| If you are in the mood for a hiking vacation then | | | | strenuous, so be well prepared with food and |
| you will probably want to consider the many trails | | | | water. |
| in either the Great Smoky Mountains National Park | | | | Preparing For Your Hiking Vacation |
| in Tennessee or Rocky Mountain National Park in | | | | Tens of thousands of people hike the trails of our |
| Colorado. | | | | national parks every year without incident and a |
| Of course there are many other parks and trails | | | | hiking vacation can be an enjoyable and |
| throughout the United States but these two | | | | invigorating experience. |
| destinations offer some of the most scenic and | | | | However, it is essential that you are prepared for |
| majestic mountain vistas available. | | | | your hiking experience. |
| Both the Smoky Mountain National Park and | | | | This is a no-brainer, but one of the biggest |
| Rocky Mountain National park offer different | | | | mistakes hikers make is not realizing the total |
| levels of trails for your hiking vacation. | | | | length of the hikes they are on. If the sign at the |
| Whether you are taking the family for a casual | | | | trail head says that the hike is 4 miles, remember |
| vacation or are looking for more adventure and | | | | you have to hike back also, making that an 8 mile |
| exercise in a very strenuous hike, either location | | | | round trip. |
| can accommodate your plans. | | | | Don't forget food and water. While food is needed |
| There are more than 850 miles of trails in the | | | | on hikes of 3 to 4 miles and longer water is an |
| Great Smoky Mountains, more than enough to | | | | essential on every hike. Even short hikes at higher |
| keep you busy for your hiking vacation. | | | | altitudes can cause you to get thirsty faster than |
| With the miles of trails available, my favorite in | | | | you would think. |
| the Smoky Mountains is the hike to Chimney | | | | You will also need the proper gear for hiking. I |
| Tops. The Chimney Tops trail is a mildly strenuous | | | | can't stress this enough, hiking boots are an |
| hike with some incredible views. The last 50 yards | | | | essential part of a hiker's equipment, just as a |
| is very steep, with a spectacular view at the | | | | water bottle and back pack are. |
| very top. It is a 4 mile round trip that is well | | | | Do not try to hike a rocky trail in your tennis |
| worth the effort. | | | | shoes. At the least you will have very sore feet |
| While the Smoky Mountains are exceptionally | | | | and you could twist your ankle, making the rest |
| beautiful, the grandeur of the Colorado Rockies is | | | | of your hiking vacation an unpleasant experience, |
| unmatched in the continental United States. | | | | not to mention getting back to the car an |
| Majestic snow covered peaks rise out of the | | | | adventure. Please get yourself some decent hiking |
| plains to reach heights above 14,000 feet in the | | | | boots. Your feet will thank you! |
| case of Long's Peak and more than 60 other | | | | A hiking vacation can be an exhilarating |
| peaks rise above 12,000 feet. | | | | experience for the serious hiker or for the whole |
| Within the 416 square miles of the park there are | | | | family. You will get to see some beautiful scenery |
| 355 miles of hiking trails. My favorite hike by far is | | | | that you just can't experience by passing by in |
| the hike to Chasm Lake a the base of Longs | | | | your car or RV. |
| Peak. | | | | Plan your vacation, decide on a destination, get |
| The hike is a 9.5 mile round trip that changes in | | | | your equipment ready and off you go to the |
| altitude from 9,000 feet to almost 12,000 feet. | | | | great outdoors. |
| This is a fun, scenic hike, but it is moderately | | | | |
