Idaho Seven Devils mts, little known gem

Idaho Statesman reports on Idaho's hidden gem of the Seven Devils mountains.

Many people don't know this majestic mountain range is [just off the US-95 near Riggins], or don't take the trouble to find it because Seven Devils is farther off the beaten path than the Sawtooths.

But if you love Idaho's scenic backcountry, it's a place you should visit at least once. If you're the adventurous type, it's someplace you can explore for years and still find new surprises.

"This is an absolutely fascinating place," said fire lookout Michael Oliver, whose tower has some of the best views in Idaho.

Oliver gets visits from folks ranging from locals to European tourists, from hardcore hikers and horsepackers who delve deep into the backcountry to families taking a scenic drive.

Read the full story: Seven Devils: these rugged mountains area little slice of heaven

Photo from Idaho Statesman

Mt Rainier trail washed out by 2006 flooding to open again

The Seattle Times reports that the popular trail around Mt Rainier washed out by at 2006 flood has been rerouted and will be open for hikers.

This week, park officials hope to open the lower, mile-long section of the new Glacier Basin trail, improved and rerouted.

Much of the original Glacier Basin trail, once a straightforward dirt path, was wiped out by about 18 inches of rain that poured down in 36 hours and raged through the White River Valley in November 2006.

The Inter Fork River overtook the trail, where it still flows. For the past four years, hikers and mountaineers have been forced to the river's side, where they scramble up loose rock fields or precariously hop from stone to log to cross the river.

While the first 5,000 feet of trail was expected to open this week, work has just begun on the next 1,500-foot section — which is slated to be ready for hikers early next spring.

Read the full story: Popular Mount Rainier National Park trail is restored, rerouted

Photo from Greg Gilbert / The Seattle Times

Hiking among Indonesia's volcanoes

The New York Times' Edward Wong reports on his hiking trip among Java's volcanoes.

Flirting with the fury of a volcano may not sound like the usual tourist fare, but in recent years, these imperious volcanoes have become an increasingly popular draw that is away from the crowded resorts of Bali, which lies just east of Java. Last year, more than 93,000 people visited Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park, Indonesia’s most famous volcano preserve, up 78 percent from the previous year, according to the park’s main ranger station.

We were also pleased to see Mr. Wong refer to his faithful hiking partner Tini, finally, as his wife, previously she was always just referred to as his "friend."

Read the full story: In Java, risking the wrath of a volcano

Photo by Edward Wong / The New York Times

Some Zion NP trails and canyons closed through Fall

National Parks Traveler reports that road work will impact access to some of Zion National Park's hiking trails and canyons.

Trails and canyons along the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway will be closed off during the week when the road work commences on Monday June 7. Closures will continue through to October.

Under the current plan, you won't be able to drive the highway Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. From 4 p.m. to 9 a.m. there will be access, but under traffic control. On weekends and holidays the road should be open round-the-clock, though there could be traffic control at times that could delay you.

Trails affected by the construction are the Canyon Overlook and East Rim. The Canyon Overlook will not be accessible at any time Monday through Friday. Parking is not available Monday through Friday at the East Rim trailhead. The East Rim trail is accessible from the Stave Spring Trailhead, Weeping Rock Trailhead, and the East Mesa Trailhead.

Canyons affected include Pine Creek, Spry and Keyhole. These canyons will not be accessible at any time Monday through Friday. All hikes and canyons will be available on weekends if no work is occurring. Visitors should check the park website ahead of time to make sure there is no construction affecting the area they wish to visit.

Read the full story: Road work in Zion NP will impact hiking and canyoneering access

Photo from NPS

Natural wonder of Pinnacles National Monument

San Jose Mercury News reports on the natural sights at nearby Pinnacles National Monument:

The secluded 24,000-acre jewel is San Jose's nearest national wilderness. Yet it is largely unknown to the travelers on nearby Highway 101, hurling themselves toward San Francisco or Los Angeles.

"It's spectacular, and it's in our own backyard," says Jo Feeney of Los Altos, hiking with husband Hal up the steep Condor Gulch Trail along wildflowers and a waterfall. "I can't believe we've been all the way to South Africa's national parks, and have never been here."

The Pinnacles can be sampled in a single day — but visit soon. In April and May, its creeks still gurgle with water and its paths are decorated with colorful poppies, buttercups, lupines and paintbrush. By summer, temperatures reach a scorching 100 degrees.

Read the full story: Pinnacles National Monument: A Nearby Geologic Wonder

Rare condor chick hatches in CA NP

National Parks Traveler reports on the first condor chick in over a century to hatch in California's Pinnacles National Monument.

Condors were put on the federal endangered species list in 1967, captive breeding programs began in the 80s to ward off complete extinction and reintroduction to Southern California began in the 90s.

The parents of this newly hatched chick were released into the wild and were seen doing courtship rituals last winter.

National Park Service Wildlife Biologist Daniel George reports that the first-time parent condors have been exhibiting normal behavior, regularly feeding and incubating the new nestling. He notes, "The milestone highlights regional efforts to bring the condor back from the brink of extinction."

