The permitting screens are a mix of released and not-reservable by trailhead, and even released, not-reservable WITHIN some trailheads? It's a total mess

Did they change the permit process for this season?

EDIT:

Wow, yes they did. Clicking on the N/Rs some trailheads seem to ONLY support 2 week-ahead orders and the mixed trailheads have some dates reservable at 6 months and some at 2 weeks.

Planning just got way less long-range...

Tips, tricks, and suggestions for a 2 Day hike. I've done Winter primitive camping before but never in NH. Any knowledge is much appreciated!

My friends and I are planning a backpacking trip in Northwestern Montana during the third week of May. We aim to have a week-long adventure in the wilderness and are seeking recommendations for remote trails with a variety of terrains. Specifically, we are interested in trails that are passable in early May.

Loop trails are ideal for our group as we will only be taking one car. They should be approximately 15-25 miles long. We’re looking for trails that traverse different landscapes, mostly forests, but rivers, alpine areas, and meadows are also cool. Opportunities for backcountry fishing along the trail would be a significant plus.

While such trails exist in Northwestern Montana, we have been unable to locate specific information. Any advice or recommendations you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Additionally, if you have any extra information about the area it would be incredibly helpful.

Thanks!

Last October I had my first guided backpacking trip, and it was a trip of a lifetime. I caught golden trout, but two nights just wasn't enough. I am planning a trip back to the area in late April, but I'm reading now that that seems way too early, as I have no experience camping in the snow. I can push the trip back to July, but where else in southern California can I backpack that's great weather in April? Angeles, San Bernardino, and Clevland, Los Padres are decently short drives but I'm also willing to drive 5-6 hours out. Preferably a mountain-y trail near creeks, rivers, or lakes, but I'm open to any suggestions.

Hello all. I have been living in New York for the past few years where I backpacked in the finger lakes, Adirondacks, and Catskills (once each: 2 day, 6 day, 3–>2 day cut short by injury, respectively). So I have some experience, but not much. Now I am in SoCal and am anxious to get out on the trail but I have zero experience backpacking in the desert.

I want to plan a 3 day solo trip in Anza-borrego. I am confident in my gear and clothing. However, I am not confident in my ability to successfully plan a trip, especially with respect to water. I expect to need to pack in all of my water but I don’t know how much and I don’t know how best to carry it. Any help from experienced desert backpackers would be wonderful.

6’185 lbs male.

Hi,

I'm planning to do a 1 month-40 day walking trip to Swedish Lapland in September, starting in Sarek and gradually traveling north from there. I understood that it could rain a lot; What clothing advice would you give me to avoid ending up soaked after several days of walking in the rain? I plan to take shelter when the rain is too heavy but I probably won't be able to avoid spending several hours underwater, and having already often traveled wet, I want to avoid this happening to me as much as possible in these regions where temperatures can be low and where, potentially, nothing allows me to dry my clothes for several days.

For example, I was thinking of layering a 20000mm rain jacket + waterproof pants with a 20000mm poncho as well, which risks causing problems in terms of breathability. If I dress very lightly underneath, however, I can perhaps avoid being too sweaty and manage to avoid the rain without getting wet from the inside; what do you think?

I Attempted the WHW last Summer as my first Backpackingtrip, Didnt finish due to Multiple Reasons ( Bad Planning, Worse Weather,Gear Failiure..). But the Flame hasnt died and i want to give it a second go. I am considering Switzerland and France at the Moment due to proximity and ambiguity when it comes to wild camping, And i would appreicate recomendations there.(Areas,Trails...) Other Suggestions are more than welcome as are any other Resources

Criteria :

-Located in Europe

- Resonably Reachable without a Car from Germany

-Wild Camping being Tolerated/ Empty Enough to not be Found

-Lenth : 2-5 days either during April or August ( Sadly fixed due to School)

-Cheap Options Prefered, willing to drop cash on something really Nice.

Hey fellow backpackers!

