What's New

A backpacking sleeping pad very importantly provides warmth by insulating us from the cold ground at night, and ideally a sleeping pad will also provide sufficient comfort to allow for a good night of rest. As an item that’s one of the heaviest and bulkiest core gear items you will carry on any backpacking trip, the sleeping pad requires some thought and consideration when it comes to selection and application. With a multitude of options available there's a sleeping pad to specifically suit any season and backpacking trip, as well as those that offer a wide range of versatility across many situations. In this article we'll look at things to consider and features of some of the best sleeping pads on the market today. When considering a backpacking sleeping pad, weight, warmth, comfort, and durability should all be considered. R-Value and Warmth The most important function a sleeping pad serves is to keep you warm; although we all like to be comfortable we can’t be comfortable if we’re cold. Thus, consider a sleeping pad’s r-value when making a choice. However, there’s no free lunch; the warmer the pad the heavier and bulkier it will be. As such we have to seek a balance just like anything else. For general 3 season use here in the Rockies where it always gets a bit chilly at night, I target a sleeping pad with an r-value of at least 3. Combined with an appropriate sleeping bag for the forecasted lows of course, I’ve found this to provide sufficient warmth into the higher 20’s. When it will be colder, I combine this pad with the thinnest (1/4" or less) and lightest generic closed cell foam pad I can find particularly of the Evazote foam variety that can easily be cut down to a custom size or folded over to double up if needed. Options like the ULA Siesta pad or this option on Amazon, and foam pads sometimes carried by many cottage makers / vendors also work well. Essentially, you are looking for a thin 1/8" to 1/4" foam pad that will cover you width wise (depends on your main pad width of choice), and at least offer torso length coverage or more. This system will keep me comfortably warm to the high teens. If it will be colder than that I will combine my usual sleeping pad with a thick foam pad of nearly an equal r-value. As an example, the Exped Synmat UL7 – find our full review here – which is my choice for an inflatable pad – combined with something like the Z Lite Sol foam pad and the aforementioned thin foam pad will provide a total r-value approaching 6. A combo like this has kept me warm on winter trips well below 0. On this trip with a low for the night well below 0, I packed both this Ridge Rest Solar plus an insulated inflatable. Some inflatable pads like the Exped Ultra 1R feature no insulation at all (r-value around 1) and basically provide mostly comfort from the ground, but not cold ground. These pads are lighter and cheaper, and might be useful for a dedicated summer sleeping pad in warm locales. On the flipside some winter sleeping pads, such as the Exped Dura 8R or the NeoAir X-Therm NXT MAX, are heavily insulated and would be sufficiently warm all on their own for cold winter camping and for cold sleepers. On both sides of the coin though each are on the specialized end of the spectrum; I prefer the adaptable approach of using one 3-season rated pad, and then adding in a thin, or thicker foam pad when needed for colder temperatures. For the 3 season pad I like an inflatable to provide the comfort and some baseline level of insulation, and when combined with the additional foam pad the foam pad protects the inflatable and will even serve as a fail-safe should the inflatable spring a leak. As a general starting guide an r-value of 2+ has been useful for me on summer trips in the mountains and for 3 season use in warmer locations; warm into the 30 degree range. I find an r-value of 3+ most useful all-around, providing sufficient warmth for most 3-season trips in the mountains and down to the 20 degree range. However if you're a cold sleeper or sleep warm, you can implement some respective addition or subtraction here. For winter trips I do not mess around and take a combination of pads totaling a 5-6+ r-value. Pads that feature an r-value under 2 I find useful only as part of a larger system (as a solution to boost warmth as part of an overall sleep system), but not on their own. Sleeping Pad Size Sleeping pads are usually offered in multiple lengths and depending on your height and use, an appropriate fit can be found. If you’re going with an ultralight approach a shorter pad can work that offers coverage for the most important part of your body – your torso and core, but your feet and legs will hang off the end. To insulate this area you can pile gear and your backpack – that might just have an insulating foam backpanel – at the bottom of the shorter sleeping pad. This will save the most weight, but still will not be as warm or as comfortable as a longer pad. My preference is to use a pad that’s at least close to my height. A few inches shorter is fine as we often sleep a bit shorter than our height with knees and back bent, etc., or longer than your height offers the most luxury. Either way, by getting your whole body on the pad you will sleep warmer. The standard width for most sleeping pads is 20 inches. Often a wide version (not really standardized, but usually 25”) is also offered and even up to double wide pads for two like the Exped Ultra 3R Duo sleeping pad are offered. Two one-person pads can always be strapped together – Sea to Summit makes the best solution for this I’ve used. Preference will of course depend on your size and sleeping style. A 20” pad works for me, but there’s not much wiggle room and I do sleep better on a wider pad that offers more room to bend your knees for side sleepers or for toss and turners. Many tents are based around this 20” width standard, so be sure your pad will fit in your shelter of choice and combined with whatever width pad your partner may have if you’re sharing a tent. Either way longer and wider pads offer more comfort but at the cost of an increase in weight and bulk. I’ve accumulated several sizes over the years, so on trips where I’ll be covering a lot of miles I take a standard 6’ pad; on more relaxed trips I like the comfort my Synmat LW (Long/Wide) offers. No matter the size, you will find sleeping pads available in both a traditional rectangular shape as well as in tapering, mummy shapes that narrow towards the feet. While tapered pads offer some weight savings, a rectangular sleeping pad offers more room. The lower section of a mummy-shaped sleeping pad. Weight is saved, but there's not as much toss and turn room. Weight A great target for an adequately warm and comfortable full length standard 3-season sleeping pad for most locations is around 1lb with the weight falling below that as we get into shorter and/or less warm pads, and above that as we get into longer, wider, and warmer pads. Save for a dedicated winter pad, approaching the 2lb mark is best reserved for sleeping pads in more of the super comfortable and warm, but heavy and bulky car camping variety. If you'll be focusing on car camping, weight shouldn't be a concern. The best car camping sleeping pads will be those that are warm, comfortable, and durable. That said, back to the trail... Closed Cell Foam Pads The simplest and cheapest option to go with is a closed cell foam sleeping pad. I’m much more comfortable on an inflatable pad, but as previously described, I still have an assortment of closed cell foam pads in my gear stash to combine with an inflatable pad for additional warmth on shoulder season and winter trips with my 3 season rated Exped Synmat UL7. However, the foam pad excels in the reliability department – it won’t leak and you don’t have to carry a patch kit. They are also usually cheaper. The downside is they pack bulky and you will probably have to carry it on the outside of your backpack. This can be a pro though, as the pad will be easily accessible to use as a sit pad on breaks and for lunch. Foam pads are usually just around an inch thick or a bit less, and then compress further when you’re on it. You will definitely feel the ground and any rocks or roots that might occupy your campsite, but if the comfort works for you the foam pad is a reliable and affordable choice. Note that you will want to avoid open cell foam pads, as they will absorb water and when they do they take a long time to dry. Reserve these for use on the futon at home. Foam pads are bulky to carry, but convenient for breaks. Most foam pads can be had for under $50. Some popular options include such venerable choices as the generic blue foam pad, the Therm-a-Rest Ridge Rest (a classic), and the more conveniently packed Z Lite pad. And in recent years, you can now find that classic foam pads from Therm-a-Rest have been updated with an aluminized reflective (warmer) coating as seen in the Z Lite Sol pad for a small boost in warmth and durability. Overall a foam sleeping pad will above all be dependable, but not the most comfortable or easy to carry. Inflatable Pads Inflatable sleeping pads offer a few advantages and disadvantages compared to their closed cell foam cousins. Usually thicker than foam pads when inflated, an air pad can keep you totally off the ground and the inflation level can be adjusted to suit your own comfort preference. Thinner inflatables are better for back sleepers and the thicker variety better for side sleepers. If you toss and turn, look for a design that is raised around the sides a bit to help center you on the pad and keep you from falling off in the night. Inflatable pads also pack smaller, usually around the size of a Nalgene and even a long / wide inflatable will easily fit inside a backpack. Most air pads usually feature baffles arranged in a horizontal, vertical, or sometimes in a pod like arrangement like the Sea to Summit Ultralight – one of our tested sleeping pads we’ve previously reviewed. Preference varies; I like the lengthwise tubes that I find help me stay centered on the pad. Self-inflating pads usually have a flatter sleeping surface. The downside of inflatable pads is that they can be punctured, baffles can fail, you have to inflate it, and to be sufficiently warm inflatable pads will use insulation or special baffles that bump up the price. When I carry an inflatable, I also bring a patch kit along just in case, and use care where I put the pad. For inflation I prefer to not use my breath, not only can this be a little difficult at high altitudes after a long day, but it introduces moisture. Many manufacturers offer a pump bag solution – like the Exped Scnhozzel I use, and battery operated pumps are even available. The standard of inflatables a couple decades ago, some are still self-inflating, but the self-inflating pad has become rarer in recent times. Keeping air pads protected and inside your tent is ideal. Many people may also take a smaller foam pad to use as a dedicated sit pad in this situation. The texture of sleeping pad surfaces vary, and some inflatable pads can be a bit noisy and some can also have slick surfaces that can migrate around the tent, or have you migrating on top of them at night. Some strategic dots of Seam Grip SIL on your (especially if it’s silnylon) tent floor can help mitigate the slipping, and if you combine an inflatable with a foam pad of any type as I often do in colder weather it will mitigate this issue. For an inflatable lightweight insulated sleeping pad, you are probably looking at something in the $100-$200 range. Popular inflatable pads can be found in the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir series (view at REI) that utilize a combination of baffling and aluminized reflective features to provide warmth, options from Sea to Summit that use microfiber insulation, and many options of various insulation types exist from makers like Big Agnes and Nemo Equipment. The best backpacking sleeping pads will feature a blend of warmth, weight, packed size, and durability. If you choose the most extreme of any category, it will likely be at the cost of something else. My System Just like sleeping bags, selecting a backpacking sleeping pad is without a doubt, a huge balance between weight, comfort, price, reliability, and warmth – and while there’s no best sleeping pad and no free lunch, with so many options out there there’s no doubt the right sleeping pad that suits your style can be found. As a side sleeper who values all the above points fairly equally and has been testing sleeping pads for decades, I like a comfortable 3 season inflatable pad as the main cog in my sleeping pad system, and add in a thin foam pad for just a touch of additional warmth when it's needed and a thicker foam pad for winter conditions. For a full selection of lightweight sleeping pads that you can then narrow down by type, price, size, etc. take a look here at REI.com.

Hi Rob and welcome. What type of production quality are you looking for? Most would use a smartphone if you have one. For a higher production quality than that, and they are often pretty good, you’d be looking at some more expensive professional or higher end camera gear.

Hey everyone I am Rob from IL. I am new to hiking trails and have a trip planned in late August to Acadia National Park. We are going to hike the beehive trail and I was wanting to record it. What is the cheapest but good quality camera to record with? Can anyone give me some advice. I am looking between 50-80 dollars if that is even possible.

An important core backpacking gear item, your backpacking sleeping bag needs to be light enough to carry easily, pack small enough as to not take over your entire pack, and most importantly keep you warm and comfortable at night. In this guide we’ll focus on the best backpacking sleeping bags currently on the market by temperature rating. As this is a backpacking focused article weight of the sleeping bag and warmth to weight ratio will be of a paramount focus here, with down bags ruling the roost. For a basecamp scenario, synthetic bags would be worth consideration. See our guide on down vs. synthetic insulation for more information and background. For the purposes of this article, we will focus on features, weight, and performance. Best 30F+ & Summer Rated Backpacking Sleeping Bags This can be a complicated category with many options. Bags in this range can be very light, but early morning hours can be a bit crisp and ample warmth will be appreciated during the night. My pick hands down would be the Zpacks Classic 30 degree sleeping bag. Weighing in at just 14 ounces and going for $440, this bag is made with DownTek 900 fill power water resistant down and is available in 7 different sizes. Going to a hoodless sleeping bag (I mostly use the Zpacks 20 degree) has changed my backcountry sleeping for the better – now I can turn with the bag, or inside the bag, no matter. Additionally with the zipper on the bottom maximum heat is retained and you have no zipper at the top (leaking the most hot air) no matter if you’re a back sleeper or a side sleeper. In milder conditions above the shoulders just a warm hat works well for me, but if it gets cold at night you can add in an additional goose hood. Traditional top-tier manufacturers include Feathered Friends and Western Mountaineering. When it comes to Western Mountaineering, they offer a variety of bags in this category, many that don’t have much difference between each other from a big picture point of view. Their MegaLite 30 degree sleeping bag weighs in at 24 ounces and is a nice option if you like more traditional design features. The MegaLite uses 850 fill down and is a wider bag with a passive draft collar that I’ve found is sufficient down to around freezing. Western Mountaineering bags aren’t cheap – the MegaLite will set you back about $600 – but with proper care these are bags that will last darn near forever. For slimmer users and in warmer conditions one could consider the Western Mountaineering SummerLite (around $500, 19 ounces) – although we’ve found this one starts to take on a chill as temperatures close in towards the freezing mark, it would be ideal for warmer nights. Both the MegaLite and SummerLite from Western Mountaineering feature a fully baffled construction (the bag is not sewn through to create the baffles – a sewn through bag results in a lighter and possibly less expensive construction but will have cold spots when temperatures drop). The Western Mountaineering FlyLite is a newer bag that is an option for warmer weather trips – it’s rated to 36 degrees, weighs just ~14 ounces in a standard width, and retails for just over $500. This makes it the lightest fully baffled bag Western Mountaineering offers. Draft tubes, draft collars, continuous baffles, and so on are not as critical during warmer conditions and their omission can save weight, but I find I've always appreciated these features in the field. Feathered Friends additionally offers top of the line down sleeping bags including the Hummingbird UL 30 ($550, about 22 ounces). This is a narrower bag (saves weight, more efficient) so keep that in mind, but if you’ll fit, as with Western Mountaineering this 950 fill power down bag is expensive but worth it. For women Feathered Friends offers their Egret UL 30 ($550, about 24 ounces) with an even narrower cut but in a more women’s-specific shape. Wider bags from Feathered Friends include the Swift UL 30 ($580, about 26 ounces) and the more middle of the road width wise Swallow UL 30 (24 ounces, $570). It will be hard to go wrong with a Feathered Friends bag, so long as you get the right fit. Another option is the REI Co-op Magma 30 (averaging around 25 ounces, $380) – offered in no less than 9 sizes for an almost custom type of fit, this bag keeps it lightweight via use of an 850 fill power water resistant down, standard features, and you even get an interior pocket. While of all things backpacking a down sleeping bag is one place where I would not try to cut budget, this is one bag that could be considered more in the budget category if you catch it on sale. Summary: Best 30F+ & Summer Rated Sleeping Bags (and rating F) Zpacks Classic 30 Western Mountaineering MegaLite (30) Western Mountaineering SummerLite (32) Western Mountaineering FlyLite (36) Feathered Friends Hummingbird UL 30 Feathered Friends Egret UL 30 Feathered Friends Swift UL 30 Feathered Friends Swallow UL 30 REI Co-op Magma 30 Best 20 Degree Range Sleeping Bags Everything in nature seems to change below freezing, and at these temperatures I find that it becomes more important to consider those extra features like a nice draft tube and hood, with a draft collar being very much appreciated. For me and many others that backpack mostly in mountain terrain, the 20 degree bag gets the most use 3 seasons out of the year. These are your bread and butter sleeping bags, and from my perspective if you’re looking for the best sleeping bag in this category, you’ll likely be looking at the same brands we’ve previously discussed. Feathered Friends offers their versatile Hummingbird UL 20 (24 ounces, $610) – with the Feathered Friends Egret 20 (~28 ounces, around $610) being a women’s-specific option in this temperature range. These are narrower bags to save the most weight. However, if you like a little more space in a bag as I do, check out the Swallow UL 20 (27 ounces, $630). In regards to Western Mountaineering, we can narrow this down to the venerable UltraLite 20 degree (29 ounces, $630) – which is your narrow / standard option – and the wider and perhaps more comfortable 20 degree AlpinLite (31 ounces, $710). Although it’s a bit heavier the AlpinLite’s space wins out for me out of these two bags, but as with Feathered Friends, you can’t go wrong here. That said as previously mentioned and although I have had many a comfortable backcountry night in a WM AlpinLite, my preference for a backpacking sleeping bag has evolved towards the hoodless category. The Zpacks 20 Degree Classic sleeping bag (~19 ounces, $460) is my current choice for a bag in this temperature range – I find at these temperatures a hoodless bag is ideal (so long as I wear the warm hat I already take and wear a jacket with a hood). You can find my review of the Zpacks 20 here, although Zpacks has since updated the bag just a bit with upgrades. Zpacks again also offers their goose hood, but with a warm hat and jacket hood, I haven’t personally needed this until temps fall below 20. That said if you’re not ready to give up your sleeping bag hood, Zpacks also offers their 20 degree Mummy sleeping bag (23 ounces in medium standard, $580) with a built-in traditional hood. When on sale, for a more budget option in this category we’ll go ahead and put the REI Co-op Magma 15 in this category (comfort limit: 21 degrees). With a weight of around 36 ounces depending on size and retailing at $429 full price, this bag offers a very reasonable weight in 9 different sizes for a tailored fit, and at a very reasonable price especially if you catch it on sale. Summary: Best 20 Degree Range Sleeping Bags Feathered Friends Hummingbird UL 20 Feathered Friends Egret UL 20 Feathered Friends Swallow UL 20 Western Mountaineering UltraLite (20) Western Mountaineering AlpinLite (20) Zpacks 20 Degree Classic Zpacks 20 Degree Mummy REI Co-op Magma 15 Best Winter and Cold Weather (Zero and 10 Degree) Sleeping Bags I find that it’s more versatile to have 2 warmer rated bags, combining them to form a winter sleep system when needed for cold winter trips rather than keeping a bag from this category on hand. As an example, I’ve combined a 20 degree and a more summer-oriented bag and stayed warm (with appropriate sleeping pads and a total r-value for the temperature) on winter trips nearing minus 20F. That said if you have one 3 season bag that covers all seasons other than winter, sleep especially cold and want a warmer bag for 3 season mountain trips, or are looking to add in a dedicated winter bag, a bag in this category may be desired. Same players, different temperature ratings again here. The 2lb., $735 Western Mountaineering VersaLite 10 degree sleeping bag is a solid choice on the warmer end of this category. One nice thing about the Versalite is that it’s in the middle width-wise – just right. Going back a bit to their 20 degree options if the UltraLite was a bit too tight, and the AlpinLite a bit too wide, the VersaLite will likely be a perfect choice. For a women’s-specific bag check out the 10 degree Feathered Friends Petrel UL 10 (2lbs, $660). This is a super high quality women’s bag that is not unheard of on packing lists even for summer trips in the mountains for cold sleepers. As a women’s bag I haven’t personally used the Petrel, but having seen this bag being used in the field on many occasions I’m never surprised by the loft of Petrel – you may need a bigger pack! At these temperatures I do think a sleeping bag hood is something good to have – you want to retain every bit of heat your body puts off during the night within a singular compartment and bag. Thus the 28 ounce, $600 Zpacks Mummy Sleeping Bag in a 10 degree would be well worth consideration here for hikers looking to save weight. On cold winter trips, I prioritize warmth and features over weight. The colder it becomes the less I am personally concerned about weight – I prioritize warmth and comfort – and the last thing I’d want is a constricting bag on a winter night that could last 16 hours or more. In their wide mummy series the Feathered Friends Raven 10 UL (34 ounces, $700) would make for a top of the line choice in a 10 degree bag, but if saving the weight is more critical (via less width), the Feathered Friends Lark 10 UL (31 ounces, $680) would be the next logical choice here. Pushing the rating to 0F Feathered Friends offers their women’s Murre ES 0 degree bag (3lbs, $780) as well as their Ibis ES 0 Degree (50 ounces, $820). With a focus on heating efficiency, both of these bags have a bit of a narrow cut to be aware of – as with many things, there are pros and cons. Summary: Best Winter and Cold Weather Sleeping Bags Western Mountaineering VersaLite (10) Feathered Friends Petrel UL 10 Zpacks 10 Degree Mummy Feathered Friends Raven 10 UL Feathered Friends Lark 10 UL Feathered Friends Murre ES 0 Feathered Friends Ibis ES 0 Deep Winter / Expedition Sleeping Bags While I prefer to combine 2 bags to make a poor man’s expedition bag for general winter backpacking trips in the lower 48, if I were to plan an Arctic expedition, a cold mountaineering summit attempt, or for some type of cold northern basecamp type scenario, an expedition bag would certainly be appreciated in these unique circumstances. Feathered Friends and Western Mountaineering offer some very intriguing, and impressive, choices here that both throw plenty of goose down at the issue. The Western Mountaineering Bison Stormshield (69 ounces, $1360) is rated to -40F with 10” of loft and a weather-resistant shell. This bag is sized generously for additional comfort on those long winter nights. On the Feathered Friends side, their -40F solution can be found in the Snow Goose ES -40 (65 ounces, $1170). This bag is another bag that’s sized generously for more comfort and space if you’ll be spending a lot of time in your sleeping bag. If -40F isn’t warm enough however, the 78 ounce, $1360 Snowy Owl ES -60 bag from Feathered Friends may be up your alley for the most epic of arctic level expeditions. Summary: Deep Winter / Expedition Sleeping Bags Western Mountaineering Bison Stormshield (-40) Feathered Friends Snow Goose ES -40 Feathered Friends Snowy Owl -60 Whether it's an expedition sleeping bag rated to 60 below or a featherweight summer bag that packs up smaller than a water bottle, there is a sleeping bag on the market for every possible use and scenario. In Conclusion A critical item on your gear list, there are a few ways to go about your sleeping bag strategy. You could choose to go with a bag rated for the lowest temperatures you’ll ever backpack in, but this bag may be overly bulky and heavy for warm summer trips (albeit workable). To save weight, I like to go with a 2 bag system, a warmer bag for downright summer-like weather, and a 20 degree bag that gets the vast majority of use for 3-season trips in the mountains where lows in the 20s are not uncommon in August. When I head out on a winter trip, I combine them. Whether you opt for a 1 bag approach or a multitude of bags ideal for every scenario, sleeping warm adds to any trip – and while a slightly heavier and warmer bag may not rule the ultralight spreadsheet, some temperature rating buffer is always appreciated at night when you’re out there. For a list of sleeping bags from various manufacturers that you can sort and filter by temperature rating and more, see this page at REI Co-op. For background info on sleeping bags, refer to our guide on How to Choose the Best Backpacking Sleeping Bag. For additional related “big 3” and “big 4” gear selection, take a look at our articles: Choosing the Best Backpacking Sleeping Pad as well as Best Backpacking Backpacks by Category, and Best Backpacking Tents by Application and Budget.