The park has some tips for anyone interested in coming to view the birds:

Although the areas directly around the nest cliff will be closed to public use for the duration of the nesting period, public viewing is still possible. The strenuous hike to the viewing area is approximately two miles from the closest East or West Side parking areas. From the west, the elevation gain is approximately 1100 feet, and from the east it is over 1200 feet. Please ask in park Visitor Centers for more complete directions to the viewing area.

Read the full story: Condor chick is first to hatch in over a century at Pinnacles National Monument

Photo from NPS

Climb Himalayas in Indian Kashmir

USA Today reports that foreigners are now allowed to climb the Himalayas from the India side of Kashmir because violence from insurgents has declined.

Before the start of the insurgency by separatists in 1989, hundreds of thousands of tourists flocked to the region — known as the Switzerland of the east — to enjoy the glacier-fed streams flowing through the forests and grasslands or lounge on houseboats floating on Srinagar's Dal Lake.

The government in the Indian state of Jammu-Kashmir declared 2010 a "visit Kashmir year" following an improvement in the security situation, said [Farooq Ahmed Shah, a state tourism official].

"The decision has been taken at the highest level and nearly 100 peaks in Ladakh region are open for trekking and mountaineering," he said.

These peaks are situated at an altitude ranging from 9,840 feet (3,000 meters) to nearly 26,246 feet (8,000 meters).

Read the full story: India opens Himalayan peaks to foreigners

Photo from environmentandpeople.org

Trekking up crowded Mount Sinai

The Miami Herald reports on the crowded trek up Mount Sinai.

In the bible this is the mountain that Moses climbed and received the 10 Commandments. Now it is an overrun tourist spectacle.

Reporter Charmaine Noronha recounts her trip:

I would retrace Moses' footsteps on a hike to witness the sunrise from the summit. If Moses could do it, why couldn't I?

We followed in step with our guide as he led us through the darkness, up the winding trail, over granite crags and slippery rocks. I'm not religious, but the irony of the moment hit me: I'd literally put all my faith in this man I'd just met.

For others on the hike, the expedition had deep religious significance. The Bible says this is where God gave Moses two stone tablets inscribed with the commandments. Moses received these laws after leading the Jews out of slavery in Egypt, a story that is retold during the Jewish holiday of Passover. But Sinai is an important site for Jews, Christians and Muslims alike, and every night, hundreds of pilgrims make the climb.

Read the full story: Climb to the top of Mount Sinai

Photo from Bible Probe

Hiking Florida

The Miami Herald reports on hiking the Florida Trail.

Reporter Dave Griswold recounts his winter trip:

I had decided a couple months earlier to start exploring more of South Florida's wilderness. The Florida Trail, started in 1969 by volunteers, winds up from Big Cypress National Preserve to the Panhandle. In South Florida, it's just about the only trail for overnight hiking.

Winter and spring in Big Cypress are when the wildlife is most concentrated around shrinking water sources, with ranks swelled by migrating birds. You avoid the hazards of the summer and fall seasons, which include myriad biting insects, water in places to your waist, torrential downpours, heat and humidity.

Read the full story: Away from the beaches

Photo Florida Trail Association Big Cypress Chapter

Scenic byway in New Jersey

The Washington Post reports on New Jersey's historic Millstone Valley Scenic Byway. It's a hiking and driving path that meanders through untouched nature; not something that one would think exists in the Turnpike and strip mall state.

Isolated from the rumble of six-lane traffic and the sprawl of strip malls, the byway seemingly travels backward, to the 19th century, when the Delaware & Raritan Canal was a watery highway of commerce; to the Revolutionary War, when George Washington and his men tromped through the lowlands after two victorious battles; to the 1700s, when Dutch settlers farmed the fertile valley; to the pre-Colonial Native American settlements of the Lenni Lenape.

Read the full story: Thrown for a loop in New Jersey

Photo by Lardner/klein Landscape Architects From National Scenic Byways Online

Nature and budget conscious fall travel

Travel + Leisure magazine via CNN reports on nature-loving fall travel on a budget.

Trips include kayaking among whales in the Pacific Northwest (picture left), biking through the Northeast autumn colors, and hiking amongst the natural scenery of Utah.

Read the full story: Best affordable fall adventures

Picture from Pacific Northwest Adventures.

Get fresh produce at vending machine

Mother Nature Network reports on German farmers selling fresh produce via vending machine.

[Farm] Peter-und-Paul-Hof spawned the idea as a solution to a problem which faces many local farmers worldwide. After efforts to deliver milk directly to customers became too time-consuming and costly, they first tried to encourage customers to collect the milk from fridges on their farm, but of course that only shifted the burden onto the customers. Vending machines simply offered them the smartest middle ground solution to the problem.

Perhaps even more unusual, the company has chosen to place several of these upstart Regiomats alongside popular hiking trails in Switzerland.

Read the full story: Farmers using vending machines to sell produce

Photo from Regiomat

Hike in Swiss Alps, see climate change

BBC video reports on climate change hikes in the Swiss Alps.

