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yestakeahike-blog · 6 years ago

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My Hiking Bucket List

Do you know how many trails there are in the United States? Ha, me either. But I do know that there are thousands of different options--probably more. As I thought about the hikes I have already embarked on, as well as the many more that I want to try out, I decided to start compiling a bucket list of the hikes I want to go on in my life time. However, as I started digging into researching different trails, I realized that my bucket list sort of read as a bucket list of the National Parks I want to visit. So I’ll divide the trails up into their respective parks if they have one. Starting with one hike that I am planning to cross off my list in about a month, in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Rocky Mountain National Park

Lake Odessa Trail

Lake Odessa Trail is a moderate level trail that is about four miles out and four back. The trail leads out to Lake Odessa and climbs up through a thick forest for about three miles before it drops down for the last mile to the lake. The total elevation gain is about 1,200 feet.

The reason this one has made my list is because I like the distance of it, as it will make for a good day hike. It also gives you the chance to veer off and see Lake Helene. The views at Lake Odessa were also a deciding factor in adding this to the list.

Yosemite National Park

Dewey Point Trail

Dewey Point Trail is a moderate trial that is about 12.5 miles round trip. From the trail head to the final destination there is only a 300 foot gain in elevation. This is a fairly easy trail to hike, but the last part has a steep downhill to get down to the point itself, which equals a steep climb when you turn around!

This one made the list because of the views at the top. Wow. That’s all I’ve got to say about that.

Grand Canyon National Park

Widforss Trail

Widforss Trail is a ten-mile round trip trail that usually takes about four to five hours to complete. Although it is a ten-mile hike, the first 2.5 miles boast a lot of scenic opportunities. If you pick up a brochure before you hit the trail, it will guide you to where you should be stopping to check out the views. The trail is about 8,000 feet above sea level so even though it is a fairly flat trail, if you aren’t accustomed to the altitude it can still be very tiring. Most of the trail is shaded by trees, but some parts are not, and it can get hot. However, you do get the benefits of both the forest views as well as the canyon views on one hike.

This one made my list as it gives you the best of both worlds in the Grand Canyon. You get a little bit of trees, as well as the epic canyon views. The first 2.5 miles are said to be especially beautiful, which drew me in further. Plus, it is the perfect amount of time to make it a day hike and still have time for more activities in the Grand Canyon!

Glacier National Park

Swiftcurrent Pass

Swiftcurrent Pass is 14.2 miles roundtrip. The total elevation gain is 2,400 feet, and the trail is rated to be a strenuous hike. Along the way you pass by a couple of lakes as well as great views of Swiftcurrent Valley before you finally reach the top of Swiftcurrent Mountain--which is highest maintained trail in Glacier National Park.

I’m definitely in this one for the views. I did want to have at least one strenuous level hike on this list too, but I knew that the outcome needed to be worth it. I think this one would be; it looks absolutely breath taking!

Great Smoky National Park

Alum Cave Trail

Alum Cave Trail is a 5 mile trail out and back. About half way out you hit Alum Cave Bluffs, and if you continue on you will hit the summit of Mount Le Counte after another 2.5 miles. This summit allows for views of the vistas below. The total elevation change is about 1,200 feet. It is said to be fairly steep and follows the edge of a ridge for parts of the climb. The only down side of this trail is that there are no pets allowed!

This one made the list for the sole reason that it leads to a cave. As someone who loves a good cave exploration, and has been to many caves in the Wisconsin area, I was all on board when I saw the name of this hike. Then I saw some pictures and I was completely sold.

Mount Rainier National Park

Green Lake Trail

Green Lake Trail is moderate level, 10.8-mile trail round trip. The total elevation gain is about 1,000 feet. Usually, the trail takes hikers about 4.5 hours to complete. While this trail ends at Green Lake, you also pass Ranger Creek and Ranger Falls along the way. On the trail you get to experience walking through 800-year-old Douglas firs.

This trail made my list as it is considered to be one of the most serene hikes in the Mount Rainier park. Plus, it not only leads to a beautiful, peaceful lake pictured below, but it also passes by a waterfall.

Arches National Park

Tower Arch

This 3.5 mile trail has some steep climbs, but it does end at an arch with a tower attached! This trail isn’t as popular so you get away from the crowds if you choose this hike. It is rated to be more difficult than most of the hikes in Arches.

I chose this trail because it is a little more remote, and I’m not a huge fan of crowds. Plus, the views look amazing!

Delicate Arch

This is a little over a three mile hike, and is considered to be more strenuous. It can get really hot on the trail and quite crowded as the Delicate Arch is considered to be one of the most popular arches in the world. Some of the rocks on this climb can also be a little slippery which can make things more challenging as well.

I chose this trail because I think if you’re headed to the Arches National Park, you might as well embark on as many hikes as you can since they are shorter and aren’t going to take as much time. Plus, I don’t think you can give up the opportunity to see the Delicate Arch if you have it!

John Muir Trail

I know this isn’t a National Park, but this trail passes through quite a few. Starting in Yosemite National Park, it moves through Ansel Adams Wilderness, Sequoia National Park, King’s Canyon National Park, and ends about 215 miles later atop Mount Whitney, which is the highest peak in the continental US. This trail aligns, for the most part with the Pacific Crest Trail in California.

I picked this trail as something to day dream about. This would obviously take many, many days to complete. Most people set aside a whole month to take the trek. So this is my dreamer trail. I hope to be able to one day set aside that much time to embark on this hike across the state of California, and to be able to experience the many National Parks that it passes through that I did not include above.

For now, that’s my list. But I know that I will continue to add more on as I continue my research on different parks, and as I cross them off my list. That’s the beauty of hiking, you really can’t run out of options. I am sure I could find a trail in every single National Park that I want to hike, however, to make it realistic for the time being, I picked the National Parks that have already sparked my interest, or the ones that I already have plans to visit.

As I continue to add more on to this developing list, I know I will be looking to add places in Alaska and Hawaii, as well as in Yellowstone National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Grand Teton National Park and Redwood National Park.

Cross one off and add another. My bucket list may never be completed that way, but it will keep me moving, and keep the adventure flowing. For the next month, I’ll continue my hikes around the driftless area, but come July I’ll be headed west to cross some trails off my list.

Stay tuned for more updates on making hiking successful as well as updates on the trails I conquer in the next couple of months. Happy hiking, all!

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#mkt400uwl #hiking bucketlist nationalparks nature outside adventure

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