| NATIONAL PARKS QUICKLINKS |
Natural Born Killers: Top Backcountry Dangers
Which is the bigger backcountry threat, grizzlies or flash floods? Find out what should scare you–and how to survive it–with BACKPACKER's Terror Index.
Special Video and Photo Report: Toklat Wolf Pack in Crisis
There's a battle raging in Alaska over Denali National Park's Toklat wolf pack. When senior editor Tracy Ross flew to Alaska to investigate the controversy, she expected to see a dead wolf--but not a skinned one. Go behind the scenes of her shocking story with video filmed inside a Fairbanks tannery and in the field.
The Alaska Wolf Debate: Q&A with Tracy Ross
Author Tracy Ross discusses her feature story "Dogs of War" devoted to the debate raging in Alaska over the famed Toklat wolf pack.
Dogs of War Part 1: Hunting Denali Wolves
Coke Wallace lives to hunt wolves. Follow him into the Alaskan backcountry to learn how wolf hunters find, catch, and kill their prey.
Dogs of War Part 2: Tracking the Toklat Wolf Pack
Join wildlife scientist Gordon Haber on a trip into Denali to track down the threatened Toklat pack's den, where he hopes to see wolves thriving in their natural environment.
Boulder's Gregory Canyon Trail
Take an abandoned wagon road near Boulder's Flatirons with Backpacker editors Jon Dorn and Anthony Cerretani in this trail profile.
FEATURES, ADVICE, AND PROFILES
Environment
Wind Power: Turbulence Ahead
Wind power offers clean energy–but how much will hikers compromise to get it?
Road Warriors: Hikers Versus ATVs
Hikers and ATV riders hit the ground in a new battle over trail access.Plants
3 Poached Treasures
Backcountry crooks ransack public lands, stealing the natural prizes most coveted by collectors–and vulnerable species and hikers alike suffer when these icons vanish from the trails to resurface on the black market.
Danger Signs: Painful Plants
Sure, you know the mantra "leaves of three, let it be." But that warning alone doesn't help you detect those irritating plants that change colors, grow as vines, or mimic harmless species. Heed these tips to keep your summer itch-free.Threats
Natural Born Killers: Top Backcountry Dangers
Which is the bigger backcountry threat, grizzlies or flash floods? Find out what should scare you–and how to survive it–with BACKPACKER's Terror Index.
Danger Signs: Flash Flood
July to mid-September is prime time for heavy rains in the Southwest, where fast-rising water in narrow canyons can turn trickling streams into deadly torrents. Don't get swept away.
Weather
Wind Power: Turbulence Ahead
Wind power offers clean energy–but how much will hikers compromise to get it?
Cascades Meltdown
The Lower 48's most glaciated region is losing its ice at an astonishing rate.Wildlife
Special Video and Photo Report: Toklat Wolf Pack in Crisis
There's a battle raging in Alaska over Denali National Park's Toklat wolf pack. When senior editor Tracy Ross flew to Alaska to investigate the controversy, she expected to see a dead wolf--but not a skinned one. Go behind the scenes of her shocking story with video filmed inside a Fairbanks tannery and in the field.
The Alaska Wolf Debate: Q&A with Tracy Ross
Author Tracy Ross discusses her feature story "Dogs of War" devoted to the debate raging in Alaska over the famed Toklat wolf pack.
Wind Power: Turbulence Ahead
Wind power offers clean energy–but how much will hikers compromise to get it?
Road Warriors: Hikers Versus ATVs
Hikers and ATV riders hit the ground in a new battle over trail access.
Phenomenon: Glacial Relics
The Ice Age left its mark from Acadia to Yosemite. Here's scenic evidence.
Packing Out Waste: You Can Take It With You
Hikers learn to leave (absolutely) no trace on high-traffic peaks and trails.
Phenomenon: Microbursts
These vertical hurricanes are rare–but deadly.
Danger Signs: Burn Zones
Here are the top three wildfire dangers and how to avoid them.
Phenomenon: Northern Lights
The science behind the sky's natural fireworks display–and how to see it.
Does Geocaching Violate Leave No Trace?
Are these hidden containers harmless, or do they flout low-impact ethics?
Green Guide
In honor of Earth Day, we bring you the first industry-wide survey on which gear manufacturers are positively impacting the environment, plus much more.
Minnesota's Boundary Waters Face Extermination By Climate Change
As temperatures rise, Minnesota's North Woods will likely go up in smoke.
3 Poached Treasures
Backcountry crooks ransack public lands, stealing the natural prizes most coveted by collectors–and vulnerable species and hikers alike suffer when these icons vanish from the trails to resurface on the black market.
Danger Signs: Painful Plants
Sure, you know the mantra "leaves of three, let it be." But that warning alone doesn't help you detect those irritating plants that change colors, grow as vines, or mimic harmless species. Heed these tips to keep your summer itch-free.
Super Poison Ivy is Coming
More potent poison ivy is on the way, plus fast-growing weeds that will change the face of Eastern forests.
How to Treat Poison Ivy
Beat the itchy stuff with creams or homeopathic measures.
Powerful Plants and Animals In Your Backyard
The wooly bear caterpillar, wild leek, and yew have "magical" qualities, but live in your backyard.Trip Doctor: Best Western Foliage
Where's the best western foliage?Backpacker Interview: The Trail Bandit
Rangers despise him. The law is after him. Yet in chopping down trees in an overgrown national park, Bob Garrison has become a hero to some hikers.Blueberry Magic
Berries Prove Balance Can Be SweetProud Lake Recreation Area
Michigan's Proud Lake has many flavors of wilderness to offer.Ricketts Glen State Park
This favorite Pennsylvania destination of our editors is filled with old trees, shale cliffs, wildlife and stunning wildflowers.