A Swiss resort is offering climate change hiking trips to show the changes in the landscape scientists say are the result of global warming.

Mobile phones with GPS show the area as it once was, but melting and retreating glaciers have caused huge changes to the area - not least flooding and landslides.

Imogen Foulkes reports from the Swiss resort of Grindelwald.

Click to watch the video: Climate change hikes in Alps

10 best American hikes

Conde Nast Traveler compiles their list of America's 10 best hikes.

Among their recommendations are:

New Hampshire's Presidential Traverse (picture right) that "strings together the seven summits named for U.S. presidents in New Hampshire's White Mountains."

Angels Landing in Utah's Zion National Park where hikers get gorgeous high views but must pass over extremely steep sandstone with the help of permanently bolted-in chains.

Read the full story: America's best hikes

Photo from concierge.com

Wash State trail is "classic"

USA Today reports on Washington State's Olympic National Park High Divide Trail, calling it a "classic."

The 18.2-mile wilderness loop on the Olympic Mountains' northwest side is a sampler of what the park has to offer: old-growth forest, river canyons and waterfalls, subalpine meadows, a high, rugged basin dotted by peaceful lakes, views of Mount Olympus and other peaks — nearly everything but the park's ocean beaches and rain forests. You won't be lonely — it's justifiably popular as one of the Pacific Northwest's classic backpacking trips — but there's more than enough room to be off by yourself.

Read the full story: Olympic National Park's High Divide Trail is a Pacific Northwest classic

Photo By George Tibbits, AP Photo

Fall in North Carolina

USA Today reports on autumnal nature viewing in North Carolina.

Some of the prettiest places to see fall foliage in Western North Carolina also offer scenic views of waterfalls.

The Blue Ridge Parkway will take you to U.S. 276, where you'll find Looking Glass Falls and Sliding Rock. The water in the natural 60-foot waterslide at Sliding Rock is still warm enough to try in early fall.

For hikers, a three-mile trail in DuPont State Forest will take in three waterfalls: Hooker, Triple and the 150-foot High Falls.

Read the full story: Waterfalls and fall foliage mix in North Carolina

Photo of Looking Glass Falls in Pisgah National Forest by David Blevins

A hike up Mount Fuji

Stars and Stripes reporter David J. Carter reports on his hike up Japan's Mount Fuji.

The popular trail is covered with thousands of other visitors both local and foreign.

An old Japanese saying goes, "A wise man climbs Mount Fuji once, but only a fool does it twice."

Looking up from the eighth station, I could see the summit clearly and knew the torment I’d put myself through in the hours preceding was going to pay off. Not that much further, I kept thinking. But as I’d come to realize throughout the day, looks on Mount Fuji can be deceiving.

Read the full story: Mount Fuji climb is tough, but worth it

Photo by Yuno-yuno

Escape from crowded Capri

The Washington Post reports on getting away from the crowded parts of Capri with a scenic trek.

Capri is a beautiful and heavily-touristed island near Naples, Italy. It may seem hard to escape from the crowds but Kristin Harrison managed to do it on a three-day trip:

On a Sunday morning last May, my boyfriend and I strolled through a field of pink and yellow wildflowers on the island of Capri, following a dirt path that seemed more suitable for goats. There wasn't another person in sight. We scrambled up rocky bluffs and hiked along a grassy meadow until the path ended abruptly at a steep drop-off to the Mediterranean Sea. Yachts and sailboats dotted the waters below, small flecks of white on a canvas of azure, turquoise and aquamarine.

Read the full story: Trekking the casual side of Capri

Photo by Jeremy Ginsberg

Mountain hut hiking in USA

USA Today reports on hut-to-hut hiking gaining popularity in the U.S.

Although it's easy and economical to put together a self-guided hut-to-hut hiking trip, many don't want to tote their own bags or food so tour companies have traditionally done these things for their travelers. Tour companies have been putting together mountain hut hiking tours in Europe for years and have recently started the same for hikes here at home.

Brad Niva, owner of Rogue Wilderness Adventures, operator of this [Rogue River, Oregon] raft-supported hike (pic above), chalks up the popularity to a glut of active Baby Boomers whose roughing-it years are behind them.

"People want to feel like they're getting out of the hubbub. But they don't want to sleep in a tent and eat freeze-dried food," says Niva. "On this trip, you can bring the kitchen sink — or a case of wine. We'll carry it down the river for you."

Read the full story: 'Hut-to-hut' hiking offers comfort between daily treks

Note: Ecotravel News will be away until July 6

Don't log those burned trees

The Sacramento Bee reports on environmentalists' concerns over removal of burned logs in South Tahoe.

Environmental groups are crying foul over a U.S. Forest Service project to remove burned trees along roads and trails in the 3,100-acre fire area.

The Forest Service says the trees were a threat because they could topple on unwary hikers. Backers of the logging say the former burn zone will be better for all the work.

Critics fear the project bodes ill for a bigger plan to thin 68,000 acres of overgrown forest surrounding Lake Tahoe in order to avoid future severe fires.

Read the full story: Environmentalists fear for Tahoe amid logging in burned Angora area