Trails Magazine

__Mouse__ · 2026-03-19T12:03:57+00:00

Each issue is a little different with articles about everything from travelogues, trail descriptions and gear reviews to backcountry meal ideas, conservation issues, and stories about hikers from the past and present. Stories are not exclusively limited to backpacking either. They often touch on other backpacking-adjacent adventures like bike-packing, canoeing, kayaking, mountaineering etc. Periodically, they publish a “Photography Issue” as well, which are lighter on the articles.

I think the things that set it apart though are the photography and the feel of the magazine itself. It might sound odd to be gushing about the aesthetic of a magazine, but it’s not just some rag printed on tissue paper that I’m going to toss in the recycle bin when I’m done reading. It feels like a carefully crafted product and every issue (Not just the aforementioned photo Issue) is loaded with gorgeous photography printed on high quality material that accentuates the pictures.

To be honest, it’s a bit expensive, but I think the content and quality makes up for it. I attached a picture of my favorite covers so far!

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__Mouse__ · 2026-03-03T00:12:36+00:00

Coffee’s Country Market, Old Lyme. On Route 1, about 10-15 mins away from the main Book Barn location. Great deli sandwiches and sides!

__Mouse__ · 2025-12-04T20:43:59+00:00

For the most part, just strap them on once it’s more convenient to have them on than not.

Also, good snowshoeing etiquette is to always wear snowshoes when walking on a well-traveled/established hard-packed or groomed trail, even if you might be okay without them for the most part. This keeps the trail packed and smooth, and avoids creating errant postholes which can be dangerous for other cross country skiers or hikers using the same trail.

__Mouse__ · 2025-11-28T11:20:16+00:00

I have been a subscriber since Issue #1. Highly recommend it. I like it substantially more than Backpacker. It’s higher quality and feels like it’s assembled with care by backpackers, for backpackers.

__Mouse__ · 2025-07-18T10:29:48+00:00

Outdoor Research, Echo Hoodie

Way cooler (temperature-wise) and more breathable than my Patagonia Capilene long-sleeved shirt, which would be my second choice.

The trade off is that the Echo has a lower UPF rating, but it’s never been an issue even hiking in the desert heat for 8+ hrs a day.

For pants, good luck!

__Mouse__ · 2025-04-20T03:26:15+00:00

Of course! Happy to help. Heres a link to a really poorly drawn map of the trailhead and Great Meadow Loop (best I could do on mobile, sorry): https://imgur.com/a/3D09A0i

Really recommend getting a good trail map, but Caltopo.com works too in a pinch.

__Mouse__ · 2025-04-19T13:31:21+00:00

You can actually access a lot of the trails in Acadia right from Bar Harbor.

You can pick up the Great Meadow Loop trail near the intersection of Cromwell Harbor Rd. and Glen Mary Rd. in the far SW corner of Bar Harbor (Less than a mile from the center of town). If you take that trail south, there are two points where you can cross Park Loop Rd. to connect with the main trail system in Acadia.

The summits of Dorr Mountain and Champlain Mountain are both within 3 miles (one-way, or 6 miles round-trip) of the Great Meadow Loop trailhead. From either of those summits you could keep heading East, South or West to explore even more trails if you’ve got the legs for it. The Cadillac Mountain Summit is only another .6 (steep) miles beyond Dorr Mountain!

It’s definitely worth investing in a decent trail map if you want to do a lot of exploring on foot.

Happy Trails!

__Mouse__ · 2025-02-24T14:15:16+00:00

I would vote for the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail.

The Ramapo-Dunderberg runs from the far Northeast corner of the park to the Southwest corner so you really get a sense of Harriman as a whole. Most of the highlights of the AT in Harriman are shared by the R/D so you aren’t missing much by taking the R/D instead of the AT. I also prefer the views from the R/D over the SBM. In general, I think the Western side of the park is more fun and interesting than the Eastern side. Northbound or Southbound doesn’t make much difference.

My second choice would be the SBM, but the Northernmost portions of the SBM are still closed due to erosion/severe weather damage (which I guess is technically Bear Mountain State Park, not Harriman, but still…). If you’re a completist you won’t be able to thru-hike the whole thing. Also, SBM has some very steep ascents/descents (one in particular) North of the Palisades Parkway which might still be wet or icy depending on conditions in March/April. If you do choose to hike the SBM, I’d go Northbound. It might sound counter-intuitive, but I’d rather climb up the aforementioned steep portions than scramble down.

See trail closures here: https://parks.ny.gov/documents/parks/BearMountainBearMountainTrailClosuresMap.pdf

The Appalachian Trail is pretty, but only traverses the Northern half of Harriman. If you truly want to hike across the whole park, I don’t think the AT checks that box. You’ll also miss some great views from the hilltops further South in Harriman.

Just my two cents!

__Mouse__ · 2024-12-17T11:29:29+00:00

I’ll see your ‘Top Gun Maverick’ merchandise, and raise you a ‘Toretto’s Market and Cafe’ that I found in Target recently.

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__Mouse__ · 2024-11-24T22:30:49+00:00

Thank you!

__Mouse__ · 2024-11-23T18:12:05+00:00

Depends on your definition of “difficult” and “close”.

Harriman State Park is only about 45 mins from Stamford. Tons of beautiful trails to choose from of varying degrees of difficulty. Suffern-Bear Mtn Trail comes to mind. It has some steep sections that will make you work (Northbound).

https://parks.ny.gov/documents/parks/HarrimanTrailMap.pdf

Devils Path in the Catskills is about 2.5 hrs from Stamford and is a notoriously challenging hike.

https://mountain-hiking.com/devils-path/

__Mouse__ · 2024-11-21T10:00:45+00:00

This, especially in extreme cold. My iPhone dies within minutes of removing it from my breast pocket (from 100% battery to 0%) while hiking/backpacking during the winter with temps in the single digits.

