Late September saw my return to the Arizona Trail to finish this 800-mile adventure that began in the spring in Mexico. This time I would start the adventure at the Utah border and head south, some 450 miles, back to Roosevelt Lake where I ended in mid-April after completing 350 miles. This type of trek is commonly referred to as a "flip-flop" thru-hike. I began in Utah and traversed some lovely ..read more

 Hiking the Arizona Trail was a totally unique experience in the realm of hiking. I’d hiked over 10,000 miles, mostly in the East, but Arizona was the farthest west I’d traveled for a trail. Here are some practical observations after hiking 350 miles of it from mid-March to mid-April, beginning at the border and hiking to Roosevelt Lake.The border. I hiked down to the border with a friend and ..read more

The Pinhoti Trail is a 337-mile trail starting at Flagg Mountain Alabama in the southern Appalachians and extending up into Georgia to meet up with the Benton McKaye Trail. It is also part of the Eastern Continental Trail or ECT that spans from the Keys in Florida all the way up to the International Appalachian Trail or IAT. I've had the opportunity to hike a good deal of the ECT, of which the ..read more

While trudging along the trail this past week, enduring frigid temps with cold winds that cut through even my heavyweight Polartec fleece, I thought about those things that some may not consider essential but you are sure to find in my pack on a winter hiking trip. 1. Cell Phone - an important tool especially if the trip goes wrong. Doubles as a camera, too, if you happen across the icy ..read more

Upcoming Hiking Events, Trail Festivals, and Gatherings  for 2022-2023 October 7-9, 2022 - ALDHA The Gathering  Check back for more events. Feel free to e-mail at blissfulhiking(at)gmail(dot)com or comment with any other festivals that should be included ..read more

Preparing for the unexpected sounds like a misnomer. How can one prepare when you don't know what may happen? Especially in the area of medical treatment with hiking and backpacking long distances. I have already covered in a blog on first aid kits but was contacted by an interesting group of physicians that have come up with an emergency medical kit for people like us as well as travelers, etc ..read more

Blissful Hiking Adventures is proud to announce a series of blogs on great hiking, adventure, and opportunity in our national parks in the USA. To kick-off, we welcome Ten Adventures founder Richard Campbell with the best hikes in Mount Rainier National Park. Permitting for many backcountry camping and hiking in the parks begins soon. Plan your adventures now!Must-Do Hikes in Mount Rainier ..read more

Max Patch in NC There’s nothing better than a backpacking trip in the woods at the peak of leaf change. The air is crisp, the colors of the changing leaves brilliant, and the expectation is there for adventure and recreation. With that in mind, here are a few tips that will help your trip go smoother and more enjoyable.  Changing Weather – Fall can be a time of changing weather patterns ..read more

Blissful is proud to announce the accomplishment of a thru hike along the Benton MacKaye Trail! Blissful began the journey in late March and finished April 16th. The hike began near the base of Springer Mtn and wound its way through the northern Georgia mountains, fording creeks, hiking up and down many "lumps" as Blissful coined them, some gaining elevation to near 5,000 feet until linking again ..read more

Winter snow and ice on the Pocosin Hollow trail in Shenandoah National Park A day hike in the winter can be a wonderful experience. Cold, brisk days. Outstanding views you can’t see in the summer. No insects. Few visitors. Ice sculptures on cliff faces and waterfalls. But it also requires careful planning so it becomes an experience to treasure and not to dread. Winter hiking usually ..read more