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KALALAU TRAIL NA PAll COAST, KAUAI, HAWAII LENGTH: 22 MILES ROUNDTRIP (ONE TO THREE DAYS) "You know the beginning sequence of 'Fantasy Island' when the camera pans that fantastic tropical paradise? Kauai is like that, on ly without the bad act ing," -Jason Turbow. trekking fanatic The 4.000-foot-high na pal; Icliffs] form narrow valleys of emerald green and waterfalls of spectacular height plummet to the sea below The natural beauty of this 11-mile trail. and the fact that it is the only land access to this part of the rugged coast , make the Kalalau Trail one of the most populal' wilderness areas in the state even though it is very strenu- ous, Fronl the start of the trail near Ke'e Beach to the dreamlike end at Kalalau Beach la six- to eight-hour hike!. you'll dive in and out of valleys , cool off in turquoise pools, breath the al'Oma of fresh mango groves and relax in lava caves, The northwest coast of Kaua 'i gets more 430 inches of rainfall a year, so trail conditions are often slick and muddy and flash flooding is a real danger, but when you look up from your feet, the gl'andeur of one of the truly beautiful places on earth will soothe your soul. Get a permit to camp Irequired] before you go because there are long waiting lists , No drinking water is available on the trail so you will need to carry in your own, BORDER ROUTE TRAIL MINNESOTA/ONTARIO BORDER PINNELL MOUNTAIN TRAIL STEESE NATIONAL CONSERVATION AREA, ALASKA LENGTH: 27 MILES (TWO TO FOUR DAYS) The entire 27-mile well-marked alpine travel'se known as the Pinnell Mountain Trail is above the tree line and the trail offers spectacular views of the White Mountains and Bl'Ooks Range against the backdrop of the Alaskan summer's midnight sun. Located in the Steese National Consel""ation Area [70 miles nol'lheast of Fairbanks and about the same distance south of the Arctic Circlel. this moderately challeng- ing tra il traverses bogs with wood steps and planking, boulders and scree slopes on grades ranging from 8 to over 34 percent. Although some super hikers take advan- tage of the extended hours of light in the summer and hike the entire 27 miles in a single day. the avel'age hiker covers the distance in three to five days. It's worth moving slowly to allow yourself the chance to see the elusive wolves, bear. cari- bou and to give youl' inter'nal clock a chance to reset and match the slower rhythms of nature. LENGTH: 43 MILES (THREE TO FIVE DAYS) The well-known canoeing capital of America BWCAW also has hiking trails alongside its miles of watelways, These trails are less known, so fewer hikers which means that tl'aveling by foot along the rugged. 43-mile Border Route Trail is one of the least cl'Owd- ed ways to see this majestic region and the wildlife that call it home, In one week. I saw a bull moose with a five-foot rack at 20 feet , three black bear cubs frolicking at water's edge. five 40- pound beavers engineering dams. six bald eagles and approxi- mately 1.675,420 blackflies and mosquitoes. The BWCAW is far and away one of the places to be around aquatic-dependent wildlife while keeping planted on terra firma. The hike takes about three days and is on higher ground so there are excellent views. Since thel'e are five access points to the. Border Route and Kek Trails. backpackers have options from day hikes to a multiday, 65- mile expedition through old-growth pines, past streams and waterfalls and acl'OSS high cliffs overlooking lakes that are rem- nants of receding glaciers. Because the BWCAW was developed with canoe camping in mind. most campsites are set along the lakeshores, meaning that you can count on amazing sunsets, blankets of stars, loons as lullabies and the occasional. glimpse of northern lights. CONTINENTAL DIVIDE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL ROCKY MOUNTAINS LENGTH: 3,100 MILES WHEN COMPLETED IN 2008 PACIFIC CREST NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL MEXICO CANADA TO ALONG THE WESTERN RIDGES LENGTH: 2,650 MILES (FIVE TO SIX MONTHS) Poster child for Americas natural diversity, the 2.650-mile Pacific Crest TraillPCT] runs the ridgelines of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountain ranges and I'eveals the splendid diY' ness of the California deserts, before heading through Oregon and Washington on its way from Mexico to Canada. If you'I'e game for the long haul. hike north with the changing sea, sons in order to more easily avoid the snow r'unoH, dlyness and heat. You'lI pass through four very distinct regions [desert, high sierra. woodlands and alpine] with each al'ea offering its own dramatically different geography and wildlife. Tr'ail conditions are unpredictable and, depending on the snow pack, you may need an ice ax and possibly crampons for some sec- tions. It might feel like it takes longer to plan a thru hike of the peT than to actually hike it, but once you rise from the desert to your first summit, you'll know why you came. (FOUR MONTHS) The COT is as I'ugged as the high points of the American Rockies where it lies. Connecting peaks that range from 4,000 to 14,000 feet, the not-yet-completed 3,100-mile COT Cl'osses Montana. Idaho. Wyoming. Colorado and New Mexico as well as passing through Glacier National Park, Yellowstone, Rocky Mountain National Park and national forests on its way from Canada to Mexican border areas. This is big country and there is big wildlife . Including black and brown bears, gl'izzlies. elk and bighorn sheep. The COT makes use of preexisting trails , primi- tive roads and newly-cut trails. It is signed in some sections although there are a few unconnected sections that I'equire a guidebook, basic map lavailable from the COTA] and compass skills. In contrast to the thousands that attempt and the hun- dr'eds that complete thru-hikes each year on the Appalachian Trail. only a measly dozen 01' so a year complete the four-month- long COT hike. But the trail is there, ready to be hiked . As awal'e- ness grows. the slow trend of increasing numbers will continue . Years from now we may look back and I'ealize that right now may be the best time to hike the COT Just as it is being completed and befol'e it loses its anonymity.