I'm planning a March backpacking trip with a group, and we're hoping to find a 35-45 mile loop trail within a 14-hour drive of San Francisco, CA. We're looking for something challenging but doable in about 4-5 days. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

A few important notes:

• We’d prefer a loop trail, but we’re open to an out-and-back if it’s worth it.
• Since we’re going in March, we’re aware that rain could be a factor, so we’re looking for a trail that’s manageable in wetter conditions. Not looking for something too exposed to harsh weather or snow, but a trail with some good scenery and varying terrain would be ideal.
• Ideally, we want some good elevation gains, river crossings, and a bit of solitude.
• We’ll be carrying all our gear and plan to camp along the way.

Any recommendations for great spots that fit the bill?
Thanks in advance!

So I’m brand new to backpacking and I’m trying to get really into it this spring/summer. I do a lot of day hikes and i was in the military so camping and walking long distances isn’t completely brand new to me. I live in Washington and have seen beautiful trails near Mt Rainier as well as in the Olympics but I’m not sure how permits or all that works. As I’m researching proper gear to buy, i was just wondering if anyone has any good hikes that have easily accessible permits that id be able to get in time for this summer. Or even ones that dont require permits at all. Any advice is appreciated, thank you!

I live in southern Washington and I’m very new to backpacking, having only been on two trips. I want to know what I can do to better keep my legs and gear dry, especially if I’m trying to do a multi day hike in rain or snow. I have a good tent and my gear stays mostly dry but, my pants and boots always get soaked. I was wondering if there’s a better way to layer pants to stay dry or a way to keep boots dry that’s cheaper than gaiters.

Looking for a small crew to plan a two-three nite backpacking trip. Hiking somewhere around 5-10 miles per day. Any spots highly recommended? I am 31 and extremely active, social, and love the outdoors. I will bring my Golden retriever as my sidekick.

I've been collecting gear to go on my first backpacking hike for a while now. And at the beginning I convinced my wife to come with me, or so I thought. The issue is, I purchased gear that are more for multiple people in mind; to include a Nemo Dagger 3p tent, a MSR Guardian, and a MSR Windburner Duo. But I digress...

I pitched and stayed in the tent in my backyard so I get a feel how to put it together, and the amount of extra space bothered me a little. Almost as if the travel from the center, where I would sleep, to either of the doors is far. My question is, other than weight, is there any cons or disadvantages to having a big tent for just one person? Has anyone ever been hindered from potential campsights because their tent was too large? Or, feel free to be honest, am I overthinking it?

I’m 18 looking to go backpacking mid June with a couple friends. I’ve done small backpacking trips on the east coast but nothing very serious. We are all in good shape and have done difficult trails out west before. Looking for any recommendations for a 30ish mile hike in the Tetons or north cascades(open to other recommendations) that would be good to do mid June.

Going to interview Dr. Patrick Fink, a physician specializing in wilderness medicine, about his career, experiences, and advice for pre-med students and looking for questions to ask him

Curious about blending a love of the outdoors with medicine, the challenges of practicing in remote settings, and the path to becoming a wilderness medicine expert.

Drop your questions below (and feel free to let me know the name you’d like to be credited with if your question is used). We’ll cover as many as possible.

Looking forward to your thoughts! 

Hi folks - hoping to get some advice for a solo trip I’m planning in March. Thinking of making a loop of Brins Mesa - Secret Canyon - Stirling Pass - Wilson Mountain over 3-4 days.

• Is there likely to be water to filter in either Secret Canyon or Stirling Canyon at that time of year?
• Do I need to pack out human waste? Googling gives me contradictory advice (https://wildlandtrekking.com/trips/red-rock-secret-mountain-trek/ vs https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/coconino/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5050178).
• The map shows water on the top of Wilson Mountain next to Canyon Overlook, is this actually there?
• Any other advice/feedback welcome

Thanks in advance

I know this is technically not fully wilderness backpacking, but my buddies and I are wanting to get a small backcountry cabin/shelter that we hike in with packs and then stay at a few nights. I’m talking no power, electricity, nothing, just wood shelter from the elements. I’ve struggled to find anything online so I’m wondering if you guys may know of any options? Thanks!

