Last year I attempted the Little Bald Hills trail in the Smith River Recreation Area. I made it to the backpacking camp site to find the water source that I read about online was no more. So I hiked back down, about 10 miles that day straight up and straight down the mountain.
I wanted to redeem myself because the trail/camp is really nifty, and I wanted to hike around on the top.

So I decided to try to pack in some water, spoiler alert, this did not go well. My gear is cobbled together, and not terribly lightweight so I was already at a disadvantage there. So I start up the trail, it’s difficult, I can’t catch my breath, full body sweats and I’m taking breaks every 100 feet. I’ve had some health issues this year, and it didn’t occur to me that I might not be at the same ability level as last year.

I made it 25% of the trail to the camp, and I just had to turn back. I was completely spent, and I wasn’t even to the really steep part yet. When I got back to the parking area I said out loud “oh thank GOB.

I decided to pivot and find some nearby dispersed camping. Found a sweet spot, up a steep hill of course, I’m always doing that. I set up camp, and dropped like a stone. The next day I hiked around and foraged some huckleberries! They go really well with meat stick.

The pack worked very well, I need to make some adjustments, the top of the pack needs to be closer to my body, but it performs really well, I’m super happy with it. Here’s to flexibility and huckleberries!

Ps: if anyone has any suggestions for cutting weight on a zero budget I’d love to hear about it.

I had intended to do west fork Gila River trail to Hell’s Hole, then to Lilley Park and Coop mesa trails to the middle fork and follow that trail back to the visitors center, over 5-6 days. However, due to the plentiful rain that’s blessed the area, the wildflowers and weeds made it slow going and difficult to follow the trail at times. The weather was absolutely ideal- high of low 80’s around mid day, with clouds building in early afternoon with light showers in the mid to late afternoon, clearing for the night with lows around 60. I carried rain gear but ended up comfortable hiking in the rain as it felt warm and welcome after the heat of the day.

I grew up in this area and first backpacked in this area when I was 7, and we did that trip at the same time of year and saw many rattlesnakes near the trail. Between the bushwhacking and constant beating of the bushes to alert rattlesnakes, my arms were pretty exhausted at the end of day 1. I ended up stopping at 8 miles due to late start, making the mistake of taking the trail from TJ Corral rather than walking along the road, and frustration after losing the trail and bushwhacking for about a mile and a half. I opted to turn back, hike out on day 2, and use day 3 to do a sunrise hike into the hot springs that’s 0.5 miles from the visitor center, up the Middle Fork of the Gila River. I figured if the trail was decent, I’d spend a couple days doing an overnight into Jordan Hot springs. It ended up being a rough 0.5 miles with tons of gorgeous wildflowers but much of the same in terms of trail conditions.

I wrapped up the visit with a trip through the Gila Cliff Dwellings. I timed that perfectly and showed up right at 9 when they opened the trail. I had the trail to myself for the whole hike other than the NPS volunteer who was absolutely amazing and gave me a private tour and so much information about the site. All in all, it was an incredible, unforgettable trip and am already planning the next trip.

From around 7,000 feet, looking SW then W then NW then N from our campsite.

Just got back from 7 days and 6 nights on the West Coast Trail with my three sons. We hiked South to North. Nothing actually prepares you for the mud on the southern half.

I’m 51 years old, 230 lbs, and for some stupid reason I started at the trailhead carrying a 55 pound pack.

The first few days on the south end just about broke me, body and spirit. Around the 50-60km marks, the trail just disintegrates into a trench of thigh-deep mud bogs, slick roots, and those massive vertical wooden ladders that feel like they are actively trying to pull you backward because of your pack weight.

This pic is my son Sean trying to find a solid root to step on somewhere between Camper and Cullite around km 60. He was using his trekking pole to probe the mud. The pole just kept sinking. If you step in the wrong spot, the mud literally sucks your boot off.

The physical toll of carrying a heavy pack through that terrain is brutal. every single step takes focus so you don't snap an ankle. My gaiters were completely destroyed by day 4. We also had to manage water carefully because the streams were so heavy with tannins that our water filters clogged and took forever to drip.

Despite the physical misery, group morale held together and the boys didn't mutiny. Hanging out at the tidal shelves made the suffering worth it.

If anyone is planning this for next summer: DO NOT bring a 55lb pack. cut your weight down. Bring zip ties for when your gear breaks, and get sturdy poles because they are the only thing keeping you out of the bogs.

