Texas’ Big Bend National Park, tucked against Mexico and the Rio Grande River, is worth every mile of the remote drive. There are miles and miles for your feet once you get there but we kept hearing that the Lost Mine Trail was the best. We began at sunrise at the small parking area. The five-mile roundtrip carried us up 1,100 feet and turned out to be one of our favorite day hikes—ever. Sue’s photography captured the best moments.
Three day hikes offer something for everyone in Lassen Volcanic National Park, located east of Redding, California. If you start from the north on Highway 89, the 1.7-mile Manzanita Lake Loop is a relaxing warmup. Head south to the other two trails: three-mile Bumpass Hell Trail and the tough, five-mile climb to Lassen Peak, 10,457 feet, and back. The Bumpass trail transports walkers to a boardwalk, which passes through a hydrothermal area. Sue and I walked the lake loop and Bumpass trail in half a day, but decided against tackling the peak in the warm afternoon sun. (I was tempted, though.) Looking for more? The park offers 150 miles of hiking and if you are walking the Pacific Crest Trail, you’ll get fantastic views as you pass through yet another national park. If you’re camping, the Manzanita Lake campground looked great and was still open in mid-October. The three day hikes close sometime in fall until spring. (Thanks to Sue for the photos!)
Books and my backpack 