Pumpkin Regattas and Zombie Races in Portland: 8 Must-Do Seasonal Events

Locals know that the Lost Maples State Natural Area East Trail is one of the most challenging day hikes in the area. The 0.8 mile climb required is demanding, to say the least. But it's also very rewarding and worth the effort, even for rookies and novices. After your heart rate has recovered from the punchy 400 foot gain in elevation, you are rewarded with a phenomenal view of the Sabinal Valley below. To commence with this challenge, park on the northeast parking lot of the park and take the aptly named East trail. Hike 1.29 miles to Monkey Rock to pump yourself up for the climb. The simian resemblance of this rock is uncanny. You can also take the Maple trail which connects back to the East trail. After the first bend, you may choose to free climb a bit and explore near a large crevasse. You can't miss the crevasse because of it’s attention-grabbing size.   Around the first bend at Lost Maples Chrstine HershKeep hiking about 2.7 miles along the relatively flat East Trail until you hit the warning sign. Pro tip: If you see a warning sign, 100% of the time it means you absolutely should take that trail. Warning sign = Go for it! Christine HershOnce you hit the warning sign, you can start mentally preparing yourself to ascend 0.8 miles up rugged terrain to the top. At first, you will see the trail stairs. You will quickly pass the trail stairs and use Mother Nature’s stairs (read: rocks), for the remainder of the way. You can always stop for a breather, turn around and look at the view behind you, or chat with other hikers until you get to the top. Many hikers turn around before getting to the top. Do not despair! Once you see the bench, you're almost there. This entire stretch is a great sunrise location. Only one way...Up. Christine HershWhen you reach the top, you are graced with a beautiful vista of the Sabinal Valley below. Walk south towards the scenic overlook (point of interest number three on the LMSNA map) for another inspiring view. This overlook is a great panoramic lunch spot for large and small groups with plenty of space to sit. Turn around due north and walk the return 0.3 mile path back to the East Trail. You will pass another scenic overlook (point of interest number four on the map).   View from the top. Christine HershMake sure to take a picture at the scenic overlooks before you descend the 0.35 miles down the valley on the rocky terrain. Be careful as the rocks can slide.   The way back down is rocky -- watch your footing. Christine HershThe base of the valley reveals a pond with plenty of shade. This is another pleasant spot to stop for a lunch break, located near Primitive Campsite C. At this point, you can either take the East/West Trail 1-mile back to the parking lot or take the West Trail to add on more miles. Since you are here for the hills and not the flats, you will likely take the West Trail 2-miles through dried up creek beds and woods. Make sure to stop hiking for a minute and listen; it's quite a relaxing experience. Most of the other hikers return to the parking lot via the East/West Trail, so along the West Trail, you won't have to see or hear crowds of people (and their cell phones). After about 2-miles, you will find another 400 foot ascent (this time without a warning sign!). The grade isn't as steep as the East Trail’s climb, but it is still a challenge and is just as rocky as the descent from the previous climb. The top of the incline provides a little bench to take a breather, a snack, or a nap. The trail continues on the top of the plateau and then quickly descends into the valley via another rocky trail. In fairness, Lost Maples does not have the steepest inclines in the world, but it is a good challenge in Central Texas that is easily accessed by Austin and San Antonio locals. The park is busy during November when the maple leaves change color but is rarely traversed in the off-season. Expect to see 15-20 people in the off season throughout the hike, particularly on the West Trail. During the inclines, your thumping heart and lungs will be thankful that no one else is around to hear you panting.