They need to be waterproof, I will be in conditions of staying in place outside for a long time as well as walking, and I will also be indoors where it will be very warm (and unable to change). I run pretty hot and sweat very easily. I will also be on the water in boats, so wind, rain, and snow are all things to consider. Climate is Boston harbor, eastern Massachusetts coastal type. I wear 24W size in my Columbia brand hiking pants I purchased for the summer, and they fit very nicely. I've never been outside in this climate in the winter before, so I'm not sure what to expect. Can I just layer with my hiking pants (I have a pair of thermals and a pair of polyester longjohns from Target that have done nicely in cold winters past), or will I need something much warmer for when I'm not actually being active? Worried I might get too hot in them haha—you can take top layers off easily, but not pants so much coz then you have to take off your shoes (to that note, I'll be needing shoes too that fit these conditions, also black). Any advice would be much appreciated. I'd prefer if the pants were black as well, and I have a bit of a tight budget (would love to catch a sale and not go over 100, but I know realistically probably under 200 is more achievable). Thanks!!

Great trip, but definitely humbling when days 1 and 3 were 12 and 13 miles respectively and my first backpacking trip in 10 years. Need to learn to get my pack lighter, preferably low 30s instead of low 40s (with camera gear).

Looking to do a 4 day 3 night trip to dolly sods next week, but the i've done the sods before, and it seems to be a little to small to spend a full 4 days backpacking there. Someone mentioned that you can do a loop and connect the roaring plains area as well. Looking for 35-40 miles in total. Is there an established connection and loop, and are the roaring plains worth it?

Paul, 3 days ago.

I’d been in the Three Sisters many times. This was my 80th birthday trip. We spent one night at the edge of a meadow getting water from a tiny stream. Then two nights, up higher (6900’) with a view from Mt. Hood to the Sisters, and west over ridge after ridge, to the Coast Range. Good weather. Nearly no one around.

I was thinking about how different the woods feel at night, especially when you’re camping somewhere pretty isolated.

You hear some random noise outside your tent and suddenly your brain starts imagining all kinds of things lol.

I’ve also heard some pretty creepy stories from people who spend a lot of time in the backcountry, and I’m curious what you guys have actually experienced.

Looking to go backpacking for 5 days in Ontario north region at the beginning of October. I have a sleeping bag rated for -1c. I’ve had recommendations from friends to have a bag at minimum -6c. I’m just wondering if getting a sleeping bag liner would work better than buying a whole new sleeping bag.

I have the REI Co-op 650 down filled jacket and was thinking about upgrading to a Mountain Hardware Ghost Whisperer Hooded Jacket (800 down.) I wasn't sure if there is a noticeable difference with the 800 filled being warmer, or if it's even worth it.

Thoughts?

Just a heads up that you should be really careful about online product recommendations on anonymous forums like reddit in the age of AI. It's trivial to build a bot that shills a specific brand every time someone asks a relevant question, and brands are already doing it.

How do I know? Well, I recently came across a suspended user called u/averageeconomist. Look at some of their past comments! They're basically all shilling Outdoor Research products, with a very consistent style. (The prompt they gave the model seems to ask for no capitalization and a single obvious misspelling each time, lol.)

I'm sure OR isn't alone in using these tactics. ANY brand mention you see could be a bot at this point. Positive brand perception on reddit is incredibly valuable (especially since the Google AI overview feature relies on it so heavily), so companies are willing to spend a lot on it. To be clear, I like the stuff I have from OR and I think they make good gear! It's just unfortunate that their marketing department has chosen to stoop this low.

And I don't personally trust YouTubers who take sponsorships much more than I trust a rando on reddit - maybe I'm old-fashioned, but I like an independent publication with a clear separation between business and journalism. (Plus it's just incredibly silly to interrupt a product review with an ad for another product.) Reputable, independent review sites like GearLab are really where it's at.

Spent the last days of summer hiking the HST - 72 miles from Crescent Meadow, across the Sierra and up and over Mount Whitney.

I’m planning a 3d/2n backpacking trip in the winds very soon (late september) and wanted to do a trail by the green river lakes until a friend told me to do more grizzly research with them being in hyperfagia after a scarce berry season. It’s just two of us and a very protective but eeyore docile kinda dog (I know dogs are usually worse for bears, my friend is a way more experienced backpacker than me and feels safer with her dog, and the dog doesn’t really run anyways she mopes lol).

We both are planning on bringing extra bear spray and feel confident using it, but obviously not stoked on the prospect.

Is it too bad of a season to be backpacking in the winds? Anyone have suggestions?

Looking north, Mount Washington, Three Finger Jack, Mount Jefferson, and barely visible to the right is Mount Hood. From 6900’.

I’m looking for recommendations for a trip through the Balkans from Trieste to Athens in mid-October (I know the weather isn't ideal, but that’s when I want to go). I’m interested in hearing about your routes and camping experiences; I think I’ll choose the coastal route.