One of the big 3 of backpacking gear choices (backpack, tent or shelter, and sleeping bag), the backpacking backpack you choose will have a profound impact on your comfort during the hiking day. Your pack will also be one of the more expensive items you’ll purchase, and to get the best pack within your budget a little research will be needed as there are a myriad of packs out there on the market. In this guide, we’ll look at the best backpacking packs currently on the market based upon anticipated pack weight and packing category (ultralight, lightweight, heavy weight) along with some budget options as well. For the purposes of this guide, we’ll focus on performance, availability, reasonable price, and reasonable longevity for the intended purpose. Best Ultralight Backpacking Backpacks If you’re a weekend or overnight backpacker and / or manage to keep your total pack weight at around 25lbs or less, more ultralight backpacking packs may be worth a look. That said, if you do plan on going over this weight from time to time, and prefer a quiver of one, the next section in this article may be more appropriate to evaluate. For ultralight loads however, the frameless ULA Photon (35L total, 26 ounces, $220) from Ultralight Adventure Equipment is not the lightest pack out there, but is tough and has excellent comfort at these weights along with a livable pocket configuration. For a bit of a space and a carrying ability upgrade, look at the ULA Ohm (63L, 34 ounces, $280) as well as the ULA CDT (54L total, 27 ounces, $220). The Zpacks Nero Ultra 38L (38L total space, 10 ounces, $250) offers an ultralight option for the lightest of ultralight packers, but in typical Zpacks style still has organization and features you need in a pack of this nature. The Super Nero Ultra 50L boosts the space up to 50L total, with a pack weight of just 12 ounces at $270. Both of these packs are suggested for 20lbs or less of total pack weight. Another option is the MLD (Mountain Laurel Designs) Burn. This pack weighs in just over a pound and retails for $325 with 38L of storage. Featuring the tried and true combination of roll top main compartment, outside pocket, side pockets, and hipbelt pockets, the Burn is a nice option for ultralight overnights or beyond, so long as you are indeed focusing on the “ultra” of ultralight. Summary: Best Ultralight Backpacking Backpacks ULA Photon ULA Ohm ULA CDT Zpacks Nero Ultra 38 Zpacks Super Nero Ultra 50 MLD Burn Best Lightweight & Long Distance Backpacks This is the bread and butter category of backpacking packs if you’re focused on lightweight backpacking, planning longer trips where saving weight is a priority, or if you're planning on thru-hiking a long trail. These are the packs that are just right most of the time, just fine (if a little under-loaded) for an overnight, and can be pushed for longer trips – although they may not be the most comfortable for hauling heavy loads the first few days out and until some of that consumable weight is reduced. In this category and if your pack weight will be under 35-40lbs two packs from ULA Equipment have been a favorite choice of both mine and the backpacking community for years. My pick is the ULA Circuit (total volume 68L, 38.5 ounces, $300) that I’ve used on overnights up to 10 day trips and everything in between, although it’s definitely pushing it for trips over a week for me (whether you’d want to grab a pack from the next section in this article is a personal call). If you’ll be packing a little heavier, trend towards longer trips, and / or like more space the ULA Catalyst (75L total, 44.4 ounces, $320) will make more sense. To save a little weight and for a more waterproof pack Ultra versions of both of these packs are available. These two packs feature my favorite storage configuration for the trail (as previously described): large roll top main compartment, large outside back pocket, side pockets, and hipbelt pockets. In either case, you simply cannot go wrong with these two venerable ULA packs if you’ll be carrying less than 40lbs fully loaded (I’ve had 50lbs in the Circuit, not suggested but the pack was no worse for wear). And as a quick note if you're looking for a great kid's pack look no further than the ULA Spark. Another and newer pack to check out in this category is the Durston Kakwa 55 (around 60L total, about 31 ounces, $200-$260). This pack can be either had in the more affordable UltraGrid fabric option or Ultra 200X. Either way you get a pack with impressive organization at reasonable prices, and a pack that’s quite light but still can carry up to 45lbs. A note on Ultra: while many manufacturers have begun using Ultra (100X / 200X / 400X) fabrics for packs, durability has been mixed on the original fabric and the jury is still out on newer, further reinforced X versions. That said an Ultra pack will get you a completely waterproof pack (except seams unless taped). UltraGrid however, is a heavier denier nylon with a UHMWPE gridstop and a PU coating on the inside. This coating is rated at a 1500mm hydrostatic head – that’s as waterproof as some tents on the market. Fabrics similar to UltraGrid have proven themselves over the years. They will become more water-resistant in time, but these fabrics have held up very well to the trail – on or off trail for that matter – and have handled abrasion situations very well in my experience. Long story short, it is hard to beat a good gridstop fabric for packs. Gridstop may not be the most waterproof, but I have gridstop packs with a decade+ of usage that are still quite water resistant and there are other ways to keep your backpacking gear dry. This would include using a pack liner or a large dry bag or two…or alternatively a trash compactor bag would be suggested in regards to pack waterproofing. Gridstops aren’t as trendy as laminates, but I fully expect 10 years or more of use out of packs made with these gridstop ~200+ denier nylon fabrics and there is a lot to be said for that. Back to backpacks, for the lightest of the light, the Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60L (60L total storage, about 22 ounces, $400) is worth consideration – this pack is rated to carry 40lbs via a carbon fiber frame system with integrated back ventilation and as a bonus is also available in a women's specific version. The pack uses a lighter Ultra 100X to save weight – so this pack will be better for users that are willing to be a little careful with their gear in order to save the weight. Summary: Best Lightweight & Long Distance Backpacks ULA Circuit ULA Catalyst ULA Spark (for kids) Durston Kakwa 55 Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60 & Women's Best Load Hauler Backpacking Packs Weight (of the pack itself...or weight carried within it for that matter) can quickly spiral out of control in this category, with some manufacturers offering packs here that can weigh well over 5lbs. In this category we have a few main venerable larger players, with one example being the Gregory Baltoro and the Gregory Deva series, in particular the Baltoro 75 liter (~80 ounces, $360) and the Baltoro 85 Pro (around 88 ounces, $400), with the women’s version being offered in the Deva 70 backpack (about 75 ounces, $360) as well as the larger Deva 80 Pro pack (~84 ounces, $400). If you’re looking for a cushy mainstream get-it-done pack to haul large loads that can be on your doorstep a few days from now, the Baltoro and Deva packs have been a go-to for many years and are rated to carry up to 70lbs. Saving weight for the pack itself is not however a strong point here. If you’ll be hauling a heavy load (long trips, lots of food and water, or extras like packrafts or camera gear) but still have a lightweight approach like me, you may need to look at smaller companies to fill this niche. Leaders in this category include the Superior Wilderness Designs Wolverine 95L (a 70L is also offered) pack as well as their 95L Big Wild pack (no large outside back pocket), also offered in a 70L version. While color is usually not my primary concern when selecting a pack, these two SWD packs for better or worse are only made in Ultra 400X fabric which only comes in white or black – which I’d have to say, would be towards my last 2 choices when it comes to something like a pack or tent color. That said, these packs are rated to carry up over 50lbs for around $400 and will come in around 40 ounces for the pack itself, plus or minus depending on options. Be sure to check out their available add-ons if you want something like a hydration port or hipbelt pockets. A couple other packs stand out here: Nunatak makes extraordinary gear and offers their Plateau Pack (around 40 ounces, $350) with an up to 75L capacity and capable of carrying 50+ lbs. If you need something even larger, check out the Sockdolager Equipment Bad Larry pack ($475, 3lbs or so depending on options) with Dan Ransom’s tubular aluminum twin stays. The 90L Bad Larry was designed for packrafting, but packrafting specific features can be removed and you end up with a competitive backpacking load hauler pack. These two packs are more custom built and you’ll have to see if things like hydration ports or hipbelt pockets can be added. Be it Superior Wilderness Designs or Nunatak or Sockdolager, plan in advance and buckle up for some wait times. Seek Outside also offers a couple packs worth checking out – although Seek Outside seems to lean towards the lightweight backcountry hunting crowd, some of their products can be adapted to lightweight backpacking like the 79L Divide 2.0 ($505, 55 ounces). However, Seek Outside takes no custom requests so if you want something like a hydration port, you’re out of luck unless you want to start cutting and sewing yourself. That said Seek Outside’s frames are uniquely rated for pretty much whatever weight you can physically carry, so if you’re wanting to sign up for a suffer fest in regards to pack weight, these are the packs that would be up to the task. Summary: Best Load Hauler Backpacking Packs Gregory Baltoro Gregory Deva SWD Big Wild 95 SWD Wolverine 95 Nunatak Plateau Pack Sockdolager Bad Larry Seek Outside Divide 2.0 Best Budget Backpacking Packs If you want to keep it under $200 (at least before shipping and tax) – which I would very much consider a budget range for a backpacking pack – the previously mentioned Durston Kakwa 55 in UltraGrid offers quite a bit of value in this category as long as you’re packing somewhat lightweight, with the REI Co-op Flash 55 (about 55 liters, just under 3lbs, $200) offering another option that’s worth ample consideration. The REI Co-op Flash has the bonus of being offered in both a men’s and women’s version and in my experience, this line has demonstrated good value and very acceptable performance. Another interesting sub-$200 option can be found in the Osprey Rook 65 backpack (men's) and the Osprey Renn 65L (women's). Designed to carry up to 40lbs, these packs offer 65 liters of space, basic features, and can be had for about $190 while weighing in just under 4lbs. A pack from the REI Co-op Flash series. It is also worth checking out the REI Co-op Outlet from time to time, as you can often find many packs or last year’s model that will be perfectly serviceable at a discount here. For a budget load hauler pack, this can be tough since these are typically the larger and more feature-packed (expensive) options. The aforementioned REI Co-op Outlet is a good place to start your search. That said the Kelty Asher 85 is also worth consideration – as you’d expect it’s an 85 liter pack that weighs in close to 6 pounds, but can carry a heavy load and retails for just under $200 full price. Summary: Best Budget Backpacking Packs Durston Kakwa UltraGrid REI Co-op Flash 55 Osprey Rook 65 Osprey Renn 65 REI Co-op Outlet Packs Kelty Asher 85 My Approach to Backpacking Packs and in Conclusion If you like to keep your gear simple and want one pack to do it all, there are a few ways to go about your approach. You can pick a pack rated for the heaviest load you’ll ever carry, and while it may be a bit much for shorter trips it will work. Or you could go for a pack rated for the typical load you’ll carry, but your shoulders may be complaining at the start of longer trips. This can be done if you’re only rarely expecting to take these kinds of trips and saving the cash is more important than comfort (not my choice). You could also pick a pack for overnights, another for most trips in the middle, and an even larger pack for load hauling and the longest excursions. For me, I like two packs: one do it all (from the lightweight and long distance category) and another load hauler for extended trips with extra gear. One advantage of this route (multiple packs) is that it spreads the wear out a bit and your packs will last longer. For more information on how to choose a backpacking backpack, size, materials, and pack features and considerations, see our guide on How to Choose the Best Backpacking and Hiking Backpack. For a large selection of various backpacking packs that you can sort and filter by capacity and more, see this page at REI Co-op. For Related reading on the "big 3" see our articles, Best Backpacking Tents by Application and Budget as well as How to Choose the Best Backpacking Sleeping Bag.

Unique among the seasons, winter wields the power to make many hiking destinations inaccessible. Roads are gated due to snow, mountain passes become snowbound and hazardous, and specific four-season gear is required in many regions for those venturing out in the winter months. Human-powered recreation is mostly left to snowshoers, skiers, snowboarders, and winter is also a good time to focus on cleaning gear, summer trip planning, fitness routines, racking up vacation time, and other hobbies. Getting away to a warmer locale for a few days or a week also doesn’t hurt if you’re able to accommodate the expense of time and money. In winter, places inherently seem to become more remote. The Wilderness of Winter Winter also has the singular ability to bring a feeling of wilderness and raw nature to places that feel mundane, even boring, in other seasons. Many of the bumpy and potholed forest roads flanked by endless lodgepole pines that are merely tolerated on drives to the trailhead in the summer become the proverbial “winter wonderland” with the addition of a few feet of snow. Putting on the cross-country skis and heading up one of these roads for a few miles to a scenic overlook that merited only a glance out the window before driving further a few months before becomes an expedition to a breathtaking picnic spot. A cabin that you could drive to in June is transformed into a rustic outpost where you can sit in quintessential tranquility and watch snow fall while a woodstove heats the tiny structure. Favorite trails suddenly take on an Arctic charm that highlights the rock and water features, especially when the water turns to ice. Animal tracks left in the snow can be examined with a clarity rarely provided in typical dirt patches on the trail. The play of light and reflections of the sun off the snow make for near-mystical conditions. If you have the gear and experience to safely and comfortably do overnight trips in the winter months, the stargazing is incredible. The skies are can be exceedingly clear and the stars come out much earlier compared to the summer months. As long as you have the gear to stay comfortable in periods of inactivity in cold conditions, you can fit in some amazing stargazing between dinner and a reasonable bedtime. If you’re staying in a cabin or other structure, such as a lookout, you can head back inside to warm up, make some tea or hot chocolate, and head back out with your beverage in an insulated water bottle if you've brought one along. The sky will be darker, the stars shining brighter, and you’ll be warmer. This back-and-forth can go on as long as your eyes stay open and the rewards always seem to be worth pushing through the sleepiness. If you’re lucky enough to live in a region with natural hot springs, visiting these in the winter can be a luxury almost impossible to describe. Sitting in jacuzzi-warm water, rich with minerals, and watching a frigid river run beneath snow-draped trees is a surefire way to put a smile on your face. The juxtaposition between the harsh and benevolent characteristics of nature are visibly, and physically, apparent. Hot springs that would be crowded in the shoulder-season months due to their proximity roads and parking areas become much less visited. An easy stroll in the summer suddenly becomes a 1/4 mile epic in winter, requiring snowshoes and proper clothing to be comfortable in frigid temperatures until you’re able to immerse yourself in the water. As expected, however, the reward feels much richer and well-deserved. For hikers who live in a region absent of the geothermal phenomenons that are required for hot springs but with sustained subfreezing temperatures, winter often presents the opportunity to see frozen waterfalls. Visiting a gushing waterfall in May and then returning in January to see it frozen from top to bottom provides a sublime comparison. In regions with dense ridgetop deciduous forests, such as many Eastern forests, the views in winter are much grander than in summer. Trails that have the “green tunnel” effect suddenly become much more open and the shadows and shapes created by the bare tree limbs become a spectacle in and of themselves. Certain “life list” destinations are at their most hospitable and enjoyable in the winter months. Big Bend National Park, Everglades National Park and Dry Tortugas National Park come to mind in this regards. Backpacking on Cumberland Island National Seashore in December is a particular treat – the crowds are low, the weather is mild, and the citrus trees are ripe. There’s something beautiful about getting to a campsite, setting down the pack, and picking an orange or grapefruit to enjoy with your oatmeal the next morning. Final Thoughts While the coming of spring is an occasion for celebration, especially for those of us who reside in the northerly latitudes, winter has its merits. It offers a chance for skills to be honed, inimitable adventures to be had – such as moonlit cross-country skiing, familiar places to be experienced in a different atmosphere. If you weren’t able to appreciate the opportunities for solitude this past season, you’ll have a summer full of hiking to look forward to and plenty of time to plan for when the snow flies again. For a detailed article on the "how to" of experiencing the outdoors in winter with many tips along the way, check out this Issue 26 article courtesy of @PaulMags.