When it comes to two-wheeled adventuring, sometimes self-guided exploration is part of the thrill. Other times, you’d rather leave the wayfaring to an experienced guide so you can focus on soaking up the scenery as well as the eats (and drinks) along the route. Whether you’re a hardcore cyclist looking to press your daily mileage or just out for a Sunday cruise with plenty of stops for Instagram photos, there’s an offering that’s just your speed. In recent years, operators have expanded their offerings to include a wide range of interest and skill levels, from ambitious tours of California’s coast and wine regions, to food-centric cruises to Denver’s food halls, to historic rides through Maine’s lighthouses—and everywhere in between. In honor of National Bike Month in May, here are 10 of the best bike tours in the U.S. 1. Denver for Fantastic Food Halls A post shared by The Source (@thesourcedenver) on Mar 24, 2018 at 12:41pm PDT Denver has become a food-hall capital as of late, thanks to five destinations dotting the Mile High City and its suburbs with a mouthwatering array of restaurants and artisanal food shops. Take a bite out of all five spots over 10 miles of urban road riding, from Avanti Food and Beverage in the LoHi neighborhood to Stanley Marketplace in Aurora, home to 50 local businesses housed in a former airplane hangar in Aurora. Get rolling at The Source, a hotel/market hall hybrid in a former iron foundry with 25 indie food vendors and bike rentals. 2. Albuquerque for Chiles A post shared by Sharon Kotas🐨🌸 (@kotaskoala) on Jul 2, 2015 at 11:52am PDT This kicky little veggie, whether in its red, green, chopped, and sauced forms, is ubiquitous in New Mexico. The crop is the basis of the state’s signature regional cuisine—and one of Albuquerque’s most popular outings from Routes Bicycle Tours. The 10-to-12-mile tour cruises along the Rio Grande’s cottonwood forests to six of the city’s top foodie hotspots, like Golden Crown Panaderia for green chile bread, and Pop Fizz, home to red chile chocolate popsicles. 3. Austin for Live Music A post shared by Visit Austin TX (@visitaustintx) on Jan 8, 2017 at 1:37pm PST During Austin's thriving festivals—and there are plenty of them—ditch the car and make like the locals, opting for a bike instead, which gets you past the inevitably snarled traffic to the stage way faster. And you’re sure to stumble across live music venues on the Austin Icons tour offered by Austin Bike Tours and Rentals. The two-hour outing pedals past Sholtz’s Beer Garden, the oldest operating business in Texas that’s had a grand influence on local culture and music. 4. Santa Barbara, California for Beaches and Wine A post shared by Visit Santa Barbara (@visitsantabarbara) on Nov 24, 2017 at 9:51am PST It’s hard to decide which is more relaxing: the beach or wine country. But California Bicycle Tours’ multi-day rides from Southern California up the Central Coast promise the best of both. Riders pedal along scenic coastlines, past quaint seaside towns, and along the scenic vines of Santa Barbara’s wine country. Tours vary based on itinerary; however, they cover 22 to 40 miles per day, so they’re better suited to riders who are accustomed to being in the saddle. 5. Los Angeles for Tacos A post shared by Sydney Kramer (@crepesofwrath) on May 6, 2018 at 9:29am PDT La La Land’s taco scene is spicy, and an outing from LA Cycle Tours wraps up some of the city’s best known and off-the-beaten-path spots. The nine-mile tour through several L.A. neighborhoods and past historic sites helps justify that extra side of guacamole. 6. Portland, Oregon, for Craft Beer A post shared by Krystal Sutherland (@km_sutherland) on May 13, 2018 at 6:08pm PDT Portland has earned the nickname "Beervana" for good reason—it’s home to more than 70 breweries, at last count. Get a sampling of what’s on tap with Pedal Bike Tours, which guides thirsty riders along the five-to seven-mile route past 11 of the city’s sudsy spots and inside a handful of them to see the brewing process and—of course—taste. 7. New Orleans for Cuisine A post shared by @eater_nola on Feb 14, 2018 at 7:23pm PST You probably won’t come close to pedaling off the calories you consume, but who doesn’t come to the Big Easy to overindulge a bit? The Confederacy of Cruisers’ New Orleans Culinary Bike Tour itinerary changes with the seasons, but you can expect a sampling of NOLA classics like gumbo, po’boys, crawfish, Cajun pork boudin, and jambalaya, as well as a few off-the-tourist-track surprises from the city’s Italian and African influences. This caloric cruise follows six- to 10-mile routes (but don’t count on your pedaling to offset the feast). 