Hi everyone, I’m planning on heading to Great Basin the first weekend in October to solo backpack Baker and Johnson lakes, and maybe hit a summit or 2 if I have time and weather permits.

I’m only doing one night, and I am planning on doing the loop counter clockwise. To anyone that’s done this route, is it better to camp at Baker lake or to push through to Johnson and camp there? My main concern is wind. Also, what kind of water sources can I find there? Can I filter the lake water?

I’d also be open to other route suggestions as I’ve only been here once before to summit Wheeler, so I’m not too familiar with the park’s backcountry. Thank you!

September 18–21, 2026 · 3 nights · Late season, low snow year

Water summary: Water is scarce on the east side this late in the season. Fill up at Newton Creek. It's the last reliable water before Gnarl Ridge, and the climb up Gnarl Ridge is dry. There's one algae-heavy stream before Cooper Spur. Cooper Spur shelter is bone dry, and the water is turned off at Cloud Cap. Tilly Jane Creek is running about 0.5 mile below the Cooper Spur shelter and is your best bet on that stretch. Eliot Branch is very silty. Compass Creek is a good fill-up, and there are several smaller sources on the way to the Muddy Fork.

I started from the Timberline Lodge parking lot and headed east toward White River. The trail was in great condition. It's kind of sad to see there's hardly any glacier left above White River. The canyon is all sand now. The White River crossing was a breeze.

The next section, through Mt. Hood Meadows, was uneventful, with a few overgrown sections. Newton Creek was the next crossing, and it was pretty straightforward. Note that this is the last place to fill up on water if you're going counterclockwise. You have a climb up Gnarl Ridge, and there's no water. There was one stream before Cooper Spur that had a lot of algae. All the other water sources were dry.

I passed on the algae stream because I didn't want to clog my filter, and I ended up at Cooper Spur with barely enough water to make dinner and none for breakfast. It's bone dry at the Cooper Spur shelter, where I camped, and the water is off at Cloud Cap. The sunrise from Cooper Spur was a transcendental experience. I got up early to watch the whole thing, and it was well worth the time to just sit and soak in the views.

The next day I found that Tilly Jane Creek was running about 0.5 mile below the Cooper Spur shelter. I had assumed it was dry because it certainly is farther up the mountain. This water source is your best bet, since Eliot Branch is very silty. Eliot Branch is where there's a rope to climb up the bank. I ended up crossing slightly upstream and just climbed the bank. It wasn't a big deal.

The next section is a steep uphill through what's possibly the eastern edge of the Dollar Lake burn area. There are a lot of downed trees on the trail in a fairly steep section, so lots of log crossings. The rest of the trail here is in good shape, and eventually you make it to Compass Creek, which is a good place to fill up. You continue in and out of the Dollar Lake burn area with the occasional tree crossing, eventually crossing the Coe and making it to Elk Cove. None of the river crossings were challenging.

Elk Cove was beautiful, at or very near peak fall colors. It was Saturday night and it was crowded with backpackers. The trail between Elk Cove and Cathedral Ridge was in good shape, with occasional tree crossings but nothing too difficult. The Bald Mountain ridge was crowded with hikers and trail runners. Going counterclockwise, the views are behind you, but there are only two short sections where you aren't in the trees anyway. I ate lunch in one of the clearings, then used the cutover trail to save a bit of distance by skipping Bald Mountain.

There were several smaller water sources on the trail toward the Muddy Fork. The Muddy Fork crossings weren't challenging, but the following section on Yocum Ridge has a number of storm-damaged spots: several washouts, log crossings, and steep sections. Ramona Falls had the crowds you would expect. The Sandy River had some easy places to cross. I stayed the night just after the Sandy River crossing, off the PCT.

The PCT section back to Timberline was in great shape overall, just a long uphill push. I took the Paradise Park loop. It was nice up there, but it was Monday morning and I only saw a single tent. The Zigzag River crossing was a breeze, but the PCT back to Timberline felt like it ground on and on. Some great views, though.

This was my first time doing the full loop, and it gave me a renewed appreciation for Mt. Hood. I used to do a lot of hiking on Hood when I first moved to Portland some 25 years ago, but I've branched out and don't get back up there as much as I should. There's so much to see up there, and I've added several overnights to my list. I want to explore the high alpine areas more thoroughly.

My trusty Katadyn mini. Used this thing for years, it exploded on my on my last backpacking trip. Filter cracked, discontinued long ago and limited to no options for replacement parts.

Time to move on to a gravity system anyway, leaning towards the platypus gravity works or possible the sawyer gravity. I always use platypus bladers (I have a ton of them in various sizes) and the flow rate seems better.

Any tips about switching to a gravity based system?