North America | Terradrift | Sustainable Gear and Adventure

Our 5 Favorite Hikes in the USA! (A Non-Exhaustive List, Obvs)

Alisha McDarris — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 17:45:43 +0000

Here at Terradrift, we're hikers first (even though we are also obsessed with backpacking and mountain biking). And as such, we've explored nearly every corner of the wide and wonderful landscape known as the U.S. Along the way, we've found some magical trails (including paddle trails) from coast to coast (including in Hawaii and Alaska). Naturally, there are millions of trails around this massive country, and we obviously haven't hiked even close to all of them. We haven't even hiked in every state (though we've been to almost every state)! But of the places we have laced up our vegan hiking boots, these are some of our favorite hikes in the USA!

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Ride the Rim at Crater Lake National Park: The Absolute Best Way to Experience the Park!

Alisha McDarris — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 20:36:36 +0000

Looking for a unique way to experience a national park that is the perfect balance of adventure and exploration but doesn't involve sitting in the car and driving from lookout point to lookout point all day or spending four days backpacking in the wilderness? We've got just the thing: ride your bike around the Rim Road at Crater Lake National Park! "That's crazy!" you say? "It's too hilly and there are cars!" you say? Well, no, it's totally not crazy! And yes, it's hilly, but if you plan strategically and get to Crater Lake in early September, you absolutely can ride (almost) the entire rim road with no cars at all! It's the totally FREE Ride the Rim event and it. was. baller.

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A Coastal Oregon Road Trip: Beaches, Sand Dunes, Rocky Coastline, and No Crowds!

Alisha McDarris — Thu, 19 Sep 2024 15:22:11 +0000

Oregon–pretty much the whole state–is a gold mine of outdoor adventure. There's mountain biking, hiking around mountains, backpacking, kayaking, and so much more. And the Oregon Coast is no exception. Between sandy beaches, whale watching, sandboarding, biking and hiking, you'll never run out of things to do. But if you want to avoid the crowds, follow this coastal Oregon road trip itinerary for fewer people and plenty of quality outdoor time, epic views, and moody Pacific Northwest weather.

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Indigenous Tours in Banff: 5 Amazing (and Meaningful) Adventures with the Region’s Original Guides

Alisha McDarris — Thu, 25 Jul 2024 22:00:13 +0000

When I head into the mountains, either the Wasatch range near my home, the Austrian or Swiss Alps, or the Chisos Mountains in Big Bend National Park, I am always moved. Sure, I love to move fast and summit peaks as much as the next outdoor lover, but for years immersing myself in nature has been as much about the peace and calm I find there, enjoying the majestic scenery, and taking time to bear witness to the power of nature. But when I got to go to Alberta, Canada recently and spend time in the Rockies around Banff and Jasper (the tailbone of Turtle Island–a.k.a. North America), the wonder I have always felt in the outdoors was amplified each time I set out to explore with the region's Indigenous guides. Here are 5 Indigenous tours I heartily recommend in the area.

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Hiking in West Virginia: Dolly Sods and Beyond!

Alisha McDarris — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 21:32:34 +0000

In the list of states long overlooked when it comes to hiking, biking and outdoor adventure, West Virginia ranks pretty high on the list. But for those who know, this little state that's as much the north of the south as it is the south of the north is brimming with wide open spaces to explore. There are tons of wilderness areas, state parks, and forests to get lost in (please don't get lost), so we recently headed to Tucker County, home to Blackwater Falls, Canaan Valley, and Dolly Sods, to see what makes the region so special. Here's how to spend a long weekend to a week biking, chasing waterfalls, and hiking in West Virginia.

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7 Hikes Near Hood River and Mt. Hood, Oregon (and Other Outdoorsy Fun)

Alisha McDarris — Fri, 31 May 2024 21:26:59 +0000

Until two years ago, when I attended PCT Days in Cascade Locks and then spent a few days on the Pacific Crest Trail with a thru-hiker friend of mine, I had never been to the Columbia River Gorge and Mt. Hood area. But it was perhaps even more captivating than what I had seen and experienced in other areas of Oregon. So I couldn't wait to return and explore the outdoor adventure opportunities and hikes near Hood River and nearby Mt. Hood. After all, the Columbia River is wide and impressive, the sun bright, the mountain views pretty dang spectacular, and the trails abundant. So we recently spent a few days exploring, hiking, biking, and discovering some of what there is to do in the region (mostly where trails are concerned). Spoilers: we found plenty. So if you're ready to plan your own adventure, here are some of our favorite hikes near Hood River and Mt. Hood!

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Are REI Adventures Worth It? I Went to Sedona to Find Out.

Alisha McDarris — Thu, 09 May 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Whether you don't like to hike or travel solo, can't convince anyone from your friends or family group to join you on an exploratory hiking trip, or you simply like the camaraderie and all-inclusive pre-planned schedule group trips offer, a fully guided group trip may be for you. And if you love the outdoors, chances are you've heard about REI Adventures trips, which are packed with hiking, camping, lodges, and plenty of other outdoorsy fun. But are REI Adventures worth it (or any group hiking trip, for that matter)? I recently joined REI on their Sedona, Arizona luxury hiking trip to see what these sorts of experiences are all about and who is sure to enjoy them (and who probably won't).

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5 of the Best Hikes near Austin, Texas (From My New Guidebook!)

Alisha McDarris — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 17:52:57 +0000

I wrote a guidebook!! I know, right?! Exciting stuff! It's called Hiking Texas Hill Country, published by the inimitable Falcon Guides. And it was a looooooot of work, so I'm stoked to finally see it come into the world! (Some of you may remember we lived in Austin for 8 years, give or take a year or so to travel). As a teaser, I wanted to share 5 of the best hikes near Austin that are included in the book to whet your appetite, encourage you to lace up your boots, and consider buying the book, which offers everything from descriptions of flora and fauna to turn-by-turn hiking directions to epic imagery to inspire adventure! The official release date is May 7, 2024, but you can pre-order the book HERE and it will be shipped to you as soon as it drops! Or stop by your favorite independent local bookstore and request they order it for you (we love supporting local bookstores). But while you wait, here are some of our favorite hikes from the guidebook.

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Beginner Snowboarding at RED Mountain Resort?! I Visited to Find Out.

Alisha McDarris — Fri, 01 Mar 2024 01:53:21 +0000

A beginner boarder with just two lessons under her belt and maybe five days on any mountain anywhere heads to Rossland in British Columbia, Canada to find out if there is any beginner snowboarding at RED Mountain Resort, a mountain renowned for it's world-class runs.

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6 Hikes Near Las Vegas (And Other Rad Outdoor Activities)

Alisha McDarris — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 22:35:47 +0000

Headed to Vegas but prefer to opt outside instead of hitting the strip? We feel you. Nightlife isn't our thing either (though if you dig both, then you're in the right city). Fortunately, There's a wealth of rad hikes near Las Vegas, plus other adventurous outdoor activities within an easy drive from the city center.

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