As the creature approached, folks moved to the side of the trail to give him plenty of space. Just the sight of the famous creature, although its existence not proven, caused hikers to chatter up and…
When you’re hiking through the cold and snow of winter, it’s easy to remain in your summer-hiking mindset. Sure, you’ll stop for a drink of water and maybe consume a PowerBar every now and again…
The trail was covered with a couple inches of snow — obviously not winter tundra conditions — but the trail conditions required hikers' attention. I was within ear shot of the trailhead parking lot.…
1. Never hike alone.
It may sound like common sense to the intermediate hiker. For beginner and advanced hikers, though, there’s often a temptation to chart your own course. Avoiding this temptation…
Pay attention to signs prohibiting hiking, especially in fall and winter months, as it could be closed off due to hunting.
The family of four froze in their tracks, as a doe bounded across the trail…
The walking staff is one of mankind's oldest and simplest devices to help them walk or hike. People have used these long wooden shafts for thousands of years.
Like any tool used for many centuries,…
Surprises come in two flavors: good and bad. Regarding hiking trails, both types of surprises exist. Rounding a bend on the side of a ridge to be welcomed by a breathtaking, panoramic view is a great…
When you’re out hiking on the trail, it’s not all that uncommon to get a few scrapes and cuts as you make your way through brush- and bramble-covered areas, or as you’re traversing challenging…
Ask the occasional hiker what he or she wants from a trail and a common response is less hikers encountered. So they want a bit of solitude while hiking. Sounds good and I agree, but as the sport of…
The state forest was slammed with a thunderstorm, tree snapping winds and all, just a few weeks before the wife and I visited for a hike. The trailhead parking area was mostly cleared, except for a…
You're walking in the woods, perhaps returning from or heading to the stream or lake.
Or, perhaps you're in your neighborhood, in an urban center such as Chapel Hill, N.C., or even near your child's…
Taking in the beauty of a waterfall is an experience that commands the attention of the senses -- from the view of the tumbling waters, to the feel of the cool mist, to calming white noise of the…