8. Atlanta for Neighborhood Gems A post shared by Lauren Neidrauer (@lauren.neidrauer) on Aug 14, 2017 at 12:16pm PDT The Atlanta Beltline will ultimately encircle A-Town, connecting 45 in-town neighborhoods along trails built on former railroad corridors. That neighborly spirit prevails on free weekly tours, organized by the Atlanta Beltline Partnership. Saturday morning rides follow the 16-mile Eastside Trail or the 11-mile Westside Trail; routes alternate each weekend. 9. Oak Park, Illinois, for Architecture A post shared by Wild Horse (@unsavory_pun) on May 5, 2018 at 6:30am PDT Architecture aficionados will find their match in the summer tours (June through September) of the world’s largest collection of buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The outing begins and ends at the iconic architect’s home and studio, and cruises through a picturesque neighborhood filled with 21 Wright-designed structures. 10. Portland, Maine, for Lighthouses and Lobster Rolls A post shared by Kevin Dunn (@coachdad815) on Sep 9, 2017 at 1:24pm PDT Summer Feet Cycling’s Lighthouse Bike Tour follows the scenic shores of Casco Bay by bike to five of the state’s picturesque lighthouses, with guides sharing Portland’s history along the way. along the 10- to 12-mile tour, you’ll work up an appetite for lunch, which features the city’s best lobster roll. Or, for the foodie-centric cyclists who prefer their tour with more lobster rolls than lighthouses, Summer Feet also has an offering exclusively devoted to taste testing one of New England’s signature dishes. Written by Ashley M. Biggers for RootsRated.

Across Great Smoky Mountains National Park, miles of interconnected trails meander through lush, green valleys, hug the banks of moss-laden, rocky creeks, and climb through thickets of mountain laurel and rhododendron to the blue-tinged mountain peaks. You could spend weeks backpacking through this rich landscape, but a weekend trip will also allow you to experience the best of the Smokies. To help you plan your visit, we’ve highlighted three backpacking loops that give you the Appalachian Trail, streamside and ridgeline campsites, killer views, and enough distance and elevation to satisfy your inner weekend warrior. Big Creek Loop Combining the best of frontcountry and backcountry camping, the Big Creek area on the northeastern tip of the park off I-40 offers something for every level of hiker. Tackle a 21.5-mile loop over big peaks or lower your mileage and elevation with a night at one of the sweetest creekside campsites in the park. Either way, you’ll hike the AT through some of the most scenic terrain in the Smokies. You will be in constant awe of the beauty on Big Creek Loop. Rock/Creek Roll into Big Creek Friday night to enjoy campground amenities like restrooms, dinner at a picnic table, and campsites with fire rings. You’ll be up early on Saturday to climb the Chestnut Branch Trail 2 miles to the Appalachian Trail. One of the shortest AT access points, the trail passes the remains of homesteads that pre-date the national park. Turn south on the AT and continue climbing 3.3 miles to the 0.6-mile Mt. Cammerer fire tower spur trail. At 4,928 feet, the tower overlooks the Pigeon River Gorge to the north and Mt. Sterling to the south. From the fire tower, it’s a moderate descent 2.1 miles to the Low Gap Trail. Take Low Gap 2.5 miles to campsite #37 at the Big Creek Trail junction. Right on the banks of Big Creek, you’d be hard pressed to find a more spacious backcountry site in the park. On Sunday, you can go big or go home, as they say. Going big means a hike up the Swallow Falls Trail 4 miles to the Mt. Sterling Ridge Trail. It’s another 1.4 miles and more climbing to an elevation of 5,842 feet on Mt. Sterling. Climb Sterling’s 60-foot steel fire tower for panoramic views of Cataloochee Valley, the Black Mountains, and the Southern Appalachians. Now, the downhill endurance test begins, with a 4,000-foot elevation loss over 6 miles on the Baxter Creek Trail. If you opt to go home, you can sleep in, savor your coffee by the campfire, and still have plenty of time to hike the moderate, 5-mile descent along Big Creek back to the campground, passing two