Imagine oneself in the Old Wild West on a horseback ride in one of the world’s most dazzling natural attractions. Horse (or mule) rides make one feel like a cowboy (or cowgirl) as one descends deep into the most famous canyon in the world. There are horse and mule rides in the Grand Canyon – with the option of spending the night in the can
Initially, the idea for the Appalachian Trail was nothing of what exists today. The man responsible for the brainchild went by the name of Benton MacKaye, who hadn’t originally suggested a thru-hike. Rather, it was his idea to create what The Trek referred to as a ‘utopian ideal’ that would feature self-owning community camps. The idea was to set up these camps near the trail, and they would be entirely reliant on their own agricultural means of living. Eventually, the idea was to allow people to appreciate authentic mountain living while having the support of a like-minded commun
Additionally, members of the American Automobile Association can benefit from two packages: AAA Rails to the Rim and AAA Rails to the Rim Platinum. These offers will save them from 25% to 50% on roundtrip train tickets and include meals, overnight accommodations, and a $25 gift certific
The trail requires skilled scrambling and intense determination. The Sierra High Route will test a hiker’s ability to navigate less-traveled terrain, as well as find their footing on rocky, often slippery mountainsi
Something as massive and popular as the Appalachian Trail is bound to have an interesting origin story and, as it turns out, this 2,190-mile trail certainly does. What started out as a somewhat simple idea has now grown into a monster of a thru-hike , with its trails seeing upwards of thousands annua
As for eclectic groups of at least 20 people (or 10 fully paid rooms) and school groups of 20 passengers or more, they will also receive special discounted rates (check the website for updated brochur
Those familiar with their AT history will likely know the name Earl Shaffer, who was the first thru-hiker to ever complete the Appalachian Trail from start to finish. This not-so-simple achievement seemed to reinvigorate the efforts to fully complete the trail in 1948. By 1951, the AT was officially declared to be open, and additional thru-hikers were permitted on the trail to complete the longest intentional hiking trail in American hist
In time, MacKaye found those like-minded people who started out as the Appalachian Trail Conference but would eventually go on to become the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, known as the ATC. While the Appalachian Trail was only one part of the plan, this was the first step – the communities were planned to start after its creation. Unfortunately, the Appalachian Trail was an incredible feat in theory but proved tough to get off the ground – no pun intended. Well into the 1920s, the AT was still not completed and McKay found that the Southern states were struggling to make progress. In response, a man named Arthur Perkins, who was a retired judge, took over the completion of the trail. This also garnered attention from a man named Myron Avery, who was a lawyer in Washington. With these two now leading the charge, Avery became the head of the ATC over Perkins, while the team continued mapping out plans for the Southern sta
The park is one of Maine’s greatest natural treasures and it is one of America’s most visited national parks – in the top ten across the nation. It is famous for its landscapes, views, combining the land and sea, and its many classic hotels. It is also a great park to visit in the fa
The first French missionary colony in America was here on Mount Desert Island back in 1613. It was destroyed by the Colony of Virginia and heralded the long struggle in the continent between the English and the French and the English speaking colonists and the French colonists. This would eventually boil over into the French and Indian Wars and the French would be forced to cede it to the English. During the War of Independence, it was a part of Massachusetts before eventually becoming part of Ma
One, therefore, needs to hike from the parking lot to the grove. This is a four-mile round trip with 500 feet of elevation change. Expect to hike 5.5 miles round trip to see the Grizzly Giant and the California Tunnel Tree. Remember to take plenty of water as there is no drinking water in the gr
Two companies offering horse and mule rides on the South Rim are the Grand Canyon Lodges and Apache Stables. There is another company – Grand Canyon Mule Rides – that offers rides in the North Rim. If one is in a hurry, see here for how to see the Grand Canyon in a d
Break in the nature Hiking game News|https://naturetrailinsight.com/ boots with this moderately trafficked loop through the Indian Peaks Wilderness. The steep climbs will condition a thru-hikers leg’s to handle the many elevation gains and losses along the AT. The strenuous trail gains 3,533 feet of elevation over 10 miles to the Devil’s Thumb summit, the last 1,000 feet consisting of a steep scramble. Most backpackers take the opportunity to rest for the night, conquering the challenging 6-mile descent the following morn
