Outdoor Project

The High Peaks Wilderness Area of the Adirondacks encompasses many of the highest mountains in New York state, along with sweeping valleys and shimmering waterbodies that offer stunning views and abundant adventure opportunities.  Avalanche Lake is an incredible destination for many outdoor enthusiasts throughout the year, with an exceptional cross-country skiing path for the winter months. From South Meadows, this approximately 13-mile round-trip journey will take you through the heart of the High Peaks to the former site of Marcy Dam, past many trailheads for High Peaks, along Marcy Brook

This is a fun and short hike that passes through a little valley with an interesting geologic history that created the special beauty. This includes the Balanced Rock that is the destination for this hike.  

For cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the southeast, Roan Mountain is one of the best places there is. The summits in this segment of the Appalachian chain, on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina, receive more snowfall than most ski resorts in the region, but all the terrain here is backcountry. The snow alone is not what makes Roan an ideal destination, but also the access and variety of routes. There is the Appalachian Trail, the Cloudland Trail, and the road to Roan Gardens. Together they make make an exceptional cross-country ski loop.

Chisos Basin is the most popular campground in Big Bend National Park…and for good reason. The thing to keep in mind is that it is, in fact, in a basin. There are mountains surrounding the campground, so no matter where your pitch your tent, the view is fantastic. The Chisos Basin is sort of a one-stop spot for exploring.

Angkor Wat is the largest and by far is the most visited temple in Angkor Archaeological Park. The temple is surrounded by a moat with a stone causeway (or floatation walkway while under repair) to enter the West Gate. Once through the West Gate, a vast open courtyard is before you with two complexes on either side of another stone causeway. These complexes are referred to as "libraries." Beyond the libraries are two reflecting pools. The one on the left has the most water and is consistant with the level. This is the main area where people come to watch sunrise at Angkor Wat. The temple is

At Guadalupe Mountains National Park, the park rangers routinely debate what is the most popular hike, Guadalupe Peak or McKittrick Canyon. McKittrick Canyon might not have the extensive views, but the scenery is equally breathtaking. The canyon has been described as the most beautiful spot in Texas, and that is not too much hyperbole.

Nestled along the southern coast of Lake Superior and between the wild forests of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is a gem of the north for locals and visitors alike. A well-known hub for camping, hiking and watersports among “yoopers” of Michigan, it is a lesser known destination for out-of-towners. During the early fall, temperatures begin to cool, and the colorful scenery is gorgous. Great camping spots can be found in the park and just outside in the Hiawatha National Forest for those who want to stay a few days.

Kuliouou Ridge is a very popular hike on the south shore of O’ahu, and rightfully so!  There are views from the summit of Honolulu, Hawai’i Kai, and Waimanalo on the east side. With the Ko’olau mountain range traversing much of the island from the south shore to the north, this variance on the Kuliouou Trail is an awesome route for very experienced hikers to see more of the Ko’olau Summit Trail and get their adrenaline pumping.

Pipe Springs Campground is a great choice for the views straight from the campground and its location near great hiking. It is surrounded by steep, high-desert mountains in a narrow relatively flat valley.

If you want to spend the night at White Sands National Monument and enjoy the famous sunsets and sunrises or the dark skies for watching meteor showers, the only way to do it is to spend the night at one of the 10 dispersed campsites out in the dunes. The monument closes around sunset, and it requires all visitors (except permitted backcountry campers) to leave. The park reopens after sunrise.