Some hiking trails, like this one, require hikers to get vertical.

Fredericksburg.com published an article by Bill Freehling about a recent hike to the summit of Old Rag in Shenandoah National Park. Old Rag is a popular hike (I’ve heard of it and I live 400 miles away) but it’s not exactly a walk in the park.

Freehling tells us the most challenging part of the hike is a an area known as the “rock scramble” where upper body strength is a must to pull oneself up the trail. To me if a hike involves more than just a little upper body strength it ceases to be hiking and morphs into mountaineering or rock climbing but that’s another story…

The Old Rag hike is a loop where the way up (the part with the rock scramble) is twice as long as the way down which begs the question: why not just go up and down the less steep way if it’s so tough? The answer, I’m sure, is that it’s the challenge that makes it such a great hike. Isn’t that what hiking is all about?

Well, it’s not really a top 10 list per se but it’s interesting nonetheless: The American Hiking Society and Nature Valley revealed America’s 10 favorite hiking trail grant projects for 2009. Basically the program had 70 nominations which were narrowed down to 20 finalists and online readers voted for the top 10 of those 20. Not nearly as exhaustive as our own best hiking trails list but it will do Each winning project will receive a $5,000 grant bringing the total commitment to $50,000 for trail preservation. Not too shabby.

Here are the top 10 hiking trail project winners: (more individual project details at wheresyoursat.com)

* Forest Park Conservancy (Portland, Ore.): Wildwood Trail Day of Stewardship
* Grand Trunk Trail Blazers (Sturbridge, Mass.): Camp Robinson Crusoe Trail
* Louisville Metro Parks Foundation (Louisville, Ky.): Eastern Gateway Trail
* Lula Lake Land Trust (Lookout Mountain, Ga.): Cloudland Connector Trail
* Mahanoy Creek Watershed Association (Pottsville, Pa.): Bolich Hiking Trail Project
* Nacimiento Medical Foundation (Cuba, N.M.): St. Francis Park Nature Trail
* Palmetto Conservation Foundation (Columbia, S.C.): Peak to Prosperity Passage, Palmetto Trail
* Southern Appalachian Forest Coalition (Asheville, N.C.): Fires Creek Trail System
* Southern Conservation Trust (Peachtree City, Ga.): Line Creek Nature Area Trail Signage
* Volunteers for Outdoor California (Redwood City, Calif.): Fernandez Ranch Trail Project

Two of the ten projects are right here in Georgia (where we’re based) and half the projects are in the southeast (that is, if you count Kentucky as part of the southeast). Congrats to all the winners, we’re stoked to see how the money is used to improve our hiking trails!

A popular hiking and mountain biking trail in Oregon was damaged by ATV riders last month and the Forest Service is asking the public to help find the culprits. Four-wheel ATVs were ridden on the singletrack trail near Sisters causing severe damage and leaving muddy ruts about a mile into the woods. ATVs are allowed to ride on roads in National Forest areas but are prohibited from driving off road - the fine for doing so is up to $5,000 and six months in jail.

Often hikers and mountain bikers disagree about trail use but both groups can surely agree that ATVs do not belong on narrow hiking trails. If you see off-road vehicles damaging a hiking trail this summer be sure to report the culprits to the Forest Service - save the trails for everyone!

The view on a hike near Half Dome in Yosemite National Park.

If you’re looking for a hiking to-do list this summer, check out this article SFGate.com posted last month on hiking 5 prominent California peaks. The hikes stretch from Mount Lassen in the Cascades to Mt. Whitney, the highest point in the continental US, in southern California. If you’re hoping to make the trek up Mt. Whitney reserve your permit now - spots for the summer fill quickly!

The SFGate list also includes some family favorites like Mount Tallac in the Tahoe area and Half Dome in Yosemite National Park. If you’ve haven’t been to Yosemite yet move it to the top of your hiking and camping wishlist - it’s easily one of the most scenic places in America.

California has so many great mountains it’s tough to pick the top 5 peaks to hike. What are some of your favorites the SFGate list left off?

A harmless (?) snake at Buffalo Creek trail in Colorado.

The Capistrano Dispatch says San Juan Capistrano officials have alerted the public to recent rattlesnake sightings on area hiking trails and the article I read offers some tips for what to do if you encounter a snake on the trail. The best tip of all is also the simplest: if you see a snake on the trail, LEAVE IT ALONE. Seems simple enough…

The article also mentions it’s a good idea to carry a walking stick but doesn’t mention what the stick is for. I recommend NOT using the stick to poke the snake - this usually makes them more upset and more likely to strike.