Dishes that are a bit lighter tasting can be desirable at many times of the year and especially in warmer weather. The palette does not crave cream, cheese, and the other heavy foods associated with winter. Instead, a touch of citrus might be wanted. A bit of mint on the tongue. And perhaps something a bit tart and a little sweet to balance the flavors out? This recipe is a unique (and fresh!) take on couscous, and the brightness of the meal goes well with spring and summer seasons. This simple, but tasty and filling, couscous meal just may be the perfect dish for those July backpacking trips near an alpine lake. Where blowing snow is a distant memory but a field of wildflowers is very much present. A little bit of summer in every bite. This dish will serve one hungry hiker or two less-than-ravenous trekkers. Ingredients 1 cup couscous 2 tablespoons olive oil or equivalent packable olive oil packets ½ cup pine nuts or walnuts ½ cup dried cranberries 1 tablespoon dried mint (out for an easy overnighter? Substitute ¼ cup chopped fresh mint) 1 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons lemon pepper; 3 teaspoons if you prefer a little more bite Carnivore? One seven ounce pouch of chicken. Veggie delight? One 15 ounce can chickpeas (garbanzo beans) for a short trip OR 3 tablespoons instant hummus mix for a longer trip. Optional: dash or two of red pepper flakes for a little zest. Olive oil can be carried in a variety of containers or via packets. At Home Add couscous to resealable bag Pour olive oil into leak proof bottle. I use a 12 oz. sports drink bottle myself or use olive oil packets. Add nuts, cranberries, mint, salt, lemon pepper, and optional red pepper flakes to resealable bag. Mix. Add chicken pouch to food bag when packing. If using canned beans, add to a resealable bag, then double bag & tape closed for the most security. If using hummus mix, place in resealable plastic bag. Ingredients, including repackaged olive oil. In Camp Add two cups water to cook pot, bring to low boil. Add olive oil and stir. Add bag contents with nuts, cranberries, spice, & herbs to pot. Simmer until cranberries are plump (5-10 minutes). Add chicken, beans, or hummus mix. Dried hummus will need more water and/or olive oil. Mix once added. Simmer over very low heat for 3-5 minutes while mixing on occasion. Eat a delectable meal! You can find more food-related and recipe articles here on the TrailGroove Blog. Editor's Note: This article by contributor Paul Magnanti originally appeared in Issue 23 of TrailGroove Magazine. You can read the original article here.

Mushrooms are the flowers of fall, and photographing them may look easy but it’s not. Here are a few helpful tips to use when photographing them. First, you’ll want to correctly identify the mushrooms you shoot, so pick up a good mushroom book to help with identification. My favorite book on fungi is Mushrooms Demystified by David Arora. I also recommend his mushroom field-pocket guide. When I photograph mushrooms, I often begin with a document photograph. This helps me identify the mushroom later and creates a stock photography photo I can use. If you’re having trouble with identification, spore prints and other identification factors listed in the book can help. "Mushroom Forest" Photographing Mushrooms When photographing mushrooms, I often look for a good background first and then I look for an interesting mushroom. As with flora photography, I usually zoom into a small area of the mushroom that inspires me the most – such as the cap or the gills underneath. Photographing from above can capture some nice mushroom patterns. When photographing mushrooms, changing your point of view can alter a subject drastically as well. Shooting from above is nice, but photographing a mushroom at ground level or even from below is much better, so lie on your belly and get down and dirty. Mushrooms photograph best on overcast days, but even then you may still notice the mushroom cap giving off some reflective glare so a polarizer will come in handy. All images in this article © David M. Cobb Photography. Editor's Note: This photo tip by contributor David Cobb originally appeared in Issue 18 of TrailGroove Magazine. You can read the original article here. See more of David’s photography at dmcobbphoto.com.

The arrival of spring brings a lot of things for the outdoor enthusiast to get excited about, including longer days, warm temperatures, and melting snow for those of us in the north. However one additional perk that spring brings is the annual REI Member Reward (previously known as the REI Dividend) release. For REI members, this is the time of the year when REI Co-op members receive their rewards from REI purchases you made during the 2024 season. Gear-up with the help of REI Member Rewards When are Rewards Applied? I've been an REI Co-op member for about 25 years – I originally signed up to get an REI Dividend when purchasing a higher-priced jacket, where the dividend back ended up being more than the price of the REI Membership itself (at the time). Each year it seems the rewards are applied a bit earlier in the season. While March is the official timeline here, frequently and if you check, you might just find your member rewards sitting in your account early in the month or even in late February these days. REI Co-op also offers an annual member sale in March, and by using your reward combined with discounts during the sale, you can often pick up some nice gear at a nice discount and perhaps with no money out of pocket. While it's not quite January (which is when I usually start getting ancy for the season ahead and start contemplating what I'll use my REI Reward towards), the March or so release on the membership reward is usually good timing for hiking season and REI Membership sales. How to Check Your REI Reward / Dividend Balance Your rewards are first applied to your online REI account. However, you can also easily check your REI Membership balance here (from time to time at the previous link, you may be able to check your balance without logging in). Additional notices will arrive later by snail mail provided that you made at least $10 in purchases the previous year, unless it was your first year as a member. Note that your reward does expire. You typically have almost 2 years to use your balance. For example, for rewards that will be applied in spring of 2025, you'll have until January 3rd, 2027 to use your balance. Use it or lose it! REI Rewards arrive just in time for spring. How Much is the REI Reward? REI members typically receive 10% back on eligible purchases. This is on full-priced REI purchases only, REI Outlet and sale items don't apply here and you won't get a reward back on sales tax, either. Additionally, some services like classes, gear rentals, REI gift card purchases, garage sales, or an REI Adventure Trip for example, are not eligible or are only eligible at a reduced amount. More details on all the fine print here. Throughout the calendar year, you'll accrue these rewards; the total will then be applied to your account the following year. For example, this year in 2025 all the rewards you accumulated during the 2024 calendar year will be applied to your account. Thus, is it really a 2024 or a 2025 member reward? It's a bit open to interpretation. Note that while you won't earn rewards if you're buying gift cards, you do earn rewards back when you shop using a gift card towards an REI purchase. While your purchases on clearance items, used gear, or REI Adventure Travel won't accrue rewards, once you're signed up for a membership you'll start to earn rewards from your very first purchase on new gear purchased at full price at REI. Other Ways to Earn Towards your REI Co-op Member Reward If you're interested and choose to sign up for the REI Co-op Mastercard in combination with your REI Membership, you can also find ways to add a boost to your total REI Rewards when Co-op member reward season rolls around. If you are looking for another credit card, the REI Co-op Mastercard gives Co-op members additional rewards on purchases at REI, on additional services at REI, and even on purchases outside REI. These rewards are all combined with your normal purchases at REI throughout the year and added to your total REI Rewards. While we are not looking to broaden our horizons here at TrailGroove into the financial advice sector, the REI Co-op Mastercard does offer the potential to raise up your total REI Rewards, even on groceries. When you purchase gear at REI, you can earn rewards towards next year's purchases with a one-time membership fee. How to Use Your Rewards Rewards are applied to your account and can be used at REI.com and in the REI app at checkout, just make sure you check the box to redeem your balance before finalizing your purchase. At an REI store, you can ask an associate to apply your balance at the register. In the days of old, you could also request your balance as a check later in the season, but REI Co-op no longer offers this option. I always used my balance before they became paper check-eligible, anyway. Even if you're all set on gear, I find replacing old socks and stocking up on some freeze-dried meals for the backpacking season ahead is always a slam-dunk no-brainer type of purchase. While you won't be earning a Co-op Member Reward for REI Outlet purchases, you can certainly use already-earned REI Rewards towards gear when you shop REI Outlet discounted gear. REI Rewards are applied in March and are (for the most part) based on the total amount you spent on full-priced items during the previous calendar year. How to Become an REI Member While this has gone up a bit in recent years, an REI Co-op Membership is just a one-time $30 charge for life. Once signed up you'll be eligible for member rewards and member sales. As long as you plan on shopping at REI more than once it's likely worth the sign up cost – you can become a member here. After your one-time membership fee you'll be assigned a unique member number associated with your lifetime membership. The longer you've had your REI Co-op Membership the lower your member number will be. Whether you shop online or in REI stores, make sure you're purchases on outdoor gear are associated with your REI Membership number either by logging in at checkout or by relaying your REI Membership number to an associate at an REI store. Overall REI offers a great rewards program and it's hard for me to imagine being an outdoor enthusiast without being a member. Members may also receive early access to new gear, special pricing, & more deals from time to time. In Conclusion Provided that you've accrued a balance in your account, REI Reward season typically arrives at just the right time to get ready with new gear for the spring and summer hiking season ahead. Whether it's a new sleeping bag or just a new pair of socks, having a little credit sitting in your REI Membership account combined with the sales that REI offers during this season, can go a long way towards getting your outdoor gear set and your spring hiking off to a great start. Head over to REI.com to learn more about their membership benefits and you can check your balance here.

Backpacking can be a challenging endeavor in itself – at times in our effort to get back to basics and simplify life by hitting the trail we find ourselves poring over gear checklists, rushing to make the trailhead at a decent hour, or planning trips that just push the mileage a bit too far. With all this in mind, adding another component to the equation might not be the best idea. But once you find your rhythm, adding man’s best friend can be a great addition to any trip – and there aren’t many places where they could be a better friend than on the trail. Dogs make us happy. Similar to the way that a campfire can turn a cold and wet hiker into a contented backcountry soul, dogs can make tough situations bearable and provide something special in regards to companionship. Somehow, they can offer this companionship without hindering that feeling of being alone in the wild. This can truly be the best of both worlds. You’ll get away from it all but still have someone to share it with all the same. However, a dog will depend on you more than ever in this situation and there are a few things to keep in mind. Age One of the first things to consider is the age of the dog. If the dog is too young and still growing, you may want to hold off on strenuous activities like backpacking for a while, with the exact age varying from dog to dog and breed to breed. Too old…And well, your companion might just wish they could spend the weekend in the dog bed at home instead of out on some trail with their crazy owner. How old is too old depends on many factors, including the life history of your pet, their overall health, and breed. All dogs are different...for both cases, it would be best to consult a veterinarian first and I like to always discuss where I'll be headed with my vet as well, to see if any additional vaccinations would be good to consider. Training Many people think that dogs, just because they are dogs, can immediately go from months of inactivity to 20 mile days in a heartbeat. This usually results in a hobbling dog barely able to make it off the trail and back to the car. Just like people, dogs need to train for strenuous exercise and backpacking is no exception. At the very least, I like to exercise several times a week with my dog, if not every day. Long walks and / or a running routine are perfect for this. This will rack up the miles and acclimate a dog’s feet to the abrasion and abuse they’ll encounter on the trail. To avoid exhaustion and injury, I follow the same strategy I use for running, and build up the mileage slowly week to week. As a general rule I avoid increasing the mileage by more than 10% each week. Thus, if I'm currently out with my dog walking and running a combined 20 miles per week, 22 would be maximum I'd plan to tackle the next week, and so on. 10% is a good max – lower is even better. Then I keep building until the weekly mileage is at least as much as I plan to travel on a weekend hike, and include at least one long day each week that’s close to or greater than the maximum daily mileage I'm planning for a trip. As an example, if a 20 mile weekend hike is planned @ 10 miles each day, I'd build my dog’s weekly mileage up to at least 20 mile + weeks with a 9-10 mile minimum long day. I like to rest the dog for at least 2 full days prior, and 2 full days after backpacking trips. This should hopefully allow for a fresh start and ample recovery time. If you haven’t noticed, the basic goal with all of this is to simply make the trip part of the training. A weekend trip would essentially be like back to back long days and fit into the overall training plan. Going for trips with longer mileage or more days? I'd build up the mileage in training even more beforehand. I avoid concrete as much as possible while training, it’s rough on pads, joints, and claws. A short trail or nature area close to home is ideal. Sound like a lot of training? Well it is, but even if you aren’t training for a particular trip it will be better for the dog, exercise is good! Remember that dogs can’t talk to tell you they’ve worked too hard, so if in doubt I scale back the mileage and rest. Water While training and on any backpacking trip, water is fuel, both for people and dogs. For anything other than the shortest training jaunt, I carry water, and I carry even more in hot weather. The best method I’ve found is to simply carry more of my own water – no special dog bottle, which only seems to complicate things in my experience. I like to offer the dog clean water at least once per hour, or more often if they are showing signs of thirst (excessive panting, a dry tongue, exhaustion). For our hiking dog I've found that around a 2-3 cup plastic food storage container works great as a water bowl. Leave the lid at home and you’ll never notice the approximate ½ oz. weight of the bowl (I usually just look in the kitchen to find something that will work). That said dedicated outdoor dog bowls are also available if you prefer to go that route. Either way, keep this in a convenient spot – an outside pack pocket works best. You may want to increase the size of the bowl for larger breeds. Food I like to carry the same type of food that I feed at home when out on the trail, but carry more of it. Dog food bags should have printed guidelines for high activity dogs. This is a good place to start. I start by calculating the days that we'll be out and pack enough food to meet the guideline at a bare minimum. Leaning towards packing extra if in doubt. Most of the guidelines are listed in cups per day, I like to weigh this amount and then pack by the ounce. Use a scale to weigh the food prior to the trip, and when you return weigh any leftover food. Note these amounts and after a few trips you should be able to calculate how many ounces of food per day your dog requires. I like to pack food in sturdy double-zippered large Ziploc bags. The Gallon size works well – just avoid the slider type bags, they just can’t hold up to any trip longer than a day or two. A secondary hard plastic container works great for a food bowl. Mark the bowl you’ll use for food or use slightly different food grade bowls. I only use this bowl for food and the other for water. This way you can hang the food bowl at night along with your own food and still have a clean water bowl to keep in your shelter should Fido become thirsty. Tailoring the feeding schedule to your own pet’s personality and needs would be best; however I find that giving the dog as much as they’ll eat at night and prior to departing camp in the morning works well. If they are hesitant to eat or have lost their appetite, I've at times resorted to mixing in some of my own (dog safe) leftovers in with their food. Pack a few of your dog’s favorite treats for each day and use these to bridge the gap between breakfast and dinner and for a lunch of sorts. Store these in another Ziploc in a handy location for quick feeding on the go – like you would an energy bar for yourself. Energy rich foods will allow you carry less weight, due to the fact that they pack so much more power per ounce. I like to pick high quality food and treats / snacks and stick with reputable brands without “no name” ingredients and a higher protein content with a lack of artificial ingredients. At night, you’ll want to hang this food religiously on your trip – many backcountry critters find dog food especially tasty. Dog Gear for Backpacking The first thing that people usually look for is a backpack so that their dog can carry their own food. I've tested several brands extensively, but to really know you'll have test with your dog. It’s just so hard to really know if your dog is truly comfortable with a pack, and if they’re carrying too much weight. Many dogs will just continue to push even if they’re in pain, not a good situation. Thus, watch your dog closely – some dogs are best without a pack ever, while others can't wait to get it on. In the latter case, I like to only lightly load the dog's pack and focus more on giving them some bulky but lightweight items not necessarily to lighten my load, but to give me just a bit more space in my pack. In the end don't be afraid to muscle-up and carry everything your dog will need in your own pack – it’s simply easier to tell if you’re carrying too much weight instead of guessing how your dog feels. If you do decide to go the backpack route for your dog, not all dog packs are created equal. Select a lightweight option and make sure to find the perfect size. The Ruffwear Approach dog pack has served my dogs well, and some of this comes down to the personality of the dog. Fine-tune the fit and acclimate your dog at home prior to a trip. Never overload your dog – 10% of their body weight is more than enough in my experience. In cold or wet weather, we’ve found a weather-resistant dog coat to be a good asset. Fit is just as important here, you want something that will fit close to the dog’s body without inhibiting movement or compressing against their fur too much, this might actually limit warmth by inhibiting their own natural insulation system. I use this in the tent at night when things cool down as well as on the trail during the day if the weather conditions necessitate it. For this the Ruffwear Cloud Chaser dog jacket has been a venerable favorite and is hard to beat. Check out our full review at the previous link for more. Test the fit while training at home, halfway into a long backpacking trip isn’t the place to find out that the coat you picked is a chafe factory for your companion. The oils that dogs naturally produce make their coats fairly water resistant, so avoid washing your dog right before a trip which will strip these oils away. Booties can be great for cold conditions where snow and ice will be encountered. Many booties are overbuilt with thick rubber soles and heavy fabric uppers. I’ve found that this type of boot only makes things worse. With such a heavy-duty construction, your dog won’t be able to move their feet normally and won’t be able to independently move each toe for traction and a normal gait. Instead, look for a simple bootie made of nylon fabric, such as those used by professional dog sledding teams. This will provide protection for the dog’s feet, but still allow them to move and walk naturally. They do wear out after 100-200 miles, but are cheap enough that you can buy many replacements for less than you’d pay for a single pair of the heavy, overbuilt dog boots. I suggest a pair with a stretchy Velcro closure and have had great success with dogbooties.com. Finally, you’ll need sleeping gear to keep your dog warm at night. I find that a closed cell foam pad works great, just make sure you’re selecting one that’s warm enough. Generally speaking, you’ll want to evaluate the manufacturer’s stated r-value and at least match what you’re using for you own pad. Catch your dog lounging around and measure their full extended length, then cut the foam pad down to size for weight savings. Leave the pad long enough so that your dog will have full coverage and won’t find their paws hanging over the edges. A pad like the Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol works great for temperatures down to around freezing. I add more layers for more warmth if it will get colder. You can do this by either doubling the same foam pad or adding thinner layers of foam padding. Take a dedicated blanket if you prefer, but if the weather is warm enough I sometimes assign double duty to whatever insulation piece we’re carrying for that trip, such as a down jacket or synthetic fleece. Throw this on top and tuck the jacket in around the edges…in combination with the foam pad this can keep things toasty on nights where the lows aren't too low. To add more warmth and block wind I've added my (totally dry) rain jacket on the outside of all this as well. For anything less than warm weather, take a warmer pad or double up while adding more and more insulation on top and consider a dedicated dog sleeping bag. Make sure to take a shelter or tent big enough for you and your dog. In wet conditions, a quick towel dry with an absorbent pack towel before entering the tent seems to take care of any wet-dog-ruining-your-night worries. Basically, it all comes down to taking whatever you need to keep your dog comfortable during the hiking day and during the night. Dogs are tough, but keep in mind they're used to home just like we are. Even if you might not need it, taking along these comfort items on every trip will be worth it for when you do. There are additional items you may want to take a long as well (for example I've taken along LED collar lights on some trips), coming down to a personal preference and depending on the personality of the dog. You can check out a wide selection of backpacking and hiking oriented dog gear here at REI Co-op. Leashes and Regulations One item not mentioned above is a leash – perhaps the most important item of gear you’ll need. Remember, even if your dog is the kindest dog in the world, some people fear all dogs regardless of their demeanor. Others may find your beloved pet nothing more than a strong annoyance. Wildlife is another matter; the last thing you want is your dog running off after a deer in the distance, or in some cases bringing the wildlife back to you. Remember that some areas will require your pet to be leashed at all times. Other areas, especially your National Parks, will not allow dogs on backcountry trails whatsoever – check the regulations of any area you plan to visit well beforehand. Final Thoughts All of this may seem like a lot of work – and it is. But it’s well worth the while. Companionship is something that you simply can’t put a price on. Dogs love the outdoors. Dogs love exercise. People love exercising in the outdoors with their dog. Owning a dog is already a time intensive choice to make, but they’ll be relying on you even more out on the trail. These guidelines should set you on the right track, but should be adapted to your own situation. When eased into the sport and with the necessary amount of care and preparation, tackling the trail with your canine companion will compliment your backcountry experience and enrich their daily life. Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in Issue 1 of TrailGroove Magazine. You can read the original article here for additional photos and content.