So, to start I’m still a minor and have minimal to no experience backpacking. The largest national park I’ve been to was Olympic last year. When I went I never went off path and we never stayed on a trail longer than a day, but it got me hooked especially on the PNW.

Now onto my question. Once I turn 18 I want to go on a solo trip somewhere between redwoods and Juneau. Is this a good idea, where would be good, and should I wait longer?

To achieve this I plan to save. Since I do have a job and have no real expenses as of now. I want this trip to be Atleast 5 days and I would like to stay in the back country. The only real thing I’m worried about is getting to these places. Though not likely I would really like to hike great bear rainforest, or really anywhere coastal BC.

Reason being my family does NOT like nature and the outdoors but I adore it. My Olympic trip was pure luck I went with a friends family. I want to go somewhere new and see new things. I live in proximity to Chicago, so going to the UP or Minnesota and Wisconsin aren’t out of the picture neither. For a first trip.

This is probably just me being starry eyed but I’d like to hear what you guys think and maybe some alternative ideas.

Wondering if anyone here has gotten their WFR with Backcountry Medical Guides and what they thought about it. I am looking at their course as well as a course through WMA, however, Backcountry Medical Guides may offer scholarships for tuition. Thank you.

Hello I'm a lover of my gear for adventure in the woods over night or 96 hour if able to get away from job i have an opportunity to do a brotherhood trek in gates of the arctic in Alaska for approximately three months I have been twice for a few weeks but guided we are going unguided on a quest for a understanding of our true self and write a book it's planed for 2030 may to August

Do any of you have tips to get a quest of this magnitude complete

I'm looking for... Gear in General---always looking for gear recs Custom map service Food Safety Medical Evac knowledge and advice Best tent Previous trekker of gates tips n tricks Logistics of travel from lower 48

I'll start there I'm a mediocre when it comes to long stays and trials in the woods but I spend all free time in the woods doing bushfit and running dogs

Cyrus bear .deuces

Hi all, I know there are a zillion iterations of my question already on Reddit but every day different people gain experience and new opinions, and the minute variables are always different. So I'm posting fresh and looking for your input!

Grand Staircase-Escalante, early April, 6 days/5 nights looking for route recommendation

2 backpackers, one with off trail experience one without. Solid off trail navigating but none of that offtrail experience has been in the Southwest or other similarly dry or canyon environment. No canyoneering experience and will not have a rope. One vehicle. Open to hiring a shuttle but prefer not to, so loop is ideal. Would prefer a mix of on and off trail but understand there are few connected trails in the area. Coming from the North, so that will have an impact on how much driving we have to do. Fit so we like hard days but we aren't into super high mileage. Like to enjoy breakfast coffee, a nice lunch and leisurely dinner at camp. Somewhat stressed about water access given lack of experience in similar environments!

So- looking for recommendations and even better GPS tracks.

Thanks in advance!

I’m going to be between jobs and will have some time to get a decent backpacking trip this summer (potentially mid-late June or mid-late July). Would love some recs for trails with lower crowds and where I could have about 1-3 weeks in the backcountry. I’m comfortable solo backpacking and it would be easiest for me logistically to get to trails in CA/OR/WA/NC/VA/TN due to my current/next job. Permitting is a consideration as well. Seems so far that it’s a “lower” snow year out west as I would prefer snow-free trails.

Have been toying around with a couple ideas so far: Wonderland Trail (or a combination of Timberline/Loowit/Northern Loop), section hike of PCT in NorCal/Sierra/WA, Long Trail, Foothills Trail, and Benton Mackaye-AT loop.

My hiking partner and I will be section hiking the Cohos Trail this summer. We will begin our section at the trailhead for Starr King and can only do about 8 miles max a day. That would take us to Middle Weeks. Anyone know of a stealth site in that area?