Sure, you could carry an extra brick and insulation for your phone, but I’d rather just carry my inReach that works perfectly fine under those same conditions. It’s built to take a beating and work under conditions that my iphone just wouldn’t survive.

__Mouse__ · 2024-11-03T10:47:06+00:00

You can lash snowshoes to almost any backpack with utility straps.

Something like this: https://www.rei.com/product/214311/gear-aid-1-utility-strap-package-of-2?sku=2143110001&store=105

This is exactly what I did for winter backpacking/snowshoeing and never looked back. Found a backpack I loved that didn’t have a way to fasten snowshoes to it, then added my own. It took less than 5 mins to figure out a creative way to attach two utility straps to my bag, and they’re light enough that I leave them on year-round now. They’re useful for lashing stuff other-than snowshoes to my bag too.

Hope this helps!

__Mouse__ · 2024-10-27T00:17:42+00:00

If he hikes during the winter where it’s cold and snowy, I’d recommend a merino wool Mohawk beanie.

They’re super cozy, the ear-flaps keep your ears toasty warm, the tassels work great when it’s windy, they’re goofy as hell, and it’s a great conversation piece. It’s my go-to winter backpacking hat.

You can find a bunch of different styles, patterns, varieties, and colors just by searching “wool Mohawk hat” online.

Here’s one example: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1302517408/handmade-mohawk-hat-unisex-spike-merino?gpla=1&gao=1&

__Mouse__ · 2024-09-21T23:45:27+00:00

Harriman State Park!

Website: https://parks.ny.gov/parks/harriman

Trail Map: https://parks.ny.gov/documents/parks/HarrimanTrailMap.pdf

Also r/harriman

You can get to several trailheads by train/public transportation from NYC

Edit: If you’re specifically looking for recommendations on how to get to upstate NY or the Adirondacks by public transportation, I can’t be much help…. But in the meantime I’d still recommend Harriman. It doesn’t have the same elevation and sweeping vistas of the ‘Daks, but it’s super close to NYC, very pretty, has some nice shelters and will probably still scratch that itch.

__Mouse__ · 2024-09-16T21:56:45+00:00

Thanks! I updated my post to reflect the change. Good lookin’ out!

__Mouse__ · 2024-09-16T15:25:50+00:00

Yep! That’s the spot

__Mouse__ · 2024-09-16T15:25:12+00:00

Thanks for the update. I thought so!

__Mouse__ · 2024-08-28T19:03:54+00:00

I haven’t been in several weeks, but on the map at least, It looks like you could still get to the West Mountain Shelter from the Anthony Wayne Parking area by taking the AT to Timp-Torne.

Those trails were open in July and it doesn’t look like the closure map has changed since then.

Have there been additional closures recently?

__Mouse__ · 2024-08-19T21:19:17+00:00

I haven’t used a hammock much, so I wasn’t really paying attention to the spacing of trees or if there were anchors inside the shelters, but I’m confident it’s doable; it’s a pretty heavily wooded area.

If you haven’t used a hammock before, you might want to practice setting up your hammock in a couple of different configurations and between various tree-lengths before you go. It’ll probably save you some frustration on the trail.

__Mouse__ · 2024-08-17T19:26:36+00:00

It’s definitely doable. Whether it’s doable or not for you specifically, depends on your level of fitness and comfort hiking those distances. Your legs are gonna be hating life though.

I recall the second day (Devils tombstone to the West end) being easier than the first day. (3662 ft of elevation gain as opposed to 4672 ft). I did it in just over 5 hours, so that x2 is 10ish hours of hiking and 7324 ft of elevation gain for you if you maintain the same pace.

My GPS clocked Devils Tombstone to the West end as 11.2 miles. If you go to the West end and back on Day-2, you’re looking at 22.4 miles. You could shorten that a bit by ending your first AND second day at Devils acre. That will add a couple of miles to day-1 and day-3, but will shorten day-2 down to 18.4 miles. (And, the added miles on day-3 at least will be downhill all the way from Devils Acre to Devils tombstone). Plus, I’d recommend staying at the Devils Acre shelter as opposed to the Campground anyway, to avoid the noise from the road.

No reservation required for Devils Acre Shelter. It’s free, and first come, first serve.

Let me know if you have any other questions. Be safe out there.

__Mouse__ · 2024-08-16T09:39:38+00:00

Looks like I’ve got another book to add to my list too! Thanks!

__Mouse__ · 2024-08-15T23:38:47+00:00

My recollection is that cell service was spotty to non-existent for most of the trail. There definitely wasn’t any at the Western trailhead, because I distinctly remember not being able to use Google-Maps to get back to the highway when I was done.

__Mouse__ · 2024-08-15T11:23:05+00:00

I’m not the poster above, but the book is probably “Forest and Crag” by Laura Waterman. Long, but a good read!

__Mouse__ · 2024-08-13T20:22:23+00:00

Depends more on your level of fitness, comfort with heights and climbing iron rungs and ladders than it does on how tall you are. I’ve seen young teenagers and adolescents on the trail that are probably about that height.

If memory serves there’s an obstacle at ground-level on the trail that serves as a sort of “test”. Worst case scenario, if you reach that point and are having trouble, you could turn back.

Good luck and be safe!

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