Bryce Canyon National Park in southern Utah is a popular park and for good reason – its stunning rock spire formations (hoodoos) and the Bryce Amphitheater that can be seen from the canyon rim provide amazing views for those that visit. When it comes to hiking in Bryce Canyon, various trails provide a means for visitors to experience the canyon close up, while getting some good exercise and can offer a bit more solitude than the rim as well, if the timing is right. Bryce Canyon hoodoos Day Hikes at Bryce Canyon National Park The trails in Bryce canyon range in difficulty, and many are interconnected (referred to as "connector trails" allowing you to be a little creative in regards to planning your hike. The rim is at a high altitude, with temperatures often increasing as you descend down into the canyon. It can be an odd experience hiking down to start, but having to complete the second half of your hike headed uphill. Bryce Canyon Day Hiking Trails Queens Garden Trail 1.8 miles round trip. One of the easier hikes that you'll find in Bryce Canyon, but if you're looking for a longer hike one could connect to the Navajo Loop Trail once you find yourself below the rim. Navajo Loop Trail 1.3 miles round trip. The Navajo Loop Trail is a popular trail and option, beginning at Sunset Point and travelling to the Bryce Amphitheatre through something of a slot-type canyon. Rock slides happen here with some frequency. Hat Shop Trail 4 miles, round trip. Descending to the Under-the-Rim Trail allows one to take in a unique formation of hoodoos with interesting top-balanced rocks. Peek-A-Boo Loop 5.5 miles round trip. This is a steeper trail. Features views of the “Wall of Windows” and the Bryce Amphitheater. Pack animals / horses may be encountered on this trail. In the summer a restroom can be found along the trail. Fairyland Loop 8 miles round trip. Accessing Tower Bridge and China Wall, the Fairyland Loop offers your typical Bryce Canyon hoodoos, and a bit more solitude with some amazing scenery (what trail in Bryce doesn't?). A stunning view from the Bryce Canyon Rim Backpacking at Bryce Canyon National Park The backcountry of Bryce has fewer hoodoos and can provide access to more treed terrain with meadows and cliff views. Two main options offer access that we'll cover here. Riggs Spring Loop 8.8-miles round trip. This is a hiking loop that starts and ends at the Rainbow & Yovimpa Point parking lot towards the far southern end of Bryce Canyon National Park. Under-the-Rim Trail A Longer option at about 23 miles that travels from Bryce Point to Rainbow Point. One could connect to the Under-the-Rim Trail via the Swamp Canyon, Whiteman Bench and Agua Canyon Trailheads and their shorter connector trails, providing various alternative and / or shorter hiking options. Backpacking offers an opportunity to spend a night immersed in the scenery of Bryce Canyon. Information You'll need a permit for overnight stays, which can be purchased at the visitor center. Camping is only permitted in designated areas. See the official Bryce Canyon NPS website for more details and you can find hiking related information here. For a map, see the Trails Illustrated map covering the area. For a guidebook, check out Best Easy Day Hikes Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks and for getting to and from the trailhead and exploring other destinations in the state, the Utah Delorme Atlas & Gazetteer can be helpful.

The Great American Desert. The flyover territory. Flat. Boring. Uninspiring. All names or descriptions given to an area of North America that is five-hundred miles wide and two-thousand miles long. This area is The Great Plains. The Great Plains are arguably the most American of all landscapes. What people over the world often conjure up when the American West is thought about. The wide open spaces, the vast landscape and the sky above. Seemingly limitless. Extending forever. The Great Plains were home to the nomadic people that are romanticized in American culture. And what is more representative of the mythical Wild West than the solo cowboy riding his horse on a windswept plain? The Great Plains are home to the iconic bison, it is where horses originated before making their way to the Eurasian Steppes, (and flourished on The Great Plains again thousands of years later when brought over by the Spanish) and fossils of ancient creatures can be found. The Great Plains is where many pivotal events in American history took place. Names that echo generations later. Names that resonate in American history: Lewis and Clark, Crazy Horse, The Oregon Trail, The Battle of Wounded Knee, the Pony Express, Chimney Rock, and more. And it is not a place that is only about the geological history, more recent events in the American past or what The Great Plains represent in American culture. It is a beautiful place. A place where wildflowers bloom with intense color in the spring. A place where the canyons are lush with creeks flowing through them and where countless species of birds call them home. And it is a wild place. When the Front Range Urban Corridor of Colorado has over 4 million people within an hour or so of the Rockies, The Great Plains is a bastion for solitude and remoteness. Many areas of The Great Plains number not in the millions or the thousands, but often merely the hundreds. The Great Plains is a place often ignored by outdoor enthusiasts. But it is a place that any person who loves the wild places should explore more. Where to Go The Great Plains is a vast region and extends into nearby Canada (and some people argue also into extreme northern Mexico just past the Rio Grande). The most remote portions tend to be in the western sub-region known as The High Plains. This area is just east of the Rockies Mountains and extends to western Nebraska and Kansas and south to the Texas Panhandle and New Mexico. The climate is semi-arid and can reach elevations up to 7800’. Some of the more scenic highlights are in this sub-region of The Great Plains. Deciding where to go in this large region can be overwhelming. But here are a few areas worth visiting and exploring. As always, a good atlas, and some research, will turn up some other ideas, too. Badlands National Park The term “badlands” itself refers to formations formed by erosion in typically clay soils. Badlands National Park is perhaps the premier area to see these extensive formations. Bison roam, rock formations beckon, and a vast area to explore is waiting. Theodore Roosevelt National Park If there is an abiding mythology about the American West that still persists to this day, it is that people go west to reinvent themselves. Theodore Roosevelt went west to live a physical lifestyle to cure his childhood maladies. He then went back East to be the man we know from history. Theodore Roosevelt National Park is perhaps a way to taste a part of this vigorous lifestyle. With many miles of trails, and the Little Missouri River flowing through the park, this park does not seem like something associated with The Great Plains. The herds of wild horses, bison, and rock formations leave no doubt that someone is exploring a part of this spectacular ecosystem. Pine Ridge The Pine Ridge is an escarpment that extends over one-hundred miles throughout the Nebraska Panhandle in addition to parts of neighboring Wyoming and South Dakota. Up to twenty-miles wide at parts, the Pine Ridge and surrounding areas offers many opportunities for fossil exploration, experiencing the places where much western history took place, seeing geological wonders, backpacking, camping in lush canyons, and seeing a night sky as exquisite as anything, if not better, found in more popular and well-known wilderness areas. A good backcountry road atlas and topo maps are needed to find some of the hidden gems sprinkled throughout this area. Comanche National Grassland Located in the southeast corner of Colorado and below the Arkansas River, the Comanche National Grassland is an area that is off the beaten path in many ways. One of the most impressive collections of brontosaurus tracks can be found here, astronomical markings and rock art abound from previous inhabitants, old Spanish churches can be spotted on the public lands and some impressive springtime wildflowers can be seen. Picture & Carrizo Canyons, near the Oklahoma border can be visited, with Picture having an about 15 mile loop that can done. Perfect for a leisurely backpack in a memorable area. After the trip, nearby Bent’s Old Fort is worth stopping at a look at what life may have been on the old US-Mexican border in the 1840s. And need a bite to eat? Lucy’s Tacos in the nearby town of La Junta shows how the Mexican heritage is still present in this area. Delicious food, at good prices, at a no-frills take-out location. Take some to go! Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site A peaceful and quiet area that was the site of a pivotal event in American history, the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site is worth visiting. A reminder that events that took place on The Great Plains have had much impact on American history and culture despite this area being forgotten about today by the majority of the public. The place is solemn, simple, and conducive to enjoying the wide open spaces and contemplating what transpired on this location. James Michener’s book Centennial has a fictionalized account of this tragedy that very much mirrors what happened in actuality. When to Go In many ways, The Great Plains region is similar to the Colorado Plateau west of the Rocky Mountains. Besides both being remote and often dry, the ideal time to explore both of these areas is often in the spring or fall. The Great Plains, especially the High Plains sub-region that is remote, can have some harsh weather. The Great Plains are perhaps ideal to visit in the spring when the weather is more temperate, the wildflowers may be blooming and the water is more likely to flow. Fall is cool, the air is crisp, and the ground cover is turning colors. Another great time to be there. Winter can be beautiful, but bitterly cold and very windy. Summer is extremely hot and dry. A Dream That Links it All As befitting this unique North American landscape, a long distance hiking trail is being planned out to link all these unique areas. When complete, a proposed Great Plains Trail will extend from Canada’s Grasslands National Park to Guadalupe Peak in Texas. The Great Plains have been ignored in outdoor circles. Perhaps the trail will help highlight, and protect some of these unique areas. See The Great Plains Trail Alliance website for more information. Challenges Faced by The Great Plains The Great Plains are an energy rich area with low population along with low use and protection versus other public lands. Currently, much of the area is open to energy exploration and extraction. Preserving public lands while making wise use of them is always an ongoing debate. And this debate is perhaps most evident in The Great Plains. Want to Know More? The Great Plains is an area that is not well-known to most. While personally exploring the area is wonderful, sometimes getting more background about an area of interest is helpful, instructive, and interesting. Some suggested resources to learn more about this area include: Great Plains: America’s Lingering Wild is a two-part PBS documentary available. Gorgeous cinematography and an excellent look at the issues faced in this area. Great Plains by Ian Frazier is a classic collection of vignettes that details life on The Great Plains in the late twentieth century. If the PBS Great Plains documentary looks at the wild places left on The Great Plains, Frazier’s book captures the spirit of the people that live on them. Centennial by James Michener is perhaps the most well-known book of historical fiction. Taking place in the High Plains of Colorado, it is an excellent way to read about the natural history and geology of the plains, the native history of the area, the oncoming waves of Europeans, and later Americans, who explored and settled the area and such events as the Dust Bowl. Though the specific history is fictionalized, the overall history as portrayed is rooted in fact. Centennial also captures the isolation and beauty of the area as well. Though written in the 1970s, a theme and question posed in the book applies to The Great Plains today: How to use resources in a sustainable manner, in a way that will not destroy the area? And when it comes to getting to and from these destinations and exploring The Great Plains, the respective state Delorme Atlas & Gazetteer can be quite useful. Finally... The Great Plains are a unique and beautiful area that has a rich history. It is an area that enriches the experience of anyone who explores them. If someone loves the wild places, The Great Plains must be visited. Editor's Note: This article by contributor Paul Magnanti originally appeared in Issue 25 of TrailGroove Magazine. You can read the original article here for additional photos and content.

