The Trailhead
Every journey has a first step. And some of the greatest, most meaningful journeys begin at trailheads. Welcome to ours! Here you’ll learn about gear, see route and trail intel, and dive into stories, images, and videos from our global community of adventureheads like you. Think of it like "The Third Place"–not home, not work, but your other most important/favorite place. The spot to hang out around like-minded people and have your life decisions and priorities validated. You won't need to justify your latest gear purchase or explain why you're using up all your paid time off hours to this crowd. They get it. Let’s go!
WHO WE ROLL/SKI/PADDLE/CLIMB WITH: BRETT DAVIS
Meet Brett “BD” Davis: outdoor educator, multisport adventurer, and longtime HMG gear tester. From bikepacking to alpine climbs, learn what drives his journeys—and the gear he trusts to go the dist...
IN SEARCH OF CARIBOU AGAIN-A TRIP DOWN THE MARSH FORK OF THE CANNING
Words and Photos by Michael DeYoung @michaeldeyoung IG- @michaeldeyoung Lauri DeYoung scanning for caribou on a tundra bench above the Marsh Fork with Lapland rosebay and mountain avens in bloom.
SHAKEDOWN 2.0 – LIZ KIDDER
Words and photos by Liz “Handstand” Kidder @lizkidder, IG - @lizkidder The Shakedown 2.0 has fresh legs and a belly full of Nutella!
TINA CURRIN'S FLORIDA TRAIL 2022 GEAR LIST - BASE WEIGHT ~7.5 LBS
Words and Photos from Tina “Cash Money” Currin - @tina Despite many thousands of trail miles under my (hip)belt, the 1,150-mile Florida National Scenic Trail (FT) required the trickiest kit I’ve as...
WHO WE HIKE WITH: TINA CURRIN
Hi, I’m Tina Currin @tina! Depending on the season, I’m a park ranger, long distance hiker, gear tester, ski liftie, unemployed van dweller, etc.
A LOVELY TRIBUTE TO A VISIONARY: JOSH SHEETS HIKES THE BENTON MACKAYE TRAIL
Words and Photos by Josh “Soulslosher” Sheets @Josh_Sheets Benton MacKaye Trail – Thru Hike, April 2023 - 300 miles of pristine Southern Appalachia wilderness Imagine a trail that starts on Springe...
THEN AND NOW: 50 YEARS OF THE COLORADO TRAIL
Words from Jenner Haseltine (Kardi) Photography by Cody Jackson (Feathers) 8/19/2024 “Imagine a hiking trail that will trace a 350-mile (now 486-mile) route through some of the most interesting and...
Fast, Light and Free on the JMT: My 260 Mile Adventure in the High Sierra
If you've stumbled upon this post here on The Trailhead, chances are you’ve at least heard about the John Muir Trail.
SAME ADVENTURES THROUGH THE AGES: ULTRALIGHT FOR OLDER BACKPACKERS
Words and Photos from “No Spring Chicken,” Michael DeYoung (New trail name: Second Chance)
My first real life-changing event was a two-week backpack trip to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico in 19...
YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW: LESSONS EARNED ON A CALENDAR YEAR TRIPLE CROWN
Words and Photos from Jack "Quadzilla" Jones
Jack "Quadzilla" Jones set out this year to achieve what only a small number of backpackers have; a calendar year Triple Crown. Eight thousand miles of ...
SHIFTING GEAR: QUADZILLA TWEAKS HIS SETUP FROM THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL FOR THE PACIFIC CREST TRAIL
Words and Photos from Jack "Quadzilla" JonesAny gear heads in the audience here? Thought so! As you well know, selecting the right equipment for any trail is an addictive art form, and how others d...
BETTER GEAR + EXPERIENCE = FARTHER DISTANCE: THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT
Words and Photos by Rebecca SperryWe all see them on the trail and internally (or externally) cringe. Maybe they have on a backpack; maybe they’re just carrying a water bottle. Their footwear might...