I’ve encountered snakes many times hiking and mountain biking and I can tell you it’s always a startling experience but usually that’s about it. On a backpacking trip on the Appalachian Trail my dad and I encountered a rattlesnake sunning right in the middle of the trail. We tossed rocks at the snake to get it to move (bad idea, I know) and obviously this upset the snake because it started rattling viciously. Clearly the snake wasn’t going to move so we took a wide berth off trail and around the snake and were on our way.

On a hike at West Monument Creek Trail in Colorado Springs my wife and I encountered a rattlesnake sunning on the pavement outside the Tesla power plant. It was easy enough for us to walk around the snake except this time we had our dog Jackson with us and he didn’t know what to make of the rattling, slithering thing. I yelled as loud as I could to get him away from the snake (he was off leash) and eventually Jackson got the picture. Good thing too - we were at least a mile or two from the car and I didn’t feel like carrying our 95 pound dog.

Yep, dealing with snakes on a hike is just part of the outdoor experience - leave them alone and they’ll do the same to you.

This fellow hiking Camelback at dusk may have been in trouble.

In an article about increased mountain rescue calls at Phoenix-area hiking trails, hiking experts speculated the increase in rescues was due to an overall increase in foot traffic. Increased foot traffic, the thinking goes, is due to the fact that hiking is an inexpensive and accessible family activity (that is, until hikers get in over their heads). Unfortunately emergency responders are facing budget cuts at the same time calls for help are increasing.

All of this got me thinking that despite pitching camping as a budget-friendly family outing, we forgot to talk about hiking in the same light! Yep, hiking is even more inexpensive than camping - in fact it’s usually free - and it’s a great alternative to schlepping the kids to the amusement park or the mall. Hiking can be educational and it’s a fun way to get exercise. Springtime is one of the best times of year to get out and enjoy the great outdoors and fortunately most of us live within a short driving distance of parks and trails.

Hiking is also a great budget-friendly activity because it doesn’t require any special equipment other than a sturdy pair of shoes (I prefer running shoes myself). Taking the family on a hiking trip is pretty low commitment as well - you can make the trip as short or as long as you like. I often like to bring a picnic lunch along in a backpack when I go hiking - any excuse to spend more time outdoors

Research the best places to hike near you right here on Tripleblaze.com. You’ll be surprised how much fun you can have for free!

Backcountry.com included a humorous comparison between the outdoor utility of an iPhone and a stick in their latest newsletter and it’s worth a read if you’re looking for a Friday morning chuckle. The pics are a little cheesy but it’s nice to see someone poking fun at the Jesus phone for once. Oddly enough the article sounded pretty similar in tone to our own article comparing the iPhone to the Garmin Edge 705 GPS.

But seriously though, it’s crazy how many applications are available for the iPhone these days and you might be surprised to know there are a few that might actually be helpful for camping and hiking. Here’s a sampling:

Knot Time ($0.99): Both a learning tool and field guide for tying knots. Tying knots is a time honored camping tradition and this app adds a high tech twist (no pun intended). Rated 3 stars.

Scat and Animal Tracks ($0.99 each): Two different apps for helping you identify scat and animal tracks in the great outdoors. Who needs field guides anymore when your phone knows more than Bear Grylls?

TopoPoint USA ($9.99): TopoPoint gives you access to USGS topographic maps on your iPhone to help you on your next hike. Although we’re not big fans of USGS topos in general (most were hand drawn in the 1960s) this could be a helpful tool - just remember to download the necessary map tiles before you get out of cell range!

Mosquito Device ($0.99): According to the developer, “Mosquito Device uses high pitch sound waves to keep away mosquitos. Almost silent, you won’t notice it working.” I’m pretty sure that last bit is right: you won’t notice it working (and it only received 2 and a half stars to prove it). Believe it or not there are at least two other iPhone apps that promise to do do the same.

GPS Compass ($4.99): This little app does way more than make your iPhone into a compass (though it does do that) - it also lets you use your iPhone as a full blown GPS. There are a number of apps out there that do the same thing but the great thing is you don’t even need a cell signal to get your current location coordinates, altitude, and distance hiked.