It’s Wednesday, the weekend weather forecast looks good, and the boss just said you can have Friday off. Now all you need to do is pick your trail, grab your gear, and you’re in for the perfect long backcountry weekend. The only thing that’s standing between you and the trail is food. You know that good food can make or break a trip, and you’re determined to make this a good one. Ah, the food dilemma. You could drive to the nearest outfitter and stock up on three days of freeze-dried meals, but perhaps you did that for the last trip and you’re ready for a change; plus you weren’t planning to spend upwards of $100 on just food. You could dash over to the nearest supermarket and get a variety of pasta and rice meals in a box, but they take a long time to cook and are so salty you’d need to pack in an extra fuel bottle and an extra water bottle. Fresh food in the backcountry is awesome, but it weighs a ton and you’d have to worry about spoilage. You could break out the dehydrator and your backcountry cookbook to make some awesome meals, but it’s the last minute and you want to get out of town on Friday without a hassle, so that idea might have to wait until next time. So what’s the strategy? By combining commonly found supermarket ingredients including bulk foods and spices, it’s easy to put together a three day menu of food with minimal prep time that will have you craving each meal as hiker hunger kicks in. A 3 Day Backpacking Meal Plan The key is to focus on breakfast and dinner, the two most important meals of the day. Using simple and delicious recipes to create these meals at home, and then supplementing with ready-made snack-worthy foods to fill out your menu will set you up for the perfect adventure weekend. By following the three day menu below, one well organized shopping trip and only about 30 minutes of prep time in your home kitchen will have you ready to hit the trail. Better yet, these meals require no real cooking; in camp you’ll only need to boil water, minimizing fuel and making clean-up super easy. Oatmeal is the breakfast of choice for hungry hikers. Launch your mornings with a new twist on an old trail favorite by combining quick oats with a variety of tasty ingredients. Lightweight and delicious, these DIY single serving packets beat anything on the market. Start on day one with a classic cinnamon-walnut-apple oatmeal using dried apples and walnuts from the bulk food bins. For day two, treat yourself to a delicious coconut banana crunch oatmeal that has just the right amount of sweetness. For the last push on day three give yourself a protein punch with an oatmeal combo loaded with nuts, seeds, and cacao nibs (aka the superfood of the ancient Mayans). Embrace the crisp mornings with a steaming mug of coffee paired with a hot bowl of oatmeal and you’ll be ready to tackle each day’s adventure. Wrap up each day with a hearty dinner including Double Cheese Buffalo Mac and Cheese made with buffalo jerky, Mexican Rice with Sausage, and a Mediterranean Tabbouleh Bowl. Dinners are packaged in two-serving portions in your home kitchen using readily available supermarket ingredients. They require only minutes to cook in camp satisfying hungry hikers with minimal effort. Just knowing these delicious dinners are on the menu will give you something to look forward to each day. Lunches are combinations of ready to eat foods packaged in individual portions. Buy a 2-ounce hunk of hard cheese for the first day and serve it on crostini crackers with dried mangos for a sweet and salty combo. Parmesan, Parmigiano, or Pecorino cheeses stay fresh, pack easy and are great cheese choices. For lunch on day two fill a snack size zip top bag with Nutella and pack along fruit leather and sesame stick crackers to make a wrap with Nutella and sesame sticks for a tasty, crunchy lunch treat. For day three fill a snack size zip top bag with squeezable peanut butter and separately pack crostini crackers and Medjool dates. Squeeze peanut butter on the crackers and finish the meal with naturally sweet dates. The menu includes snack items with a light weight energy boost and satisfy every hiker’s craving for sweet and salty. These include jerky, commercially prepared protein bars and selections from the bulk bins such as dried fruit and nut combinations and ready-made trail mixes. Just be sure to pick a trail mix with lots of nuts and not too many low energy crackers and pretzels. Snack-size zip top bags are the perfect size for individual portions. To assemble your food supply at home, start with breakfast. Stand up sandwich size zip top bags with the tops folded over to keep them open. Measure ½ cup oatmeal and 2 TBSP dry milk powder into each then add custom ingredients following the recipes below to make single serving packets. Label each bag with a permanent marker. Next, tackle dinners by following the recipes below. Each recipe serves two and will fit in a sandwich size zip top bag. Ingredients required to be packaged separately can be placed in smaller zip top bags and then slipped inside the sandwich size bag with the primary dinner ingredients, keeping each meal in one easy-to-find package. There is nothing worse than hunting through your entire food supply in camp to find an essential ingredient when you’re hungry and tired. A little effort in your home kitchen will have you organized for quick and easy meals in camp. Dinner Recipes Double Cheese Buffalo Mac & Cheese (Two Servings) 1 package Ramen noodles (you don't need the spice packet) ¼ cup dry parmesan cheese (the kind that comes in a can) 2 TBSP Nido whole milk powder 1 TBSP cornstarch 1 tsp chili powder 2 TBSP butter, packaged separately 1 ½ ounces buffalo or beef jerky or minced, packaged separately 2 ounces shredded cheddar cheese, packaged separately Mac and cheese is a classic backpacking meal, and this recipe takes it to the next level. Home Prep Combine parmesan cheese, milk powder, cornstarch and chili powder together. Package butter, jerky and cheddar cheese separately. On the Trail Combine 1 cup water, parmesan cheese, cornstarch, chili powder and butter in cooking pot. Boil one minute until thickened. Stir in ramen noodles breaking apart with a spoon. Cover and let sit for five minutes. Divide between two bowls and sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Mediterranean Tabbouleh Bowl (Two Servings) 1/2 cup brown lentils 3/4 cup bulgur 1 TBSP butter ¼ cup dried parsley 1 tsp garlic pepper ½ cup Kalamata olives in olive oil ¼ cup pine nuts Hearty and filling, the Mediterranean Tabbouleh Bowl dinner meal is a good choice after a long day. Home Prep Combine lentils, parsley, pepper and salt. Package all other ingredients separately. On the Trail Boil lentils in water for seven minutes. Put the lid on the pot and let sit for five minutes. Lentils should be firm but fully cooked and may require longer cooking at high altitudes. Add bulgur and butter, and adjust water so is just barely above the food. Boil one minute then remove from heat and let sit ten minutes. Chop olives and stir into Tabbouleh. Divide between two bowls and top with pine nuts. Mexican Rice with Sausage (Two Servings) 1½ cup instant rice ½ cup minced shelf stable summer sausage or dry salami (2 ounces) 2 tsp tomato bullion 2 TBSP minced dried onion 2 TBSP dried parsley 2 TBSP taco seasoning 10 tortilla chips 2 green onions (optional) Home Prep Combine rice, tomato bullion, dried onion, parsley and taco seasoning into a sandwich size zip top bag. Place tortilla chips in a separate zip top bag and crush with a rolling pin or by pressing on them with a wooden cutting board. Package sausage and optional green onions separately. On the Trail Add rice mixture to cooking pot along with 1 ½ cups water. Boil one minute and then cover and let sit for five minutes. Stir in sausage and divide between two bowls. Top with tortilla chips and chopped green onions. Note: tomato bullion, dried parsley and minced dried onions are commonly found in supermarket spice sections. Single Serving Backpacking Oatmeal Recipes Apple-Cinnamon-Walnut Oatmeal (Single Serving) ½ cup quick oatmeal (one minute type) 2 TBSP whole milk powder (Nido) 1 TBSP brown sugar 2 TBSP chopped walnuts 1 tsp cinnamon ¼ cup dried apple slices, cut into small chunks with kitchen shears Oatmeal on the trail is a backpacker's go-to breakfast. Home Prep Combine all ingredients into zip top bag. On the Trail Stir in one cup boiling water into oatmeal mix and seep until thickened. Coconut Banana Crunch Oatmeal (Single Serving) 15 banana chips ½ cup quick oatmeal (one minute type) 2 TBSP whole milk powder (Nido) 1 TBSP brown sugar 2 TBSP shredded coconut Home Prep Place banana chips into a zip top bag and crush with a rolling pin or by pressing with a wooden cutting board; add coconut. In a separate zip top bag, combine remaining ingredients. On the Trail Stir one cup boiling water into oatmeal mix and seep until thickened; top with coconut and banana chip mixture. Peak Bagger Oatmeal: Protein Punch (Single Serving) ½ cup quick oatmeal (one minute type) 2 TBSP whole milk powder (Nido) 2 TBSP brown sugar 1 tsp cinnamon ¼ cup mixed chopped nuts and seeds (pumpkin seeds, pecans, raw sunflower seeds, etc) 1 TBSP golden flax meal 2 heaping TBSP craisins or raisins 1 TBSP cacao nibs Home Prep Package cacao nibs separately; combine all other ingredients into a zip top bag. On the Trail Stir one cup boiling water into oatmeal mix and seep until thickened; sprinkle with cacao nibs. Getting Ready for Your Trip Assemble lunches and snacks into individual portions, labeling each bag with a permanent marker. Organize each day’s food supply into gallon size zip top bags following the menu, mark each bag noting cooking instructions, and you’re ready to go. It takes just one shopping trip and thirty minutes in your kitchen to assemble this three day menu of delicious nutritious food for the perfect backcountry weekend! Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in Issue 35 of TrailGroove Magazine. You can read the original article here for additional photos and content and find more recipes here on the TrailGroove Blog.

Double down to beat the winter chill with a steaming bowl of hot chili. The beauty of this recipe is the ability to tailor it to suit a variety of diets and taste preferences. It’s naturally gluten free. Choose a non-meat protein option for a vegan or vegetarian variation. Tone down the spice by choosing poblano peppers or mild canned green chiles and omitting the jalapenos. Pour on the heat by using Anaheim peppers, extra jalapenos and a full two tablespoons of chili powder. Makes two hearty servings. Ingredients Chili Base 1 onion finely chopped 4 cloves minced garlic 1 14-oz can crushed tomatoes 2 cups water 1-2 TBSP chili powder to taste 1 tsp salt 1 tsp pepper Beans (Choose One) 1 can pinto beans, drained 1 can light or dark kidney beans, drained 1 can black beans, drained Chili Peppers (Choose One) 1 large Anaheim pepper chopped 1 large Poblano pepper chopped 1 4-oz can diced mild green chiles Equivalent (to above) dehydrated jalapeno peppers Protein (Choose One) ½ pound extra-lean ground beef, cooked and rinsed ½ cup textured vegetable protein (TVP) ½ cup pecans finely chopped Optional Add-Ins 1-2 chopped jalapenos ¼ pound chopped mushrooms Preparation Sauté onion and garlic in a small amount of oil until soft. Add tomatoes, water and spices and bring to a boil. Add beans, chili peppers, protein, and optional add-ins. Simmer 30 minutes or until peppers are well cooked, adding more water as needed. The secret to really great chili is to simmer for a minimum of 30 minutes to let the flavors fully develop. This chili freezes well and can be packed in frozen for shorter trips, especially convenient for winter overnights. For longer trips dehydrate at home for 6-10 hours at 160 degrees. In camp, add water to the dehydrated chili in a cooking pot so the water level it is about two inches over the chili. Bring to a quick boil and then let sit for 20 minutes until fully rehydrated. Protect the chili from cooling off during rehydration by insulating the pan if possible. My favorite version is the full-on maximum spice vegan option made with Anaheims, jalapenos, pecans, and mushrooms. I prefer the more traditional pinto beans or dark red kidney beans to black beans. This chili was true comfort food during my recent hike in the Sierra Mountains where temperatures dropped into the teens most nights. I made a batch of cornbread that I spread on dehydrator trays and packed separately for a cornbread crumble topping. Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in Issue 44 of TrailGroove Magazine. You can read the original article here.

Every backpacker should have a slightly miserable trek just once in their life. Nothing extreme – just one with a bit of good-old fashioned discomfort. Maybe a rock under a sleeping bag, or a slightly damp boot during a section of a hike – it’s during those moments of less than easy explorations that the true value of the little amenities becomes evident, and much more appreciated. The small bits taken for granted on daily basis are sincerely cherished on the trail. That being said, there is no reason that trekking should equate to trudging. Just as a few discomforts can change perspective; it rings equally true of comforts on the trail. A few extra lightweight luxuries can make an incredible and positive difference in your backpacking experience! While not essential, these optional extras are easy ways to pack a bit of added comfort into the backcountry. Camp Shoes Hiking boots and trail runners are great for their purpose, but sometimes not the best bet for comfort at the end of the day. Any hiker who has experienced the blissful feeling of removing a well-used boot knows the almost unintentional groan of satisfaction that accompanies the action. While it’s perfectly reasonable and effective to rely solely on the shoes you hike in, bringing a light weight set of slippers or sandals to wear around camp provides freedom for your feet. Crocs are a light, durable option, but any kind of easy to slip in to model works – even foam sandals from the drug store work great. Zpacks offers an ultralight camp shoe option, and the foam Croc option has been a traditional standard. Strapped on to the outside of a pack, they are a light and easy addition. They’re particularly appreciated if your hiking footwear gets wet during a hike. A High Temperature Water Bottle Everyone has their favorite bottle, and the market abounds with options. While the main purpose may be to hold water for drinking, a durable, well-shaped bottle can be an added element to comfort as well. One of the best things about a bottle tolerant of high temperatures is its ability to hold boiling water. On colder nights, and with enough fuel to spare, fill one with boiled water, crawl into your sleeping bag, and snuggle up with your bottle buddy – no more fro-toes (frozen toes). Insulated by your bag, a dependable bottle will stay hot for hours. An added bonus – in the morning, you have pre-boiled and warmer ready to drink water! The Nalgene water bottle has long been a forerunner in the bottle race and even with admirable competition, and its size and functionality are proven components to its success. If the wide mouth seems bothersome, ones with smaller mouths are available, as well as attachable guards which funnel the water to a smaller opening. A Salty-Sweet Treat Of course there’s the classic GORP, but if you’ve ever coveted a 5-dollar candy bar, take this as your excuse to splurge on your lust. Go for that one that contains maple encrusted bacon, or caramelized pecans, or elven magic – whatever ingredients really make you salivate. On a recent trek, a hiker brought a salted toffee dark chocolate bar and for nearly two hours – and then sporadically throughout the rest of the trip – we found ways to discuss its epicness. Whether it comes in the form of chocolate or some other kind of special treat, the salty-sweet combination is oh so appreciated, and oh so much more delicious after a 6 hour hike. A Backcountry Café Coffee in the morning hours just makes everyone friendlier. Melitta or similar cone-shaped coffee makers are lightweight and simple to use. Pack one up with a pre-measured ration of ground coffee, and as many filters as needed. If space is an issue, there are traveling editions made of soft, flexible plastic for more compact traveling. If coffee’s not your thing, hot chocolate or tea bags are light and welcome warmers. Bring along some dried creamer and a bit of sugar, and you could practically label your camp an experimental micro-café. A Pen and Paper / A Notebook There are always practical uses to bringing paper on the trail, but in this particular pull for its inclusion, the entertainment value is the tout: Games, writing, and drawing to name a just few possibilities. Do you sketch for fun? No? Well, with a few hours lounging at camp, now’s the time. It’s fun! Same with poetry, writing or a poorly played hangman. You never know, though, maybe those jotted sentences or thoughts will be the first lines to your great literary masterpiece. Spices Ah spices. If hard pressed, spices might rank as the most appreciated extra when backpacking or camping. While the main priority of food is to provide the necessary energy and balance of nutrients, having it taste good is a highly valued bonus! Spices are the easiest way to pump up the flavor profiles – salt alone makes a huge difference. The possibilities here are endless: cinnamon, pepper, pesto powder, ground ginger, and so many more. Being so light, having variety doesn’t mean weighing you down. Just be sure to label that sugar clearly from that salt. Even in the surrounded by beautiful wilderness, that accidental switcheroo is no fun. Find more on packing backpacking spices here. A Riddle This one could be a freebie! Playing cards and similar packable outdoor games are great for the campsite, but while hiking, riddles can be fun forms of entertainment when the trek feels a bit more like a trudge. Though every hiker wishes they could say they hike in constant awe of nature, but there are always those more monotonous stretches, after other conversation has been exhausted, when you simply want to take your mind off your tired feet. Having a go-to riddle is an easy way to provide some distraction, and packing up a few for longer treks can continue to fuel the fun factor. And obviously, the only added weight is your brain mass. Don’t leave it behind. A Change of Clothes in the Car Returning to the parked car after a decently long backpacking trip, to realize you have a nice clean wardrobe change in the car will never become old. Nothing fancy, but a pair of sweatpants and a fresh smelling shirt are always well-received – particularly if the ride home from the trailhead is longer than 30 minutes. It’s a secret to be shared: the value of cleanliness to a weary traveler. Packing light can be paramount for longer treks, but even with all these additions, you won’t weigh down your pack. The delight experienced from these small comforts will feel far, far greater than the ½ pound or so you might cumulatively add. So go, frolic, explore and adventure – but no harm in bringing a bit of cozy to that backcountry. Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in Issue 8 of TrailGroove Magazine. You can read the original article here for additional photos and content.

If you're in the Midwest, the Porcupine Mountains might be your #1 go to backpacking destination. Scenic views abound and old growth forests dominate the interior. Head to the north side of the park and you'll find yourself greeted with the pristine and beautiful waters of the world’s largest freshwater lake. For an excellent day hike, park at the Lake of the Clouds overlook and explore the Escarpment Trail (amazing views). If a great view of the lake and a shoreline jaunt better suits your mood, head downhill from the Lake Superior Trailhead towards Buckshot Cabin. Hiking & Backpacking in the Porcupine Mountains To truly experience all the park has to offer, register for a backcountry camping permit at the Wilderness Visitor Center or at one of the self-registration kiosks located throughout the park. These can be found at Lake of the Clouds, Summit Peak, Presque Isle, or the Visitor Center (about $20 per night). Numerous backcountry campsites with fire rings and bear poles are located throughout the park. Venture off-trail and setup your own campsite if you wish, but fires are only allowed in designated fire rings. Fishing can be found in the various park lakes, streams, and in Lake Superior. Black bears frequent the area. Insect repellent is highly recommended during the warmer months. Make it to the park in just 6 hours from Minneapolis. Whether it's wooded trails or expansive lake views that you're after, the Porkies have a bit of it all. Information Situated in the northwestern corner of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Porcupine Mountains State Park is the largest wilderness area in the state. Driving Times ~6 hours from Minneapolis, MN ~6 hours from Madison, WI ~3 hours from Duluth, MN ~5 hours from Green Bay, WI Camping Information There are several campgrounds ranging from rustic tent-only to those that offer RV sites with electric hookups. Backcountry Camping is allowed for about $20 nightly, and there are also cabins that may be reserved. Maps & Books Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park: A Backcountry Guide as well as Hiking Michigan's Upper Peninsula. For getting to and from the trailhead and an overview, the Delorme Michigan Delorme Atlas & Gazetteer can be useful. For maps, see the DNR backcountry map, and the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park Trail Map. A Pocket Guide is also available. Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in Issue 1 of TrailGroove Magazine. You can read the original article here for additional photos and content.

After a weekend hike on the Manistee River Trail loop, we were left with an interesting impression. While not a true wilderness experience, the trail has a unique feel that only the Michigan backwoods seem to offer. Quiet and remote, hiking the trail feels a bit like travelling back in time. The map shows that several roads will be crossed, but none are paved or graveled. Most are nothing more than wide, almost forgotten paths through the forest that see little use. It feels as though you’re walking through a country forest from some earlier point in time. On the west side of the 20 mile loop, you’ll travel along wooded hillsides as you follow one of America’s designated scenic trails – the NCT (North Country Trail). North Country Trail & Looping to the Manistee River Trail Cross the river to the other side and you’ll walk along the Manistee River Trail, (MRT) with scenic river views at nearly every turn. A pedestrian suspension bridge on the northern end, and the 2 lane highway bridge on the southern end (Red Bridge) allow for an easy crossing. Park at Seaton Creek Campground or Red Bridge, both of which offer potable water. Alternatively parking could be utilized at the Marilla Trailhead, the CP Canoe Portage, or even at the end of Slage Creek Road for a more remote experience. Designated campsites can be found along the eastern, MRT side of the loop, but dispersed camping is allowed throughout the forest provided that you’re 200 feet away from a water source. The Western NCT section can be dry, but Eddington Creek can usually be counted on to refill your bottles. Bring your fishing gear if you’re so inclined – brown trout inhabit the waters of the Manistee River. All of this can be found within a 6 hour drive of Chicago or a 4.5 hour drive from Detroit. National Geographic offers their Manistee & Huron National Forest maps, but the loop is unfortunately not covered. You can find a very basic map here. USGS topos could be useful. For getting to and from the trailhead and planning the hike from a general overview perspective, the Delorme Michigan Atlas & Gazetteer can be useful. Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in Issue 4 of TrailGroove Magazine. You can read the original article here for additional content and photos.

