily traveled and well maintained by the folks at Baxter State Park. You can take this trail to the Pond just to soak in the views of the mountain or you can take it and then choose your route to the summit via several routes of varying difficulty. If you're new to hiking - take the Saddle Trail. If you like pain & suffering - take Cathedral. If you want to cross the legendary Knife Edge and visit Pamola on his peak then take the Dudley Trail. When you arrive at Chimney Pond you can visit the Ranger in his/her cabin, sign in and then view from Pamola Peak to Hamlin Peak (Baxter Peak cairn is visible via binoculars) Baxter Peak & Hamlin Peak are on the AMC NE 4,000 footer list and can be summited both in one day - long day, but great. My 8 year old did it last year. But he's a rock star. Best, Kasey Marsters FoxTrickAdventures.com”

“Thanks for the information, we have uploaded an updated trail guide today. ~The Trails.com team”

“What a great hike. You get scenery change, a challenge and views of the valley and high country. Leave early in summer heat, defined by headlamp necessity!! ”

“This is my absolute favorite place in there entire world! I'd recommend going staying a night at Roaring Brook Campground, hike up to Chimney Pond via Chimney Pond Trail, then climb Dudley Trail to Pamola Peak, cross the knife edge, summit Baxter Peak and then cross the Table Lands (get Hamlin Peak - cuz it's there) then cross the table Lands, down Northwest Basin trail and stay at Davis Pond your second night. Then hike down to Russell. Stay 2 nights there - you'll need to see Green Falls and hike that area. Wassataquoik Lake is beautiful! Then hike back to Roaring Brook via the Russell Pond Trail. You'll never forget it! I went when I was 8 years old and I never forgot it! I started going annually about 10 years ago. Trust me! Best, Kasey Marsters Fox-Trick Adventures foxtrickadventures.com ”

“This is a nice solitary trail. There are lots of possibilities for on- and off-trail exploration of smaller lakes and minor peaks from a base camp at Bear Valley Lake.”

“This is an incredible loop. Be sure to take a camera, and try to be at Alice and Toxaway lakes at sunrise or sunset. There are several possibilities for much longer figure-eight or through hikes by crossing the pass north of Toxaway to Imogene or Edna lakes.”

“50+ mile (6 day/5 night) backpacking traverse of the Lost River Range (Loristica camp ground to highway 93 over Leatherman Pass). My son and I did not see anyone for the first 4 days and then less than a handful of other hikers. It was quite a difficult trip gaining over 18,000 feet (including day hikes). First day we hiked to Shadow Lakes. The hike from the ridge down into Shadow Lakes can only be done safely in the position described in the book. There is not much of a trail and you should be comfortable using a compass, gps, and topographical map. It rained every afternoon. Second day we followed Heli Canyon down and then the trail to Swauger Lakes. We traversed over and then up Dry Creek and went over Dry Creek Pass. We camped by the East Fork of the Pahsimeroi River right below the north face of Mount Breitenbach. We saw a lone wolf as we were finding a suitable location to camp. Third day we followed the East Fork of the Pahsimeroi river to the West Fork. We followed the west fork up until we reached the Merriam Lake trail. We camped at Merriam Lake and stayed there our fourth day. Fourth day we had some time to explore above Merriam Lake where we found a beautiful delta and an unnamed lake. We lived with three bighorn sheep (rams) for a day. Fifth day we followed the West Fork of the Pahsimeroi River further up and camped at Pass Lake. We had some time to explore above Pass Lake and went into a good-sized snow bank where we slid down after reaching a ridge at about 11,500 feet (we got enough cell phone coverage to text my wife to tell her we were cutting our trip short by a day and that she needed to pick us up the next day on highway 93). Sixth day we backpacked over Leatherman Pass and down Sawmill Gulch to highway 93. I thought that it would be easy for us after getting over Leatherman Pass, but the trail disappeared in Sawmill Gulch and we had a hard time of it. The gulch is steep and had lots of vegetation around the stream.”

“I hiked this trail during a dry autumn; earlier in the year my experience probably would have been better. The trail is used by ATVs, and there was about three inches of moon dust to wade through, which was stirred up every time a bike or ATV passed. The view is great if you continue to the top of the mountain.”

“Beautiful.”

“Really long and tough. With two collegiate track athletes it took us 10 hours. The ridge line hike is actually repeated ups and downs with the last push a 700’ gain at about 30•. Exhausting at the 10 mile mark at 10000’ elevation. Bring lots of water. There’s none at the top. Beautiful views. No wildlife. 55000 steps.”