Yep, the iPhone could come in pretty handy on your next camping or hiking trip. Now if there were only a good way to re-charge your phone outdoors…

In keeping with our themes on extreme and urban hiking, here’s something you may not have heard of before (officially anyway): Urban Exploration. No, this isn’t what you do when you vacation in NYC and it’s not a sport you’ll see REI sponsoring anytime soon. However, urban exploration is a fun way to explore the environment and it uses some of the tools you rely on when camping and hiking the great outdoors.

Growing up I was always into suburban exploration: finding old rusty cars in the woods, diving into culverts and big stormwater pipes, exploring construction sites, etc. Although *technically* tresspassing, urban exploration is generally a victimless crime and the fact that it is illegal in many cases actually adds to the excitement. (note: it is also potentially dangerous and did I mention illegal? if you get injured or arrested, don’t blame me!)

In college a friend and I explored the steam tunnels underneath Duke University (is there a statute of limitations on this?). We always geared up with all our best outdoor stuff: headlamps, hiking boots, canvas pants and sweatshirts - the whole nine. Our favorite route started beneath a ventilation grate outside the Social Sciences building, went through a machine shop and a lighted corridor through the hospital, and eventually put us out underneath a dining facility across the quad more than a quarter mile away. We probably inhaled an unhealthy amount of asbestos and rat feces (is there a healthy amount?) as we low crawled through some tight spots but it didn’t matter - we felt like Magellan finding a new route around the world!

As an adult I’m still curious but these days I do much of my urban exploration vicariously through the writers at Infiltration.org (the site is down today - I hope it’s not permanent). The writers at Infiltration have explored abandoned missle silos in New Mexico, crumbling factories in Canada, and catacombs in France, just to name a few spots. Cool stuff.

If you’re never heard about Urban Exploration definitely read up on it - it may just scratch an itch you didn’t realize you had. Of course I don’t condone it myself - I’m just an admirer

A “paid hike” on the Daniel Boone Scout trail, part of Grandfather Mountain.

If you’re looking for new or relatively unused hiking trails, here’s an insider tip: go on a restricted hike. Restricted hikes take place in areas that require a permit (paid or free) or a guide to enter and many times they offer some of the most amazing outdoor experiences you’ll encounter as a hiker. The PressDemocrat.com, for example, recently published a good article about undiscovered hikes in Sonoma County, CA that mentions a few “restricted hikes” that sound incredible.

Restricted hikes exist for a number of reasons. In some cases permits or guide requirements may be in place to limit access and ultimately environmental impact. In 8th grade my class took a field trip to a place called “Heggie’s Rock” in rural Columbia County, GA where granite dish gardens support two endangered plant species. Restricted access helps protect the ecosystem and makes hikers aware of the uniqueness of Heggie’s Rock.

In other cases hikes may be restricted for safety reasons. At Tallulah Gorge State Park in north Georgia, hikers are required to get free day use permits to enter the gorge. The hike down is steep and rocky while the hike back out of the gorge can be a real physical challenge. At the bottom of the gorge the river creates slippery surfaces and many have been injured sliding down the rocks and swimming in the shallow pools. Permits allow park personnel to keep track of who goes into the gorge and, more importantly, who comes out. There are limits to the number of permits given out each day and park personnel enforce a “no flip flop/crocs” rule at the time of application.

Finally, hiking permit or guide systems may be in place for revenue reasons. It takes money to support and preserve recreation and wilderness areas and permits help agencies recoup costs. In some places in Europe guides are required when entering wilderness areas and are intended to sustain employment for a specific class of workers. In other cases like at privately owned Grandfather Mountain, permits are a source of revenue. The upshot: fewer hikers on the “paid trails” means more solitude.

At first glance permit or guide requirements may seem unfair or unnatural but in many cases they serve an important purpose. With a little advance planning and a willingness to spend a few dollars you can get special access to some amazing hiking spots - reserve your hike now!

A hiking and biking trail skirts the cliff edge at Palmer Park in Colorado Springs, CO.

On Sunday a group of 5 children accidentally fell 75 feet while hiking the Rachael Carson Trail in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Some of the children remained in the hospital on Tuesday while undergoing treatment for their injuries.

According to officials the cliff where the children fell is located at least 15 feet away from the main trail and it appears the kids slipped on some leaves while getting too close to the edge. Asked whether it would be a good idea to install a fence at the bluff one official said “I don’t think we are going to put a fence up. There is a lot of liability connected with that, and it would spoil the view.”