As one of the most important decisions you can make when it comes to backpacking gear, your choice of a backpacking tent can have quite the impact in regards to your comfort in camp and protection from the elements. Additionally, choosing the best backpacking tent can also have an impact when it comes to weight carried on the trail (as one of, if not the heaviest items in your pack), and a tent decision can have quite the impact on your wallet, as well. With many factors to consider, in this article we’ll look at the top backpacking tents currently on the market, with a preference towards tents that of course offer protection from the elements, but also are lightweight and include plenty of space for the weight (including headroom), while remaining sufficiently durable and easy to use. Additionally preference here leans towards tents that haven’t had any flame or fire retardant chemicals applied, and for tents that are easy to get in and out of and have space to store gear. Best Solo & Ultralight Backpacking Tents For solo use I look to save just about as much weight as possible and space is less of a concern – I find a little extra space to be much more useful and important when there’s more than one person sharing a tent. If it’s just me and in this day and age, I’ll look to go with a Dyneema Composite Fabric tent every time and will look for an ultralight tent under the 20 ounce mark or so. Previously my choice has been the (discontinued) Zpacks Hexamid Twin, which while designed for two was much more workable for one person having only a single side door and one vestibule. This tent however still only weighed around a pound. An ultralight Dyneema Composite Fabric tent from Zpacks Luckily there are modern-day alternatives available from Zpacks via their Plex Solo tent ($599, 14.6 oz.) as well as their Altaplex Solo tent ($669, 16.5 oz.), with the Altaplex being designed for taller hikers. I like a rectangular, non-tapering floorplan whenever I can get it no matter what tent I’m looking at, and as such the Altaplex would be an intriguing ultralight option. That said for those using standard-width pads who want the lightest pack, the Plex Solo and the Plex Solo Lite tent (featuring more ultralight materials and further weight savings) are equally interesting choices. With the solo tent category one door and one vestibule work great, as can be found in the tent designs discussed above. However, especially for those that backpack with a wide pad and like space, the Duplex Lite tent ($669, 14.9 oz.) should be given strong consideration. The Duplex Lite is also an option for 2 with standard-width pads, who want to save as much weight as possible and don’t mind bumping elbows. Regardless of which Zpacks tent you go with, I’d suggest at least considering their .75 oz. canopy material over the default .55 oz. Dyneema. I’ve used the .55 oz. material for years without issue – it’s not a bad default material and my tents have withstood years of use and severe weather. However, future DCF tents that I purchase will likely be of the .75 oz. variety just for all-around insurance. The .75 oz. material will be stronger and offer greater puncture resistance, which may be appreciated over the long haul and when you need it, without too much of a weight penalty. As you might have guessed, Zpacks offering buyers the choice of this fabric option is one reason their tents are recommended so highly in this article. Note that as you might expect, their "Lite" tents are not offered in this heavier duty fabric, but are still worth consideration as the lightest of the light. However, if you’re not sold on Dyneema and prefer a more traditionally-designed tent, one that does stand out in this category can be found in the NEMO Hornet Elite Osmo 1-Person tent ($550, 29 oz.). With 39” of headroom this tent may not be the most ideal choice for the tallest of users, but this height is on par with other tents in the more traditional, double-walled and freestanding (or semi-freestanding) tent market. At less than 2 pounds this tent will not weigh you down and can even fit a rectangular large and wide sleeping pad. If you’re looking to save some cash, NEMO also offers a standard version of the Hornet Osmo, which still comes in at a respectable weight with slightly smaller interior dimensions. Summary: Best Solo & Ultralight Tents Zpacks Plex Solo Zpacks Altaplex Classic Zpacks Plex Solo Lite Zpacks Duplex Lite NEMO Hornet Osmo Elite NEMO Hornet Osmo Standard In summary if you’re looking for a Dyneema Composite Fabric (DCF) ultralight or solo tent and are open to a non-traditional design, Zpacks offers an excellent choice of floorplans and overall performance, and with the option of a heavier-duty DCF fabric for durability. For a more traditional design but still in the ultralight category, take a look at the NEMO Osmo series. Best 2-Person Backpacking Tents For a 2-person backpacking tent, I look for 2 doors with side entries and 2 matching vestibules, without question. This allows each person their own entry and exit (no having to crawl over anyone) and their own space to store gear at night. Generally, around 3lbs. or less is a good target here. For many years my go-to option here was the Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo ($395, 45 oz.). This tent features all the prerequisites above, but the weight of their lighter backpacking model (previously known as the Explorer model, and suggested if budget allows over their heavier Lunar Duo Outfitter) has crept up a bit in recent years. The Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo 2-person backpacking tent That said, the Lunar Duo backpacking model is not exactly heavy by any means and is a wonderful design with a 54x90” floorplan. This is one of the best floor measurements for a 2-person tent I’ve ever used. It’s long enough for tall hikers, wide enough for 2 wide pads, and isn’t excessive even with 2 standard pads…extra space is always nice. Additionally, the 45” centered height is great for sitting up in the tent. If at least one hiker uses a shorter pad, you can easily fit 2 people plus a dog or very small child in this tent as well, with gear being stored in the large vestibules. Find our Lunar Duo review here. About the only downside to this tent is that, as with all silnylon / silpoly tents including those to follow from Tarptent, you’ll need to seal the seams with something like SeamGrip SIL seam sealer at home before you head out, although many manufacturers are now offering this as an add-on service. Many backpackers – including myself – have long hoped that Six Moon Designs would come out with a Dyneema Lunar Duo to take things from lightweight to ultralight...we’ll continue to keep our hopes up. With its 90" long floor, the Lunar Duo from Six Moon Designs can fit 2 people with extra room, especially if at least one person utilizes a shorter sleeping pad. For something lighter but significantly more expensive, the Zpacks Duplex tent ($699, 17.9 oz.) or the larger ZPacks Triplex tent ($799, 21.4 oz.) are worth significant consideration. Zpacks tents are made from Dyneema Composite Fabric to save weight and you’ll end up with a tent that won’t sag in the rain like you can get with silnylon. At a 45” floor width, the Duplex will be tight for 2 people and both hikers will have to use standard-width sleeping pads, unless you want to absolutely max out the width of the floor with 1 wide and 1 regular-width sleeping pad…something I don’t recommend. The Triplex however, at a 60” floor width would be extremely tight for 3, but has plenty of room for 2 people with wide pads and room for gear or possibly a dog or small child as well. For 2+ look at the Offset Trio tent which will offer a little more width at the head of the tent, and a bit more length as well which can make fitting a dog in much easier. The Zpacks Triplex features a 60" wide floor, offering room for 2 people using wide sleeping pads with room to spare. Mainstream manufacturer Big Agnes makes some interesting tents in their Platinum and Carbon lines that are either freestanding or semi-freestanding, however there are some compromises to be had related to interior space or entry configuration (a side door, even when solo, is preferred). For example the Tiger Wall 2 Platinum tent ($650, 40 oz.) will get you a semi-freestanding tent for 2 using standard-width pads, but the 86” length and 39” peak height combined with a lengthwise sloping ceiling would be cramped for taller users. The Copper Spur 3 Platinum ($700, 52 oz.) is an interesting tent that boosts the interior length and height while using a more domed design, and is fully freestanding. This tent would be a palace for something like 2 people using wide pads that want plenty of personal space, or two and a dog (and as a 3-person tent of course – more on that later). All said, the Zpacks Triplex (for more see our full Zpacks Triplex review) is a top choice in this category for maximum flexibility (tents only seem smaller in the field). 60” is a bit much, and something close to the width of the Lunar Duo would be closer to perfect for 2. That said, we’re not making a custom tent here and beggars can’t be choosers. For two using wide pads who also have a dog along, the aforementioned Offset Trio would be a better fit. Both of these tents feature 2 doors and 2 vestibules. You can view both the Triplex and the Offset Series of tents here at Zpacks.com. Summary: Best 2-Person Backpacking Tents Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo Outfitter Zpacks Duplex Zpacks Triplex Zpacks Offset Trio Big Agnes Tiger Wall 2 Platinum Big Agnes Copper Spur 3 Platinum To summarize, the Zpacks Triplex is our choice in this category, fitting 2 people with wide pads comfortably while the Duplex would be more of an ultralight option for 2 with standard pads, while the Offset Trio allows for maximum comfort. The venerable Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo series offers a more budget-friendly option. For a more traditional design, the Big Agnes Platinum tents are worth consideration. Best Family or Group Backpacking Tents There is not much discussion to be had here when it comes to the best group and family backpacking tent, as unfortunately it seems manufacturers pour most of their research and development into their 1 or 2-person tent designs. The Tarptent Hogback ($569, 63.2 oz.) is my choice in this category with few competitors. The Hogback is a 4-person tent that weighs in around 4 pounds and features an 86x86” floorplan that can fit up to 4 standard-width pads, or 3 wide pads, and features double-wall construction with either mesh or partial-solid fabric inner options. 4 people in the Hogback will be a squeeze and you’ll be fighting for vestibule space, but we’ve used it for 3 plus a dog on many occasions. Tarptent Hogback 4-person backpacking tent Although for years Tarptent declined to entertain the idea of making Dyneema Composite Fabric tents, in recent years they began to utilize this weight-saving non-stretch fabric, but it hasn’t made it up the line to the Hogback quite yet (which would save quite a bit of weight in a tent this large). That said, we’ve been quite happy with the silnylon fly utilized in our Hogback and about 4lbs is still quite light for a tent of this size. You can read our full Tarptent Hogback review here. Although more of a backpacking shelter than a tent due to its floorless nature, the Black Diamond Mega Light tent ($400, 45 oz.) is also worth considering in this category and these tents and tents of a similar design have been successfully used by educational expeditions for many years. Depending on where you’re backpacking however, the extra bug and weather protection you get with an integrated floor like you’ll find on the Hogback may be appreciated. There is an optional nest available for the Mega Light; however it more than doubles the weight and almost doubles the price. For a lighter option Hyperlite Mountain Gear offers their UltaMid 4 pyramid ($1440 as a tent, 62 oz. with the floored mesh insert and pole). With either of these shelters you'll need to be aware of some compromises pyramid shelters can have – like a pole in the center of the tent, slanted walls, typically one (relatively) small door for entry and exit, lack of vestibule space, and the possibility of rain getting into the tent when entering and exiting due to the slanted walls. For freestanding options, the previously mentioned Big Agnes Copper Spur 3 Platinum ($700, 52 oz.) can fit 3 people with standard-width pads with room to spare, or 1 person with a wide pad and 2 others with 20” wide sleeping pads. The Copper Spur UL4 tent ($800, 88 oz.), with its larger 86x96” floorplan can fit 4 people with up to 3 of those 4 people even using wide sleeping pads, and this tent also has an impressive 50” inside height. This will get everyone in the same tent, although you’ll be well over 5lbs. And if the HV UL4 still isn’t enough space, you can take a look at the 86x108” Copper Spur HV UL5 ($900, 117 oz.) which, as you might expect, is designed for groups of 5 and features 60” – or 5 feet, of headroom. The Copper Spur UL line is typically a leader on the spec sheets – just be aware that to achieve light weight in a traditional design Big Agnes uses very light 15 and 20D fabrics that are lower on the hydrostatic head scale and feature a PU (polyurethane) coating. Coatings are very waterproof and allow manufacturers to tape seams, but coatings wear off, unlike impregnated silicone or Dyneema waterproof fabrics (it would be suggested to use a groundsheet – I use one made of window insulation film). At some point and once the group size gets larger, taking multiple smaller separate tents may make the most sense and can even save weight over a single larger tent – although depending on your tent choice, this can potentially be more expensive. Summary: Best Family or Group Backpacking Tents Tarptent Hogback Black Diamond Mega Light HMG UltaMid 4 Big Agnes Copper Spur 3 Platinum Big Agnes Copper Spur UL4 Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL5 For family and group tents the Tarptent Hogback is our choice, if your group will fit. The struts allow for good use of the 86x86” floorplan, but 86x86” is tight as group size approaches 4. The Black Diamond Mega Light and HMG UltaMid4 are pyramid options, which again are great if you fit and if you can deal with the drawbacks of the pyramid design, including inefficient use of floorspace. For more traditional designs, the Copper Spur series should be considered, however care will need to be exercised with the ultralight fabrics utilized. Best Budget Backpacking Tents Budget is relative, but for this category we can go ahead and rule out ultralight Dyneema tents and set our focus on the much more affordable nylon and polyester options. The Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo ($260, 26 oz.) can be had for less with free shipping and a sign-up discount, and if you catch it on sale it can even go for under $200. The Lunar Solo is roomy for one, fitting either standard or wide pads. The REI Co-op Half Dome Series of tents with a 2-person as well as a 3-person option has also been a go-to choice for many years. The REI Co-op Flash Series of tents offer lighter weight options, and can typically be found on sale at intervals throughout the year. The venerable Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo can also be found in their heavier but much cheaper polyester Outfitter Tent version, which will get you a palace for 2 people in a package under 4lbs. for around $200. If you’re looking to save and aren’t too picky on an exact model, checking the REI Co-op Outlet from time to time can lead to some good savings on a variety of tent models from various manufacturers. Summary: Best Budget Backpacking Tents Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo REI Co-op Half Dome Series REI Co-op Flash Series Lunar Duo Outfitter REI Co-op Outlet Tents If you’re looking to save some cash but still want a great tent, the SMD Lunar Solo is a venerable choice in this category for solo use. For two, look to the Lunar Duo Outfitter also from Six Moon Designs. The REI Co-op Half Dome series make for a traditional choice, with the REI Co-op Flash series offering some weight savings, and it’s always worth browsing the REI Co-op Outlet to see what’s on sale. Best 4-Season Backpacking Tents All the tents listed here thus far are primarily targeted towards 3-season use, but if you’re wanting to extend your trips into winter where heavy snow load can be expected and freestanding features become more important, you’ll need to look into 4-season options. The Black Diamond Firstlight 2P ($450, 54 oz.) has been a popular option for solo and 2-person use for years – you can find our full review of the Firstlight 2P tent here. If you like the Firstlight but want a little more space for 2 people, look at the Black Diamond Firstlight 3P ($500, 64 oz.). Black Diamond also offers their Hilight 2P tent as well as the Hilight 3P tent, which are very similar to the Firstlight except with upgraded features at a weight penalty. Tarptent Scarp 2 4-season tent For my use, I like the Tarptent Scarp 2 ($489, 56 oz.), however the weight is getting up there with the crossing poles and you’ll need to set a couple snow anchors with this one. For more, take a look at our Tarptent Scarp 2 review. When it comes to 4-season tents and winter backpacking, you don't want to make any compromises in regards to protection from the elements or the sturdiness of your tent, and extra weight carried here is typically worth it. Summary: Best 4-Season Backpacking Tents Black Diamond Firstlight 2P Black Diamond Firstlight 3P Black Diamond Hilight 2P Black Diamond Hilight 3P Tarptent Scarp 2 For winter and 4-season usage the Scarp 2 from Tarptent is my choice, be it a solo or 2-person trip. However and as you might expect, Black Diamond has plenty of choices in this category that are among the most popular 4-season tents of all time. Final Thoughts Overall when selecting the best backpacking tent you need to find a balance between weather and bug protection, weight, space, and price – and getting that balance just right will be a little different for each of us. However, with hundreds of options on the market the perfect tent is likely out there for everyone no matter your needs. For more on baseline information and factors to consider when choosing a backpacking tent or shelter, see our guide on how to choose a backpacking tent that goes into tent design and factors to consider on a more overall and general level. For a list of additional backpacking tents to consider from various manufacturers that you can narrow down by capacity, season, and more, check out this page at REI.com.

Often referred to simply as "sil". Nylon fabric impregnated with a silicon coating on each side. Fairly economical. Typically offered in a 30 denier (30D) fabric weight, with lighter options sometimes available. Often used in lightweight shelters, tarps, and backpacks due to its strength, light weight, and waterproofness. Non-breathable. Silnylon has been a popular backpacking fabric for many years, and although silpoly (sil-polyester) has gained traction in recent years, silnylon's popularity has been for good reason. Silnylon Performance in a Backpacking Scenario While very strong, silnylon fabric can sometimes suffer slight leakage under heavy water pressure such as that from a heavy thunderstorm (misting) or from kneeling against the fabric as water lies underneath. This can be seen when used in a groundsheet application for example, which could exert a high level of pressure against a very small portion of the fabric if kneeling on soaked ground (high PSI exceeding the hydrostatic head). Look for silnylon with a higher hydrostatic head rating to help in this regard. Silnylon can “sag” when wet, requiring one to re-adjust their tarp or shelter. This has caused a surge of silicone coated polyester (silpoly) to be used in recent years, which stretches less and is more UV resistant, but not as initially strong, abrasion resistant, or as puncture resistant as silnylon (the stretch of nylon can be a benefit for durability). For backpacking applications silnylon offers a nice blend of strength, abrasion resistance, weight, waterproofness, and value when it comes to budget. For complete waterproofing silnylon seams will need to be seam-sealed with something like Seam Grip SIL as the fabric cannot be factory taped. Some manufacturers use a fabric that is PU (polyurethane) coated on one side to solve this issue of taping (for example the Sea to Summit UltraSil Dry Bags), although the PU coating reduces the strength of the fabric. Editor’s Note: This Jargon installment originally appeared in Issue 3 of TrailGroove Magazine. You can read the original article here.

