Hiking: mid-range hikes

Maybe you dream of long distance hiking, but taking off six months for any of the Triple Crown Trails just can’t happen right now. There is still hope for you in the stunning 3-6 week hikes North America has to offer. Lots of these are big news locally, but aren’t as well know nationally. Here are some of the best three to six week hikes in the region:

• The Tahoe Rim Trail: This 165-mile trail circles Lake Tahoe in California and Nevada and offers stunning views of the lake and the surrounding Sierra Nevada and Carson Range. It passes through a variety of landscapes, including forests, meadows, and high alpine areas. Hiking the entire trail can take about three weeks.

• The Great Divide Trail: This 1,200-mile trail runs along the spine of the Rocky Mountains in Canada, from Banff National Park in Alberta to Waterton Lakes National Park in British Columbia. It offers stunning views of the Rocky Mountains and passes through a variety of landscapes, including forests, mountains, and alpine meadows. Hiking the entire trail can take about four to six weeks.

• The Ozark Highlands Trail: This 215-mile trail runs through the Ozark Mountains in Arkansas and passes through a variety of landscapes, including forests, mountains, and streams. It offers stunning views of the Ozark Mountains and passes through several state parks. Hiking the entire trail can take about three to four weeks.

• The John Muir Trail: This 211-mile trail runs through the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California and passes through several national parks, including Yosemite and Sequoia. It offers stunning views of the Sierra Nevada, including Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the contiguous United States. Hiking the entire trail can take three to four weeks.

• The Wonderland Trail: This 93-mile trail circles Mount Rainier in Washington state and passes through a variety of landscapes, including forests, meadows, and high alpine areas. It offers breathtaking views of Mount Rainier and the surrounding landscape. Hiking the entire trail can take one to three weeks.

• The Colorado Trail: This 486-mile trail runs from Denver to Durango in Colorado and passes through a variety of landscapes, including forests, mountains, and alpine meadows. It offers stunning views of the Rocky Mountains and passes through several national forests. Best time to do this hike is August. Hiking the entire trail can take about four weeks.

As always, pack appropriately, Remember to leave no trace and respect the natural environment while you are on the trail! Have fun out there!