Our Favorite Great American Hikes
Dec 10, 2014 02:10PM ● By Ryan Frisch
Photo: Flickr/Scott McCracken
With 3 local spots included in USA Today's Great American Hikes: List of 20 Top Trails Across the USA, it'd be silly to not take advantage of what's in our backyard, so to speak. Here are the highlights including one from Vermont and one from New Hampshire.
Long Trail, Jay Peak Long Trail North - Jay, Vt. (pictured above)
"The oldest long-distance trail in the United States, it's rugged enough to keep any hiker interested, but the Jay Peak section is accommodating of beginners."
Franconia Ridge Traverse - White Mountain National Forest, N.H.
Connecting 4 peaks "along a knife-edge, above-treeline trail" you'll see magnificent views in all directions including the entire Pemigewasset Wilderness and views of Vermont and even New York State on a clear day.
Long Trail, Jay Peak Long Trail North - Jay, Vt. (pictured above)
"The oldest long-distance trail in the United States, it's rugged enough to keep any hiker interested, but the Jay Peak section is accommodating of beginners."
Franconia Ridge Traverse - White Mountain National Forest, N.H.
Connecting 4 peaks "along a knife-edge, above-treeline trail" you'll see magnificent views in all directions including the entire Pemigewasset Wilderness and views of Vermont and even New York State on a clear day.
Photo: Flickr/Paul Ramos
Old
Rag Mountain - Shenandoah National Park, Va.
"Just because this trail is one of the more popular hiking destinations in the U.S. doesn't mean it's an easy ascent. Aptly named for its rugged terrain strewn with boulder fields and bare rocks, the trail is 8 miles round-trip."
"Advanced dessert hikers capable of tackling this treacherous trek will be rewarded for their hard work with sights of some of the most magnificent red rock views of the American Southwest."
"Named for it's tendency to be lost beneath California's tide, the trail is more than 20 miles, one way, with camping spots throughout, making it the perfect week-long challenge for the extreme hiker."
"Just because this trail is one of the more popular hiking destinations in the U.S. doesn't mean it's an easy ascent. Aptly named for its rugged terrain strewn with boulder fields and bare rocks, the trail is 8 miles round-trip."
Photo: Flickr/Ryan Somma
"Advanced dessert hikers capable of tackling this treacherous trek will be rewarded for their hard work with sights of some of the most magnificent red rock views of the American Southwest."
Photo: Flickr/Ken Lund
"Named for it's tendency to be lost beneath California's tide, the trail is more than 20 miles, one way, with camping spots throughout, making it the perfect week-long challenge for the extreme hiker."
Photo: Flickr/Scrubhiker (USCdyer)
Snowmass
Wilderness, Maroon Bells - Aspen, Colo.
"This spectacular view is said to be Colorado's most photographed mountain landscape, but the hikes are not to be overshadowed. Standing at more than 14,000 feet each, the six peaks draw scores of experienced hikers."
"Begin by scaling cliffs with the help of chains bolted into rock and reach the best views. Red rock fans and dare devil hikers won't be able to pass on this journey."
"This spectacular view is said to be Colorado's most photographed mountain landscape, but the hikes are not to be overshadowed. Standing at more than 14,000 feet each, the six peaks draw scores of experienced hikers."
Photo: Flickr/Chad Weisser
"Begin by scaling cliffs with the help of chains bolted into rock and reach the best views. Red rock fans and dare devil hikers won't be able to pass on this journey."
Photo: Flickr/Joseph Dsilva
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