Grandma Magnanti was an amazing cook. The stereotype of Italian American Sunday dinners that lasted for hours was a reality during my childhood. A multi-course meal that started at noon and ended at about four was common. And the food itself? Often a modern “foodies” delight with now-gourmet dishes such as stuffed artichokes, dark and savory greens sautéed with olive oil and garlic, fried zucchini flowers, and a simple but packed-with-flavor macaroni course such as ziti (to name just a few dishes). And that is how I approach my preparation now for backpacking food. I no longer rush around at the last minute to buy pre-made, and sometimes expensive, meals while trying to get out of town on a Friday. Rather I can calmly pack the night before with all the food on hand. Additionally, I can have real food. The thru-hikers diet of ramen with the flavor packet and maybe with a can of tuna can give way to a tasty dish that is still ramen based but is packed with flavor and is a more well-rounded meal. Food is a delight. One of the very good things in life. And food in the backcountry should be no different if the trip allows for it. Food to Have on Hand With a few staples on hand, many tasty dishes can be made; be it for a simple overnighter or a ten day trip. The Base Here are some ideas for the base of many backpacking meals. Instant Mashed Potato Flakes Meat and potatoes. A classic. We are in America after all. Ramen Noodles Perfect for many Asian or Indian type dishes. Don’t use the flavor packet. Make your own recipe appropriate kit and place in a resealable plastic bag instead. Couscous Goes well with many types food. Be it chicken with sundried tomatoes, nuts and veggies, or with cheese and instant beans. Many quick and simple backcountry meals can be made using couscous. Instant Polenta/Grits Slight variations between the two, but both can do double duty for breakfast and dinner. Oatmeal The backpacker’s classic breakfast of milk powder, dried fruit, nuts, and oatmeal never seems to get old. Protein Besides adding flavor and texture to a meal, protein is needed for muscle recovery. For many meals, pouches of chicken, tuna, or another fish aren’t terribly heavy or bulky. A lighter alternative that works for many meals are dehydrated beans. And, who can forget bacon crumbles? Small and light enough to pack on any trip, bacon crumbles add some great taste and smoky flavor to many dishes. And for making your own cheese dishes? Some fresh cheese can be brought for short trips. Or purchase cheese powder in bulk. With a pantry full of backpacking-ready ingredients, you can not only create interesting meals from scratch, but you can also take pre-packaged backpacking meals to the next level. Fats Ounce for ounce, the best source of precious calories is fat. For an overnighter, butter packs ok. But for longer term trips, olive oil packed in a 12oz sports drink bottle works well or take olive oil packets. Another alternative is dried butter powder. In a similar vein, Nido milk powder is wonderful. Whole dried milk that is flavorful and has fat, protein, and calories. Flavors Of course, simply having fats, carbs, and proteins is not enough. Flavor is needed. Here’s what I like to have on hand to jazz up my backcountry meals. Spices and Dried Herbs Salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, lemon pepper, and other similar spices work well for many meals in the backcountry. See more in the TrailGroove article on packing spices while backpacking. Vegetables Dried vegetables are wonderful. Besides adding some needed nutrition, they add some great flavor to any meal. If you have a dehydrator, you can dehydrate your own. Or you can buy pre-packaged mixes online. Condiments Individual condiment packets give a good amount of flavor, pack small, and are easy to sort pre-trip. Hot sauce is one of my favorites! Dried fruit Not just for oatmeal, dried fruit can add tartness or sweetness to many dishes. Nuts Another versatile item. Good for snacking, adding to oatmeal, or adding to dinner dishes. Great for supplying proteins and fats. Additional Items Besides having food on hand, having a cache of resealable plastic bags in various sizes helps make for better, easier, and quicker packing. I also like to keep various tea, cocoa packets, and flavoring for water and coffee supplies on hand, too. Keeping stock of a variety of multi-use food ingredients allows for easier packing and recipe creativity out on the trail. Where to Buy? I suggest buying food in bulk. Not only is it often less expensive, but the right sizes for an individual meal can be doled out easier. Some places to buy the supplies in bulk are: Warehouse Grocery Stores Nuts, olive oil, oatmeal, fruit, coffee, tea, and many other staples for backpacking meals can easily be bought at these stores. Health Food Store or Health Food Section The health food stores, or the health food section of a store, will often have dried beans and sometimes even dried vegetables in bulk. Other items sometimes found in bulk are polenta or grits. On Sale at Your Local Store Buy as many as you can when items are on sale at the local grocery. Same strategy goes for spices or dried herbs we like to use for backpacking meals. Online Retailers Many online retailers will sell backpacking appropriate products such as Nido milk powder, dehydrated cheese powder, packets of chicken, dried butter powder, and so on in bulk for a good price. In Conclusion Remember, the less time spent preparing and buying supplies for backpacking means the more time spent actually backpacking. By purchasing food in bulk, both money and time is saved. Happy trails...and good eating! Editor's Note: This installment of Backcountry Cuisine by Paul Magnanti originally appeared in Issue 22 of TrailGroove Magazine. You can read the original article here.

“Give me a hug man!” I said to my friend Tommy, “Walkie Talkie,” as we reached Monument 78, the northern terminus and finish line for a northbound Pacific Crest Trail thru-hiker. Walkie was only about 20 yards in front of us. My friend Kayla, “8 Track,” was directly in front of me. We checked the maps at the last water source and knew we only had five miles to go. It started pouring with rain, slowing our progress. The three of us were dead quiet. You could hear every drop of rain. An hour and a half goes by – but nothing comes into view. Suddenly, there is a large clearing up ahead. Walkie reaches a switchback, turns, and looks to us with a big Cheshire cat grin, bouncing up and down with his backpack on, waving his hiker poles in the air saying, “I can see it, I can see it!” Kayla didn’t want to believe him because Tommy was known to be a jokester on the trail, but your eyes don’t lie. Tommy took off running, as Kayla sung her way dancing towards the monument, and I was simply in complete shock. I didn’t think it was real: 2,650.10 miles and 180 days and now, it was all over. It was never a vacation. It was never a sojourn, or a journey, trip, excursion, or trek. It was a dream. I had to do it. I couldn’t think of anything better than to be in nature, spending around 180 days in a sleeping bag, while stinking at such unfathomable levels that people at McDonald’s and grocery stores couldn’t stand to be within ten feet of me. I did however, find comfort in the strangest places, found love where I wasn’t looking, and ultimately found the change I was looking for. The Pacific Crest Trail Thru-hiking Experience Change came in the course of landscape and trail, but more importantly, I changed. And the transformation I experienced on the trail could be considered as stark as night is to day and summer is to winter. Change inside, change outside, change in appearance. Change emotionally, physically, and mentally. If there is a single word to describe the trail, it is change. The trail changed me as much as it changes in elevation throughout its course – and with the sheer amount of climbing and descending that takes place on a PCT thru-hike, something life altering was bound to happen. I could tell you about how gorgeous the trail is and use all kinds of words from a thesaurus to convey its beauty, and I will, but there is something very special to be said about what it takes to wake up after a day and to hike on despite the challenges of the trail. Whether it was watching the sun rise over a Joshua tree, carrying eight liters of water for a 38-mile dry section in 90-degree heat, or simply freezing in a tent at 9,000 feet during an unexpected snowstorm – Southern California was made up of a series of extremes, moments that, even at the most difficult, were all insanely gorgeous. From desert to alpine and back to desert within 100 miles of trail can bring the extremes of cold in the morning, to altitude in the San Gabriel Mountains, to afternoon heat waiting in the shade under a Joshua tree in the Mojave Desert. But after walking through what many said was the worst section, I was now at the doorstep of the Sierra itching to open it. And the only way to describe what I saw when I opened that door was nothing short of breathtaking. When my muscles started to hurt more than usual, and I wished I could literally buy oxygen, I knew I made it to the Sierra. The Sierra brought granite peaks, extreme altitude, and a view that high definition couldn’t bring life to. Many lost up to an extra tenth of their body weight in this section because of the sheer effort it took to go over some of the passes. Waking up at 7,000 feet only to know that in 20 miles, I had another 6,600 more feet up and the equivalent down, the physicality was ever present. The orange glows of granite walls at sunrise or sunset, and my camera’s memory card reminding me that you can’t take any more photos when the card is full can sum up the Sierra. I averaged 9.8 miles a day for 20 days going through this section – not because I was tired or because it was hard, but it was purely because I wanted to. I let my friends go and hike their 18 mile days while I basked in the beauty that John Muir inspired us to see. I am certainly convinced, after hiking through the Sierra Nevada and the famed section named for John Muir (see A Hike Along the John Muir Trail), that he himself had to have been a fly fisherman. You can’t just create a trail that meanders next to some of the most gorgeous and un-fished waters on this planet and not want to cast out at sunset to rising trout that make the lake look like it was raining on a clear day. Many took off and sprinted ahead, while I casted out to the pure gold – in the form of golden trout – making the 200 or so miles through the Sierra a 20-day odyssey. Transitions were abundant along the PCT. The descent out of the Sierra was slow but obvious. When the highest elevation I hit for the day was around 7,000 feet and not over 10k, I knew Northern California and Oregon were knocking. The temperatures began to climb again, but the terrain got easier. The climbs were far mellower and the days were getting longer and longer. Pretty soon the slow casual pace through the Sierra, turned into marathons and the occasional ultra. This part of the trip turned out to be a highlight, despite the fact that it wasn’t quite the jaw-dropping scenery of what I just went through. It was because it was different. It was social hour. Here is where I met some of the most incredible humans that I still call friends to this day. Having the ability to share 20 plus mile days through some gorgeous terrain made the rest of the trail fly by. Some of the fondest memories of the entire trip are from the people. Simply the passion that we shared for hiking the trail is all we ever needed to strike up a decent conversation and connection – we would often joke about how some lost more weight on the trip from laughing than actually hiking. But passing Mount Lassen and the lava beds of waterless, heat-soaked Northern California, then meandering past Mount Shasta, the feel of volcanoes were always present. Scattered dense forested patches mixed in with open fields mimicking deserts without cacti were prevalent. The creeks shrunk in size and flow, and temperatures climbed. We all knew another state beckoned, but what was in store in Oregon blew us all away. Nearly 1700 miles of hiking in one state, almost four months of walking, and the border of Oregon and California was finally here. Need to Know Information The California section of the PCT is nearly 1700 miles in length out of the trail’s total 2,650.10 miles. California is longer than both Oregon and Washington combined. You will reach the half way mark of the trail in California. In order to hike any part of the PCT, you must first obtain a permit. You can apply for one on the Pacific Crest Trail Association website and book a date that works best for you. Best to apply at the beginning of the year to hopefully get the date desired. Find out more about the PCT hiking experience in the article, Thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail: Lessons Learned. Best Time to Go The preferred start date for a California summer hike on the PCT typically starts anywhere from mid-April to early June at the latest. These dates vary of course depending on snow pack, but this usually the optimal time to hike before the hotter summer in the desert and to allow for snow melt in the Sierra. Getting There In order to get to the southern terminus of the PCT, you can fly into San Diego or Los Angeles as they are the closest airports to that location. Campo, California is the official start of the trail for the southern terminus. Either have a friend or family member drop you, or there are trail angels that can take you to the monument. Taxis can be arranged. The northern border of California and Oregon is inaccessible directly. You can get dropped off a mile north of California via forest service dirt roads or from Seiad Valley and dirt roads surrounding. However, besides the southern and northern borders, the trail is accessible throughout the state as there are many trails connecting as well as sections that are popular for any type of hike. Maps and Books Downloading topo maps online and printing them for each section you hike is highly advised. I also found the PCT Halfmile App very useful. For larger scale maps National Geographic offers their individual PCT section maps that are also available in the PCT Map Pack. See also the Pacific Crest Trail Data Book. Editor's Note: This article by contributor Sean Jansen originally appeared in Issue 40 of TrailGroove Magazine. You can read the original article here for additional photos and content and you can find part 2 of the story online here or in the HD Issue 40 PDF download.

In the “must see” places of the outdoors, certain areas seem to garner the most publicity. All names that are found in glossy photos for post cards, magazines or coffee table books. Destinations any backpacker would love to, and should, see at some point. Places to be added to their memories and experiences of where they have spent time in the outdoors. But among these places cataloged, discussed and portrayed in glossy photos is a place of deep canyons, ancient Puebloan sites, high alpine peaks and deep blue lakes nestled in remote mountain cirques. And where bighorns grace the ridge tops. This place not often thought about? The Land of Enchantment. New Mexico. For such a large state, New Mexico is an unknown to many outdoors people. People will spend months planning a two week vacation in some of the marquee areas. But not New Mexico. Which is a shame. New Mexico has some amazing, remote and stupendous areas to explore. But more than the scenery, there is the unique blend of culture found throughout New Mexico. The mixture of Anglo, Spanish, and Native culture adds to the experience of spending time in this area. And the food? Any post-backpacking repast with some delicious chile relleno must be one of the great pleasures in life. Here are a few places that should be of interest to anyone who wants to explore this great and unique area. It is a mere sample of everything to explore in New Mexico. But it is sample that should pique the interests of any lover of the outdoors. The Center of it All: Chaco Canyon National Historic Park Chaco Canyon National Historic Park is an UNESCO World Heritage site. An appropriate designation for this important cultural area. In the center of the Ancestral Puebloan world, Chaco is arguably the most important archeological site in the American Southwest. Found in a canyon far from any major town, Chaco takes some commitment to see. But it is a place that should be seen by all. It is not a backpacking destination but car camping is permitted. There is a fair amount of hiking mileage that may be done. But it is not the mileage that is important. It is the seeing of these impressive sites that is the attraction. The main sites such Pueblo Bonito are certainly impressive. But the more remote areas? Places that must be hiked for hours to see such as Penasco Blanco? Those are the impressive places. Overlooking the stark, but beautiful, terrain of Chaco, Penasco Blanco is alone and up high. And on the way to this remote place within an already remote park? The famous “nebula petroglyph” may be seen. One of the more famous finds, and ongoing debates, in archaeoastronomy. When to Go Fall and spring are ideal. Summers can get very hot. Winters can get brutally cold. I was there over Christmas week and the temperatures dipped to -7F one night according to the ranger! Maps The map supplied at the Visitor Center has information needed to hike the trails. Logistic Considerations Chaco Canyon is very isolated. The canyon is at the end of a somewhat rough dirt road. Fuel and any last minute supplies can be found in Nageezi, NM. This “town” is mainly a gas station. The gas station is conveniently located before the turnoff to the road that takes you to Chaco Canyon. Other Considerations Due to its prominence with archeoastronomy, both the solstices and equinoxes can be relatively busy times in Chaco Canyon. From all reports, a special time to be there however. Chaco Canyon is also an International Dark Sky Park . A fantastic opportunity for enjoying the night sky. Bring the appropriate star chart or the 21st century equivalent in app form. History via the Backcountry: Bandelier National Monument As stunning and trip-worthy as Chaco Canyon may be as a destination, there is something about a backpacking trip to explore this history that is very satisfying. Bandelier National Monument is another important site of the Ancestral Puebloan culture. Unlike Chaco, the only way to really see some of the major highlights of this area is go backpacking deep into the canyons. Due to recent fires and floods, the backcountry area is not crowded. I've found basic map reading techniques for backpacking in this area are needed. The signage is often missing and the trails, when existing, can be rough. The payoffs? Deep and long canyons abound, exquisite backcountry sites beckon for camping and quiet ancestral Puebloan sites can be found. A notable site in particular is the Painted Cave. An over twenty-mile round trip hike from the Bandelier headquarters. But worth every step. Capulin Canyon itself is stunning. Sheer red rock walls, a flowing creek, and cottonwoods blazing. The feeling is remote. But the Painted Cave? Truly a memorable site. With both pre- and post-Columbian pictographs that should be looked at and savored. The site is still sacred to the descendants of the people who made those paintings long ago. Please be respectful of the area. When to Go October through May is perhaps ideal with the caveat that the park may close if there is too much snow at the peak of winter. Summer is very hot and flash floods in the canyons are a potential issue. Maps The National Geographic Trails Illustrated Bandelier National Monument Map covers trails in the park. The Sky Terrain map for the area is also worth consideration. Logistic Considerations A shuttle bus ride is required from mid-May through mid-October. The shuttle is located in the nearby town of Whiterock, NM. Other Considerations The trails and overall conditions of the backcountry are rough from fires and floods in recent years. These are not the typical well maintained and marked National Park Service grade trails. I have found a good map and navigation techniques are both put to use while hiking in the area. Backpacker’s Delight: Pecos Wilderness A place to backpack with thirteen thousand foot peaks, alpine lakes, delightful ridge walks, and where herds of bighorns roam? Go to the Pecos Wilderness. Towards the very end of the Rockies, it is one of my favorite places I’ve backpacked. Depending on the snowpack or if there is an early winter, the Pecos Wilderness can be hiked as early as late-May and as late as sometime into October. Trail Riders Wall and Santa Barbara Divide are two places not to miss when in the Pecos. Any ridge walking junkies will savor both places. With many miles of trails and lots of off-trail options for the adventurous, many days can happily be spent in the in this gem of the New Mexico backcountry. When to Go Depending on the snowpack, the Pecos Wilderness may be available for typical three season backpacking by Memorial Day Weekend. The season generally extends until early or even mid-October. Maps The National Geographic Trails Illustrated Santa Fe, Truchas Peak Map covers the trails in the Wilderness area. The appropriate USGS topo map is suggested for off-trail travel. Logistic Considerations There are many access points for the Pecos Wilderness. If coming from the Taos side, the Santa Barbara Trailhead is a very good access point. It leads to the Santa Barbara Divide and other points of interest. Coming the Santa Fe area? The Jack’s Creek Trailhead is a popular access point. Other Considerations Holiday weekends are the busiest time. Fall hikes? The aspens are sublime. Along the River: Rio Grande del Norte National Monument The Rio Grande is perhaps second only to the Colorado River basin in terms historic, cultural and economic importance for rivers in the American West. And an excellent way to see the Rio Grande? The Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. Sitting on a volcanic plain in northern New Mexico, the monument seems too stark and perhaps drab at first. But then the magic happens. You pull up to the monument along the entrance road. Your first glimpse into the gorge is seen. And then the proverbial jaw drop happens. It is stunning. Some of the most exquisite car camping around may be done overlooking the rim of the gorge itself. Prefer backpacking? There are backcountry sites available almost on the banks of the Rio Grande itself. Not to miss is a hike to the confluence of the Red River and the Rio Grande. Petroglyphs abound as well. Truly a magical place. When to Go The monument is accessible all year. Summers can be hot, but cool by the river. Winters can be cold, with slippery access to the gorge below, but the snow does not typically last. Spring and fall are again ideal. Maps The Sky Terrain Taos, Wheeler, and Latir Peaks Map covers the monument and nearby areas. Logistic Considerations An easy drive on paved roads to the monument. The visitor’s center does not have many amenities, but Taos is less than an hour away if supplies are needed. Or if you want a little culture with your backcountry experience before or after the trip. Other Considerations The trails on the rim of the gorge allow biking. A great monument to park your car and not have to worry about driving for the weekend. All the campgrounds are connected by the same trails as well making loops hikes various lengths very feasible. High Plains Drifting: Mills Canyon It is not only the mountains or the red rock canyons of the Colorado Plateau that beckon in New Mexico. The Kiowa Grassland contains a gem of a place: Mills Canyon. Dropping nearly 1000 feet from the High Plains, Mills Canyon is place very much off the beaten path. The red rock walls seem more reminiscent of Utah than the High Plains. The Canadian River placidly flows through the canyon itself. And this area has some of the darkest skies in continental United States. Stargazers will appreciate the lack of light pollution. Seeing the Milky Way is a given. There is a nice, and free, USFS campground on the Canadian River. But a backpacking trip is very possible in this canyon with about twenty miles along the canyon bottom accessible to the public. Have a little more time after or before the trip? Capulin Volcano National Monument is close by. Located dramatically where the plains meets the Rockies, the extinct volcano really stands out. At 60,000 years old, Capulin volcano is very young for a volcano. The terrain is interesting. The ancient lava flows still dot the landscape. Looking and hiking into the crater is a must-do. But be sure to take one of the hiking trails that go along the old lava flows to really see the effects this volcano had on the landscape. When to Go Spring and Fall are perhaps the best times to go. Summers will be very hot in the canyon bottom. Always a potential for flooding along the Canadian River. If the winter is mild, would be a quiet time to go but the access road could be very difficult. Maps USGS maps only. Caltopo is always a good resource. Logistical Considerations The access road is somewhat rough. A passenger vehicle might be ok if slow going. The road is narrow. I had to pull over and the other vehicle was less than a foot from my window. I’m not exaggerating. Other Considerations Another very isolated area. Last minute supplies and fuel can be found at Springer, NM. The town is about 45 miles, one-way, from the bottom of Mills Canyon. There are no readily available services between these two points. After the Trip And after all these trips? Conveniently located near many of these sites is the town of Taos. A place perfect for any post-trip food and cultural exploring. More laidback and less busy than Santa Fe, Taos is a great place to relax before or after a trip. Relax in a plaza that goes back to the 1700s, see a place that has been inhabited for over 1000 years, visit the site of where both some famous photography and paintings were done, and enjoy some food made with the green chile for which New Mexico is famous. If there is a better way to end a trip than to enjoy a refreshment while eating a bowl of chili while shaded by some cottonwoods on a late summer day, it must be pretty darn good. Further Reading I find when exploring the area, having some deep background makes the trip that much more enjoyable. Here are some books or other resources that I have found to be interesting reading: New Mexico: A History by Joseph P. Sanchez is a very good one-volume introduction to the various threads of culture and history that make New Mexico such a wonderful place to explore and experience. People of Chaco: A Canyon and its Culture by Kendrick Fraizer is an excellent introduction to not only the Chacoan world but also the Ancestral Puebloan culture in general. House of Rain: Tracking a Vanished Civilization Across the American Southwest by Greg Childs. An engaging and thought provoking read even if some of the conclusions are strongly contested. The Taos Pueblo strongly argue against the civilization “vanishing” for example! The Maverick Cookbook: Iconic Recipes and Tales from New Mexico by Lynn Cline. History book? Work of historical fiction? Cook book? A little of everything, really. This book collects recipes from various periods of time in New Mexico’s long and fascinating history. Arguably one of the best ways to enjoy and understand an area’s culture is through its food. And the blend of Native, Spanish, and Anglo cuisine that makes up New Mexican cuisine is very much reflective of the state’s blend of history and culture. A very delicious blend, too. Editor's Note: This article by contributor Paul Magnanti originally appeared in Issue 30 of TrailGroove Magazine. You can read the original article here for additional photos and content.