View from the Broad Mountain Loop near Jim Thorpe, PA.

Hiking can certainly be dangerous at times and we’ve profiled some of the world’s most dangerous hiking trails here on the blog in the past. It’s not unusual for hiking trails to approach cliff edges and steep drops - that is, after all, where the best views are usually found. As a hiker it’s important to make sure your footing is steady as you approach vistas like the ones pictured above. Sometimes I like to use the “3-points of contact” approach, making sure that I have at least 3 parts of my body in contact with the ground as I move across a ledge. Sure, sometimes that means getting down on all fours but you can never be too careful!

We wrote about night hiking back in January and this month Backpacker.com posted an article with some more tips for getting started. While we can’t recommend ditching the headlamp and flashlight entirely, Backpacker tells us how to maximize night vision using the moon and stars plus our own rods ‘n cones.

With days getting longer night hikes are becoming less of a necessity and more of a new way to experience familiar trails. In some areas like Death Valley, backpacking at night and sleeping during the hotest part of the day is a valid strategy - plus you get a chance to see wildlife that isn’t otherwise active.

Hiking at night can be dangerous but it can also be pretty fun and exciting, provided you are prepared and know what you’re getting into. Too bad you won’t be able to work on your tan at the same time

Examiner.com has a good article by Deb Stanley about keeping a list of hikes she’d like to do “someday.” It’s a great idea to keep a list of dream hikes - everybody needs goals - and we make it easy for you right here on Tripleblaze.com. We call it our “hiking wishlist” and with your free account you can start adding some of the nearly 1,000 hiking trails listed on the site already.

Here’s how it works: just search for a trail you’d like to add to your list using the search box at the top of this page. Let’s say you want to hike the North Rim of the Grand Canyon - find the trail listing and click the “Hiking Wishlist” link just above the trail title near the top of the page. That’s it! After adding a trail to your wishlist you can view and mange your list, removing any trails you’ve already hiked or added by mistake. Other members can view your list (here’s mine) and you can get ideas about other hikes to add based on what others have on their lists.

If you can’t find a trail on Tripleblaze.com but you’d like to add it to your wishlist, you can simply add the trail by filling out this form. Once the trail has been added you can put it on your list. Simple.

On Tripleblaze.com you can also keep wishlists of campgrounds you’d like to visit and outdoor equipment you’d like to own. Campground and equipment wishlists work the same way - just click to add!

Tripleblaze makes it easy to organize and plan all your outdoor adventures. Start building your wishlist today - that way when spring arrives you’ll know where to go!

Trail 401 in Crested Butte, CO is open to hikers and bikers

Trail use conflicts between hikers and mountain bikers have been around almost since the birth of mountain biking in the 1970s and although relations seem to be improving there are still those on either side who just can’t seem to get along. As a hiking mountain biker I can see both sides and I’m hopeful that both hikers and mountain bikers can continue to coexist on popular trails.

Some hiking enthusiasts argue that mountain bikes cause excessive erosion but studies have shown this is simply not the case. Mountain bikes do cause some erosion but it’s comparable to the erosion cased by foot traffic and less impactful than equestrian traffic. In fact mountain bikers are giving back to the trails in record numbers to improve and maintain existing multi-use routes. In my area mountain bikers are better organized than hiking groups and contribute the majority of the work to local trail systems enjoyed by everyone.

Admittedly encountering a mountain biker screaming down the trail can be a jarring and annoying experience when you’re hiking and I honestly think twice before hiking a trail where I know mountain bikes are ridden. When I’m on the mountain bike I try to be mindful of this and slow to approach hikers and look them in the eye with a pleasant greeting. We’re all on the trail for the same reason - to enjoy the great outdoors - and when you’ve seen both sides you can be much more empathetic. As a hiker I try to step off the trail if possible when I hear a mountain biker approaching, even though bikes should technically yield to hikers. A little consideration on both sides goes a long way.

Many trails are designated hiking or biking only and while this eliminates potential conflicts it seems to reinforce the idea that hikers and mountain bikers can’t coexist. As I hiker I prefer trails that are closed to bikes just because it makes them seem more exclusive but is that what we really want - to rope off parts of the outdoors to certain user groups? Let’s all just get along.

The Southern Oregon Mail Tribune posted an article online about some of the best hiking guidebooks covering Oregon trails. The author mentions that there is no such thing as a “perfect” hiking guidebook but there are several factors that make some guidebooks more useful than others. Most of us expect to find directions to the trailhead, the length and difficulty of the hike, a description of the route, and a map in any good hiking guidebook and there are few (if any) I’ve used that don’t at least have these features.

