7 Hikes. 7 States. 7 National Parks

7 Hikes. 7 States. 7 National Parks. 

Big horn sheep on Mt Ida Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park

I love National Parks. Sometimes they can feel like Disneyland, but that goes away once you hit the trails. One of the only downsides I can think of is that dogs are not allowed on most trails in national parks. This is for the safety of both your dog and the wild animals inside the park. Most parks have an entrance fee, but I recommend getting an annual pass for $80. You'll make up the cost after about 3 parks. I've been trying to visit all 62 national parks and am almost halfway through. Here are a few of my favorite hikes I've done in some of my favorite parks. Sorry these all happen to be on the western half of the U.S. (Already a part 2 in the works)

Rocky Mountain National Park - Mount Ida Trail

9.3 miles, 2,362 ft elevation gain, out & back

I love this hike and this park and this state (Colorado). I truly believe that this hike is very accessible to anyone in relatively good shape. All you need is a day of very good weather. With a lot of this trail above the tree line, you are extremely exposed to all weather (including wind). The last mile is almost completely talus (a sloping accumulation of rock fragments), so this is the most difficult portion of the hike. There is a high likelihood of seeing wildlife. You should start this hike early to give yourself plenty of time. It is almost at 13,000 ft elevation so it will be a harder workout than you'll realize. My boyfriend is making me include that this was literally a nightmare for him and he thought he was going to die (he is not in good shape). 

Steppy on the summit of Mt. Ida

Mt. Ida Trail

view from Mt. Ida summit

Denali National Park - Triple Lakes Trail

18.5 miles, 3,690 ft elevation gain, out & back

Denali National Park (Alaska) is one of the most untouched beautiful parks you will ever see. Now before the 18.5 miles scare you, you can do this trail as a point to point (start at one place and end at another). I love starting from outside of the park and hiking in toward the visitor center. You can also always start from one side and just hike to one of the lakes and hike back. Any time I've hiked this trail, I have been the only person on it. You can bring a fishing pole and just have an afternoon of it, or you can hike all damn day. In the summer, you have more daylight than you'll know what to do with anyways. And the only thing better than a water feature is 3 water features. I was waffling between choosing this one and the Savage Alpine Trail. I saw a grizzly when I was hiking Savage Alpine and on a crystal clear day, you can even see the tip of Denali from the trail. 

View from Triple Lakes trail in Denali National Park

Nenana River

Fishing off of Triple Lakes trail

Great Basin National Park - Wheeler Peak

8.2 miles, 2,096 ft elevation gain, out & back

Great Basin National Park (Nevada) is lesser known but a true hidden gem. Wheeler Peak is the second tallest mountain in Nevada and it definitely feels like it when you are up there. Take plenty of water and drink it all. The first two miles are relatively flat and among the trees. Then the hike takes a turn and you will climb 2,000 ft in the last mile. Great Basin is known for it's caves, bristlecone pines, and Wheeler Peak. It's hard to not want to hike it once you've seen it. I tried to do it a little too fast and had to battle some altitude sickness once I got down. SO just don't be like me and eat some snacks, drink some water, take your time and save yourself the trouble. 

Steppy on the summit of Wheeler Peak

The tip of Wheeler Peak through the aspens.

Wheeler Peak via Stella Lake Trail

Crater Lake National Park - Garfield Peak Trail

3.4 miles, 1,069 ft elevation gain, out & back

There are several options for hikes around this absolutely mesmerizing lake. I chose Garfield as a nice moderate hike for the crew I was with. It's all uphill on the way up but the views keep it from feeling too steep. There are plenty of places to stop and take a breath and enjoy the lake. The peak has plenty of room at the top with trees for shade if you want to break and have lunch or whatever. It's also really conveniently located near one of the visitor centers. 

Garfield Peak Trail

Crater Lake from the summit

Steppy hiking back down toward the visitor center

Bryce Canyon National Park - Peekaboo Loop Trail

5.2 miles, 1,453 ft elevation gain, loop

Bryce Canyon National (Utah) is breathtaking from the moment you see it. I did this hike at sunrise and it was so peaceful. We had the trail to ourselves (which is hard to do in such a popular park). I highly recommend taking any one of the trails into the canyon. It's a way cooler way to see the famous "hoodoos." The hike in is mainly downhill, but once you are down in the canyon, you will be doing a lot of both. And then it's a one mile climb back out but you have an ever changing view that keeps you gasping and loving every minute (the beauty of a loop trail). 

Bryce Canyon from inside of the canyon

Peekaboo Loop trail

Hiking out of the canyon

Lassen Volcanic National Park - Lassen Peak

5.1 miles, 1,968 ft elevation gain, out & back

Have you ever wanted to climb an active volcano? Here's your chance. The namesake of Lassen National Park (California) is a short steep and high elevation hike. But there is informational signs all along the trail to give you moments of rest without having to admit you are out of breath. The trail is extremely straight forward with only about the last quarter of a mile with any real scree (loose rocks) to deal with. When I did it, I met a man celebrating his 83rd birthday by hiking Lassen (an annual tradition of his). What I'm saying is if an 83 year old dude can do it, so can you. 

Steppy on the summit on Lassen Peak

 

Stairs on the trail to the summit

Views from the summit of Lassen Peak

Grand Teton National Park - Taggart and Bradley Lake Loop

6 miles, 761 ft elevation gain, loop

The Grand Tetons of Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming) are a technical climb that you would need training and gear to summit. So that leaves the real shining stars to be the many gorgeous lakes. Jenny Lake is the most famous, but I think this hike is less crowded (especially after you pass Taggart.) And they are smaller lakes. So if you go in the summer, you may even want to take a dip! They're all glacial lakes which makes them really beautiful and pretty damn cold. Keep an eye out for moose and bears!!!

Bradley and Taggart Lake loop

Taggart Lake

View from the trail