stunning waterfalls and plenty of swimming holes along the way. Big Creek loop ends with a 4,000-foot elevation loss over 6 miles on the Baxter Creek Trail. virgntn2011 Big Creek Campground is open from April through October and makes a great base camp for groups by serving a wide variety of abilities and interests. On your way home, make sure you leave enough time to refuel at Carver’s Apple Orchard in Cosby, Tenn. At Carver’s you can shop for fresh produce at the farmers market, nab awesome treats at an old-time candy shop, and feast at a homestyle restaurant, where the apple fritters are not to be missed. Twentymile Loop In the southwest corner of the Smokies you’ll find a lesser-used trailhead that leads to the AT and one of the most scenic balds in the park. From this trailhead, you’ll log 17.6 miles on the way to Gregory Bald, sleeping one night on the AT and camping the other night on the bald. Start off Friday afternoon at the Twentymile Ranger Station off Highway 28 near the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. A non-technical climb takes you 4.5 miles to meet the AT at Sassafras Gap. Campsite #113, at Birch Spring Gap, is less than 1 mile north of the trail junction. If time allows late Friday or early Saturday morning, head south on the AT for 360-degree views at sunset or sunrise from the top of Shuckstack Fire Tower. The historic lookout isn’t regularly maintained, so watch your step on the 200-foot climb to the top. In the southwest corner of the Smokies you’ll find the lesser-used Twentymile Loop trailhead. Chris M Morris You’ll resume your northward journey on the AT, traveling 2 miles over Doe Knob to the next trail junction. Next, take Gregory Bald Trail west a little more than 3 miles to campsite #13 on the bald. Known for spectacular flame azalea blooms each year in mid to late June, the grassy high-elevation meadow offers stunning views of Cades Cove, Fontana Lake, and Clingmans Dome. On Sunday, make the final 6.3-mile descent to the trailhead on the wide, non-technical Wolf Ridge Trail. Refuel at Fontana Village, just over 6 miles down Highway 28, before heading home. Burgers and brews will hit the spot at Wildwood Grill, while the Mountainview Restaurant highlights seasonal produce, along with fresh, local rainbow trout. Deep Creek Loop Along Deep Creek loop you’ll pass Indian Creek Falls. Alan Cressler Enjoy the streams and waterfalls of the Deep Creek area in the south-central region of the Smokies on this 28.2-mile loop. You’ll also spend a night in an AT shelter and exit on one of the longest continuously descending trails in the Smokies. You’ve barely left the Deep Creek Ranger Station before you come across Tom Branch Falls and Indian Creek Falls. Once you pass these Instagram-worthy stops, it’s a slight uphill grade for 4 miles along the moderately rocky Deep Creek Trail to campsites 54-59. Claim a site for Friday evening (all but one are non-reservable) to enjoy the refreshing waters of Deep Creek and thickly wooded campsites. Creek crossings and easy bushwacking are on the agenda Saturday, as you hike another 4 miles to the Fork Ridge Trail. Fork Ridge ascends 5 miles to Clingmans Dome Road and the AT. A short hike north takes you to the Mount Collins shelter, where you’ll spend the night in a high-elevation spruce-fir forest and dramatically cooler, drier conditions. Enjoy the shelter amenities, like cozy bunks and a fireplace inside. Hike down from Clingmans Dome Road to start your final 11.4-mile descent. Kevin Stewart Photography The pre-dawn hike south to Clingmans Dome is highly recommended for 360 degrees of sunrise from the highest point in the Smokies. Hike 2 miles down Clingmans Dome Road to the Noland Divide Trailhead to start your final 11.4-mile descent. The trail slopes gently for the first 5 miles before making a steeper drop into Deep Creek, but there are few roots and rocks to slow you down. Make sure you stop to enjoy the views at Lonesome Pine Overlook along the way. After logging all those miles, nothing’s going to taste more satisfying than a meal and craft beer at The Warehouse at Nantahala Brewing Co. Wrap up your Smokies adventure on the outdoor patio in downtown Bryson City with specialties like the slow-cooked brisket noodle bowl, apple bourbon pork chops, or Bryson City Brown Ale chicken along with a flagship or seasonal draft. Written by Ann Gibson for RootsRated in partnership with OrthoCarolina.