For those of you who live in areas where you can camp year-round – or those of you intrepid enough to dig snow caves and hunker down, this squash soup makes a rich seasonal meal that’s spicy enough to heat you from the inside. The topping of crispy lamb with cumin and sunflower seeds adds a taste sensation bold as a winter camper. Soup “bark” is dehydrated pureed soup. The liquid is poured on solid trays then dehydrated until crisp (see dehydrating your own backpacking meals). It often tastes good as a cracker or chip, too. Package in a zip-style baggie and rehydrate in hot water. Remember: Save a bowl with lamb crisps for your dinner! Add a sprig of cilantro. At Home Ingredients (2 servings) 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 shallots, minced 4 cups vegetable broth 2 cups diced winter squash (such as pumpkin, butternut, or acorn) 4 cloves garlic, minced 2 cups collard greens, thinly sliced and cut in half I chopped small red chili pepper 4 tablespoons soy sauce 1 tablespoon red pepper chili oil (to taste) black pepper and chilipowder to taste 1/2 lb organic lamb steak, sliced very thin 3 tablespoons whole cumin seed 3 tablespoons sunflower seeds chili powder to taste 1 cup apple cider vinegar 2 tablespoons coconut oil 3 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari Instructions In a soup pot, heat 1 olive oil, shallots, garlic, and squash on medium high. Sauté for 5 minutes. Add broth, soy sauce, and chili oil. Cover and simmer on medium heat for 10 minutes. Add the collard greens, chopped chili, cover, and continue to simmer until all ingredients are soft. Puree the soup. Adjust seasoning to taste. Pour puree onto solid dehydrator trays and dehydrate until it becomes crispy. Break “bark” into pieces and package in a zip-style baggie. Label. Freeze the lamb steaks until they are slightly firm. With a sharp knife cut very thin 1/8” x 1” x 1” pieces. Toast cumin, sunflower seeds, chili in a frying pan with 1 tbs. soy sauce. In a shallow dish combine apple cider vinegar, coconut oil, and 2 tbs. soy sauce. Grind ½ the toasted cumin, sunflower, chili mixture together (I use a coffee grinder) then add to the marinade. Add the lamb slices and refrigerate for at least one hour or overnight. Discard the marinade, place the lamb on a cookie tray and cook in a pre-heated 325-degree oven for five minutes. Dehydrate the lamb until it is very crispy, like chips. Package the lamb crisps and the remaining toasted cumin, sunflower seed, chili mix in a zip-style baggie. Label. In Camp Rehydrate the squash soup bark with 3 cups of water. Heat and serve with a generous sprinkling of lamb-cumin crisps on top. Add a sprig of dandelion greens or wild onion for color! This goes well with a cranberry chutney. Find out how to make chutney roll-ups and other ultra nutritious and delicious backpacking meals in Backpackers' Ultra Food. Editor's Note: This recipe originally appeared in Issue 12 of TrailGroove Magazine. You can read the original article here.

Have you ever been on a long hard trail, sweating like a prize fighter, wishing you could have a cool drink of real juice? Well, you can! It’s simple and (almost) fresh. Last month’s seasonal soup recipe introduced the notion of dehydrated “bark”. Bark is created by spreading any blended ingredients, such as soup, on a solid dehydrator tray (or on baking parchment paper on a mesh tray) and drying it until crisp. Apply this technique to blended fresh fruit and your backcountry refreshment dreams could come true. The other benefit of drying liquefied fruit is that it does not have to be cooked. It holds all the glorious color and flavor in a little crispy chip. Just add cool water filtered from a mountain creek, let sit for 10 minutes, and drink to your heart’s content. I love this blend because it is bright red, full of vitamins and minerals, and naturally sweet. Strawberry Cran-apple Juice Ingredients 2 cups raw cranberries, frozen or fresh 4 apples 1 quart fresh strawberries Sweetener to taste, optional If you have a juicer simply run all the fruit through it until you have a thick blend. If you only have a blender, add cranberries and sliced, peeled apples to hot water and let sit until the berries pop open and the apples soften. Place the softened fruit and strawberries in the blender and blend until they have the consistency of thin applesauce. I like a bit of tart flavor from the cranberries, but for a sweeter juice add extra strawberries or your sweetener of choice. Pour the juice 1/8” thick on the dehydrator trays and dry at 135 degrees for several hours until crisp. Check consistency every two or three hours (see tip below). See the TrailGroove article on dehydrating your own backpacking food for more. When the juice is totally crisp, remove from the dehydrator and store in labeled resealable bags. You can also put the crisps in a coffee blender and make a powder. Either way, your future thirst-quenching treat is ready for your next trip in the wild. Tip: If you want to remove one tray of drying juice when it is rubbery, you can make fruit leather to add to your trail mix. See more about fruit leathers in Backpackers' Ultra Food on pages 51-52. Editor's Note: This recipe originally appeared in Issue 13 of TrailGroove Magazine. You can read the original article here.

I wince with every step as I cross the river. Bare feet had seemed like a good idea. But now, after too many crossings to count, my soles feel the pain. I grip my trekking poles for stability against the current and tread cautiously on the slick stones, picking my way to the other side. The river glitters in the late afternoon sun. Jessica and Shay are already on the opposite bank, searching for yellow blazes. Before attempting this crossing, we had bushwhacked away from the last vestiges of trail. Scrambling through brush to the stream bank, we sought some visual indicator of direction, but found only the sight of another wet crossing. Our scouts report no sign of the trail. We were supposed to be hiking along Viles Branch Creek but something is wrong. Following yellow blazes which have now disappeared, we’ve criss-crossed this swift stream for hours and it is getting late. Where are we? Finally, it occurs to me. “Mary, does your GPS have maps on it?” “I’m not sure,” says Mary. “You want to take a look?” Yes, indeed. Upon examination, it appears we are still on the Little Missouri River – somewhere in the middle of the Ouachita National Forest, but not on Viles Branch Creek. I zoom out and see Road 106 to our north, if the GPS is correct. Mary says the device may not be calibrated correctly. Even so, we have to make a decision. “We’d better bushwhack to the north and find that road. Then we can head west and it should take us to the Athens-Big Fork Trail,” I say with a confidence I don’t feel. The seven of us begin our scramble through the undergrowth. I feel the weight of the group’s welfare. What have we gotten ourselves into? Before we have gone 100 yards we hear voices on the ridge. I hasten ahead and shout, “Hello! Is someone there?” Soon I climb a little rise and there before me is a trail. Hallelujah, a trail! This trail is different, as we are learning. The Eagle Rock Loop The Eagle Rock Loop is the longest and one of the toughest loop hikes in Arkansas, a state with a high concentration of long and tough trails. It is a combination of three trails, the Little Missouri, the Athens-Big Fork, and part of the Viles Branch Horse Trail, with a total length of 26.8 miles. Hiking the Little Missouri section is dependent on water level and flash flooding is possible in the rainy season. It was here in 2010 that 20 campers were killed by flash floods in the Albert Pike Recreation Area. We planned to do this hike last year but had to divert to a section of the Ouachita Trail because of high water. Now in mid-October 2013, we have found a sweet spot. The river is passable, there is no rain in the forecast, the foliage is gorgeous, and the sun is shining. What else could we need? Mary and I are the “experienced” hikers and trail guides on this trip. In our pre-trip planning, she agreed to bring the pertinent pages from Tim Ernst’s Arkansas Hiking Trails book. Ernst provides detailed, virtually step-by-step, directions in his many guidebooks. I agreed to bring a detailed U.S. Forest Service map which I had painstakingly printed out and taped together. Mary always brings her GPS, so we believed we were adequately prepared. I had opted not to bring my own GPS or a back-up map for the sake of weight. My pack is just under 20 pounds without water, my lightest pack weight ever. This will be both a blessing and a curse. Our all-female group, including three first-time backpackers, leave Oklahoma City on a Thursday evening for Mena, Arkansas, our jumping-off point for the hike. The drive is familiar. This town of 5,600 is our home base for semi-annual section hikes on the Ouachita Trail. Midway through the five-hour drive we stop in the berg of Krebs for Italian food served family style at Roseanna’s. Arriving in Mena about 10:30 p.m., we waste no time hitting the sack, craving a good night’s rest for the trail tomorrow. Hiking the Eagle Rock Loop: Day 1 The trailhead is 23 miles southeast of Mena on a remote forest road. We leave the Sun Country Inn at 7 a.m. to breakfast at the Skyline Café with a roomful of motorcyclists preparing to enjoy the area’s twisty roads. After stuffing ourselves with pancakes, bacon and coffee, we wind our way to the trailhead along canopied byways, leaves of yellow afire in the morning sun. We arrive at the Little Missouri parking area about 9:30 a.m., intending to begin the loop in a counter-clockwise direction from its northernmost trailhead. This would get the mountainous section out of the way while we are fresh. These mountains are not high in an objective sense but they are mountains nonetheless. The Athens-Big Fork Trail, which comprises the western portion of Eagle Rock Loop, follows an old mail route between the two communities of Athens and Big Fork and climbs steeply over one mountain after another. Many recommend saving the climb for the end of the hike and a lighter pack. I am indifferent, but we have to make a choice. Mary and I stand at the narrow Little Missouri crossing looking at my map. “Sue, do you see a trail going west?” We both search and all we can see is a white-blazed path going south. “Let’s just head this way and see if it branches off towards the west,” I say, either direction seeming satisfactory to me. The map goes in my pack’s outside pocket so I can reach it easily and we set a brisk pace on level ground along the river, admiring the fall colors and sparkling watercourse. If we encounter the Little Missouri Falls soon, we will know we have gone “the wrong way.” Four miles along, we do exactly that. Clockwise it is! After crossing a high bridge over the river we explore the falls. Clear turquoise water flows over rock stair steps as wide as the river itself, framed by the reds, yellows and greens of the forest. Descending to the river level, we scramble on boulders and take photographs. The rest of the afternoon is uneventful as we continue along the Little Missouri, ending with three major crossings and no mishaps. We all have different approaches to the river crossings – some use waterproof boots and gaiters, some cross in water shoes. The water is very cold. Scenic waterfall on the Eagle Rock Loop Eagle Rock Loop Day 2 My 45-degree sleeping bag weighs almost nothing but given the night’s freezing temperatures, its lightness is small comfort. At daylight, I am ready to get moving and warm up. We try to find the trail. Our wanderings take us through the ghostly Albert Pike Campground – buildings boarded up, abandoned and eerie. Finally, thanks to Jessica, we find the right path, just a couple of hundred yards from our camp. It is wasted time we cannot afford. The trail skirts a rock wall with a fern-lined spring and emerges at a picnic area. We ascend a steep hill, losing our way again but eventually regaining the trail and moving on toward Winding Stairs. It is important to note that we don’t actually know what Winding Stairs is. What we do understand is that when we get there we should look for yellow blazes signifying the Viles Branch Trail, the east-west connector between the Little Missouri and Athens-Big Fork Trails. Our map is little help in this regard. We soon arrive at a parking area signed “Winding Stairs” and see a trail marked with yellow blazes. Before we continue, we decide to make this our lunch stop. While we eat, we observe other hikers crossing the stream and surmise that this is a lesser trail we haven’t heard about. For us, it is time to focus on on the Viles Branch. We follow the yellow blazes. The trail quickly peters out and we are puzzled, finally deciding we have gone the wrong way. Little do we know how wrong. Trudging back to the parking area we find yellow blazes going the opposite direction. Eureka! This must be it, the Viles Branch Trail. Off we go, trying to follow the yellow blazes, crossing the river over and over. Each time, we are slowed by the process of evaluating the water’s depth and crossing. Shay and Jessica, who are now hiking in their sandals, clearly have the right idea. As we meet other hikers, the term “Eagle Rock Loop” is unfamiliar to them. Then we come upon a place with giant boulders and multiple swimming holes. Families are wading, picnickers lounging on the lush hillsides. Now it becomes clear – THIS is Winding Stairs Scenic Area, the point where we should have begun seeking the Viles Branch Trail. When we were back at the Winding Stair parking area and saw those people crossing the river – we should have been following them. That was just the parking area and it was Blaylock Creek they were crossing to join the Winding Stairs Trail, which is where we should have been. We have been wandering in the wilderness along the river for several hours. It is another mile to the Viles Branch and it’s getting late. We get moving. Soon we rejoice again, arriving at a sign post indicating “Eagle Rock Loop.” Here we turn west and are finally trodding the Viles Branch. We come to a wide crossing – hopefully our last. Three hikers have just crossed from the other side and we ask them for bearings. They coach us on the best path for crossing and where to find campsites. We hurry along while we have sunlight, knowing we had better put some miles behind us. Twilight is falling as the first campsite comes into view. It is occupied by a young woman who doesn’t seem to welcome our gaggle of hikers. “There’s another campsite about five minutes up the trail,” she says. We arrive there in near darkness and it too is occupied but we have run out of time. We greet the occupant and ask his permission to camp. To our relief, he is cordial, and in a thick southern drawl introduces himself as Wade from Mississippi. We hastily pitch our tents and filter water while we have light, then visit with Wade as we cook dinner. What we learn is alarming. He is hiking the loop counterclockwise and started at Little Missouri Falls yesterday. "I’ve gone almost 20 miles,” he says, asserting his satellite phone can prove it. If this is true, we have at least 16 miles to go tomorrow. “And those mountains are brutal,” he adds. How is this possible? Mary’s GPS shows 11 miles today and, while we know that some of it was wandering, we can’t be this far behind. According to the map, such as it is, we should have only 8 or 9 more miles to go. “We should bail out when we get to Road 106,” says one of the girls, referring to the closest parking area. “It’s just too far to go to finish tomorrow.” Panic is setting in. Mary and I confer. “Why don’t we get an early start and see how it goes?” she says. “I agree,” I say. “And just because there is a road up ahead doesn’t mean there will be taxis waiting to ferry us back to the trailhead.” We set our alarms and try to sleep. Day 3 on the Eagle Rock Loop We rise at six, breaking camp in the dark and rolling out at sunrise. I lead, moving as quickly as possible to get us out of here. Shay hikes at the front with me and I show her the trail signs – blazes and brightly colored tape. We quickly put the remainder of the Viles Branch Trail behind us and breathe easier when we reach the parking lot at Road 106. It is exactly where it should be. Tim Ernst was right. Now we do know we can finish today and there is no more talk of bailing out. A signpost says we are five miles from the end and we push on. Where Wade was wrong about the distance, he was right about the mountains. The climbs are long and steep. Lack of adequate conditioning and heavy packs make it even tougher. We share the weight of our companions and soon I drop back and let Shay lead, trying to encourage those who are struggling at the rear. This has to end at some point but the mountains keep coming. Soon we hear a shout of joy from our leaders. They have found the trail’s terminus. We’ve made it! We finish just after 2 o’clock, hiking 10.1 miles today. As we return to the trailhead, the westerly trail is obvious. It is even marked with orange tape. How we missed it is a mystery – one of many on the Eagle Rock Loop. Need to Know Information Eagle Rock Loop travels through the southwestern portion of the Ouachita National Forest, offering the longest loop hike in Arkansas. It is formed from a combination of the Little Missouri, Viles Branch, and Athens-Big Fork Trails. Camping is allowed anywhere along the trail, but not in the Albert Pike Recreation Area or any of the parking areas. No permits are needed to hike or camp. Trail difficulty ranges from “easy” to “most difficult.” It has numerous water crossings and travels over nine mountains. Best Time to Go Late fall, winter and early spring are best for cooler temperatures, minimal undergrowth and insects, fall colors and spring wildflowers. Getting There There are five trailheads/parking areas on the loop, with the nearest communities being Mena, Mt. Ida, Langley and Glenwood, Arkansas. Consult the guidebook and maps. Maps Forest Service Map. For getting to and from the trailhead and overall planning the Delorme Arkansas Atlas & Gazetteer can be useful. Books Arkansas Hiking Trails, Tim Ernst. About the Author Susan Dragoo is a writer and photographer living in Norman, Oklahoma. Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in Issue 14 of TrailGroove Magazine. You can read the original article here for additional photos and content.