Like many hikers who’ve completed the Appalachian Trail, Jeffrey Ryan didn’t do it in one long through-hike. Grabbing weekends here and days off there, it took Jeffrey twenty-eight years to finish the trail, and along the way he learned much about himself and made many new friends, including his best friend, who made the journey with him from start to finish. Including 75 color photos, this engaging book is part memoir, part natural history and lore, and part practical advice. Whether you’ve hiked the AT, are planning to hike it, or only wish to dream of hiking it, this is the book to read next.

"Experienced outdoor enthusiasts and those lacing-up their boots for their first time: prepare to hike the diverse American landscape. Whether aiming to conquer epic expeditions, or simply complete a day hike to recharge, paths of every size await the intrepid wayfarer in Wanderlust USA, a book that serves as a blueprint for adventurous souls in search of new summits."--Amazon.com

CLICK HERE to download the chapter on "Backpacking" from Hiking the Wonderland Trail "There's no other trip, trail or peak that any backpacker should rank higher on his life list than the Wonderland Trail." - Backpacker magazine * Comprehensive and affectionate guide to one of the nation’s iconic wilderness trails * Everything you need to help plan this 93-mile trek, whether done in one trip or several * Lavish, full-color design, yet informative and practical, with 125 photographs and 18 maps * Find even more details, updates and added trip extensions at hikingthewonderlandtrail.com Washington State's famed Wonderland Trail is a spectacular 93-mile route that circumnavigates Mount Rainier, challenging hikers with its strenuous 22,000 feet of cumulative elevation gain and loss. Hiking the Wonderland Trail: The Complete Guide to Mount Rainier's Premier Trail is an authoritative guidebook penned by Washington native Tami Asars, a professional instructor on hiking the trail, a third-generation hiker of the Cascade mountains, and seven-time hiker of the entire Wonderland Trail. In this guide Asars draws on her experience, covering these essentials: * How to work with the Wonderland Trail permit reservation system, and when to apply * Recommended gear--with a checklist--and ways to reduce pack weight, prevent blisters, and stay warm and dry * How to pack the perfect backpack * Food and fuel caching on the Wonderland, tips and instruction * Detailed camp-to-camp route descriptions and suggested itineraries * How to extend your adventures with the Northern Loop Trail and the Eastside Trail Over the years, Asars has taken extensive notes that she shares at workshops and in the field. Hiking the Wonderland Trail distills her boot-tested knowledge so that everyone can enjoy the magic of Mount Rainier's premier trail.

* 60 Colorado loop hikes accessible from metro areas including Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, and Boulder * Illustrated with topo maps, elevation profiles, and photos for each hike * Trailfinder chart lists hikes by factors including distance, hiking time, elevation gain, season, and highlights -- quiet wilderness, mountain meadow, great views, wildlife, etc. * Bonus listing of Colorado hikes that are great for winter snowshoeing Looking for a short, easy loop stroll, or a challenging loop trek? Do you want loops that offer solitude or loops that are kid-friendly? Best Loop Hikes Colorado includes loop hikes that involve overnight stays and trails that involve fourteeners to consider, too. And did you know that some loops double as great snowshoe trails in winter? You'll find all these and more in Best Loop Hikes Colorado. As you can tell, the operative word here is "loop." That's right: there's no need to bore yourself by retracing the same path. Your every step is shiny and new, all without tandem driving or dropping off a car at both ends of the trail. It's the holy grail of hiking! Guidebook regions include the Front Range, Central Mountains, Southwest Mountains, Western Slope and Canyonlands, Northern Mountains, and Rocky Mountain National Park.

Detailed descriptions of 37 trails. Information on terrain, difficulty, precautions, contacts. Directions to each trail and descriptions of features along the trek.

Traverse 25 carefully crafted backpacking trips to some of the most magnificent landscapes in Idaho. A virtually undiscovered backpacking paradise, Idaho has numerous wilderness areas of vast size. Backpackers can find complete solitude, glimpse wildlife, and explore some of North America’s most amazing scenery. The state’s mountains boast great weather: fewer thunderstorms than the central Rockies, less rain than Oregon and Washington, and cooler summer temperatures than California. Backpacking Idaho guides you to what author Doug Lorain calls a “Shangri-la” for backpackers. In the craggy Selkirk Mountains you’ll find lush forests, small cirque lakes, and jagged granite peaks. Watch for ospreys, river otters, and belted kingfishers near the swift Selway River. Explore hundreds of miles of trails in the gently rolling, forested hills of north-central Idaho, and head to Hell’s Canyon—the deepest gorge in North America—to find both alpine tundra and cactus-studded desert. Inside you’ll find: 25 top backpacking trips throughout the state Comparative ratings for scenery, solitude, and difficulty Trail mileage, elevation gain, days on the trail, and shuttle distances Highlights, trip itineraries, and more 12 additional recommendations for backpacking trips “As an Idaho native I’ve hiked and camped here all my life, but I took away from this book some great hikes that I want to do.... This is a really fine book.” —Craig Gehrke, Regional Director, Idaho Office of the Wilderness Society

Best Loop Hikes Colorado includes detailed hike descriptions, maps, and color photos for approximately 100 of the most scenic loop hikes in the area. Hike descriptions also include history, local trivia, and GPS coordinates. Best Loop Hikes Colorado will take you through state and national parks, forests, monuments and wilderness areas, and from popular city parks to the most remote and secluded corners of the area to explore the most spectacular loop hikes.