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hiking the Tombstone Range, Yukon

by BestHike editor Rick McCharles

Dustin Walker put together a list of less well known trails on his site Slick and Twisted Trails:

10 Hidden Hiking Gems: Outdoor Writers Share Their Fave Little-Known Backpacking Routes

 

Dustin picked Keeha Beach/Cape Beale Trail, B.C. — a wild challenge.

I shared my trip report from our very memorable 2007 adventure. This incredible in the north had only been designated a Provincial Park in 2004.

There are a number of ways to hike Tombstone. The best is to chopper in, hike out. At $20 / minute, we each paid over $200 for the one way flight.

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This was a bit of a hiking honeymoon for Dana and Bill who had been married just a few weeks earlier.

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 Divide Lake campground

Grizzly Lake campground is just as lovely as Talus and Divide.

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View over 125 photos from this trip on flickr.

Tombstone Park – Yukon government

Read my trip report. 

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hike Tonquin Valley, Jasper National Park

  • LENGTH: 27 miles / 44 km (approx.)
  • DURATION: 2-3 days
  • TYPE: One-way
  • START: Astoria Creek trailhead
  • FINISH: Portal Creek trailhead
  • BEST TIME: Mid-August to mid-September

One Canadian Rockies hike I’ve not yet done is Tonquin Valley. It sounds excellent.

Ultimate Gear Lists has a great write-up:

The main Tonquin Valley route is a 27 mile (44 km) relocation hike, taking you from the Astoria Creek Trailhead to the Portal Creek Trailhead, or vice-versa. …

From late-August and into September there are generally no mosquitoes left, and the Tonquin Valley can be a far more peaceful place because of it.

Late-August or early-September is a beautiful time to visit the Tonquin Valley. Nonetheless, be aware that temperatures can begin to drop by early September, so pack accordingly. Be prepared for cold overnight temps (e.g. near freezing) and potentially even snow (although snow can happen any time of year in the Canadian Rockies!).

TONQUIN VALLEY HIKING GUIDE

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top 10 day hikes worldwide

For at least 10 years we’ve hemmed and hawed trying to come up with a defendable list of the best day hikes around the world.

Here’s (finally) our first draft. Two from Norway!

Each is unique. Unforgettable. Each just might change your life.

top 10 day hikes

Top-10#1) Harder Ridge, Interlaken, Switzerland
#2) Besseggen Ridge, Norway
#3) Tongariro Alpine Crossing, New Zealand
#4) Zion Narrows Top-Down Route, Utah
#5) Reinebringen, Lofoten, Norway
#6) Alpine Circuit, Lake O’Hara, Canada
#7) Caminito del Rey, Spain
#8) The Wave, Arizona
#9) Puez-Odle Altopiano, Dolomites, Italy
10) Göreme, Cappadocia, Turkey

Leave a comment if you have any great day hikes to add.

Harder Ridge
Harder Ridge

Update:

Julia recommends the Dawson-Pitamakan Loop in Glacier National Park, Montana. And one of the many great day hikes out of El Chalten in Patagonia — perhaps Laguna de Los Tres.

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planning for Nepal November 2019

by BestHike editor Rick McCharles

I’ve hiked most of the major trails you can do independently in Nepal.

What next?

  1. The Royal Trek
  2. Khopra Ridge Trek
  3. Makalu Base Camp

I’d fly to Pokhara, avoiding polluted Kathmandu.

The Royal Trek

  • maximum altitude 1730m
  • foothills of Annapurna, north of Pokhara
  • great views of Fishtail, when weather permits
  • independent hiking using teahouses (but carrying a tent)
  • 3-4 days
  • I’d warm-up with a dayhike to Sarangkot
Fishrail (Machhapuchhare)

Khopra Ridge Trek

  • maximum altitude 4660m
  • bus from Pokhara to Nayapul to start
  • independent hiking using teahouses (but carrying a tent)
  • 5-8 days
  • I might actually join a guided Khopra trip with INDIAHIKES
Khopra Ridge on Annapurna

Makalu Base Camp

  • maximum altitude 5,250m
  • Makalu Barun National Park and Conservation Area
  • flight from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar and jeep to Num to start.
  • Makalu is the 5th highest mountain in the world
  • independent hiking using teahouses (but carrying a tent)
  • 13-16 days
Makalu Base Camp

This is a first draft plan. I’m certain it will change. Because I’m doing this trip independently and solo I can change on a whim.

Leave a comment if you have any advice.

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20 great hikes worldwide

Looks quite a good list. I’ve done 6 of these myself. All excellent.

Torres del Paine W Trek, Chile
Markha Valley Trek, India
Bechler River Trail, Yellowstone National Park, USA
Tok Tokkie Trails, Namibia
Carros de Foc, Pyrenees, Spain
Inca Trail, Peru
Lost City, Columbia
Camino de Santiago, Spain
Mt. Rinjani, Indonesia
King’s Peak, Utah, USA
Rwenzori Mountains, Uganda & Democratic Republic of Congo
Jebal Shams, Oman
Conrad Kain Hut, Bugaboos, Canada
Cordillera Real, Bolivia
Everest Base Camp, Nepal
Choquequirao Ruins, Peru
Poon Hill Trek, Nepal
Jesus Trail, Israel
Overland Track, Tasmania, Australia
Albanian Alps

Click through for details, permits, costs, etc.

20 of the Best Wilderness Hikes Around the World from Travel Bloggers

The one that appeals most to me right now is doing something in the Cordillera Real, Bolivia.

Something like Cam Honan’s 150 miles (241 km) 9-day Cordillera Real Traverse.

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Cable Mountain, Zion, Utah

We’ve added Cable Mountain to our list of Best Hikes in North America.

Zion National Park is a wonder.

Max DesMarais:

Zion National Park is known for its incredible beauty. Those looking for great hikes never miss out on the most popular hikes, Angel’s Landing, and Observation Point, but Zion has more to offer. If you are looking for a slightly more difficult trek, and to avoid the crowds, Cable Mountain could be a great choice. …

Difficulty: Strenuous

Distance: 15 Miles Round Trip (24.14 Km)

Elevation Gain: 2,400 Feet

Hiking and Fishing