What's your favorite trail in the National Park System? That can be a tough question. Some believe hiking the "Narrows" in Zion National Park is as good as it gets. Others might say a multi-day outing on the John Muir Trail through Yosemite National Park down to Devil's Postpile National Monument and on to Sequoia National Park and Mount Whitney is the best there is.
And then, of course, there's the Appalachian Trail, which you can take for more than 2,000 miles while passing through sections of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Shenandoah National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. And there are water trails, as well.
So, what's the answer? What's your favorite trail in the National Park System? Is it a day hike, a long-weekend, or a multi-week trek?
Comments
Highline Trail in Glacier National Park to Granite Park Chalet. Continue up to Swiftcurrent Pass and down to Many Glaciers.
Not sure if I have a favorite, but our rafting guide told us about the Cattail Falls trail at Big Bend, which is not advertized or marked on the maps. You have to take a turn down an unmarked road on the RM Scenic Drive, and even then this "road" consists of giant rocks. But you eventually end up in a parking lot with an alternate Window Trail and the Cattail Falls Trail. Imagine a somewhat strenuous hike through a rocky desert area only to emerge in a lush green oasis with a nice tall waterfall as the centerpiece. It was pretty cool and was one of the highlights of the trip.
My kids are two so we can't do long hikes just yet but here are a few of my favorite short hikes as of late: Fern Canyon in the Redwoods. Its is so lush and green that it makes me feel like I am in Jurassic times. Navajo Trail in Bryce Canyon: to be able to walk among the hoodoos with my little ones is something I won't soon forget. Hidden Falls and INspiration Point in Grand Teton: Can we say view? Having my kids sit on a boulder and look down at Jenny Lake and the vast wilderness below and actually squeal with excitement was one of my most proud moments as a parent.
On of my favorites is the relatively short hike up to the top of Lassen Peak in Lassen Volcanic National Park...it will get your heart pounding pretty good and on a clear day (without forest fire smoke) the vistas are just amazing.
If you all don't mind, I would like to nominate another trail as special. This is the old Teddy Roosevelt trail into Rainbow Bridge. Roosevelt went there before visiting a park for a president was a photo op; he just wanted to see the Bridge. Finding the trail head is tricky. It is on the Navajo reservation. It is best to seek guidance before starting out trying to find it. There is a large carin at the trail head. We left our car there. I did it quite a few years ago and I seem to remember that it was an overnight in and an overnight out. Of course, the payoff is seeing Rainbow Bridge from the dry side, not having arrived in a boat. Take plenty of water as it was a desert trail that didn't provide a lot of water stops. The scenery in and out was gorgeous.
Rick Smith
How about the Glacier Gorge trail system in Rocky Mountain National Park? It's one of my favorites. Beautiful lakes, stunning peaks, wildflowers and usually plenty of wildlife.
The Congress Trail at Sequoia. Wonderland exists!
Mountain biking on the Collier Ridge Loop in Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area!
Trail Description from the park's website:
Beginning from the Bandy Creek Visitor Center the trail starts and finishes on the West Bandy Creek Road.
1.1 miles after leaving the Visitor Center the single track begins, turning left off West Bandy Creek Road. Look for and follow the marker posts.
The single track section features creek crossings, jumps, sandstone climbs and drops, short slalom sections through trees and fast downhill runs.
1.8 miles after leaving West Bandy Creek Road the trail splits offering riders the choice of a novice or advanced section.
If you are not an advanced rider continue straight to Hwy 297, turn right and ride single file near the white line. Look for the marker to turn right back onto the single track.
The advanced ride turns right coming immediately to a sandstone ledge with a steep drop. Beyond this the trail features numerous steep climbs and drops with some sharp turns and log crossings.
Once the two sections rejoin either continue west along Hwy 297 and take the West Bandy Trail (see below) or remain on the Collier Ridge Trail for another 2.3 miles back to the West Bandy Creek Road. Turn right and return to the Visitor Center.
Total novice ride is 8.0 miles with 3.6 miles of gravel/paved road and 4.4 miles of single track.
Total advanced ride is 7.7 miles with 2.2 miles of gravel road and 5.5 miles of single track.