Two of the (still living) trees in the grove have been shaped by the innumerable fires that have swept through the area through the decades. The Clothespin tree's truck is nearly severed by the repeated fires creating a space large enough for a pickup truck to drive through. While the Telescope Tree has been completely hollowed out from the fires - one can walk in, look up and see the

The Great Smoky Mountains have a plethora of options when it comes to hiking trails. One can choose from trails leading to waterfalls, through old-growth forests, and trails with endless views. If one is planning on a multi-day backpacking trip, then reservations and permits are required for all overnight stays in the backcoun

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

Yosemite National Park is one of the most famous in the world boasting the Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, Half Dome, and more. Yosemite is also one of the most idyllic places to go hiking in . While in California, don't forget to visit the state's stunning coastal redwoods too in the Redwoods National Pa

Remember that riding in the Grand Canyon is very popular, while there are not that many tours available. One will need to book months in advance. Before getting too excited, check the weight and age limits. See here for the best month to visit the Grand Cany

Giant sequoias are the most massive trees on Earth and are listed as an endangered species but the IUCN. There are believed to be fewer than 80,000 trees left. Additionally, it is thought that another 10-14% of the population was destroyed in the recent Castle Fire in 2020 and the KNP Complex & Windy Fire in 2021 (around 9,761 to 13,637 mature trees) according to a new repo

Another South Rim option is Grand Canyon Apache Stables . While their website may be little more than a single page, they are a great option for short tours on the South Rim if one can't book with Grand Canyon Lod

Designated : The Smokies Were Designated As A UNESCO World Heritage Site In 1983

In summer the leaves are mature and out in full, in these months one can enjoy a dip in the roaring streams. In the Autumn one can gaze upon the stunning foliage of the Great Smoky Mountains and enjoy the crisp dry air of that time of y

Break in the nature hiking game achievements|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

Hikers of the Art Loeb Trail comment on the abundance of false summits, as well as dense overgrowth and rocky footpaths that demand full attention to remain standing. Parts of the trail are known for rattlesnakes, which become especially active during the warmer months on the Appalachian Tr

This is an 8-mile round trip hike on the famous Appalachian Trail and one that boasts some of the best views of the park at Charlies Bunion. The Appalachian Trail in its entirety is some 2,190 miles long stretching from Maine to Georgia. It is one of the longest hiking-only trails in the world. Perhaps if one hikes on the trail here in the park for long enough it will whet one's appetite to do a full AT-Through h

Tunneled Trees: Wawona Tree, California Tunnel Tree, and The Pioneer Cabin Tree

The California Tunnel Tree is the last living giant sequoia tree with a tunnel cut through it. Previously there were also the Wawona Tunnel Tree and the Pioneer Cabin Tree (that fell in 20

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

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