Hiking in your backyard

Discover local trails to gain experience backpacking and a greater appreciation of the part of the world you call home.

Whether you're getting ready for a thru-hike or just wanting to get outdoors for a few days, it'll behoove you to explore trails close to home. Many of us don't live near mountains or areas of vast wilderness, but most Americans do have access to nearby public lands with forests and trails, even if they are small and relatively flat.

When I met other thru-hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail, I was astounded to learn many hadn't backpacked for more than a day or two in their lives. I was particularly shocked by two fellow Minnesotans who hadn't even heard of the Superior Hiking Trail, Minnesota's premiere hiking trail and a real gem of the Upper Midwest. Attempting a thru-hike without cutting your teeth on something smaller is like attempting a marathon without bothering to first lace up a pair of running shoes and try jogging for a mile or two.

The United States has a wealth of public lands, many of which are perfect for the novice to begin backpacking and build up to something of an intermediate. Anyone interested in thru-hiking or trekking across mountains without any prior experience should take a look at the hiking trails in their area. I suggest the following:

1. Search for local trails. Look at the Wikipedia page on long-distance trails. Many states (and countries, for that matter) have hiking trails of at least modest length and you may be surprised there are places to backpack closer than you thought. Even very short trails are useful for testing new gear, getting an understanding of your fitness level and figuring out if sleeping in the wilderness day after day really is right for you.

2. Check out nearby state and national forests. Public forest land is usually lax in terms of camping permits and regulations such as hours of operation, and often have miles of trails. They typically lack a major draw such as waterfalls, vistas and the like. This is actually good for those looking to gain experience in backcountry hiking and camping as it means less crowds, especially on weekends. There are few if any developed campsites in public forest land and most allow dispersed camping, a crucial factor in learning to make camp in inconvenient places while adhering to Leave-No-Trace.

3. Finally, state and national parks can be great places to hike, although they're far more restrictive when it comes to camping. Many cater to car traffic and offer amenities like food and running water, luxuries unavailable throughout most backpacking trips. At the very least, day-hiking with fully loaded packs around these parks will give you a sense of how heavy your load is and how well you've packed.