Taking A Hiking Vacation
If you are in the mood for a hiking vacation then you will
probably want to consider the many trails in either the Great
Smoky Mountain National Park in Tennessee or Rocky Mountain
National Park in Colorado.
Of course there are many other parks and trails throughout the
United States but these two destinations offer some of the most
scenic and majestic mountain vistas available.
Both the Smoky Mountain National Park and Rocky Mountain
National park offer different levels of trails for your hiking
vacation. Whether you are taking the family for a casual
vacation or are looking for more adventure and exercise in a
very strenuous hike, either location can accommodate your plans.
There are more than 850 miles of trails in the Great Smoky
Mountains, more than enough to keep you busy for your hiking
vacation.
With the miles of trails available, my favorite in the Smoky
Mountains is the hike to Chimney Tops. The Chimney Tops trail is
a mildly strenuous hike with some incredible views. The last 50
yards is very steep, with a spectacular view at the very top. It
is a 4 mile round trip that is well worth the effort.
While the Smoky Mountains are exceptionally beautiful, the
grandeur of the Colorado Rockies is unmatched in the continental
United States. Majestic snow covered peaks rise out of the
plains to reach heights above 14,000 feet in the case of Long's
Peak and more than 60 other peaks rise above 12,000 feet.
Within the 416 square miles of the park there are 355 miles of
hiking trails. My favorite hike by far is the hike to Chasm Lake
at the base of Long's Peak.
The hike is a 9.5 mile round trip that changes in altitude from
9,000 feet to almost 12,000 feet. This is a fun, scenic hike,
but it is moderately strenuous, so be well prepared with food
and water.
Preparing For Your Hiking Vacation
Tens of thousands of people hike the trails of our national
parks every year without incident and a hiking vacation can be
an enjoyable and invigorating experience.
However, it is essential that you are prepared for your hiking
experience.
This is a no-brainer, but one of the biggest mistakes hikers
make is not realizing the total length of the hikes they are on.
If the sign at the trail head says that the hike is 4 miles,
remember you have to hike back also, making that an 8 mile round
trip.
Don't forget food and water. While food is needed on hikes of 3
to 4 miles and longer water is an essential on every hike. Even
short hikes at higher altitudes can cause you to get thirsty
faster than you would think.
You will also need the proper gear for hiking. I