The Hikes I Still Think About: My Most Epic Trails (and What's Next)

Some hikes are beautiful while you're on them. Others follow you home. These are the ones I still bring up in conversation, scroll back to in my camera roll, and would happily do all over again. This is my personal list, not a ranking by mileage or difficulty. A few were huge days; others earned their place simply by making me stop and stare.

I've grouped a couple of nearby trails together where they make sense as one trip. They're still separate hikes, and you can choose the version that fits your day.

Half Dome, Yosemite National Park, California

I first looked up at Half Dome from Sentinel Dome in 2021, wondering whether I'd ever stand on top of it. In September 2026, I finally did. The cables were the part I built up in my head; from the bottom they looked terrifyingly steep, but moving through them felt more manageable than staring at them. Coming back down through the traffic was another story. Even with wildfire haze softening the views, reaching the summit felt like a milestone in how far my hiking has come.

For the full climb, the National Park Service requires a Half Dome permit when the cables are up. This one deserves its own planning, an early start, and a willingness to turn around if the rock or weather is unsafe.

The Enchantments, Washington

The Enchantments lived up to the hype. Colchuck Lake alone is unforgettable, but the full day hike kept changing: blue water, granite, exposed alpine terrain, and one of those long descents that makes you very glad you planned a shuttle. I wrote a whole guide to day hiking the Enchantments because this is a trail that rewards preparation. It was a huge day, and I'd still choose to do it again.

Blue Lakes Trail and Mount Sneffels, Colorado

Blue Lakes, near Ridgway and Ouray, has a permanent spot on my favorites list. I went back more than once for that almost unreal turquoise water, July wildflowers, and the chance to bring Sora along for the lake hike. My Blue Lakes trail review has the details and photos.

Blue Lakes and Mount Sneffels are separate hikes. The lakes sit below Sneffels, and you can hike to the lakes without climbing the mountain. Sneffels is a technical-feeling 14er summit outing with exposed scrambling; it is also possible to approach it by continuing from the Blue Lakes side over Blue Lakes Pass, making for a much bigger combined day. I have done both, but I'd never treat the summit as an automatic add-on to a casual lake hike. You can also approach Sneffels from Yankee Boy Basin. My Ouray and Telluride guide explains why I would leave your dog at home for the summit.

Ice Lakes Basin, Colorado

I think this is the Colorado hike you meant by “Icicle Lakes”: Ice Lakes Basin near Silverton. It's a different hike from Blue Lakes. Ice Lake and nearby Island Lake are both worth the climb, with bright water and a dramatic high alpine setting. We visited both and even did a cold plunge, which surprised me because I'm usually a baby about cold water. I included the trip in my southwestern Colorado guide.

Ptarmigan Ridge and Artist Point, Washington

Ptarmigan Ridge near Mount Baker is one of my favorite hikes anywhere. The landscape opens up above the trees and feels almost otherworldly, with big mountain views for miles. My partner and I underestimated the water we needed on our long outing, so this one is also a reminder to plan for an exposed route. I tell that story in my Washington hikes list.

Artist Point is the scenic starting area, not the same hike as Ptarmigan Ridge. You can visit its viewpoints and nearby shorter trails for a very different day, or start from there and head out along Ptarmigan Ridge. I love the area in both summer and snowy conditions, but access and trail conditions change with the season.

Sahale Arm, North Cascades, Washington

I couldn't leave Sahale Arm off after writing an entire trail review about it. The long drive and climb pay off in turquoise lake views, a huge alpine ridge, and the mountain goats we saw along the way. It's the kind of place that makes a 5 a.m. departure feel reasonable in hindsight.

Mount St. Helens, Washington

This one feels different from a lake or ridge hike. Looking into the crater from the summit made the mountain's history feel immediate. The climb had snow, rock, and a long day on our feet, and I came home with enough stories for a full Mount St. Helens trail review. It belongs here for the sheer feeling of standing on an active volcano.

The wish list: hikes I haven't done yet

These are still dreams, not trail reviews. I'll add more as the list grows.

• Angels Landing, Zion National Park, Utah. I want to see Zion Canyon from the chains, if I can get a permit and the conditions feel right. The National Park Service permit page is the place to check before planning.
• The Wave, Arizona. I'd love to see those striped sandstone curves in person. Visiting Coyote Buttes North requires a BLM permit.
• A trek through the Grand Canyon, Arizona. I haven't chosen the exact route yet. I'd love a multi-day trip that gives me time to experience the canyon below the rim rather than just glimpse it from above. An overnight route means planning around the park's backcountry permit rules.

Want to see where these adventures happened? Explore my map of trails and photo spots.

What hike would you put on this list? Tell me in the comments; I may need to make room for it on the wish list.