{"id":2775,"date":"2017-06-28T18:03:10","date_gmt":"2017-06-28T22:03:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/shaleewanders.com\/?p=2775"},"modified":"2021-12-31T14:30:30","modified_gmt":"2021-12-31T19:30:30","slug":"scenic-hikes-in-the-united-states","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shaleewanders.com\/scenic-hikes-in-the-united-states\/","title":{"rendered":"The Most Scenic Hikes in the United States"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"Shalee\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n

\n\t\tMost Scenic Hikes in The United States (2022 Edition) \n\t<\/h1>\n\t

Updated: November 10, 2021<\/p>\n\t

Most Scenic Hikes in The United States for 2022<\/h2>\n

I originally wrote this article in 2018 when I thought I had enough hiking experience to provide a list of the most scenic hikes in the United States. And even though I was probably right, I’m writing this again in 2021 because I’ve added a long list of hikes to my resume and want to share them with all of you.\u00a0<\/p>\n

1. Half Dome, Yosemite National Park (CA)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Most<\/p>\n

Difficulty rating: Hard\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mileage: 18 Miles Round Trip\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Trail\/climb rating: Class 2, cable climb required\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The first major hike I completed. It was hell; I’m not going to lie. Picture nineteen-year-old Shalee and her dad attempting an eighteen-mile mountainous hike when the most elevation gain experience prior to this was a 500ft sand dune climb. #RIPus<\/p>\n

I think we were the last ones down from the trail at dusk, I slept with my face down at the pizza place we went for dinner, and I couldn’t walk for three days. But we made it and it remains one of my favorite hikes. However, I would like to return and see if I could chop my previous time in half.<\/p>\n

The Half Dome trail<\/a> is 8.6 miles one-way and gains 4800ft in elevation. In order to hike past the sub-dome a permit is required (yes, a ranger is there to check) and anyone who is caught attempting the summit without a permit gets a hefty thousand dollar fine. The last 400ft of the trail is a near-vertical cable climb. The hike is known as one of the most deadly in the United States because of this section.<\/p>\n

Even with permits in place, the trail remains one of the most popular within Yosemite National Park. If you fail to get a permit, don’t worry, there are hundreds of equally amazing and less crowded hikes around the valley and within the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range.<\/p>\n

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2. Titcomb Basin, Wind River Mountain Range (WY)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Difficulty rating: Hard<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mileage: 33 miles Round Trip\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Trail\/climb rating: Class 1\/2, river crossings required\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is a new addition to the ‘Most Scenic Hikes in The Untied States’ list for 2022. The Wind River Range in Wyoming is often overshadowed by the Tetons, but it holds that tallest peak in the state. The reason why it’s so underrated, it because it’s also extremely inaccessible. Titcomb Basin is a stunning valley that serves as a basecamp for many of Wyoming’s most difficult 13ers.To get here requires an 18-mile one-way trek through the Wind River Wilderness.<\/p>\n

What this means, is that round-trip mileage for this hike is at least 35 miles, making it not the best choice for a beginner or casual hiker. However, if you are willing to put in the effort it provides a rare opportunity to have one of the most scenic areas in the United States to yourself.<\/p>\n

On a busy weekend, there may be a dozen other backpackers in the three-mile-long basin, which means plenty of room to roam and enjoy it for yourself. There is truly nowhere else like it on the planet.<\/p>\n

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3. Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Death Valley National Park\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Ultimate<\/p>\n

Difficulty rating: Easy\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mileage: 1-2 Miles Round Trip\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Trail\/climb rating: Class 1\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes in Death Valley National Park could be one of the most underrated national park hikes in the United States. You can access the dunes a few hundred feet from the parking lot, but making the trek a half-mile into the larger dunes makes all the difference. Make sure to visit either at sunrise or sunset to experience the magical golden hour that never ceases to amaze.\u00a0<\/p>\n

When it comes to the most scenic hikes in the United States, this one definitely tops the list for grand views without a lot of effort.<\/p>\n

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4. Mount Washington, White Mountains (NH)<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Mount Washington stands as the highest peak in the Northeast and one of the most deadly hikes due to its extreme fluctuating weather. The highest wind speed on earth was recorded on the summit at 231 mph.<\/p>\n

There are many people who begin the hike in beautiful weather not expecting to need much more than a light wind jacket and then soon discover Mount Washington is not kind to visitors, even in the summer months.<\/p>\n

The most popular summit route is via the Tuckerman’s Ravine Trail on the east side of the mountain. From trailhead to summit is roughly 4500 feet in elevation gain and 8.5 miles round trip. The hike up is serene, but don’t expect the summit to mirror the vast wilderness. Mount Washington’s summit is accessible by a road, which attracts many tourists throughout the year.<\/p>\n

I recommend taking a slight detour to a hiker’s hut about a mile from the summit along the Appalachian Trail. It’s located on a small mountain lake and offers an incredible (and non-tourist filled) view of the area.<\/p>\n\n

5. Observation Point, Zion National Park (UT)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Difficulty: Hard\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Distance: 16 miles round trip<\/strong><\/p>\n

Trail\/climb rating: Class 1\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Most<\/p>\n

The longest, highest, and most scenic hike in Zion National Park<\/a>. Most people venture to Zion with hopes of hiking Angel’s Landing<\/a>, as it is known to be dangerous and daring. I’ve completed Angel’s Landing twice and Observation Point once, here’s my take on both:<\/p>\n

Angel’s Landing<\/strong><\/p>\n