One thing the Mail Tribune author looks for in a hiking guide book is photos and frankly this is where most hiking guidebooks fall flat in my experience. In general hiking guides are in black and white and are printed on dull, lightweight paper leading to underwhelming photos that tell you very little about the scenery along the trail. Guidebooks are also inherently limited in the number of photos they can show for any given trail, especially when a book has dozens of trail listings.

These days my guidebook of choice isn’t a guidebook at all - it’s the internet. Full color photos, unlimited space for maps, route info, directions, etc. and even space for reviews of the trail by multiple hikers. It’s great to get the perspective of an experienced hiker (i.e. the guidebook writer) but it’s always helpful to get a second and/or third opinion from regular hikers. Plus internet trail listings are often more up-to-date than books that are revised only every few years. Instant updates on trail closures, reroutes, etc. are possible online.

Some may argue that internet hiking guides are limited because they’re not portable and that’s true to a degree. But with new devices like the iPhone you can take your trail information with you (just download the info before you’re out of cell phone range!). You can even keep it old-school and print out hiking guides you find online and SAVE paper compared to a book that includes dozens of printed trail listings you’ll never use. Plus most websites (like this one) offer free trail info - not many free books out there!

Obviously we’re pretty big believers in putting hiking trail information online and we’re working on adding trail maps in addition to the photos, directions, descriptions, and reviews already on tripleblaze.com. Check out our online catalog of hiking trails and add or review your reviews!

Camelback Mountain is a popular hiking destination in Phoenix.

Over at Fit Sugar a reader wrote in asking about fitness training for hiking. Specifically the reader was completely exhausted after a weekend hike at Camelback Mountain in Phoenix and wanted some tips for becoming a better hiker.

If you’ve hiked Camelback you know it’s a steep climb but not all that long (less than a mile or so as I recall). Fit Sugar offered some good tips about doing shorter hikes to build up strength and endurance and general fitness stuff like working on quads and glutes at the gym. But training for hiking doesn’t have to be a boring fitness routine - there are fun things you can do outdoors to get ready for a big hike.

Hiking is, for the most part, all about aerobic endurance and leg strength (especially if you’re heading to the mountains). I run on the road during the week but an even better choice for getting in shape for hiking is cycling (or mountain biking if you’re into that). Bicycling builds the leg muscles you need for mountain hikes (quads and glutes) plus it’s a low impact, aerobic workout similar to hiking.

If it’s a backpacking trip you’re training for it’s a good idea to include a weighted pack as a part of your fitness routine. Even if you live in a place where hills are few and far between, head to the local high school and trek up and down the football stadium stands with your pack on - you’ll be amazed at how much you’ll sweat after just a few minutes. The point is that the closer your workout to the thing you’re training for, the better your preparation will be.

Hiking isn’t a competitive sport so getting in shape to hit the trail should just be about making your next trek more enjoyable!

The Pacaya-Samiria Amazon Lodge (photo from GreenTracks.com)

If you’ve exhausted all the local camping options and are flush with green this summer, why not head down to the Amazon rainforest for a few days in the jungle? Green Tracks offers a 7 day, 6 night camping trip in the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve that is sure to be the trip of a lifetime for any outdoor enthusiast.

The first part of the trip is spent in a lodge at the edge of the rainforest and gives guests a chance to hike around the surrounding forest. By day 3 the real camping begins and you’ll spend time on the water in canoes while sleeping in tents at night. The final night is spent back at the lodge before it’s time to head to the airport and the “real” world

A trip like this sounds great for anyone interested in photography, nature, or just getting away to an incredible environment and isn’t afraid to rough it a little bit. As such the price is actually pretty reasonable (just over $100 per person per day for a family of 4 inclusive of meals and lodging) and your adventure can start any day of the week you like.

Camping and hiking are all about adventure and exploring new places. What part of the world will you explore this year?

Note: Tripleblaze.com has not evaluated this travel offering and as such cannot provide any type of recommendation - do your research before you book!

In an effort to step up conservation efforts (and perhaps boost state tourism along the way), the California State Parks Foundation is releasing 40 free podcasts each featuring a different state park hike. The website already has two podcasts posted including one by legendary rocker Sammy Hagar of Van Halen fame. Each podcast is narrated by a different California resident and includes ambient sounds recorded inside the parks themselves. The website also features video and articles to celebrate state parks and the foundation’s 40th anniversary.