Natural Born Killers: Top Backcountry Dangers
Which is the bigger backcountry threat, grizzlies or flash floods? Find out what should scare you–and how to survive it–with BACKPACKER's Terror Index.
Danger Signs: Flash Flood
July to mid-September is prime time for heavy rains in the Southwest, where fast-rising water in narrow canyons can turn trickling streams into deadly torrents. Don't get swept away.
Danger Signs: Bear Country
Hiking where bears are present (that's more than 40 states) always requires precautions, like hanging food. But these three signals demand extra vigilance.
Nuclear-Free Hiking
How Cold War weapons sites are becoming America's most unusual new preserves.
Danger Signs: Burn Zones
Here are the top three wildfire dangers and how to avoid them.
Danger Signs: Trail Confusion
Don't want to get lost? Heed this advice on four trail situations that routinely cause problems.
What Will Alaska's Future Look Like?
Alaska is the last frontier, but energy development and climate change promise to change the face of our wildest state in your lifetime. Here's how.
How to Hang a Bear Bag
Learn the easiest way to hang a bear bag and keep your camping snacks safe from rummaging paws.Trip Doctor: Theft-Proofing Your Car
Clear out your car before heading into the woods.Where Am I Lowest On The Food Chain?
Want to hike where the most predators exist? Pack your courage and follow these directions.
Wind Power: Turbulence Ahead
Wind power offers clean energy–but how much will hikers compromise to get it?
Cascades Meltdown
The Lower 48's most glaciated region is losing its ice at an astonishing rate.
How to Survive Winter Storms
New Hampshire's Mt. Washington is know for its evil weather. Learn how to survive a winter storm from one of the peak's experts.
Phenomenon: What are Sky Islands?
To see how animals stay cool in a hot climate, just look up.Phenomenon: Snowmelt
Rising alpine temperatures and polluted snow are threatening snowpack–and the water it generates.How to Avoid Sudden Thaws
Warming temps can wreak havoc on snow-packed adventures. Learn the conditions and warning signs that can cause a dangerous, sudden thaw.Danger Signs: How to Detect a Winter Storm
Learning to determine winter weather signs depends on where you are.Happy Go Wet: Backpacker's Rain Quiz
Can you handle a rainy outing? Take our fun quiz to see how you'd fare under a sky of liquid sunshine.Cold Sleepers vs. Hot Sleepers
One camper sweats and another shivers. What's the deal?Devil's Thumb: It Can't Be Climbed
Will anyone ever climb the dangerous northwest face of Alaska's Devil's Thumb? Maybe they shouldn't.
Special Video and Photo Report: Toklat Wolf Pack in Crisis
There's a battle raging in Alaska over Denali National Park's Toklat wolf pack. When senior editor Tracy Ross flew to Alaska to investigate the controversy, she expected to see a dead wolf--but not a skinned one. Go behind the scenes of her shocking story with video filmed inside a Fairbanks tannery and in the field.
The Alaska Wolf Debate: Q&A with Tracy Ross
Author Tracy Ross discusses her feature story "Dogs of War" devoted to the debate raging in Alaska over the famed Toklat wolf pack.
Predator-Prey Relationships
Learn how carnivores and their quarry interact—and what happens when humans upset the natural balance.
See More Beavers
America's largest rodent may be clumsy on land, but in water, it's a marvel of design.
Track Caribou in the Salmo-Priest Wilderness
Glimpse these rare mammals in Idaho's Salmo-Priest Wilderness.
Danger Signs: Bear Country
Hiking where bears are present (that's more than 40 states) always requires precautions, like hanging food. But these three signals demand extra vigilance.
Phenomenon: Wildlife Crossings
How did the bear cross the road? See a few ways engineers are helping wildlife go over, under, and around traffic.
See More: Great Blue Herons
This dignified giant stands four feet tall, making it North America's largest heron.
Where Have the Animals Gone?
Scientists hike deep into California's wild high country to probe for answers.
The World's Smartest Bears
Welcome to Yosemite, iconic American landscape, hikers' paradise, and all-you-can-eat home of the wiliest bruins on earth.
Tools & Experts
Medicine Man
Our wilderness medicine guru talks first-aid, health, and emergency management.
Get Schooled
Survival Blog
Go deep into the backcountry with Rocky Mountain Editor Steve Howe and get an unfiltered dose dose of all things survival.
Are you tough enough?
Menu Maker
Get ready to head into the wild with our complete menus and shopping lists for your perfect outing.
Find Your Perfect Meal
Backpacking 101
Trip-planning tips, gear lists, safety advice, and other essential wisdom every hiker ought to know.
Get Started
MASTER YOUR OUTDOOR EXPERTISE WITH OUR TIPS
Dogs of War Part 1: Hunting Denali Wolves
Coke Wallace lives to hunt wolves. Follow him into the Alaskan backcountry to learn how wolf hunters find, catch, and kill their prey.
Dogs of War Part 2: Tracking the Toklat Wolf Pack
Join wildlife scientist Gordon Haber on a trip into Denali to track down the threatened Toklat pack's den, where he hopes to see wolves thriving in their natural environment.
Boulder's Gregory Canyon Trail
Take an abandoned wagon road near Boulder's Flatirons with Backpacker editors Jon Dorn and Anthony Cerretani in this trail profile.
Find the Outdoor Equipment You Need
TIP 66: Grip Sticks
Use rubber tips to give trekking poles more grip on steep slopes.
Survival 101
BACKPACKER's one-stop survival center.
Top-notch guidance from the pros who know.
Green Guide
Up your eco-consciousness with
BACKPACKER's guide to everything green.
Backpacker's Ultimate Fix-It Guide
Learn how to make your gear last forever with our guide to the 55 most
common repairs and maintenance musts.
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