Trail

You'll want to keep several things in mind when hiking Acadia National Park. First, there's the usual hiking procedures every smart hiker should do, including:  bring plenty of snacks, loads of  water, a durable pair of hiking boots, an extra pair of socks, a map, and camera with extra batteries.  Also remember to know your own limits while hiking and not to exceed them.

Top 5 Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park
High altitude warning: be sure to acclimate as early as possible before heading into high country. If you have a headache, shortness of breath, and/or rapid heartbeat, don’t climb higher; go lower. Prior to hiking, drink plenty of fluids, don’t drink alcohol, eat and sleep well.

Angel's Landing is a 1,208-foot sandstone monolith located in Zion Canyon, which is by far the most visited area of Zion National Park. The trail begins across the road from the Grotto Shuttle Stop and requires no special permits.

Visit the site of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. You can hike, snowboard, ziptrek, white water raft, golf... The list goes on. Oh and the nightlife is pretty great too.

If you'd like to escape the summer heat of the Salt Lake Valley, and entertain and educate your kids while you're at it, you can take this short hike at the base of Alta Ski Area. Take the first Alta entrance you get to off the Little Cottonwood Canyon road. It's called the Wildcat Base. You'll see a large parking lot once you go down a short hill. Park near the Gold Miner's Daughter building.

If you're in wine country and want to get out for a nice hike or a quick jog try the Sonoma Overlook Trail. It's a short drive or walk from the Sonoma town square. The trail is a two mile loop and with a fairly gentle grade. If you're hiking, there are a number of benches to sit down and take in the view, (and maybe enjoy a picnic or glass of wine). The trail is very well marked and a bit rocky in some spots; however you can do the hike or run in regular running shoes. During the rainy season the trail can get pretty muddy.

The drive out of Flagstaff was cloudy and cool. Unseasonably cool for Memorial Day weekend at the end of May. "Snow at the higher elevations, [of the San Francisco Mountains] up to a foot I hear" said the barista at the coffee shop. As we drove toward the canyon, Sam brought up the Death March, a hike he had dreamed of doing since moving to the southwestern desert 7 years ago. It involved hiking from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, to the North Rim, and back in 24 hours. 44 miles, 20,000 feet of elevation change, 24 hours. Sure, it has been done, but the question was could WE do it.

North Georgia is a hikers dream. Whether you are from the South or from some place far away you will find peace in the North Georgia Mountains. With the famous Appalachian Trail starting in North Georgia at Springer Mountain and ending in Maine Georgia gets thousands of thru-hikers each year. Some begin in Georgia and some end but all get treated with warmth and hospitality that the Southern mountains are known for. There are plenty of Georgia
hikes you will love.

Bell Canyon is a welcomed outdoor haven from the sprawling and often smoggy Salt Lake Valley. The canyon is only 20 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City, but it's a world away once you get on the trail. There are trailheads on Wasatch Boulevard and off 9400 South. You can see the canyon on this map (just zoom in on Utah).

There are a variety of activities to do in Bell Canyon, during all seasons of the year. Bell Canyon is a watershed area so no Dogs are allowed, and yes they do patrol this.