The nice thing about the content being produced by the California State Parks Foundation is that you can get a feel for some of the state’s natural beauty no matter where you live! I know I’ve been talking about technology and the outdoors a lot lately and this is just another example of how the two are converging - in a good way if you ask me. Podcasts can help raise awareness of our natural resources while allowing a wider audience to view (or hear!) them without over-running the parks with vehicles and campfires.

We have our own list of the best hikes in California here on Tripleblaze.com and while the list isn’t perfect yet, it keeps getting better as more folks review and rate their favorite trails. Check the list to see if your faves are there!

Ahh, two of my favorite subjects: hiking and computers (well, the internet). Yep, underprivileged teenage students in the Seattle area got the chance to earn themselves a free computer by taking part in an overnight backpacking trip to Mt. Ranier thanks to the generosity of a computer entrepreneur back in the late 1990s (though for some reason the Seattle News Tribune decided to republish the article this week). The 100 computers were donated by the US Department of Energy and part of the deal was that the students agreed to help their classmates with computer support once they get their machines.

I’m always excited to see technology being used to get people outdoors, even if that means bribing folks a little bit. Some may see computers and the internet as an end unto themselves but websites like this one seek to motivate people to log off and explore the great outdoors. Just think: in the old days we had to rely on word of mouth to find new hiking trails or secluded campgrounds but today the internet is bristling with information about the best places to experience nature.

Technology and nature can indeed coexist and one day computers may just help us save our environment in more ways than one…

Over at the Watching the World Wake Up blog “Watcher” writes about a recent hiking and camping trip in the Sonoran desert. The blog post itself is pretty interesting and touches on everything from cacti identification in the field to photosynthesis but what I find most interesting is the fact that this group was the first to summit Sheep Mountain in 365 days (though it’s not clear how they verified this).

These days it’s tough to find a place on the planet where no one else has been for months - apparently even the summit of Everest sees many more visitors each year than Sheep Mountain. Of course that could be due to the fact that Sheep Mountain is littered with exploded and unexploded ordinance from Luke AFB fighters but I suppose that’s a small price to pay for solitude.

With the rise of the internet it’s becoming even harder to keep secluded spots secret any more. Websites like Geocaching.com lead GPS hiking enthusiasts off trail to find secret spots and swimmingholes.info spills the beans on places to take a dip in the summer. One of our favorite swimming holes in Durham, NC is a beautiful and secluded former quarry and the guy who first gave us directions warned that we shouldn’t post anything about it online for fear the place would become overrun. We hear the same thing from time to time on our mountain bike website as well - that somehow certain trails should remain “secret stashes” accessible only to those in the know.

I guess I fall somewhere in between wanting to keep less-traveled outdoor spots that way and sharing them with others. Besides, some spots like Sheep Mountain are so remote and rugged that they’ll always stay relatively untraveled, even with the most enthusiastic online endorsement. So feel free to share - just be prepared to go further and deeper outdoors to find solitude next time…

During tough economic times everyone is looking for new ways to generate extra income, and that includes local governments. At the Nanaimo Daily News (British Columbia) one writer suggests developing world-class hiking trails would attract tourists who could in turn pump up the local economy (and tax receipts as well).

There seems to be a growing sense that recreational travel can be a savior and even a lifeblood for struggling local economies. In the past year we’ve read countless articles about municipalities developing mountain bike trails and hosting marathons, all in the name of developing a local tourism economy where none previously existed. This is the first time we’ve heard of trails for hiking being specifically pitched to revive an economy but we’re sure it won’t be the last.

Most hikers do generally travel to scenic locations to hike but in my experience most prefer to stick to National Parks and government-owned recreation and wilderness areas. Runners travel to big city marathons to see new places and run with the crowds while mountain bikers will ride just about anywhere with trails, though many prefer lift-serviced terrain The point is, these types of trips generally require overnight accommodations, meals in restaurants, and ground transportation while many overnight hiking trips involve sleeping in tents, cooking under the stars, and keeping car trips to a minimum. So how much impact do hikers really have on a local economy?

It’s an interesting question and I’m anxious to see how things work out in communities that choose to develop hiking trails to attract tourists. Perhaps these planners should at least hedge their bets and keep the new trails open to mountain bikers and trail runners too