Hardest hike in America? That's a bold claim, but one that hikers of the Cactus to Clouds trail can certainly make with a straight face. Starting in Palm Springs, Calif., the trail offers an extreme physical challenge while also providing a unique outdoor setting with amazing views. It's a day hike that puts your skills to the test, and it should certainly be on the bucket list of any serious hiker. Let's break it down: The hike is actually a combination of two trails, the Skyline Trail, and the trail to the San Jacinto Peak. The Skyline Trail is approximately 10 miles long and features 8,000 feet of elevation gain from the desert floor of Palm Springs up to the Long Valley Ranger Station. You are home free once you get to this point—or are you? The hike up to the San Jacinto Peak is much easier (but by no means easy). You want a challenge, yes? The trail up to the peak is an additional 5.5 miles long with 2,600 feet of elevation gain from the ranger station. Remember, at this point you have just finished hours of one legged squats with each step up the Skyline Trail. Intrigued? A Palm Springs Sunrise on the Skyline Trail. Craig Pulsipher Such an attempt requires dedicated preparation. Most reviewers say this hike is not for the faint of heart. I'd take it one step further and say that it is custom-designed for those looking for an extreme challenge. Most veterans recommend starting the hike at 3 a.m.; I began this trip up at 4:15 a.m. The important thing is that this hike is started several hours before daybreak in order to get through as much of the steep grade climbing as possible before the sun starts beating down. Increases in altitude will provide a nice cool breeze. The landscape of the Skyline Trail is very representative of the desert from which you will start, and the trail offers many amazing components that make for a fun adventure. The rock formations to climb up, over, and around provide an interesting and stimulating course. Overlooking the entire Coachella Valley, you will see the lights, wind farms, and highways as the sun rises to peak over the eastern mountains. After trekking further up the trail, the terrain changes from a dry desert landscape to a wooded forest of pine trees. The air will begin to taste crisp and cool. The shady canopy is just in time for the steepest grade of the day finishing off the Skyline trail up to the Long Valley Ranger Station. Mission accomplished. This is the place to take a much deserved recovery break, eat some food, refill water bottles, and prepare mentally to get back to it. The rest of the way is mostly forested with plenty of tree coverage, and the climate feels magnificent. This point of the trail has plenty of foot traffic from fellow adventurers in quest of the spectacular view from the peak. There are several things to take into consideration before starting this hike up the Skyline Trail. First, think about the season. The summer months will increase the risk of heat exhaustion and dehydration. Winter months will result in extreme lows, especially when you get farther up the mountain. If there is any snow coverage, there will be parts of the trail that will be very difficult to follow. The Aerial Tramway will give hikers a ride back to down the mountain. Craig Pulsipher Other seasons will provide temperature extremes of both hot and cold. Next thing to consider is the fact that the first bail out point is not until you get to Long Valley, which is 10 miles from the trailhead. If you get half way up Skyline and decide it is too much, it is safer to continue up to the ranger's station for a ride back down on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Another thing to consider is the chance of injury. I was personally scolded by the ranger because I did this hike alone. A twisted ankle, a pulled muscle, snake bite, or inadequate water supply could have been disastrous. Use the buddy system. My journey was in the end of summer, and I went through six liters of water heading up the Skyline Trail. Some advice: Plan for weather fluctuations, pack a first-aid kit, and carry plenty of food and water. Preparation is key to making this adventure a positive experience. Cactus to Clouds is an accomplishment. Completing it will be a defining moment in life. Consider the reward. Think of the peace that follows such physical and mental exertion, the challenge itself, stunning views, being one with nature, bragging rights, and the satisfaction of conquering one of the most difficult hikes in America. So, is Cactus to Clouds the hardest hike in America? Hmmm. A total of 20 miles, 10,600 feet of elevation gain, temperature extremes on both ends, and 10-14 hours on the move. Putting this hike to the test is the only way for you to know for sure. Written by Craig Pulsipher for RootsRated in partnership with Greater Palm Springs CVB.